WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Southend United’s 1986-87 Fourth Division promotion winners
GLENN Pennyfather admits that he was desperate for Southend United to avoid the lottery of the play-offs as they looked to climb out of the Fourth Division.
The Shrimpers looked as if they were going to challenge Preston North End to be runners-up to Northampton Town until they suffered a major end of season stutter.
Losing five of their last eight games meant it was a neck and neck race between them and Wolves to claim the last of three automatic promotion spots.
They managed to get their noses ahead of Wolves after beating their rivals thanks to a Martin Ling goal on a Friday night at Roots Hall during the closing weeks of the season.
And they finally claimed third place to finish a point better off than the Black Country side after beating Stockport County 2-0 at Edgeley Park.
Pennyfather scored the first goal and Richard Cadette claimed his 24th goal of the season to get the promotion party started on the Essex coast.
“It was a nail-bitting time and the pressure got to us,” he said. “We deserved to go up and to finally get it at Stockport was a relief more than anything.
“I remember my goal at Stockport really clearly. It was a corner that came out to the edge of the box and I hit it on the volley – it was a great goal.
“We all fully expected to get promotion, but when we stuttered towards the end you just want to get over the line.
“I am glad that we did because Aldershot beat Wolves in the playoff final that season after finishing a long way behind both of us.” 1. David Webb: Managed a number of clubs, including Chelsea, Brentford and Southend. Now splits his time between the New Forest and Portugal and has property interests. 2. Dean Neal: A former Millwall striker who like his brother John, who also played for the Lions, is a London taxi driver. 3. David Martin: The second former Millwall star worked as a project manager for a dry line company and is now a cab driver in the capital. 4. Paul Roberts: Completes the trio of former Millwall players in the squad who is now working as a London black cab driver. 5. Roy McDonough: After working as a car salesman in Colchester, he moved to Spain to coach at Charlton’s European Academy and has since worked for a property company on the Costa Blanca. 6. Paul Clark: Managed the Shrimpers, coached at Colchester United, ran a tiling business and a driving school. Also worked in the media and provided stats for the Press Association. 7. Glenn Pennyfather: He settled in the Southend area and is head of PE at Crowstone Preparatory School in Southend. Has also managed Chelmsford City. 8. Barry Silkman: Once involved in greyhound racing and the media, but is now one of the most successful football agents in the country and is based in Hertfordshire. 9. Derek Hall: He emigrated to Australia in 2001, returning briefly to become assistant manager of Curzon Ashton and coach at Manchester City. Is now running his own Adelaide coaching school. 10. Danny O’Shea: Was assistant manager of Cambridge United and Northampton coach. Then ran a wine bar and a pub before emigrating to Australia. Is living in Perth and running a Brazilian Soccer Schools franchise. 11. Mervyn Cawston: Moved to Norfolk and works for a food distribution company. Worked in hospitality for Norwich City. 12. Jim Stannard: Goalkeeper coach at Gillingham and Brentford. Then managed Redbridge before returning to Gillingham. Moved on to Southampton, Dagenham & Redbridge and Chelmsford City. 13. Shane Westley: He managed Lincoln City and Barrow before returning to London where he became a personal trainer. Now runs his own personal training company. 14. Buster Footman: The physio went on to give long service to Bristol City and then became a gardener at the Downs School in Failand. Lives in Portishead, Bristol. 15. Kevin Lock: Was assistant manager at Chelsea and Brentford. Then bought the Prince of Wales pub in Mountnessing near Shenfield. Is now an usher at Chelmsford Magistrates Court. 16. Richard Cadette: Is no longer involved in the game after a spell managing Tooting & Mitcham. Has been a health and safety advisor for the last 12 years. 17. Micky Engwell: Another former player who went into teaching. Is a PE teacher at Hertswood School near Borehamwood. 18. Steve Wiggins: Is still based in Essex and is now a director of an estate agents in the Chelmsford area. 19. John Seaden: Now based in Rayleigh, near Southend, and runs his own painting and decorating business JC Seaden Painting & Decorating. 20. John Gymer: He settled in Helsinki after finishing his career in Finland. Has worked as a data manager and project manager. Is now a senior data manager for 4pharma. 21. Kevin Spires: Settled in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden, and has spent over 21 years working as a teacher. Has worked in local football in a number of capacities. 22. Phil Cavener: Lives near Bedford and has been regional sales manager for Regatta Clothing, now Jacobs & Turner. He has also done some property developing. NOT PICTURED Martin Ling: Is now running his own soccer school. Is also coaching at the Spurs foundation and scouting for Walsall after managing Leyton Orient, Cambridge United and Torquay. Andy Rogers: Is now living in the Torquay area and is working as a probation officer in Totnes, Devon. Danny Maddix: After a spell as Barnet’s caretaker-boss and coaching at Spurs’ academy, he is working as a taxi driver in the London.