SOUTHEND United’s visit to Bury this weekend will bring back memories of one of the club’s greatest ever triumphs.
For back in 1991, the Shrimpers triumphed 1-0 at Gigg Lane, thanks to a late, legendary goal from Ian Benjamin, to secure promotion into the second flight of English football for the first time in their history.
Twenty-two years on, those achieve-ments have now been put together in a book written by Blues fanatic Mark Wellington.
The Thurrock-based 37-year-old holds the 1990/91 campaign as his favourite ever following the fortunes of the Shrimpers.
And that led to him writing “Who Put The Ball In The Bury Net?” which is now available to buy.
“There isn’t much memorabilia when it comes to Southend so I wanted to put something together so this season could be remembered,” said Wellington.
“I haven’t done it to make money but we don’t have many DVDs or books on the club and I just thought this season deserved to have something done on it.
“Putting it all together brought back some brilliant memories but I remember being there on the day and still expecting us to blow it right up until the final whistle.
“I think that’s what being a Southend fan does to you, but it was a fantastic achievement to get promotion to that level for the first time and it was a brilliant team.”
Wellington, who works as a taxi driver, spent almost two years putting the book together.
And this weekend he will be heading back to Bury for the first time since that memorable afternoon.
“I’m sure it’s changed a lot since 1991 but I’m looking forward to going back and hopefully the team can get a good result,” said Wellington. “I know the last few results haven’t been very good but I think we’ve deserved something from all of the games apart from the Morecambe one.
“It’s hard not to warm to Phil Brown and the football is much better to watch this season, so I’m certainly not starting to panic just yet.”
A turnaround in fortunes could potentially lead to another book, but Wellington has nothing planned at this stage.
However, he is delighted at how the book has been received by fellow supporters.
“People seem to have liked it and getting Paul Clark, who was the captain of the team, to do the foreward was brilliant,” said Wellington.
“It’s nice to have got good feedback and I think people enjoy looking back and being reminded of a successful time for the club.”
Who Put The Ball In The Bury Net is now available to buy at www.lulu.com or Amazon priced at £9.99.
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