Thorpe Groyney
Open your mind
For the record, another Echo article confirming staff redundancies (Christine Sexton, Wed 7 July 2010)
Southend United have laid off call centre staff at the club in the wake of mounting financial pressure.
Young people employed to sell Southend United branded products to shops and season ticket holders and to sell advertising space for the club were told they no longer had jobs on Friday.
The decision is believed to affect four call centre staff. The mother of one 18-year-old who is still owed more than £500 thinks it's "disgusting".
She asked not to be named, but said: "My daughter had no notice. She went to work and was back half an hour later. She is supposed to have two weeks notice.
"I think it is disgusting the way they are being treated. Most of them are young and won't kick up a fuss. The club tells them they will get them other jobs, but it's all pie-in-the-sky."
In a week of turmoil at the club, manager Steve Tilson was replaced as manager, and it was revealed the tax man had applied to put the club in temporary administration over unpaid tax debts of £200,000.
The club faces another winding up order petition at the High Court over an undisclosed sum owed to local company Chaterhouse and the supporters' club the Shrimpers' Trust has demanded repayment of a £60,000 loan.
Southend United spokesman David Scriven said: "The call centre will be closed for July and call centre staff have been laid off. All outstanding monies will be paid as soon as practically possible.
"Football clubs are seasonal and the call centre will be reintroduced as and when there is a requirement for it. These are casual staff, some of which have been reassigned other duties at the club."
Southend United have laid off call centre staff at the club in the wake of mounting financial pressure.
Young people employed to sell Southend United branded products to shops and season ticket holders and to sell advertising space for the club were told they no longer had jobs on Friday.
The decision is believed to affect four call centre staff. The mother of one 18-year-old who is still owed more than £500 thinks it's "disgusting".
She asked not to be named, but said: "My daughter had no notice. She went to work and was back half an hour later. She is supposed to have two weeks notice.
"I think it is disgusting the way they are being treated. Most of them are young and won't kick up a fuss. The club tells them they will get them other jobs, but it's all pie-in-the-sky."
In a week of turmoil at the club, manager Steve Tilson was replaced as manager, and it was revealed the tax man had applied to put the club in temporary administration over unpaid tax debts of £200,000.
The club faces another winding up order petition at the High Court over an undisclosed sum owed to local company Chaterhouse and the supporters' club the Shrimpers' Trust has demanded repayment of a £60,000 loan.
Southend United spokesman David Scriven said: "The call centre will be closed for July and call centre staff have been laid off. All outstanding monies will be paid as soon as practically possible.
"Football clubs are seasonal and the call centre will be reintroduced as and when there is a requirement for it. These are casual staff, some of which have been reassigned other duties at the club."
