AGM Meeting

[Winkle]

I especially liked this bit


“I believe that if you are ambitious, then you cannot afford to cap wages or fees. I do not want to be in League One, I want to be in the Championship. I prefer being here, in the upper echelons, with the standard of football that we see every week.”


Ron also says that we wouldnt sell Freddie  even if we had an offer of £5 million, but Could we realisticly keep him if we are in the bottom echelons of div1 in the spring time?

 

[EastStandBlue]

Quote[/b] (Prodigal Son @ Oct. 20 2006,11:26)]

Quote[/b] (EastStandBlue @ Oct. 20 2006,11:06)]Nothing pleases me more than to hear Fossetts Farm and "3 months after approval" in the same sentence, compared with Cuckoo Farm being 5 years away...

With the mad scramble for tickets to Layer Road, and the awful facilities and views, I hope Col Ewe get their stadium soon. Think of taking 3,000 -4,000 there.

Cuckoo Farm plans were drawn up to only 10,000 capacity. At the moment, We get around 1,200 tickets? Do you really think they'd give us any more than 2,000 tickets?

Think about it. Roots Hall is just over 11,000 and we provide around 1,800-2,000. Col Ewe wouldn't want us taking anywhere near the 3,000 mark... and thats without even consulting the Police.

The Cuckoo Farm development wouldn't give us that many extra tickets at all

 

[seany t]

I suppose we'd just have to walk a bit further from Central, contemplate getting off at Southend East... sorry, Village... (though thats a horrid trek) or try the other line and get off at Prittlewell. Still, I'm sure they'll think of that.

There's a lack of pubs near there too, so maybe we'll see a trend of people drinking at the old haunts, then taking a 20 minute walk up there...

There is however another, fairly alright chippy nearby. So it's not all bad!

 

[Prodigal Son]

Quote[/b] (EastStandBlue @ Oct. 20 2006,11:51)]

Quote[/b] (Prodigal Son @ Oct. 20 2006,11:26)]

Quote[/b] (EastStandBlue @ Oct. 20 2006,11:06)]Nothing pleases me more than to hear Fossetts Farm and "3 months after approval" in the same sentence, compared with Cuckoo Farm being 5 years away...

With the mad scramble for tickets to Layer Road, and the awful facilities and views, I hope Col Ewe get their stadium soon. Think of taking 3,000 -4,000 there.

Cuckoo Farm plans were drawn up to only 10,000 capacity. At the moment, We get around 1,200 tickets? Do you really think they'd give us any more than 2,000 tickets?

Think about it. Roots Hall is just over 11,000 and we provide around 1,800-2,000. Col Ewe wouldn't want us taking anywhere near the 3,000 mark... and thats without even consulting the Police.

The Cuckoo Farm development wouldn't give us that many extra tickets at all

Disagree, would hope fro an end, so maybe in the region of 2,500.

 

[Jam_Man]

Quote[/b] (seany t @ Oct. 20 2006,11:21)]Don't want to put a downer on this thread, as the plans and ambitions look great. But would we fill 22,000 seats if we weren't in at least the Championship? I know we took loads of people to Cardiff, but they were exceptional circumstances, not £30 games against Plymouth

Or would improved parking / transport encourage more families to make the journey? It's a lot less central for rail users for example, like myself...

Theres the age old question.

Personally at the moment in the Championship I could see us getting 15k, in League One 8-10k.

Its hard to predict though. If we struggle without doubt our crowds would fall, however a new ground is going to attract new supporters.

How many people out there have kids who dont take them to Roots Hall but would do so if there were state of the art facilities ?

How many 10 year olds out there are about to choose Chelsea as choosing a team that plays at Roots Hall are an embarrassment ?

Im hoping that we can get decent crowds at Fossetts failry soon due to the hype and that mid-long term the club will be far more attractive.

Staying in this division is certainly going to be a key contributor though!

