Southend Manor FC were formed in 1955 as a team for youth players by by Gil and Doris Medcalf. Gil had earlier played for prominent non league side Eton Manor, hence the club's title.
The club played in local league football for many years with an excellent record. Manor could not progress as they used council pitches until after many years of pressure Southend Manor was allowed to use Southchurch Park Arena (originally sharing with Southend Athletic Club) which had many of the attributes needed for Senior Football. In 1985 the club gained access to the Essex Senior League Reserve Division, while carrying out the work needed to meet senior status requirements. This status was reached in 1988 with a new clubhouse being erected.
The Club fielded 17 teams in 2009 from Under sevens to the First Team. Full F.A. Charter status was awarded to the Youth Section in August 2004, new state of the art floodlights were installed in the same month and, subject to the usual budget considerations, and compliance with ground grading requirements, The Manor aimed to continue to consolidate its position at this level of non-league football.
Southend Manor FC will compete in the Essex Senior League for the 2014-15 season.
My visit
Tuesday 14th July 2009
The weather was stunning. I had previously called in at Roots Hall across town and then walked the couple of miles to Southchurch Park. It is located just a block behind the sea front and the ground is at the far end of a park that also has a pond, cricket pitches and playgrounds.
The weather was stunning. I had previously called in at Roots Hall across town and then walked the couple of miles to Southchurch Park. It is located just a block behind the sea front and the ground is at the far end of a park that also has a pond, cricket pitches and playgrounds.
It took me quite some time to locate the entrance to the ground. Fortunately a gate was open so I could get close to take some good photos.
The ground is very open with large grass areas around the pitch as well as a path. The arena once housed an athletics track but that has now gone. On the clubhouse side there are two modern looking stands to offer shelter for spectators, one with seating and one with a few steps of terracing.
Southchurch Park looked to be a good venue in pleasant weather but is not somewhere I'd fancy on a wet and windy evening.
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