Founded in 1959, Catholic United has a long history of football in Southend-on-Sea. There had been Catholic football clubs in the Southend area from the early 1920s. Late in 1959 two teams, Southend Catholics and Catholic Rovers joined up to become Catholic United and over fifty years later both the senior and junior sides are still going strong.

Back in the day, in the late 1960s United Chairman, Glen Foy set about acquiring a green and white Celtic hooped strip for Catholic. At that time Umbro, the manufacturer refused to supply the jerseys to the general public.

Then fate took a hand. Some of the players were going up to Glasgow to watch the Scotland versus England Home International. So Glen sent them off with a letter to Bob Kelly the Celtic chairman offering to buy a strip off the club. Somehow the lads made their way into Parkhead, met up with Bob Rooney the club’s trainer and assistant manager as well as the legendary Sligo man, Sean Fallon. They not only gave the chaps a tour of Paradise they let them put their hands on the European Cup (but wouldn’t let them lift it up!). The letter was duly passed on as Mr Kelly was not there that Saturday morning.

Three weeks later a parcel arrrived in Westcliff, a set of the famous hooped jerseys - gratis, with a letter of good wishes from the Bhoys. The club wore them in the Walton Cup final with Catholic beating Haden two goals to one. Thus it is written into the club’s constitution that Catholic’s club colours will always be the world famous green and white hoops.