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SUFC: The Future Consortium and Ron exchange contracts... so when will they be signed??

Our hopes and visions for the rebirth of Southend United, plus any plans published by the consortium for discussion

THE Shrimpers Trust have expressed their gratitude after contracts were exchanged to enable the consortium led by Justin Rees to take charge of the National League club.


After years of misery, Blues fans now hope to be able to look forward to a much brighter future.

And the Trust were quick to express their delight at the news.

A statement issued on Saturday afternoon said: “We would like to begin by once again paying tribute to the club’s loyal staff, club officials, football department and players, who have held Southend United together during this extremely testing period and under the most trying of circumstances, often whilst suffering personal hardship.

“Their commitment at this time will never be forgotten.

“When the fans needed it most, they gave us a club worth supporting.”
But the Trust are now hopeful such struggles are consigned to the past.

“The sale of the club paves the way for the lifting of a transfer and registration embargo that has been in place since September 2022,” added the statement.


“It is an extraordinary achievement by Kevin Maher, Darren Currie, Mark Bentley and our hardworking squad that performances have not suffered in such supreme adversity, and a strong bond has been forged between players and supporters as a result.

“We look forward to seeing what John Still and the recruitment team can do with their hands untied to augment the existing squad.”

Blues fans have stood by the club throughout the ongoing chaos.

And the Trust also recognised the part played by the loyal supporters.

The statement added: “We would also like to salute the efforts of all supporters who have continued to back the team on the pitch at home and away during this period, whilst combining this with performing important roles off it, whether that has been raising the club’s plight in the national media, lobbying local politicians and councillors, protesting against the ownership at his property and at Roots Hall or liaising with other supporters’ organisations around the country.”

But the Trust’s praise did not stop there.

They added: “We thank those who have shown patience and diligence in brokering this deal during a lengthy process.
“We recognise the complexity of the situation and are grateful in particular to Anna Firth, MP for Southend West, and Southend-on-Sea City Council, led by Tony Cox, for their crucial involvement.

“To Justin Rees and the other members of the consortium: welcome to Roots Hall and to your term as custodians of Southend United Football Club
.
“Thank-you for taking on the challenge of restoring this club to the English Football League whilst providing us with a sustainable future, free from the permanent existential fears of our recent history.”

And the Trust are also keen to help make that happen.

“You will know all about our passion and support for our football club,” said the Trust.

“Fans of this club want to play a vital and active role in Southend United’s future and, during the past 15 months in particular, have shown our readiness to do so.
“We wish you all the best in your endeavours, and look forward to working with you to help you achieve our combined objectives.”
 
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As pleased as I am, I'll wait for the official lifting of embargo for the first celebration and official take-over (and the back of the scumbag and family) for the next celebration.
…….. but still the best news we’ve had in what feels like many a long year.

…….let’s hope our future is considerably less cancerous and toxic than it was under the last appalling regime. 👍👍

The rat nearly killed us….. but we fight on to better days.
 
Emotional really emotional! Happy that my Son will continue to have his club to follow! Memories flooded back of the times spent following my beloved club with good friends, some no longer with us, how they would have loved today. 8 years ago yesterday my Dad passed away, last night, after a day of wondering if we would hear anything I thought to myself ' Have a word up there with the management Dad ' He never let me down in life either 🙏 😉 Now I really can hit that bottle of special reserve Whiskey in celebration, Merry Fecking Christmas 🎄 Shrimpers!
 
Great news for the Great Old Football Club. This is the turning point we need, I have just listened to Justin Rees and I cannot really express my full emotions for the sentiment he expressed. A Club that acts properly, pays its bills, works within the Community and with proper governance a Club we may all be proud to support. Such a change from the last many number of years we have had to endure. COYB!!
 
Emotional really emotional! Happy that my Son will continue to have his club to follow! Memories flooded back of the times spent following my beloved club with good friends, some no longer with us, how they would have loved today. 8 years ago yesterday my Dad passed away, last night, after a day of wondering if we would hear anything I thought to myself ' Have a word up there with the management Dad ' He never let me down in life either 🙏 😉 Now I really can hit that bottle of special reserve Whiskey in celebration, Merry Fecking Christmas 🎄 Shrimpers!
One of the first people I thought of when I heard the news was Liam mate.

When I saw him last in The Shrimpers Bar in January (and I finally got to buy him a beer after all these years) he told me it would all be alright.

When you see him over Christmas please tell him from me he was right….eventually!
 
Emotional really emotional! Happy that my Son will continue to have his club to follow! Memories flooded back of the times spent following my beloved club with good friends, some no longer with us, how they would have loved today. 8 years ago yesterday my Dad passed away, last night, after a day of wondering if we would hear anything I thought to myself ' Have a word up there with the management Dad ' He never let me down in life either 🙏 😉 Now I really can hit that bottle of special reserve Whiskey in celebration, Merry Fecking Christmas 🎄 Shrimpers!
Yes, indeed! My Uncle Fred who passed on last year who took me to my first game, and even my Dad, born in London and remained a Spurs supporter to his death, always tried to do his best for the club while serving on the council, the Tories had a clear majority back in his time and on the whole did not like the football club at all!

I'm certain the pair will be looking out for your old man and a few others and sharing a Whiskey or two with them :Thumbs up:

P.S. With all this mention of celebratory Snowballs being drunk :Smile:, I should also mention as well my sadly departed Mum and sister Jen, especially with Boxing Day approaching, Snowballs, yes with those very small bottles of Babycham, were obligatory at the family gathering on that day! I'm sure they will be knocking back a few with this news, Jen lived in North Road, so I popped in for a few words before every home game, while Mum took me to my first away game at Chester (0-0!), and somehow got me in the Directors Box for a home game v Watford, 2-0 if I've remembered correctly, Gerry Fell scored (?), thanks to them all!
 
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Emotional really emotional! Happy that my Son will continue to have his club to follow! Memories flooded back of the times spent following my beloved club with good friends, some no longer with us, how they would have loved today. 8 years ago yesterday my Dad passed away, last night, after a day of wondering if we would hear anything I thought to myself ' Have a word up there with the management Dad ' He never let me down in life either 🙏 😉 Now I really can hit that bottle of special reserve Whiskey in celebration, Merry Fecking Christmas 🎄 Shrimpers!
I lost my dad 11years ago on Christmas Day so I know what your feeling B, I think I’ll take a single malt and raise my glass to our dads with you. Come on you mighty mighty Shrimpers.
 
I heard this from a mutual aquaintence of a fellow Shrimper in The Yard micropub in Maldon, which doesn't have a signal so I wasn't aware at the time, & I had to stay & have a few pints of Sint Nikolas at only 7.4% I am now home so will start with a Gulden Draak at 10.5% to kick the real drinking off.

It could get messy so if I make the Boxing Day game please keep the noise down!!!
 
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