Police have appealed for witnesses after a young couple were attacked in a Rayleigh park in the early hours of Sunday morning. The man and woman were in Brooklands Park, near Sweyne Park school on Hockley Road, when they were attacked. They were approached
Parts of Colchester's Castle Park had to be cordoned off after a bomb was found floating in the river. Police and the Army bomb disposal team were called to the scene at 5.30pm on Saturday. A member of the public who had seen something suspicious floating
Fire crews came to the rescue when a 12-year-old girl was involved in a bizarre accident. The youngster fell down a slope and embedded her knee on a fence nail at her home. Friday night's incident, in Ashpole Road, Bocking, resulted in Corrinne Bright
With only last night's (Thursday) friendly against Histon Town and another at home to Maldon Town tomorrow (Saturday, kick off 3pm) before they have to get down to serious Ryman League Division One business next week, time is fast running out for Braintree
A family were devastated to return home from work to find their house ransacked and £10,000 cash stolen. Burglars struck at the Queen Mary Avenue home in Colchester between 2.30pm and 6pm on Friday, getting in through the conservatory. Lee Manley, who
A fisherman helped to save a drowning man who had fallen from an anchored barge while taking a breath of fresh air. The drama unfolded just off Brightlingsea before dawn on Saturday. Paul Scott, 42, of Elm Drive, Brightlingsea, was on a fishing trip in
Protestors formed a human barricade to stop more mobile phone masts being erected on the roof of their block of flats in Westcliff. Around 20 people living in Chalkwell Lodge stood across the driveway at the entrance to the flats yesterday to stop a large
A family were devastated to return home from work to find their house ransacked and £10,000 cash stolen. Burglars struck at the Queen Mary Avenue home in Colchester between 2.30pm and 6pm on Friday, getting in through the conservatory. Lee Manley, who
A national newspaper has claimed the two Rettendon killers were innocent of the bloody crimes and blamed an East End cartel. Reporter Jo-Ann Goodwin, writing for the Daily Mail, believes the wrong men are languishing in jail, convicted of the brutal slaying
'I've just come off stage, had a shower, removed my tan and I'm waiting for my husband to come back with six chicken McNuggets,' gushed Gwen Taylor in reply to the usual meek 'How are you?' The thing that first strikes you about this bubbly actress is
A frustrated scout leader was today still in the dark over a wrangle between a water and electric company which left her scout hut without power since March. The 1st and 2nd Benfleet Sea Scout groups, which meet at a headquarters in Ferry Road, have been
A brewery has called time on a pint-sized post office which operated from inside a village pub - because it is a security risk. For almost two years regulars had been able to pop into the Cross Keys for a beer ... and a book of stamps. But the part-time
A mobile phone saved four youngsters from drowning off Southend yesterday. The group, aged from ten to 13, were waist high in water when they were hauled to safety by the lifeboat crew. The group, from Southchurch, had walked out from the beach to the
Rogue trader Nick Leeson is set to rock Southend with a guest appearance at a charity punk rock weekend, it was revealed today. The former futures dealer who broke Barings Bank will appear at Club Riga over the weekend of August 17-19 playing with punk
Fourteen thousand bottles of champagne worth almost £200,000 have been stolen from a Colchester warehouse. Police are looking for anyone who has been sold the Moet et Chandon at knock down prices. A team of burglars made off with the expensive bubbly
West Ham United Football Club's community department will be holding their seventh annual soccer school at Broomfield Football Club between August 9 and August 13. Under the guidance of West Ham's Trevor Lewin, those attending will receive coaching in
Colchester United wrapped up their pre-season friendly programme with a win and a draw in a two-day tournament in Cumbria at the weekend. Goals from Jason Dozzell and Karl Duguid earned the U's a 2-1 success over former GM Vauxhall Conference rivals Gateshead
Ipswich Town boss George Burley will step up the chase for a left-sided midfielder this week after he confirmed triallist Romeo Wouden had been released. The 28-year-old Sparta Rotterdam winger had been tipped to replace Bobby Petta but, after a disappointing
