I see his point. You’re paying almost 400 notes to bask in the aroma of fox ****, sit in a (probably) broken seat, no Bovril at the snack bar, awful quality “facilities”, paint peeling, leaks, cardboard burgers, broken turnstiles, a bar with a collapsed roof etc etc ..
To expect SUFC fans to absorb an above inflation rise in prices given the quality on offer and the fact we’ve spent most of this season under an embargo is just a bit cheeky. Value for money it ain’t..
No...that is an element of what I expect for my money. There is only so far that blind loyalty will mask the inadequacy of the infrastructure.
If I can expect better facilities at some Essex Senior League venues then there is something cataclysmically wrong.
No I wouldn't, but I'd consider paying that given I can sit with my Dad in a clean environment with a pint and chips in my hand, move around the stadium as I see fit, and all for less than watching Southend in a cesspit for three times the price, and with no prospect of meaningful progress under the current stewardship.
Everybody has a limit.
My point is that we probably wouldn't be charged £380 to stand on the sidelines and watch Southend United on a park pitch, so I'd mark the facilities down as part of the equation, regardless of whether you feel that you're directly paying to use them.
There are so, so many shades of grey and pieces of context that are unique to our club to consider when discussing this. However, the club has treated its fans (customers!) utterly appallingly; has deliberately allowed the facilities that it hosts them in to fall into disrepair and become a public hazard to their health and safety; continues to put on a poor all-round match day experience; and has consistently ignored or rubbished ideas and initiatives for improvement. Leaving aside whether said ideas or initiatives would improve fan comfortability and experience and just concentrating on the financial slant, they won't even consider any ideas or initiatives around catering which would involve a little outlay now but likely score them some profit once bedded in.
They've completely given up on Roots Hall and don't give a **** about fan experience or the environment provided there, despite the fact that we could be there for another 2-3 seasons yet (H&S certificate allowing) They have become lazy and increasingly unaccountable. They are relying on our blind acceptance, loyalty and good will and are hedging their bets on everything being sunshine and unicorn farts once Fossetts Farm opens. It's unacceptable.
I've heard the phrase "next generation of fan" used a few times - well we're not going to attract them at Roots Hall. I know a couple of parents who won't bring their kids to Roots Hall because, as one told me, "it's a ****hole". Rightly or wrongly, quality and safety of facilities comes into it for them. I'm not saying pour money into a pit and spend a **** tonne at Roots Hall, but at the opposite end of the spectrum, why wait until Fossetts Farm to try to provide a pleasant environment and experience at a minimum to attract that next generation of fan - especially when Fossetts Farm keeps getting pushed further and further back?
They've got some ****ing gall raising prices by that much and they need to be called out on it.
I think I see it a different way.
Southend United is the team I have supported since 1969 and I've had a season ticket for god knows how many years. The football club needs income, and one of those income streams is gate receipts and season ticket prices.
I will always - if possible - go and see the side play at home, so for me it is purely an economic decision. The earlier I get the ticket the cheaper it is for me, so I would do it for financially selfish reasons. In the same way, I buy a shirt a season. I don't moan about the price, I don't care what mark-up is made; it's another way of me helping provide funds to the club I have supported for 53 years.
To use an extreme example - if a football club has 100 supporters and it costs £50,000 a year to keep the club alive, then someone has to pay the costs. If the only source of income that club had was gate receipts, then each supporter would have to pay £500 a year.
You'll get the point I'm making I'm sure. The above is a completely fictional example and I only quoted it to illustrate the economic reasons. But if we are true "supporters", then that support has to have a financial element, otherwise you're not really supporting. For instance, fans who refuse to attend home games, don't buy any merchandise and basically give none of their money to the club aren't supporters at all. In fact, if they follow the team away from home, then they are financially supporting the other club.
So, to answer
@Medway Blue and the original point, if I was a Southend fan and the only way I would get to see them play was by me and others paying £380 a season to watch on a park pitch then yes, I probably would, and I'd never pay £145 to watch Chelmsford City anywhere because I'm not a Chelmsford fan. If I was swayed by the stadium, I'd go and watch Spurs or Arsenal. If I wanted a decent stadium outside the Prem, then there are plenty of decent ones but MK Dons is excellent, so that would get my vote. But of course, I'm not going to do any of these things because I follow Southend, not any of the other clubs.
I think for me, the question is, if you are a Southend fan and are going to watch the team anyway, why would you NOT take advantage of the early bird prices?
And I suspect the answer to that question is "Ron Martin". Which is fine, if that's how everyone feels. I guess I just don't care about him enough to let his dreadful antics completely ruin the longest relationship I have had in my life. I just want to cheer the team on, hopefully watch them win, rinse and repeat.
But that's just me and I know everyone won't feel the same.
