Founded in 1959, Catholic United Football Club has a long history of playing football in Southend-on-Sea. It was originally known in the 1930's as Southend Catholic and then later as Catholic Athletic. Although the words Southend and Athletic have been dropped, what has remained firm and steadfast is the name Catholic and with it the reputation for all that is good in the game. Back in the 1960's Celtic Football Club helped Catholic United by supplying a Celtic kit when the club reached the Charity Cup Final. In honour of Celtic's generosity for supplying what became a winning Cup Final kit, it is now written into the club's constitution that the colours will always be the world famous green and white hoops.

This was without doubt one of our most rewarding trips so far this season. The South Essex College Sports Ground based at Wellstead Gardens in the Westcliffe-on-Sea suburb of Southend is home to Catholic United Football Club, members of the Essex Olympian League. Squeezed in all on sides between the smart semis that make up the local residential area, it is a tidy, well appointed, fully enclosed ground. A short driveway leads to a small, narrow car park at the side of the site that shares its facilities with cricket. The modern pavilion incorporating a club house and changing room block is situated at the top of a stepped embankment to the right with the playing fields stretching away from here beyond the cricket square to the far side of the complex.

The main pitch really is shoehorned into place on the far side of the field which runs parallel with St James Gardens. There is very little space between the far touch line and gardens backing on to it. A line of trees borders the goal to the right with a small wooden cover and equipment shed situated behind the opposite goal. A section of netting fixed between several tall wooden poles is used to stop miscued balls reaching the houses behind. Space is at a premium and the only boundary rope here runs along the length of touchline line nearest to the club buildings/pavilion. Pride of place must go to the playing surface which is immaculate. You could even eat your corned beef sandwiches off it (at half-time)! It wasn't surprising for us to learn that the venue benefits from having full time groundstaff who tend to its every blade of grass. The place realy does looks clean and tidy everywhere.

Our chosen game today saw the visit of Shenfield AFC to Wellstead Gardens for an eagerly awaited Division Three fixture. This was a smashing game of football and the standard of play was far higher than we had first anticipated on our arrival. The away team from Brentwood were just too strong and ran out eventual 4-1 winners. The opening goal of the game came soon after kick off when a Bill Texeria (2) volley from outside the box simply whistled past helpless keeper Chris Palmer into the top right hand corner of the net. It was a superb strike. The lead lasted only a few minutes when Mark Baker (10) produced a long shot-cum-cross from the right hand touchline (level with the edge of the area) which completely surprised everyone when the ball landed inside the net at the far post, thus allowing the hosts to draw level. Shenfield dressed in a blue and white kit regained the lead just before the half-hour mark when Sam Lock (27) noticing the keeper was off his line executed the perfect lob to beat him.

The visitors extended their lead just after the interval through Texeria (47) who netted his second after turning quickly on the edge of the six yard area to toe poke home through a group of players. Despite a strong fight back United couldn't quite take their chances to get back in the game. The final goal was an absolute cracker and saw Texeria (73) grab his second when he met a Lock cross from the right with what was a stunning diving header leaving 'keeper Palmer with no chance whatsover. With no further goals Shenfield mainted their lead to run out deserved 4-1 winners to take all three points and leap frog Catholic United in mid table.

The game was controlled expertly by leading local official Dave Axcell. Now this is a name that some of you, particularly in the East of England, may have come across already. Before the game we got into conversation with Dave as we crossed the car park on his way into the changing rooms. Noticing that he was wearing his distictive, if somewhat faded, official Football League badge on his shirt, I quickly asked him about his career as a pro referee. Taken totally by surprise we learned that he had not only officiated on the FIFA list during several World Cup qualifying matches played in many competing countries but along with Referee Ray Lewis (Surrey), and fellow assistant John Brandwood (Staffordshire), was also the linesman in the FA Cup Semi-Final when Liverpool met Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup Semi-Final at Sheffield on 15 April 1989 - the day of the Hillsborough disaster. It was a real eye-opener to hear about the events as they unfolded on that memorable day and the trauma experienced afterwards. These days Dave referees local and junior football. A most personable guy. What a small world, eh!

We were also joined pitchside today by regular FGIF correspondent and fellow hopper Keith Aslan who had travelled up to Southend from London. We thoroughly enjoyed his company chatting about things to with football travelling past, present and future as well as sharing a varied assortment of toffees as well as a half-time cuppa from our trusty flask. Keith also came into contact with the match referee Dave Axcell, being politely asked by the official to move away from the area directly behind the goal so as not to cause a distraction. Luckily he obliged and escaped getting a yellow card from our esteemed official!! After the game we dropped Keith off at the railway station before heading off for some real fish and chips on the promenade!!

Some travellers may not be aware that the club are producing a glossy 8-page matchday programme for all home games this season. It is printed predominantly in the club colours of green and white and contains the match details on the cover; history of the club; past match report; current league table and the previous week's results inside with both team line ups neatly listed on the back. It is available from the changing rooms before the game starts. Catholic United also publishes an informative website to give further details and useful contact information (see address below).

A visit to Catholic United Football Club comes highly recommended to all travellers. It is a lovely friendly club that offers visitors a warm welcome through its helpful officials, splendid modern facilities and the hoppertunity to pick up a matchday programme. We also found that the standard of football was very good, making for a superb day out at Southend-on-Sea (or should that be Thames, Keith?). Have fun wherever you decide to go.  

FGIF Match Stats

Scorers: (H) M Baker (10) and (A) B Texeria (2; 37); S Lock (27; 73)

Attendance: 11; Admission: None; Programme: Free, 8pp; Match rating: 5/5; Ground rating: 5/5.

http://www.catholicutd.co.uk/