Ever-reliable Aussie Stuart Law has defied Essex's mediocre season by opening up a healthy lead in the national batting rankings. Law is the county's only representative in the latest PPP Healthcare top 24 - although two Essex players have squeezed into
Angry county councillors are set to take a look around the new Wickford school - amid claims their concerns fell on deaf ears. Oakfield Primary School, on the Wick estate, has been fitted with an aluminium sheeting roof only seen locally on Stansted Airport
The father of a man who lost his home in the fire at The Bell pub in Thorpe has praised villagers for their "tremendous" support. Steve Green's Church Cottage was burnt down by the fire at The Bell Hotel last week. His father Jimmy Green, of Dorset, said
Three members of a south Essex family are starting prison sentences for their roles in a "mean, devious" scheme to steal £1.8 million from a spinster's will. David Spillman, 45, his wife Annette, 47, and his mother-in-law, Annette Russill, 65, received
Ipswich Town boss George Burley will step up the chase for a left-sided midfielder this week after he confirmed triallist Romeo Wouden had been released. The 28-year-old Sparta Rotterdam winger had been tipped to replace Bobby Petta but, after a disappointing
Following the advice of a recent book, Braintree Tennis Club's Ladies team headed out of town to Earls Colne and the Essex Country Club for their last match of the season against Essex Ladies B. Captain Sue Spinks, partnered by Jenny Gillingwater, and
Braintree's Simon Williams entered the Funakoshi Cup which was held at the Whitechapel Sports Centre in London, and after competing against some high standard Karate Ka, Simon took first place in the senior Black Belt Kata section. Then, as a member of
Rampant Hammers underlined their domination with three successive heat maximums against a visiting Exeter side for whom only Michael Coles threatened. Leigh Lanham stormed to victory in the first race, with John Wainwright pouncing on Exeter guest Wayne
Essex were comprehensively beaten by an innings and 81 runs by a Northamptonshire side who completed only their second Championship success of the season. Chasing 224 in order to avoid an innings defeat, Essex lost three quick wickets which was later
A public open space in Tiptree has been transformed into a liability by vandalism, a resident has claimed. Stephen Cook, of Saffron Way, Tiptree, applied to Colchester Council to buy the space at the village's Coriander Road, in order to tidy it up. But
Punch and Judy have got nothing on these cheeky characters. Youngsters had fun in the sun when they learned how to make their own puppets at a special workshop in Hadleigh. John Burrows Recreation Ground, in Rectory Road, was full of noise and excitement
Benfleet's "adopted" high jumper Tyrone Peacock has set his sights on the Millennium Olympics - after a new personal best earned him silvers in the national championships of both Britain and his native South Africa. The 22-year-old, a sports massage therapist
A series of spectacular somersault routines helped Southend Swimming Club diver Karen Smith clinch a top ten placing at her European Championships finals debut in Turkey. Karen, who recently finished second in the UK national finals, jetted out to Istanbul
Newly-crowned World Professional Matchplay darts champion Rod Harrington has walked out of his victory celebrations into a major row over rankings. As he targets the Professional Darts Council's world championship crown in December - the only major title
Brazilian star Jose Antunes Fumaca could be in line for a shock return to Colchester United. The 22-year-old former Benfica forward is being touted as the mystery player lined up by U's boss Mick Wadsworth today if his injured strike force of Lomana Tresor
Free-scoring Steve Portway has been released amid new Billericay boss Gary Calder's shake-up - because the striker's "wage demands were too high for what he was showing in return". Calder - who is pruning his squad, but still bringing players in - saw
Canvey's three ex-Dover players were set to feature against the Conference side in an intriguing warm-up game last night as the Islanders sought to bounce back from Saturday's misleading defeat. Double hernia victim Steve Tilson, who made a brief return
Essex were comprehensively beaten by an innings and 81 runs by a Northamptonshire side who completed only their second Championship success of the season. Chasing 224 in order to avoid an innings defeat, Essex lost three quick wickets which was later
BUCKHURST HILL 189 all out OLD SOUTHENDIAN 192-7 (SOUTHENDIAN WON) Recalled batsman Andy Hathaway blasted promotion-chasing Old Southendian to a narrow victory that skipper Chris Bunce hailed as "exactly what we needed". Hathaway averaged two runs for
