Phillip Esdaile

Retired, husband of 40 years, proud Dad and Grandad, Southend Utd, Essex CCC & Green Bay Packers, 92 Club, 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 26/42, 613 football grounds in total

[Phillip Esdaile @ThundersleyPhil]

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[Phillip Esdaile @ThundersleyPhil]

Saturday 8th August 2026
@altrinchamfc 1 @SUFCRootsHall 3
National League
Moss Lane
Attendance: 2,403 with 801 away fans

Once Southend got into their stride there was only going to be one result, hopefully this is the start of a historic season.

[Phillip Esdaile @ThundersleyPhil]

Wednesday 5th August 2026
@CannonsWoodFC 4 @dunmowtownfc 2
@ThurlowNunnL Cup
Parkside (Aveley FC)
Attendance: 34

[Phillip Esdaile @ThundersleyPhil]

Saturday 1st August 2026
@ClaptonCFC 0 @SoulTHFC 1
@EssexSenior
The Old Spotted Dog Ground
Attendance: 518

Entertaining match.

Impressive attendance for Clapton CFC’s debut in the Essex Senior League, amazing atmosphere so different when I first visited the ground in 1978!

[Phillip Esdaile @ThundersleyPhil]

@NLprogs Today’s programme for the @EssexSenior fixture between @ClaptonCFC and @SoulTHFC free but donations requested from those can afford it (happily given).

[Phillip Esdaile @ThundersleyPhil]

Tuesday 28th July 2026
@EastThurrockCFC 2 @BasTownFC 1
@ThurlowNunnL Division One South
Rookery Hill
Attendance: 272

Absolutely brilliant to see Rookery Hill hosting matches again after 2 years absence. Host come back to win a keenly contested local derby in the second half.

[Phillip Esdaile @ThundersleyPhil]

Saturday 25th July 2026
@Holbeach_UtdFC 3 @Longmelfordfc 2
@ThurlowNunnL Division One North
Carters Park
Attendance: 75
Ground #613

Entertaining match to start my 61st season watching football, the setup at Holbeach is very good for level 6.

[Phillip Esdaile @ThundersleyPhil]

@NLprogs First programme of the year for me, it’s @Holbeach_UtdFC vs @Longmelfordfc in the @ThurlowNunnL Division One North, always good to start the season with a club produced printed programme 👍

[Phillip Esdaile @ThundersleyPhil]

@c2c_Rail Any idea when the next train will run from Benfleet to London? Everything is delayed with no time or cancelled.

[Phillip Esdaile @ThundersleyPhil]

@puffpuff65 @ThurlowNunnL @BrimsdownFC Lymore Gardens are also playing there!

[Phillip Esdaile @ThundersleyPhil]

40 years ago today I hit the jackpot. Happy Ruby Anniversary Karen, thank for all you do for me and our precious family xxx

[Phillip Esdaile @ThundersleyPhil]

I have selected my four favourite new grounds that I visited during 2025/26, in no particular order:

A. @seafordtownfc their first FA Cup match in over 110 years
B. @hassocksfc delightful ground
C. @TCFC_Official Cornwall with @SUFCRootsHall
D. @RoffeyFC stunning location

[Phillip Esdaile @ThundersleyPhil]

@CJPhillips1982 I would try to tempt the Cowley’s from Colchester, they got Lincoln out the National League!

[Phillip Esdaile @ThundersleyPhil]

@CJPhillips1982 After going so close last season we did not push on. The tactics at Scunthorpe we mystifying, and whilst we won a trophy on Sunday, the 90 minutes were totally unmemorable. Thanks Kev, a true legend, but it’s time to move on.

[Phillip Esdaile @ThundersleyPhil]

Sunday 17th May 2026
@afc_stoneham 0 @CockfostersFC 0
AFC Stoneham won 4-2 on penalties
FA Vase Final
@SUFCRootsHall 0 @WealdstoneFC 0
Southend United won 4-2 on penalties
FA Trophy Final
Wembley Stadium
Attendance 43,306

Joyful celebrations with over 22,000 Shrimpers 🦐

[Phillip Esdaile @ThundersleyPhil]

@Groundtastic @paul_gtastic I’m sure you guys are on top of things but here are some pictures I took today of the second “ground” being built at Aveley FC, understand Brimsdown will be tenants at Step 6 next season. Keep up the great work with the magazine.

[Phillip Esdaile @ThundersleyPhil]

Saturday 4th May 2026
@SpaldingUnited 4 @realbedford 2 aet
Southern League Premier Central Playoff Final
Sir Halley Stewart Field
Attendance: 2,700
Ground #612

All the drama of a playoff final, great entertainment!

[Phillip Esdaile @ThundersleyPhil]

@NLprogs Today’s excellent programme for the Southern League Central Division Playoff Final between @SpaldingUnited and @realbedford 40 pages for £3, great effort considering the quick turnaround since the semi final 👍

[Phillip Esdaile @ThundersleyPhil]

@NLprogs tonight’s programme for the National League Eliminator between Scunthorpe United and Southend United, had to walk right round the ground to find someone selling them!

[Phillip Esdaile @ThundersleyPhil]

Saturday 18th April 2026
@LittlehamptonFC (1) A
@hyufc_official_ (2) A
@IsthmianLeague South Central
The Sportsfield
Attn: 300 est
Ground #612 (return required)

Sadly the match was abandoned at half time, as the players returned to the dressing rooms a major fight occurred!