Supporter David Clark next with his story.
The U's take on their Essex rivals Southend United in under two weeks time, as the Essex Derby returns to the League One fixture list for the first time since February 2010.Southend Stories: David Clark
Kevin Watson | Andrew Weston
Our previous stories can be found here:-
Earlier in the week, we asked you to send us in your Southend stories, whether it be your favourite match, your favourite player to have done something memorable in one of those games, or a slightly alternative twist on the theme.
My two kids go to school with Col U pencil cases etc in a Norwich stronghold. So the U's have a small 'Norfolk Supporters branch' up here, and I regularly get my texts read out on BBC Essex after games for the ones I can't get to.
More importantly, I have also drummed into my two young kids to NEVER support Norwich and I always wear my Col U shirt around Great Yarmouth to wind up any Norwich fans.
They both go to games, and my friends kids too, and his son was a mascot at the Community Stadium a couple of years back.
As a quick background, I'm a massive U's fan now living in Norfolk. I'm originally from Essex though, hence supporting Colchester and since living here I have got my friend to be a U's fan as well as my brother-in-law.
More importantly, I have also drummed into my two young kids to NEVER support Norwich and I always wear my Col U shirt around Great Yarmouth to wind up any Norwich fans.
They both go to games, and my friends kids too, and his son was a mascot at the Community Stadium a couple of years back.
As a quick background, I'm a massive U's fan now living in Norfolk. I'm originally from Essex though, hence supporting Colchester and since living here I have got my friend to be a U's fan as well as my brother-in-law.
.01/11/2008 Southend United 3 Colchester United 3Anyway back to the derby games:
This was my favourite game, as myself and Jackdaw (Barry Chapman) travelled down from Norfolk, parked up in some small back street in Southend, and had arranged to meet my Auntie and Uncle before the game for a drink.
My Auntie and Uncle are Southend fans and moved to Cornwall over 30 years ago but, like myself, still travel to games.
Me and Jackdaw were obviously in the away end with the Col U fans and my Auntie and Uncle (Roy and Vi) were in the home end.
After being 2-0 down after 13 minutes we didn't even look at them as we could see them from where we were standing, then Johnnie Jackson pulled one back 10 minutes from half time, game on.
In the second half, with the rain pelting down and Roy and Vi still waving at us clearly smiling with Southend winning, BANG and it was 2-2, Mark Yeates.
My mate Jackdaw is a bit camera happy, and have attached his pic of Yeates celebration after scoring.
We later found out that another pic taken by the Col U cameraman actually has Jackdaw in the bottom left of the picture using his camera (attached too), and this photo is in the West Stand now on a giant canvas.
There were major celebrations in the away end after the equaliser too. And no more waving from Roy and Vi!
My mate Jackdaw is a bit camera happy, and have attached his pic of Yeates celebration after scoring.
We later found out that another pic taken by the Col U cameraman actually has Jackdaw in the bottom left of the picture using his camera (attached too), and this photo is in the West Stand now on a giant canvas.
There were major celebrations in the away end after the equaliser too. And no more waving from Roy and Vi!
Then, into the 81st minute and up popped Anthony Wordsworth with a header to make it 3-2 Col U, everyone went mental, no way Jackdaw could take a photo of this one.
Unfortunately Southend equalised in injury time, but after being 2 goals down any Col U fan would have taken a point at full time.
Roy and Vi agreed with us after the game and said it was worth the trip, a great game of football, great atmosphere and banter between the fans, and 6 goals. The rain didn't matter.
Unfortunately Southend equalised in injury time, but after being 2 goals down any Col U fan would have taken a point at full time.
Roy and Vi agreed with us after the game and said it was worth the trip, a great game of football, great atmosphere and banter between the fans, and 6 goals. The rain didn't matter.
We said bye to Roy and Vi but couldn't remember where we parked the car, and we walked along endless Southend back streets near the ground in the pouring rain trying to find it.
Eventually after 2 hours we found the car, and drove home with great memories of the game!
Eventually after 2 hours we found the car, and drove home with great memories of the game!