by FRANCO PANIZO

World Cup qualifying is in the rear-view mirror, and for the Americans Abroad that means it is time to get back into club soccer.

After missing international duty due to an ankle injury, Tim Howard should be healthy enough to start for Everton in possibly the most intriguing match of the weekend when the Toffees host Manchester United, Howard's former club.

Click to continue reading...

by FRANCO PANIZO

World Cup qualifying is in the rear-view mirror, and for the Americans Abroad that means it is time to get back into club soccer.

After missing international duty due to an ankle injury, Tim Howard should be healthy enough to start for Everton in possibly the most intriguing match of the weekend when the Toffees host Manchester United, Howard's former club.

Click to continue reading...

by VIC CRESCIT Oh dear. Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. Somebody at the club must have repeatedly run over a black cat in a tank. Yet again the injury curse has struck. Robin van Persie will be out, as things stand at the moment, for at least six weeks. He did his right ankle ligaments landing badly after a tackle playing for the Netherlands in their goalless draw in a friendly against Italy in the Stadio Adriatico in Pescara on Saturday.

Click to continue reading...

Way to go, kid. Lee Sawyer, a midfielder who had been with Chelsea since age 9, had his contract terminated on Nov. 12 after being returned to the Blues by his loan club, Southend United, at his own request.

That move kind of backfired, eh? Sawyer had numerous discipline issues while at Southend, including being banned for a match after missing a team meeting.

Click to continue reading...

It seems as if there's been an exponential increase in clubs heading for the courts over unpaid tax or VAT bills this season. The answer to the question, "Accrington Stanleee, ‘oo are dey?" was "the League Two club that owe £308,000 to HMRC" until they found salvation the other week. And it feels like every other lower league Scottish club has been up before the tax beak in recent weeks.

Click to continue reading...

Â
Â
by FRANCO PANIZO

Clint Dempsey has found his scoring touch again, netting in Fulham's previous two league matches, and this weekend he gets a chance to extend that streak against a familiar foe.

Dempsey and Fulham battle Wigan Athletic on Sunday, a team the U.

Click to continue reading...

Â
Â
by FRANCO PANIZO

Clint Dempsey has found his scoring touch again, netting in Fulham's previous two league matches, and this weekend he gets a chance to extend that streak against a familiar foe.

Dempsey and Fulham battle Wigan Athletic on Sunday, a team the U.

Click to continue reading...

If you've just arrived at Longpier.com for the first time, welcome along.
This is a news, sport and features site dedicated to the people and places around Southend and surrounding areas.
If you'd like to ask a question or give comment on Southend United's predicament, or you're a member of the media looking for comment, then you can get in touch:
Email: longpier@gmail. Click to continue reading...

Southend United will today (Wed) learn whether they will enter administration and be deducted 10-points from their League One tally.
Yesterday (3rd), at around 8pm, a bid to take over the club by a consortium of local businesses was turned down by the board of SUFC. The un-named 10-strong party had wanted to buy the club for a nominal fee, rid it of its debts and - according to its spokesman - push the business forward. Click to continue reading...

Â
_____________________________________________Photo by ISIphotos.comÂ

by FRANCO PANIZO

From tweets to fines to rumored firings, Hull City's Phil Brown and Jozy Altidore have had quite an interesting week, and it gets even more intriguing this weekend.

Click to continue reading...

Â
                                    Photo by ISIphotos.comÂ

by FRANCO PANIZO

From tweets to fines to rumored firings, Hull City's Phil Brown and Jozy Altidore have had quite an interesting week, and it gets even more intriguing this weekend.

Click to continue reading...

Is it such a shock that Southend United are facing the prospect of administration?
On the face of it, most definitely. But delve a little deeper and perhaps the answer will change.
For the first time in a long time, the Blues appeared to be moving in the right direction. Buoyed by a committed management team, the Shrimpers enjoyed their most successful period between 2003 and 2008, with meagre resources. Click to continue reading...

by FRANCO PANIZO

The injury bug has bitten a number of the Americans Abroad recently, but there are still plenty of healthy players to keep an eye on this weekend as club soccer resumes.