Beaten Georgie Smith is planning to fight on - using the praise of British champion Derek Roche and a packed crowd as his inspiration. Smith, 28, from Basildon, failed by 117-111 on points in his first bid for the UK welterweight crown after one of the
Ever-reliable Aussie Stuart Law has defied Essex's mediocre season by opening up a healthy lead in the national batting rankings. Law is the county's only representative in the latest PPP Healthcare top 24 - although two Essex players have squeezed into
A violent flare-up during the game and in the dressing room between Shoebury-based defender Lee Shearer and Dover team-mate Dave Clarke overshadowed Canvey's most impressive pre-season show yet. Dover were today thought to be contemplating whether both
Armada Sports are on the lookout for footballers to strengthen their Premier and First Division teams in the Basildon Sunday League and the Premier Division of the Southend and District League, which plays on Saturdays. Sports also have a new under-15
AZTECS 180 ESSEX CARRIERS 177-8 (AZTECS WON) Essex Carriers suffered a last-gasp defeat in this tight Reefers 90 League encounter with Hainault-based Aztecs. The Hadleigh side got back into the game thanks to a 104-run stand from Steve Rogers (69) and
A Wickham Bishops woman is planning a five day trek in Peru, in order to raise money to help build a specialist unit for teenagers with cancer. Victoria Leigh, 26, together with a small group of other people from the Teenage Cancer Trust, will be following
The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association is holding its first Top Walks Challenge on September 12. The event in Braintree will be one of 50 walks taking place around the UK on a six-mile route, selected by Country Walk magazine. It is hoped the walks
A founder of a Southend-based children's charity has been put behind bars for trying to snatch a young boy from a council estate. As Paul Dean began a five-year jail sentence for attempted abduction, it emerged that he helped set up the Dream Team charity
Waste campaigners are calling on the residents of Braintree and the surrounding areas, to continue their support in objecting the planned waste site at Rivenhall Airfield. Braintree District Council's Waste Panel has opposed the Essex and Southend Waste
Braintree College students have scored outstanding academic success this summer, with 29 picking up top distinction grades on GNVQ -- General National Advanced Qualification -- advanced programmes. A distinction grade at GNVQ is equivalent to two top
Stop these needless deaths! Another tragic death of an innocent child as he played the game he loved means we must act to ensure this NEVER happens again. The seven-year-old was killed after a set of mobile goalposts collapsed on top of him, bring back
Concern about accidents and the increased volume of traffic on one of Maldon's main roads has led to a package of safety improvements. Essex County Council is now drawing up a list which could be implemented by the autumn. It follows Dengie Hundred Group
Ground-breaking technology is being used in a bid to unravel the mystery surrounding a charred and mutilated body found in a Harwich bunker, it was revealed today. It is the first major investigation in Essex - and possibly in the country - to go on the
Detectives investigating the violent death of a Chinese man in Colchester are set to carry out a fingertip search of undergrowth along the length of the A12 after recovering a machete. The weapon was recovered close to the road near Colchester by a specialist
Legislation governing charities has been branded inadequate by Essex County Council chiefs, following the conviction of Dream Team co-founder, Paul Dean, for attempted abduction. Mike Leadbetter, the county council's director of social services, called
Have-a-go hero Andrew Maude didn't think twice before dashing in to grab a man fleeing from a crashed stolen car. Daytrippers enjoying the sunshine in Southend had a lucky escape as the BMW convertible sports car sped past them and dodged police cars
Attempted child abductor Paul Dean was kicked out of another charity before setting up the Dream Team. Bosses of the Medical Care Foundation said police prevented them from checking his background when he joined in 1996. Dean, of Woodgrange Drive, Southend
Essex star Peter Such spoke of his delight after receiving a shock recall to the England squad for the third Test against New Zealand. The 35-year-old off-spinner has been overlooked by the selectors since his last appearance against Australia in Sydney