 

[Westcliff Shrimper]

Quote[/b] (Slipperduke @ Oct. 20 2006,11:30)]

Quote[/b] (seany t @ Oct. 20 2006,11:21)]Or would improved parking / transport encourage more families to make the journey? It's a lot less central for rail users for example, like myself...

As one of several London-based Shrimpers, that concerns me too.

Not as much as the absence of that Fish'n'Chip shop though.

Ron did say last night there will be park and ride schemes, and shuttle buses to and from stations.

 

[Hong Kong Blue]

Quote[/b] (CI-City Blue @ Oct. 20 2006,12:37)]

Quote[/b] (Slipperduke @ Oct. 20 2006,11:30)]

Quote[/b] (seany t @ Oct. 20 2006,11:21)]Or would improved parking / transport encourage more families to make the journey? It's a lot less central for rail users for example, like myself...

As one of several London-based Shrimpers, that concerns me too.

Not as much as the absence of that Fish'n'Chip shop though.

Ron did say last night there will be park and ride schemes, and shuttle buses to and from stations.

I hope evening kick-offs will be put back to 8pm.

Its hard enough making 7:45pm games at Roots Hall but I can see it being a nightmare to make 7:45pm games at Fossets Farm. I doubt shuttle buses will run after 7:30pm as these things always assume that everyone is able to get there with plenty of time, so if the trains (or the fans) are running slightly late they will be completely screwed.

 

[Westcliff Shrimper]

Quote[/b] (Hong Kong Blue @ Oct. 20 2006,12:49)]

Quote[/b] (CI-City Blue @ Oct. 20 2006,12:37)]

Quote[/b] (Slipperduke @ Oct. 20 2006,11:30)]

Or would improved parking / transport encourage more families to make the journey? It's a lot less central for rail users for example, like myself...

As one of several London-based Shrimpers, that concerns me too.

Not as much as the absence of that Fish'n'Chip shop though.

Ron did say last night there will be park and ride schemes, and shuttle buses to and from stations.

I hope evening kick-offs will be put back to 8pm.

 

[seany t]

By the way, I've been having trouble working out where this thing is (maybe) going to be, and how big it'll be, so I photoshopped the plans and rendering over the top of Google Earth's map of the area. It's in the Fossett's Farm thread if you want a peek...

Not my finest work, but you get the idea...

 

[Matt the Shrimp]

The train issue is the main issue that I raised in the club's "Have your say" survey, although (interestingly) the transport assessment carried out for the club as part of the planning application reckoned that only 13.9% of current attendees attend matches by train (11% of home fans, 35% of away fans).

I wonder, however, whether that survey was carried out on a weekend or a midweek, when I imagine the numbers would be substantially different...?

We could end up with the very unfortunate situation where midweek games - of which there are plenty - end up being very poorly attended compared to weekend games.

Personally, I was hoping for a monorail from Rochford station to the new ground. If Disney World can do it...

Matt

 

[bluearmy]

Personally I think that RM has incredible ambition and this is excellent for the club.

Saying that Freddy wouldn't be sold - even for £5m - is an incredible boost to everyone associated with the club.

It shows that he doesn't think we're some tin-pot side who's in the Championship just to make up the numbers.

For the first time we have as chairman with real drive, enthusiasm and flair.

A 22,000 stadium on the horizon, and a star player worth more than £5m...fantastic ambition and just what we need if we're gonna push this club forward.

 

[sufcintheprem]

The lady at the club shop did seem to be emphasising, almost over-emphasising the inclusion of shuttle buses. I'm sure if the demand is there, it would make it worth the club's while to have a latecomers shuttle bus.

The whole shuttle bus idea seems like a good one. I'd definitely have a few drinks beforehand then get the bus over.

 

[Bluesmanager]

Would there be the same "pull up and walk in" factor at the Farm that there is at the Hall? I know that many people park up a few streets away and walk in, and I do as well when I get to games. This "shuttlebus" thing doesn't sound too good in terms of space on the things.

