Richard Cadette only spent two seasons at Roots Hall but built a strong bond with the Blues fans. Cadette became a crowd favourite with his exciting pace and mobility up front and he managed to score an impressive 56 goals in 104 games as he helped Southend climb into the Third Division in the 1986-87 campaign.
Brought up in Hammersmith, West London, Cadette started his football career with non-league outfit Wembley. His ability was immediately obvious, and he joined Leyton Orient within a season to begin his professional career in August 1984. The Third Division side provided him a platform on which to perform, but unfortunately for Cadette and the O’s, the season ended in 22nd position, one point from safety and relegation to the Fourth Division. He had not set the world alight, scoring five in twenty-eight games and was set to depart before the start of the next season.
Southend’s legendary manager Bobby Moore had seen enough in Cadette to splash £4,000 on the unproven striker in August 1985. However, this proved to be a great piece of business by Moore. A season opener against Leyton Orient provided Cadette the opportunity to prove Leyton Orient wrong for letting him go and win over the Blues fans. Cadette certainly delivered as he scored four goals in a 5-1 victory on his debut. He continued to win over fans with his ability to score goals from all types of positions, be it using his strength with his back to goal or his pace to get in behind the Fourth Division defenders. Cadette was delivering consistently.
Despite his exciting performances, Southend were struggling with low attendances. Moore’s side had just come off the back of the catastrophic 1984-85 campaign. A last day win that kept the Blues in the league did little to entertain record low crowds and money troubles off the pitch meant debts had trebled during the season. Cadette had arrived at a crumbling Southend and his performances went a long way to repair the damage.
The striker scored twenty-five goals as Southend launched a promotion charge, but eventually faltered toward the end of the season and finished in ninth. The close of the season saw a change of manager and Dave Webb arrived, tasked with achieving promotion. Under Webb, and later Paul Clark, Cadette continued to score goals and helped Southend achieve promotion with his 31st goal of the season on the final day away to Stockport.
Two consecutive nominations for team of the season and repeated consistent performances meant that Cadette attracted a host of suitors. He climbed another division as he was signed by Sheffield United in July 1987 for £90,000. Cadette’s career continued with highs and lows as he played for seven further clubs in 11 years, with his stints at Brentford and Falkirk closely matching his appearances for the Blues. He also went on to manage Tooting & Mitcham United from 2002-2006.
Cadette’s later career was stunted by injuries and he never fulfilled the potential he had displayed at Roots Hall. Despite this personal misfortune, many supporters at Southend will be happy to know that they witnessed Cadette during one of the best spells of his career, they were certainly thankful too for all that he achieved during his time with the Blues.
Peter Kenny Jones https://peterkj.wixsite.com/football-historian @PeterKennyJones
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