Club History
Southend Collegians FC is one of the oldest and long-lasting grassroots football teams in Essex. We boast a rich history and have experienced many ups & downs since our inception.
Founded: 1948
Colours: Yellow & Black
Founded and Early Years
Founded after the 2nd World War by a group of Southend Municipal College Students who started playing as a group of friends in 1947. A team was formed in 1948 and started by playing friendlies against other local teams. Later that year the club was formed as ‘Old Collegians’ under the guidance of Clive Lee, who later became responsible for the Australian Olympic Athletic Team.
Joining The Southend Borough Combination
1949-1959
The Club entered the Southend Borough Combination in the 1949-50 season and a second team was entered in 1950-51, although that team finished bottom of division three in 1951-52 and needed to apply for re-election to the League. This was followed by a division three Championship in 1958-59.
The First 3rd Team
A third team was formed in 1952-53 and promptly finished in the relegation places and needed to apply for re-election.
The First Success
No real success was experienced until 1962-63 with the winning of the Southend Borough Combination division one title, but this was followed by relegation in 1967-68 after five years in the top-flight. Subsequent relegation was seen in 1972-73 with the first XI dropping to division two.
The Crazy Dances and Overseas Tours
In the early days, the club used to hold “crazy dances” with attendances of over 350 and regularly entered the Southend Carnival. Overseas tours were also common, and on one occasion on a tour of Tenerife, the game was watched by 10,000 people, who thought they were going to see Tenerife play Southend United. Unsurprisingly, the game was lost heavily.
The Club Revival
An influx of new players was seen in 1971, including current Chairman, Bob Ormston, who has been a driving force in the club for over 50 years. This started to bring an improvement across the club. In 1974-75 the first XI returned to division one and were again promoted in 1975-76 back to the premier division. The team only lasted one season in the premier division and were relegated back to division one. Meanwhile, in 1973-74 the club name was changed to Southend Collegians FC to reflect the move away from the old Southend College which had provided many of the club’s early players.
The Club Consolidation
The next few years saw the club consolidate and the third XI won the Chautard Cup in 1976-77. In 1978-79 a fourth team was entered in the league, immediately finishing bottom and seeking re-election. This seemed to be a habit for the club! The first XI moved between the top two divisions throughout the 1980s, at one point being called the local “team of the eighties” by local football reporter Roger Buxton. During this time the third XI won the Faux Cup in 1988-89.
1980s to 2000s Success
Since the ’80s success on the pitch has been hard to come by, although the first XI won the division one title in 1997-98 while the second XI won the Gladwin Cup in 2003-04 and the Cater Cup in 2018-19. The third X1 won the Faux Cup in 1988-89. The veterans X1 won the Eastwoodbury Cup in 2001-02 and the division three title in the Southend Borough Combination Veterans League in 2004-05.
A Sunday veterans team was a founding member of the newly formed Southend Borough Combination Veterans League in 1980-81, winning the league in 1983-84. The team did move to the Eastwoodbury Veterans League between the 1996-97 season and 2001-02 season but returned to the Southend Borough Combination Veterans League for 2002-03, where they still play.
Over the years, the club has won a range of honours across various leagues and cups. From winning the Southend Borough Combination division one title to lifting the Chautard Cup and the Cater Cup, the team has enjoyed plenty of success.
Club Honours
Sunday Sceptre League
In 2011-12 a Sunday side was entered into the Sceptre Sunday League. They did move to the Southend and Basildon Sunday League for the 2020-21 season but returned to the Sceptre Sunday League for 2021-22. It was during this season that the Sunday team completed a club-first league and cup double!
Challenges & Progression
In 2016-17 the club were forced to withdraw the fourth XI and withdrew the third X1 in 2020-21 due to a reduction in grassroots players available. Despite these challenges the club remains a healthy, financially secure, and well supported local side.
On a brighter note, in the close season of 2021-22 Southend Collegians were actively engaged in player recruitment and managed to attract new players to re-introduce the third X1 for the 2022-23.
Supporting the Local Leagues
Off the pitch, the club has always supported the local league and two of the club secretaries have represented the league at Essex FA, Brian Johnson, and Gary White.
Gary, who joined the club in 1991, becoming Honorary Secretary in 1992/93 is also the Chairman of the Southend and District Borough Combination and Southend Charity Competition.