 

[seany t]

Cool, good to know for us South West Londoners!

It'll be good for the area though. Might boost interest in the area and get some pubs / leisure facilities built. I used to live near there as a kid, and it really is quite dull...

 

[seany t]

And in reality, it's probably only a further 10 minutes walk from town than the Hall. Less if you get off at Prittlewell...

Just the lack of pubs that might be a problem for anyone not wanting to drink John Smiths or Carling...

 

[Matt the Shrimp]

Quote[/b] (sufcintheprem @ Oct. 20 2006,13:13)]The lady at the club shop did seem to be emphasising, almost over-emphasising the inclusion of shuttle buses.  I'm sure if the demand is there, it would make it worth the club's while to have a latecomers shuttle bus.

The whole shuttle bus idea seems like a good one. I'd definitely have a few drinks beforehand then get the bus over.

Shuttle buses only work if there's a bus lane, they're cheap and they're frequent. Tranmere has them, for example, and they sort of work, but only sort of.

I remain to be convinced...

Matt

 

[Hong Kong Blue]

Quote[/b] (Matt the Shrimp @ Oct. 20 2006,13:09)]The train issue is the main issue that I raised in the club's "Have your say" survey, although (interestingly) the transport assessment carried out for the club as part of the planning application reckoned that only 13.9% of current attendees attend matches by train (11% of home fans, 35% of away fans).

I wonder, however, whether that survey was carried out on a weekend or a midweek, when I imagine the numbers would be substantially different...?

We could end up with the very unfortunate situation where midweek games - of which there are plenty - end up being very poorly attended compared to weekend games.

Personally, I was hoping for a monorail from Rochford station to the new ground.  If Disney World can do it...

Matt

The survey was carried out on a Saturday. Incidentally Barrett scored for Plymouth and Belgrave was only a sub for them.

I'd have thought other relevant variables would be:

crowd size - we now get twice as many fans as we did back then. Are these extra fans from Southend itself, or from around SE Essex?
weather - I'd imagine people's transport choice may be different on a sunny August afternoon as compared to a wet November evening

 

[leeblue]

i used theShuttlebus system at cardiff (play off final, i done all three just for the record) thought it was great scheme, parked up at cardiffs ground and jumped on bus to millenium, easy.

 

[Bielzibubz]

Quote[/b] (Hong Kong Blue @ Oct. 20 2006,12:49)]I doubt shuttle buses will run after 7:30pm as these things always assume that everyone is able to get there with plenty of time, so if the trains (or the fans) are running slightly late they will be completely screwed.

As stated by Ron. These shuttle services may well end up being run by the club as the council are doubtful they could find the 2 million quid to finance them. And I think I'm right in saying that Ron said provision has been made in the developments finances to do just that should it be required.

I VERY much doubt the club would bus shed loads of supporters to the ground on a Friday/Tuesday evening and then leave them stranded to make their own way back to wherever at 9.30pm - 9.45pm.
Or at 4.45pm on a Saturday for that matter.

 

[Hooly]

Quote[/b] (Slipperduke @ Oct. 20 2006,11:30)]Not as much as the absence of that Fish'n'Chip shop though.

Excellent report by Mr Craven on what sounded an interesting chat by Ronster.  Whether he can come through with it who knows, but I don't think any longer that people can doubt that he's actually trying.

Without wishing to hijack the report thread onto less important matters, the owner of the Fish House is very keen to have a representation at the new ground & as I've said before the fast food restaurant on the entrance plaza would suit me down to the ground, but we know it'll be plasticburgerland.  He's mentioned it in passing to me before but actually asked last Friday if I knew anyone in the supporters organisation.  He's, apparently, expressed an interest directly with the club about having something at the ground, but would like to talk to someone in the supporters club if possible.  

It's probable that the trust may not have any advice to give him but I said I would pass his request on & this seemed the easiest way rather than setting up just another one message thread.  Is it possible that one of the higher echelon could at least make contact with him.

Thanks
Piers