On this day (March 11th) way back in 1933 the Coventry City ‘Bantams’ were an outfit plying their trade in the old Division Three South under the guidance of legendary boss Harry Storer. The team’s forwards were all hot-shots, particularly at home where they had scored four goal victories three times, three ‘fives’, a ‘six’ and a ‘seven’ already. The seven clear goal victory was achieved last time out against Queen’s Park Rangers (including a hat-trick from Billy Lake and a brace from Clarrie Bourton) so confidence was high visiting the Thames Estuary on this Saturday to take on the local Essex team Southend United.
However, it must be remembered that the Shrimpers had inflicted an unusual 3-2 defeat on the Bantams at Highfield Road back at the end of October 1932 (with City’s Frank White getting a brace) so revenge was in order! The Bantams’ connecting train to Southend-on-Sea was late so they were forced to change in the carriages so they would be ready for kick off!
There were only 5,958 at Roots Hall to see the action. The result was 3-1 in favour of City and Clarrie got another two goals both in the second half on 58 and 62 minutes (his eleventh in eight successive league games) with the other coming from ‘Jock’ Lauderdale after only two minutes! The Shrimpers goal came from Fred Barnett after only six minutes so Clarrie’s brace was crucial. Southend’s Ernie Hatfield even contrived to miss a penalty (awarded against Charlie Elliott) three minutes from time!
Ten goals in two games was not a bad haul and the Bantams got another six the following Saturday at Highfield Road against Crystal Palace!
City’s team that day lined up as follows:-
Peter McSevich; Charlie Elliott & Ken Wilmot; Eric Perry, Tommy Davison & Harry Boileau; Frank White, Jock Lauderdale, Clarrie Bourton, Billy Lake & Percy Richards
Ted Birnie‘s Shrimpers’ team turned out as follows:-
Dave Whitelaw; Ernie Hatfield & Jimmy Shankly; Tom Dixon, Harry Randle & Dickie Donoven; Fred Barnett, Emlyn ‘Mickey’ Jones, Jack Morfitt, Tot Pike & Les Clenshaw. Referee:- A.J.Spittle (Kent)
Jimmy Shankly was Liverpool manager Bill Shankly‘s brother and had also played for CCFC transferring to the club in February 1926 from Halifax Town whilst also spending a short time with Nuneaton Borough locally. Jimmy played eight times for the Highfield Road club netting twice before moving on to Carlisle United at the end of the season and thence to Sheffield United‘s Blades in October 1926.
CCFC finished the season in a very respectable sixth position in Division Three South with Southend United mid table in thirteenth. Clarrie went on to score 43 goals in as many league and cup games that season! Brentford won the D3S title and were promoted. Newport County and, bottom club on goal average, Swindon Town both successfully sought re-election to the Football League.
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