Jose Francisco Torres is one of those players. After showing well as a sub in the U.

Click to continue reading...

by FRANCO PANIZO

The injury bug has bitten a number of the Americans Abroad recently, but there are still plenty of healthy players to keep an eye on this weekend as club soccer resumes.

Jose Francisco Torres is one of those players. After showing well as a sub in the U.

Click to continue reading...

Lee Barnard scored twice as Southend United halted their losing streak to beat Stockport at Edgeley Park.
In a game played in high winds and on a bobbly pitch, both sides failed to assert their authority in the first half. Franck Moussa had a couple of chances but was thwarted on each occasion. Click to continue reading...

County face Southend United at Edgeley Park tomorrow afternoon, get the knowledge of the two sides below.

Meetings since 2008 17/01/2009 Stockport 3 1 Southend 11/10/2008 Southend 1 1 Stockport Stockport County Last Six Games 29/09/2009 Stockport 2 2 Hartlepool 26/09/2009 Huddersfield 0 0 Stockport 19/09/2009 Stockport 2 1 Leyton Orient 12/09/2009 Yeovil 2 2 Stockport 05/09/2009 Leeds 2 0 Stockport 01/09/2009 Crewe 1 4 Stockport Southend United Last Six Games 29/09/2009 Brentford 2 1 Southend 26/09/2009 Southend 0 1 Oldham 19/09/2009 Brighton 2 3 Southend 11/09/2009 Southend 0 0 Leeds 04/09/2009 Southend 3 0 Leyton Orient 29/08/2009 Swindon 2 1 Southend

• Share this on del.

Click to continue reading...

Â

by FRANCO PANIZO

It is the final weekend of club action before the international break, meaning the last chance for some key U.S. national team players to get some much-needed playing time before the upcoming World Cup qualifiers vs. Honduras and Costa Rica.

Midfielder Michael Bradley looks to continue his recent run of playing time when Borussia Moenchengladbach take on Neven Subotic and Borussia Dortmund, while AC Milan defender Oguchi Onyewu looks to build on his impressive mid-week Rossoneri debut with a match against Serie A bottom-feeders Atalanta.

Click to continue reading...

Â

by FRANCO PANIZO

It is the final weekend of club action before the international break, meaning the last chance for some key U.S. national team players to get some much-needed playing time before the upcoming World Cup qualifiers vs. Honduras and Costa Rica.

Midfielder Michael Bradley looks to continue his recent run of playing time when Borussia Moenchengladbach take on Neven Subotic and Borussia Dortmund, while AC Milan defender Oguchi Onyewu looks to build on his impressive mid-week Rossoneri debut with a match against Serie A bottom-feeders Atalanta.

Click to continue reading...

Southend United lost for the second time in just four days, after two second half penalties handed all three points to Brentford at Griffin Park.
The Blues had taken the lead on 9 minutes in bizarre fashion, when Simon Francis' free kick was mis-handled by the home 'keeper who bundled it over his own line. Click to continue reading...

Southend United slipped to their second league defeat of the season after a 76th minute penalty, for the visitors, settled the game.
The Blues were poor throughout and, after the game, manager Steve Tilson said the Shrimpers deserved to lose.
Pawel Abbott's spot kick, after loanee George Friend was adjudged to have fouled Keigan Parker in the box, was well struck and left Steve Mildenhall no chance. Click to continue reading...

by GIANFRANCO PANIZO

Brad Friedel is enjoying a great start to the Premiership season, and it could get even better for him this weekend.

Friedel and Aston Villa head to Ewood Park this Saturday to take on Friedel's former club, Blackburn Rovers. A win for Friedel in the stadium he is so familiar with, in front of the fans that used to cheer him on, would truly cap off the 38-year-old's remarkable start to the season, a start that includes three shutouts and 23 saves.

Click to continue reading...

by GIANFRANCO PANIZO

After a few forgettable weekends, the Americans Abroad bounced back with some positive performances this weekend.

