Southend United will honour the club's founding Pioneers with a family tribute at Roots Hall this weekend. Forty relatives of the original 1906 players will welcome the teams onto the pitch ahead of Saturday's National League match against Barrow.
The group includes family members from 14 different players, with six making the journey from Canada. They will hold cards bearing the names of the Pioneers as the current Southend squad, sitting third in the table with 21 points, takes to the field. The event marks 120 years since the Shrimpers played their first match.
Andy Leeder leads tribute to club's founding era
Andy Leeder, chairman of Southend United's ex-players association, organised the unique event. He worked with Terry Hamlyn and Paul FitzGerald to trace the histories of the club's first-ever squad for a book and this Roots Hall welcome. "What was unearthed was remarkable," Leeder said. The project includes the book, artwork, and the matchday tribute.
Family connections span generations and continents
Liam Moran, the great-great grandson of first-ever signee William Thomson, will lead the group of relatives. Cindy Gabriel and her husband are among those flying in from Canada for the occasion. "We are so looking forward to this and are flying in on the Thursday," Cindy Gabriel said. She is the wife of Roy, a great grandson of 1906 player Ben Freeman.
Pioneers' legacy extends beyond the pitch
The original squad featured notable figures whose influence went far beyond football. George Molyneux, the club's first captain, had already made his England debut before joining. Three Pioneers later played for Manchester United, and two had international pedigree. Arthur Norris served as the club's trainer in its inaugural days, while Andrew Ducat built the club's first main stand.
Commemorative project continues with book and future exhibitions
The book tracing the Pioneers' history is available now from the club museum or the Shrimpers Trust website. The commemorative efforts will continue next year with an art exhibition at the city's Beecroft Gallery and a planned series of lectures. This weekend's tribute connects the club's proud past with its present campaign, where Kevin Maher's side has won six of its opening eleven games.
The side, which drew 1-1 at Eastleigh last time out, faces a quick turnaround with a home game against fifth-placed AFC Fylde on Tuesday. Fans can check the full schedule on the club's fixtures page. The full squad list is also available for supporters wanting to connect the modern era with the Pioneers' legacy on the squad page.
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