The distinctive sound of clog dancing echoed around Southend when the town's own troupe was joined by one from Sweden. Southend's aptly named Cockleshell Clog had invited Vissefjarda Folkdanslag to join them during the 8th Annual Southend Jazz Festival
A frustrated scout leader was today still in the dark over a wrangle between a water and electric company which left her scout hut without power since March. The 1st and 2nd Benfleet Sea Scout groups, which meet at a headquarters in Ferry Road, have been
The distinctive sound of clog dancing echoed around Southend when the town's own troupe was joined by one from Sweden. Southend's aptly named Cockleshell Clog had invited Vissefjarda Folkdanslag to join them during the 8th Annual Southend Jazz Festival
A boy racer narrowly avoided smashing into a family home following a high-speed police chase, a court was told. Thomas Beaney's car careered into a front garden and came to rest just inches away from the home after racing at speeds of 70mph through the
IRIS CLAPP talks to Joe Edwards, a new assistant chief constable of Essex Police There is a resemblance. Joe Edwards doesn't deny it. In fact, he has been told on more than one occasion he could be mistaken for Robert Carlyle. He doesn't mind. He finds
A police search was launched after youths with shotguns were seen firing in an area where children play. Today police warned anyone carrying firearms and using them illegally that they face arrest. Residents in Wivenhoe heard gun shots coming from the
Britain's only woman football agent has begun a court battle against the Professional Footballers' Association for sex discrimination after she was barred from its annual awards dinner. Rachel Anderson, 41, of Westcliff, is claiming exemplary damages
Colchester's Castle Park could be in for a £3 million facelift over the next few years. Colchester Council is considering an extensive project to revamp the park and plan to start by giving the former nursery site behind the putting green an overhaul.
Protestors formed a human barricade to stop more mobile phone masts being erected on the roof of their block of flats in Westcliff. Around 20 people living in Chalkwell Lodge stood across the driveway at the entrance to the flats yesterday to stop a large
Tendring lived up to its name of the sunshine coast with thousands of people flocking to the sea as temperatures soared. Chairman of the Clacton Guest House and Hoteliers Association Terry McKean reported a "brisk trade during the weekend as people flocked
The mother of a terminally-ill boy helped by a children's charity today said she was shocked to find out its founder has been jailed for trying to snatch a child. Little Jay Theobald and his family went on a holiday of a lifetime to Spain in May so he
A fisherman helped to save a drowning man who had fallen from an anchored barge while taking a breath of fresh air. The drama unfolded just off Brightlingsea before dawn on Saturday. Paul Scott, 42, of Elm Drive, Brightlingsea, was on a fishing trip in
This is the face of the "dirty looking" man police believe sexually assaulted a teenage girl in broad daylight. The 18-year-old was wrestled to the ground and attacked as she walked towards Northlands Park in Felmores, Pitsea. She first spotted the man
Billericay has been honoured in America, with a park in the state of Indiana being named after the town. Billericay's sister city of Fishers has christened a new community area, "Billericay Park". The decision was taken following a unanimous vote by the
A mother has paid tribute to the unknown heroes who saved her son's life. Cameron Tunbridge, of Deford Road, Witham, fell into a weir and was stunned after smashing his head, almost drowning. But he was saved by four modest heroes who left the scene without
Maureen Goodman claimed her maiden win in the singles final of the 54th Southend Ladies Open Bowls Tournament on Sunday. The Greenways bowler defeated Sheila Hennessey of Wickford RBL 21-16 to become champion for the first time at a sun-drenched Priory
Essex star Peter Such spoke of his delight after receiving a shock recall to the England squad for the third Test against New Zealand. The 35-year-old off-spinner has been overlooked by the selectors since his last appearance against Australia in Sydney
LAKENHEATH.................................210 all out BRAINTREE..............................................211-3 (Braintree won by seven wickets) (Jaygate Homes Championship Division Two) Braintree collected a further maximum 20 points haul on Sunday
Sunday saw Braintree Athletic Club host the third Eastern Young League Division Two match. A fixture clash saw a number of athletes travelling to another venue, nevertheless those at Braintree enjoyed a hot afternoon's athletics. For the Under 13 Boys