Click to continue reading...

by GIANFRANCO PANIZO

Freddy Adu has not played club soccer in quite some time, but that could all change this weekend.

Adu and his new club Belenenses take on Academica de Coimbra on Sunday, and a debut for Adu could potentially signal the beginning of the end to the club drought that has plagued him throughout the majority of 2009.

Click to continue reading...

by GIANFRANCO PANIZO

Freddy Adu has not played club soccer in quite some time, but that could all change this weekend.

Adu and his new club Belenenses take on Academica de Coimbra on Sunday, and a debut for Adu could potentially signal the beginning of the end to the club drought that has plagued him throughout the majority of 2009.

Click to continue reading...

Rafa has another youngster to add to his budding crop of talent.

Liverpool, meanwhile, have sealed a £250,000 deal with Southend United for the transfer of Michael Ngoo, a 16-year-old centre forward who was also being watched by Manchester United. Ngoo, who is 6ft 4in and has been likened in style to Peter Crouch, impressed during a recent trial with United but Liverpool have beaten their North West rivals to his signature after meeting Southend's asking price.

Click to continue reading...

Southend United ended their visitors' 100% record in League One but it could have been even better for the Blues had Lee Barnard's penalty not been superbly saved by Leeds 'keeper Shane Higgs.
In a tense and tightly fought battle at Roots Hall, both sides failed to find an opening in the first half. Click to continue reading...

by GIANFRANCO PANIZO

It was a relatively light weekend for the Americans Abroad, but there was still plenty to talk about at despite the

Mike Grella scored the game-winning goal for Leeds United in their 2-0 win over Stockport County. Grella, who was subbed out in the 72nd minute, netted in the ninth.

Click to continue reading...

by GIANFRANCO PANIZO

It was a relatively light weekend for the Americans Abroad, but there was still plenty to talk about despite the international fixture schedule.

Mike Grella scored the game-winning goal for Leeds United in their 2-0 win over Stockport County.

Click to continue reading...

"The Pier is Southend, Southend is the Pier"
Sir John Betjeman
Some of the world's leading architects are bidding to redevelop Southend's most iconic landmark - its record breaking pier.
The pier has been crying out for some TLC ever since a devastating fire at the end of the 1. Click to continue reading...

A father and son team from Southchurch in Southend are embarking on a journey to all 92 football league grounds around the country.
Stuart Court, 25 and his Dad Steve, 51 started their journey at Roots Hall early on Sunday morning, ticking off ten grounds by the end of the day. Click to continue reading...

A second half hat-trick from League One's joint-leading goalscorer, Lee Barnard, gave Southend their first league win this season against a poor Leyton Orient side.
In a largely unforgettable first half, both teams looked nervous on the ball and the flow of the game was stilted. But the Blues came to life after the break, and Barnard got his first from the penalty spot on 59 minutes. Click to continue reading...

Southend United Chief Executive Geoffrey King has strongly defended his statement about striker Alex Revell during the club's Annual General Meeting this evening (Thurs).
On two seperate occasions Mr King was asked whether he would apologise for these comments he made on Tuesday, following the departure of Revell on loan to Swindon:
"Alex Revell has failed to live up to expectations. Click to continue reading...

The men running League One strugglers Southend United will come under 'intense' scrutiny at the Blues' Annual General Meeting tonight (Thursday), amidst growing unrest from fans.
On Tuesday the Shrimpers decided to offload two players - Alex Revell (aboved) and Kevin Betsy (below) - on loan deals to Swindon and Wycombe respectively. Click to continue reading...

Hello and welcome to the all NEW Longpier.com.
If you're visiting for the first time or are a regular viewer of this website, thanks for stopping by.
Longpier.com is for people living in, working in and visiting Southend on Sea and surrounding areas. It's such a culturally diverse area, with people from all walks of life. Click to continue reading...

-
- For cutting-edge, up-to-the-minute news about QPR, mixed in with "flasback" looks at QPR of a year ago or forty years ago, visit the combination blog and messageboard, QPR Report Messageboard. Add items of general football interest and posters' opinion - All views welcome.
- QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER! Click to continue reading...