SAND, SEA & SOCCER
Tales from Football's Favorite Resort
In an era where football literature often gravitates toward the glamour of the Premier League's elite clubs, David Williams' "Never Never Land" offers a refreshingly authentic perspective on the beautiful game from the terraces of Roots Hall. This deeply personal memoir chronicles a 60-year love affair with Southend United, affectionately known as "The Shrimpers," and encapsulates the essence of what it truly means to support a lower-division club through all its challenges.
Williams' narrative begins with an unexpected choice: how a Liverpool-born lad from a family of Reds supporters found his heart captured by an Essex club instead of following the well-worn path to Anfield. This decision sets the stage for an unconventional journey, akin to Southend United's own history, which started in the Blue Boar pub in 1906.
The author's timing for this publication is particularly poignant, coming at a time when Southend United has faced significant challenges. Recently, the club successfully navigated a severe financial crisis, evading a winding-up order, and is currently facing challenges in the National League, underscoring the relevance of Williams' accounts of both success and hardship.
What sets this book apart is its unflinching honesty about the reality of supporting a lower-division club. Williams embraces the "axis of commiseration, ridicule, and misunderstanding" that accompanies his allegiance to a team that seldom garners national attention. Instead, he celebrates it, finding beauty in the struggle and community in the shared experience of supporting an underdog.
The memoir is particularly touching when exploring Williams' efforts to maintain his connection to the club from 12,000 miles away on Australia's Sunshine Coast. This geographical challenge becomes a metaphor for the distances many fans go to maintain their bond with their chosen club, both literally and figuratively.
Williams' background in economics and project management lends an intriguing analytical perspective to his storytelling, but it's his passion that truly drives the narrative. The book is meticulously researched, with each memorable match brought to life through vivid descriptions that transport readers to the heart of the action, whether they're lifetime Shrimpers or newcomers to the beautiful game.
"Never Never Land" is more than just a football book—it's a testament to the enduring power of loyalty, community, and hope in the face of adversity. While the title plays on both Peter Pan's fictional realm and the often dreamlike quality of football fandom, Williams' account is grounded in the real, raw emotions that come with supporting a club through its ups and downs.
Supporters of Southend United will find this book to be akin to engaging in a conversation with a long-time friend who has experienced similar joys and sorrows. For others, it serves as a valuable reminder that the essence of football often shines most brightly in the stands of clubs such as Southend United, where trophy cabinets don't measure dedication but rather the unwavering support of fans like David Williams.
This heartfelt chronicle arrives at a crucial time for football culture, reminding us that while the game's glamorous elite may dominate headlines, its true spirit often resides in places like Roots Hall, where generations of supporters continue to dream, despite the odds. "Never Never Land" is essential reading for anyone who understands that supporting a football club is about much more than just winning; it's about belonging.
ROYAL MAIL TRACKED 48
Published: July 14, 2025
Price: £19.99
Hardcover: 320 pages
ISBN-10: 1836802099
ISBN-13: 978-1836802099
Dimensions: 222 x 144 (mm)