Colchester Harriers' senior men's team has criticised Colchester Council and the Army after they were relegated from division three of the Southern Track League. The Harriers, after five successive promotions, had their relegation confirmed at a boiling
Ekco Monarchs are looking for a few more teams to join their kwik cricket festival on August 11 and 15. The club currently has enough teams to keep three of their five pitches occupied during the 5-8pm sessions. Now they want a few more teams of six boys
Perhaps it is appropriate Ipswich should meet their match against a team sharing similar ideals to their own. As careful exponents of the passing game will testify, George Burley's sides have done much to embrace the romantic notion of Total Football.
The family of a 96-year-old woman living in a elderly people's home today told of their fears over it being leased out as part of a cost-cutting exercise. Poplars in Walton is one of ten Essex County Council-run homes to be leased out as going concerns
Increased housing has forced a doctor's surgery to look for larger premises to cater for its patients. The Blackwater Medical Centre in Princes Road, Maldon, is hoping to provide better facilities for its growing number of patients by relocating on land
An angry mother-of-two has had to put a family holiday on hold after being refused a British passport. Theresa Cherry, of Pondfield Road, Parson's Heath, Colchester, was born in a British military hospital in Germany while her father was in the Army,
Ding, dong, the bells are gone! Bells that have towered above Braintree for more than 100 years have been taken down for refurbishment and will be returned in time to ring in the new millennium. The pair of bells at St Peter's Church in Bocking End were
MALDON....................................................288-4 GREAT BENTLEY....................................266-9 (Maldon won by 22 runs) On Sunday, Maldon entertained Great Bentley in an Osbourne Garages League Division One League fixture, and the
A bedroom bootlegger who turned out pirated computer games and videos has had his Billericay counterfeiting operation shut down. The pirate was tracked down at the Barleylands car boot sale in Billericay on Sunday, when 200 imitation Sony PlayStation
Benfleet Bowls Club members rallied round to make sure their green was fit to play on after vandals struck. The yobs dragged concrete furniture across the green denting and cutting the turf on Saturday night. They also smashed empty vodka bottles over
Southend United boss Alan Little revealed today that he is close to securing the signature of an experienced midfielder - who he believes is the final piece of his Roots Hall jigsaw. The Shrimpers have agreed an initial five-figure fee and personal terms
Ekco Monarchs are looking for a few more teams to join their kwik cricket festival on August 11 and 15. The club currently has enough teams to keep three of their five pitches occupied during the 5-8pm sessions. Now they want a few more teams of six boys
At the Harlow 10-Mile Road Race on Sunday, the heat was literally on as the Essex County Championship 100-mile competition was incorporated with the event which enjoyed glorious summer sunshine from the start. Tiptree's Alan Fisher had a fine win to take
Junior Blues are now holding their weekly football meetings on two separate evenings at Southend United's Boots and Laces training ground in Eastern Avenue. Training will continue on Thursday nights for four to 11-year-olds, but children aged 12-18 now
Billericay Town head tonight's pre-season programme with a trip to Ryman League division three side Aveley. Essex Senior League team Bowers United take on Ryman Division Three neighbours East Thurrock in a pre-season friendly at Crown Avenue, Pitsea,
A 21-year-old record was shattered twice when Essex Roads Cycling Club member John Yates promoted a 50-mile tandem race. Essex pair Ewan Hendon and Les Palmer beat the previous best by clocking 1hr 37m 59s - but that was still well behind Yorkshire's
On the ball - with the new soccer season fast approaching these youngsters took the chance to brush up on their skills at a Sports Action football course at Thorpe Hall School in Wakering Road, Shoebury Picture: STEPHEN LLOYD Converted for the new archive
Frances Wilkinson, a teacher at Great Totham School, Maldon has retired after 27 years of teaching at the school on Friday. Mrs Wilkinson initially taught part-time, when she had a young family, then later as full-time, teaching pupils in key stages.
