Flashback: Phil Gridelet recalls Southend United's FA Cup win at Woking

Twenty-five years ago, Blues triumphed 2-0 in their last FA Cup visit to the Kingfield Stadium after scoring twice in the final two minutes.

And Gridelet – who netted the second of the Shrimpers’ goals that afternoon – recalls the pre-match focus was centred around the managers.

“I remember the build up to the day and the week leading up to it was all about the managers,” said Gridelet.

“Woking had John McGovern who was a European Cup winner with Nottingham Forest and we had Alvin Martin so it was highlighted about them being in charge.

“We were Division Two and they were in the Conference so we were the favourites but it was a real banana skin for us, the type you dreaded.

“It was a dodgy one and I don’t remember too much about the actual game other than Nathan Jones scoring a free-kick and then my goal at the end too.

“But the support, as with all Southend games, was unbelievable.

“They were the 12th man and it was a good day all round.”

Gridelet headed home a right wing cross from Regis Coulbault to seal the Shrimpers’ place in the second round.

But it was not the only header he would score for the Shrimpers.

“The boys I’ve coached over the years in my academy have always looked for videos and couldn’t find my corkscrew header as I called it against Leicester,” said Gridelet.

“I remember Jancho Sancho who I coached at the Harefield Academy used to say about my left footed shot against Middlesbrough but couldn’t find that header.

“I did get a few headers though and it was good to get the one that day to help us get through.”

Gridelet went on to score 12 goals in 191 games for Blues before leaving in 1998.

And he still holds the Shrimpers in high regard.

“Southend is close to my heart still,” said Gridelet.

“It’s the first result I look for on a Saturday.

“I go on the Echo website every Friday for the build up to the games and always want them to do well.”

Blues now find themselves in the National League after two relegations in the past three seasons.

But Gridelet feels the Shrimpers are now starting to move in the right direction, with his former Southend team-mate Kevin Maher in charge.

“I think they’re progressing well,” said the 55-year-old.

“That league is such a difficult league though.

“I’ve got a few friends in it and it’s a bit like the Premier League in some ways.

“You have eight or nine at the top and then the bottom half which is always going to be the bottom half.

“It’s very difficult to get out of but I’ve been very impressed by Kev and the coaching staff.

“I speak to Kev when I see him at games and I think it all bodes well for the rest of the season. I think they will be there or there abouts. “I know people can’t compete with the likes of Wrexham but you need to get out of it as quickly as you can.

“The longer you stay in it the more ex league clubs come down and it becomes even harder to go up.”

Blues take a break from their league campaign for this weekend’s fourth qualifying round clash.

And they will be taking on a team Gridelet also knows well.

“I was at Woking for three years after Southend,” said the former midfielder.

“I played for them in the Conference and they were known at that time for their Trophy successes.

“I remember going to the club and seeing a massive stand at one end.

“They had plans to make the whole stadium like it and it was one of the reasons why I went there.”

Gridelet went on to play for Bishop’s Stortford and Harrow Borough before retiring.

But he continued to be involved in football.

“I run my own academies and have three different centres,” said Gridelet, “I do a lot of work on the educational side too and help set up education programmes for football clubs.

“I helped set up the Boreham Wood one and was working at the Harefield Academy where I was head of football and development for 14 years at the Watford Academy.

“Watford have since left the school and Wealdstone are now running their education programme from the school.”

And Gridelet continues to watch football whenever he can.

“I go out and watch a few games,”said Gridelet.

“The family and I are season ticket holders at Watford but I tend to go and watch National League games and lower. I’m enjoying my time but I’m looking to get back in to football, wherever that may be.”

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