'The least fun I have ever had watching Southend United'

I know it is more than 1,000 from my time reporting for the Echo alone and it has certainly never been dull.

I have experienced virtually ever emotion possible, taking in incredible highs and almost unbearable lows.

But on Saturday I just felt nothing at all.

At this point, I should probably mention the Shrimpers were beaten 1-0 by Yeovil Town but my subdued reaction certainly had nothing to do with the score-line.

After 35 years of watching Blues I am more than used to witnessing defeats by now but Saturday’s game was a soulless, fun free afternoon all down to the way it was officiated.

In recent years I have become less and less attracted to top-flight football and would much rather watch a lower league game.

It is real football watched by real fans where emotions and enjoyment can run high.

But on Saturday that could not be further from the truth.

Now, I do not normally criticise officials.

I understand just how difficult the job can be, how they deserved to be respected and how the number of upcoming referees are dwindling due to the way they are treated.

I also see blaming officials as an easy way out and will often suggest looking at your own team’s performance before analysing anything else.

But, after what happened at the weekend, it is impossible not to centre on the match officials.

Referee Abigial Byrne timed the whistle wrong for the minute’s silence ahead of kick-off and it did not get much better after that.

A series of soft free-kicks in the opening exchanges set the tone and led to her losing control of the game.

However, it should be pointed out she was most definitely not helped out by the fourth official Tommy Breen.

I do not think I have ever mentioned a fourth official before while reporting but on Saturday it was instantly noticeable just how involved he wanted to be.

Breen constantly strode way up the touchline to speak with throw on takers and constantly called upon Byrne to take action.

That ultimately led to Kevin Maher being sent from the dug-outs and what should have been a good game of football became something of a farce.

The over-zealous nature of the fourth official made it difficult for Byrne and, in the interest of balance I do feel her decision to send off Blues goalkeeper Zach Jeacock was correct.

But football is a game of excitement, enjoyment and emotion.

Yes, there are lines that should not be crossed but I have pretty much the best view in the house of the dug-outs and witnessed nothing untoward.

A quiet word or warning would have sufficed, especially early on, and would have set boundaries on expected levels of behaviour.

However, what transpired sucked every ounce of fun from the game.

Normally I am engrossed in the match, one way or another, wondering what will happen and what can change to help things go the way of the Shrimpers.

But on Saturday I felt none of that and the after-match interview of Mark Cooper spoke volumes too.

He quite correctly stated how soul and emotion is being eradicated from the game and how he was almost frightened to sneeze in the technical area.

As a result ,Cooper added he did not enjoy a single minute of Saturday’s game and I can completely empathise with that.

Put simply, Saturday’s game was ruined and it became a largely uneventful encounter which went the way of the visitors due to an over-hit cross from James Plant midway through the second half.

But, for me, big lessons need to be learnt from this game.

Football should be allowed to be the brilliant, free-flowing, passionate game we all love to watch and emotions and excitement should be allowed to run high, within reason.

Players and coaches are not robots and should be free to show their character, albeit without taking that too far.

I know there is a thin line between acceptable behaviour and taking things too far but Saturday was way, way too far the other way.

And if that is the way football is heading then I think I will find something different to do with my Saturday afternoon.