The look of love says it all. Today fire victims Mike Hambling and Caro Moore were married - less than a week after watching their home, the historic Bell Hotel, burn down before their eyes. The couple lost everything in the blaze. Everything, that is
Colchester United wrapped up their pre-season friendly programme with a win and a draw in a two-day tournament in Cumbria at the weekend. Goals from Jason Dozzell and Karl Duguid earned the U's a 2-1 success over former GM Vauxhall Conference rivals Gateshead
Hundreds of visitors flocked to Canvey's seafront when it came alive with the sound of music. About 600 people packed Eastern Esplanade to listen to a number of singers performing on the bandstand. The music, organised by Canvey 2000, a group restoring
A boy racer narrowly avoided smashing into a family home following a high-speed police chase, a court was told. Thomas Beaney's car careered into a front garden and came to rest just inches away from the home after racing at speeds of 70mph through the
Hundreds of visitors flocked to Canvey's seafront when it came alive with the sound of music. About 600 people packed Eastern Esplanade to listen to a number of singers performing on the bandstand. The music, organised by Canvey 2000, a group restoring
A brewery has called time on a pint-sized post office which operated from inside a village pub - because it is a security risk. For almost two years regulars had been able to pop into the Cross Keys for a beer ... and a book of stamps. But the part-time
Colchester band Blur could be the voice of a project to investigate life on Mars. A British spacecraft named Beagle Two is set to be launched in 2003 to take soil samples from the planet's surface. Music composed by Blur especially for the mission is
A workman had his finger cut off while operating a poultry production line. The 42-year-old Colchester man got his fingers caught in machinery at poultry processors Paul Flatman Ltd in Packards Lane, Wormingford, at 6.30am yesterday. He was taken to Colchester
Two bedsit landlords in Colchester have been prosecuted following a "get tough" campaign by the borough council. Two landlords were taken to court for failing to meet requirements laid down by Colchester Council. In the first a Colchester woman admitted
The secret weapon used by army troops to win the trust of war-weary Kosovan children has finally been unveiled. Basildon ex-soldier George King has provided the 518 Pioneer Squadron with all the ammunition they need to woo the youngsters - a huge delivery
A national newspaper has claimed the two Rettendon killers were innocent of the bloody crimes and blamed an East End cartel. Reporter Jo-Ann Goodwin, writing for the Daily Mail, believes the wrong men are languishing in jail, convicted of the brutal slaying
Good luck has not always smiled on a young refugee who fled the horrors of Kosovo to settle in Southend. Besnick Shabani, 28, came here not knowing if the advancing Serb forces had slaughtered his family. After he arrived in Britain on a cold October
The jury which convicted former Dream Team charity general manager Paul Dean of trying to abduct a small child, later heard he had a record of harrassing young boys. Paul Dean, who helped found the charity, had admitted around 70 charges of making obscene
Good luck has not always smiled on a young refugee who fled the horrors of Kosovo to settle in Southend. Besnick Shabani, 28, came here not knowing if the advancing Serb forces had slaughtered his family. After he arrived in Britain on a cold October
A founder of a Southend-based children's charity has been put behind bars for trying to snatch a young boy from a council estate. As Paul Dean began a five-year jail sentence for attempted abduction, it emerged that he helped set up the Dream Team charity
Emergency services have been stretched to the limit as scorching weather led to a soaring rise in demand. Essex Ambulance Service saw a 13 per cent rise in call outs as it dealt with 500 incidents yesterday. Many people collapsed in the heat or had difficulty
