SOUTHEND United fans may be short of excitement right now.

But 33 years ago today the Shrimpers were celebrating promotion into the Third Division.

A 2-0 victory at Stockport County in their final outing of the season saw the Shrimpers secure third place.

And it is an evening Glenn Pennyfather – who scored Blues’ first goal in the win – still remembers with great fondness.

“We played on the Friday night and the rest of the games were on the Saturday which I don’t think would be allowed now,” recalled Pennyfather.

“I think we flew there and back and I remember my goal quite well actually.

“It came out to me on the edge of the box and I caught it sweetly on the volley.

“To be honest that was generally my warm-up in those days, I never bothered with any stretching!

“But I got 14 goals and that was my best ever return I think.”

Pennyfather was joined on the score-sheet by the prolific Richard Cadette at Edgeley Park.

And that led to some memorable celebrations.

“We flew back and I remember it was the first time I’d ever been in TOTS,” said Pennyfather.

“We all went but I think we were only there for an hour before it closed.

“But they’re fantastic memories.”

Southend finished a point clear of Wolverhampton Wanderers and were able to secure a top three finish despite manager David Webb opting to depart just two months before the end of the season.

“Dave left during the season,” recalled Pennyfather.

“We were doing really well but something happened with the board and Dave left.

“Clarky (Paul Clark) came in and did a great job.

“Clarky had everyone’s respect and, although he was his own man, he had similar thought patterns to Dave.

“The lads responded to him so well because sometimes when a manager goes at that stage of the season the bubble bursts.

“But Clarky got on with it brilliantly and he did a fantastic job.

“It can’t have been easy being a player manager and it was a fantastic memory for all of us.”

Clark also started the memorable match after having to make some tough decisions.

“I remember Clarky had some quite difficult decisions to make for that game,” said Pennyfather.

“Paul Roberts was left out and he had played most of the season at right-back.

“He must have been devastated but he was brilliant in the dressing room.

“If we hadn’t won then Wolves could have gone above us the following day.

“There were quite a few Wolves fans in the crowd but we sent them home with their tails between their legs which was great at the time.”

But Blues also enjoyed a number of memorable matches prior to their success against Stockport.

“We had a lot of big games that season,” said Pennyfather.

“Wolves was a big game and they were a massive side in the division at the time.

“We had some battles with Northampton who ended up running away with the league.

“Burnley were in the league too so there were some big sides but we had a good season and Tricky (Richard Cadette) was on fire scoring more than 30 goals.”

Pennyfather went on to make 273 appearances for Blues before joining Crystal Palace the following season.

The midfielder went on to play for Ipswich Town and Bristol City.

And he is still involved in football at the age of 57, coaching at a foundation programme at Woodlands School which had been associated with West Ham United until the end of last season.

“We just finished with West Ham and we will have some exciting news soon in regards to where will be from September,” said Pennyfather.

“But I’m working with the younger players, tutoring them in sport and doing the coaching as well.

“I enjoy it because I’ve always been involved in education even when I was playing.

“It keeps me enthusiastic and I look forward to every day.

“I also enjoy working for BBC Essex and I really enjoy that.

“I love seeing Blues and hopefully they can turn a corner so we can see some better times soon.”