Chelmsford Highway star players Becky Alltree and Katy Roberts missed out on early season team training - because they've been on England duties. Team training began in the first week in July, but Alltree, 18, has just returned from a two week tour of
Colchester United boss Mick Wadsworth is ready to make a last-minute dash into the transfer market following injuries to key strikers Lomana Tresor Lua Lua and Jamie Moralee. The exciting Lua Lua and Moralee are both rated extremely doubtful by Wadsworth
Neil Tolson promised to fire Southend United to promotion this season after his stunning treble helped destroy First Division Crystal Palace. The 25-year-old striker gave the battered and bruised Eagles a master class in finishing in Blues' final warm-up
Plans for Maldon Town Regatta for traditional boats and fishing smacks are moving ahead. The event on Saturday September 11 is reputed to be the earliest started on the East Coast dating from early 1700. The event will be held in conjunction with the
Ipswich Town target Andreas Jakobsson today turned down the chance of a £1m move to Portman Road. The Helsingborgs defender - part of Sweden's Euro 2000 qualifying squad - had been in negotiations with boss George Burley but decided against the move.
Team spirit coupled with some outstanding swims ensured Basildon and District Swimming Club returned with the winner's trophy after visiting Braintree to participate in their annual gala. It was the strength of the younger age groups that helped to build
Free-scoring Steve Portway has been released amid new Billericay boss Gary Calder's shake-up - because the striker's "wage demands were too high for what he was showing in return". Calder - who is pruning his squad, but still bringing players in - saw
Canvey's three ex-Dover players were set to feature against the Conference side in an intriguing warm-up game last night as the Islanders sought to bounce back from Saturday's misleading defeat. Double hernia victim Steve Tilson, who made a brief return
Essex meet Kent at Canterbury tomorrow in a County Championship fixture with a severely-depleted bowling attack. Mark Ilott is continuing his recuperation from a cartilage operation whilst the county's leading wicket taker, Peter Such, has been called
Perhaps it is appropriate Ipswich should meet their match against a team sharing similar ideals to their own. As careful exponents of the passing game will testify, George Burley's sides have done much to embrace the romantic notion of Total Football.
SOUTHEND 234-9 declared HARLOW 223-6 (DRAW) Southend's hopes of an instant rise to Division Two are in the balance after a big century from either side stole the honours in a tense draw. Australian Brad Everett's 123 was the centrepiece of Southend's
On a hot and humid Saturday afternoon, City started at a good pace and the lively Tesfaye Bramble caused alarms in the Swifts defence, Kingsley Banks foiling him at the near post after a good run. John Walton, deputising in the City goal for the unavailable
This is the face of the "dirty looking" man police believe sexually assaulted a teenage girl in broad daylight. The 18-year-old was wrestled to the ground and attacked as she walked towards Northlands Park in Felmores, Pitsea. She first spotted the man
Colchester United boss Mick Wadsworth is ready to make a last-minute dash into the transfer market following injuries to key strikers Lomana Tresor Lua Lua and Jamie Moralee. The exciting Lua Lua and Moralee are both rated extremely doubtful by Wadsworth
RAYLEIGH FAIRVIEW 240-2 RANKINS 239-4 (RAYLEIGH WON) Spencer Collins' truly outstanding show of stylish power enabled Rayleigh to further ease their Mid-Essex League Division Four relegation fears in the most convincing way possible. Woods displayed fine
A pioneering children's university has proved such a success in its first year it is to be extended next year. More than 500 Basildon youngsters are being taught about the environment at the town's first children's university. Now the organisers are busy
