Do the club deserve our support?

[shrimperian]

As one of the loyal hardy souls who travelled to deepest South Yorkshire last night, I am beginning to feel that the club are taking us for mugs!

The debacle over the Spurs ticket allocation and the apparent indifference towards the Shrimpers Trust, led to widespread condemnation of Geoffrey King from the Away stand at Oakwell. Yet in the press, on free t-shirts given to trust travellers and in personal correspondence, the club ask for our support for their plans to build a new ground and to take the club forward. This appears to be hypocritical.

When you consider the spineless, passionless and frankly clueless performance put in by the team at Oakwell, it does make you wonder what the hell is going on! Whilst criticism of the team is most certainly warranted, the aptitude of the managerial staff in choosing the side in the first place and then failing to alter things for 80 minutes when we were being run ragged by a very poor Barnsley team, must be called into question.

A certain star player needs to take his head out of those stars and start putting some effort into his play or simply lose his place. It is a fact that the only effort on target from Southend last night was a pass back from a drop ball.

Whilst the title of this message was a little tongue in cheek, as I would never turn my back on my team, I do wonder whetehr we are valued by the club and if we ever did reach the valhalla that is the Premiership, would we ever get any tickets for away games?

Rant over

 

[Prodigal Son]

I always watch your posts with interest, you have long experince of supporting the club and seem to have connections on the inside of the club, maybe due to your family's past.

You posted recently that Brush picks and trains the team.

Can you expand upon that comment?

From afar, the relationship between club and Trust seems to have broken down, why? I could be terribly wrong on this and again ask someone to comment who is maybe closer to the action?

Finally, you just don't change clubs when things go wrong but I did turn my back on the club for five years,hence Prodigal Son,and would not hesitate to do so if I felt all of the club had started to take supporters for granted.

 

[shrimperian]

Prodigal Son, I always appreciate the constructive comments that you post in response to my posts. I do have xome close friends within the club but, not too surprisingly, this is not usually the source of my intelligence.

However, I would comment that, apparently, Tilly has been slowly going into meltdown over the teams results this season and has simply lost the confidence to deal with the players on a day to day basis. To this end, I gather, he has confined himself to a heirarchical role and left Brush with training etc.

There are rumours of disharmony in the camp, both regarding Freddies arrogance since the Man Utd game and from one or two of the new players who are not in the team or are playing out of position.

However, that apart, it must be remembered how far we have come in such a short space of time but, as I mentioned before, just because you drive a Skoda to the race track, doesnt mean you race in it!

I expect some form of backlash to my comments but please, if you didnt witness the events at Oakwell, please ask someone who did; the team was simply awful, probably the worst performance for five years but, it was really the total lack of understanding shown by those in charge that made this defeat so hard to take. Those moved enough to raise any chant joined together for a rousing chorus of "You don't know what you're doing!". A sad night indeed that such cutting chants should be aimed at Messrs Tilson and Brush but at least calls of Tilson Out were quelled by the rest of us before it took hold.

Please try to keep the faith but, even if you do, do the club care?

 

[superhooper]

This is truly a massive massive blip - but that is on the football front.

In the whole scheme of things, looking outside the box,being a little less blinkered etc, this club is on the up and anyone who dissagrees is quite frankly a little naive.

Look, the team have done amazingly well over the past couple of years and if anything we've succeeded too quickly - we've been victims of our own success. Some players can't cope with this level, but bad luck has had a massive part in the majority of our results this season(not yesterday though!)

But look at the club as a whole - it is being run very professionally and is being run was a lot of ambition.

But on the ticketing front...which is where I believe you are saying the club don't care. You can't blame the club because the system is not designed for this one off extreem demand. It would cost a lot of money to make is work overly smoothly - but that is not worth it for just one/two matches a season - and even this number is a ot - when was the last time the demand was so great?..exactly.

And to say that the ticketing situation and the club asking for support of the new stadium is hypocritical - well thier two completly separate issues.

The main priority has to be this stadium - because without it there won't be a sufc in the championship, league one or league two.

....

P.S have you recieved a free t shirt/ free flag? - is that not caring for the fans?

I know that was a rant and maybe justified, but overall we shouldn't even be in this league - its all happened too quickly.

But hey,... roll on the stadium and we will be able to really compete

 

[Maisie Shrimper]

what is so shocking about the spurs tickets though. Season ticket holders have 2 weeks to collect them, and theres still some left even with telephone sales.......

 

[KrustyTheKray]

Quote[/b] (shrimperian @ Nov. 29 2006,12:45)]The debacle over the Spurs ticket allocation

I have to agree with you there.

It's a little appalling the way the club make us season card holders stand hour upon hour in a queue for Carling Cup tickets.

Some other way should have been used, not queueing for ages.

 

[shrimperian]

I fully compehend your comments Superhooper and yes the club has come a long way and perhaps has over reached itself. However, the fact remains that it is in the championship, along with col ewe and barnsley and should adapt. Whilst i mention the ticketing situation, it is not the sole reason for my concern, but is indicative.

When pared down to the bones, the entire clubs existance is dependant on fans paying to watch them play, otherwise we would not even be a professional team. Granted the likes of Chelski and Man Utd can survive on merchandise alone, but they are the exceptions. So, the most important thing for the club to embrace are their most loyal benefactors, the fans, particularly those that turn up in the cold no matter who the opposition is, no matter where. If the club where a commercial shop, for instance, they would most certainly be aware of their top 100 customers and would reward them in some way to keep them loyal. (tesco clubcard point etc). I am not advocating that, just pointing out the analogy.

The truth is that the ST has that information and it is available to the club, BUT IS IGNORED. The ST also give their suggestions on how tickets might be allocated, BUT THEY ARE IGNORED. It is rumoured that 1000 spurs tickets have been held back by the club for "corporate reasons". Again, where were these corporate fans at Barnsley and Burnley? BTW I am a ST holder and do have spurs tickets so this is not sour grapes.

Using the Tesco's analogy again, if Tesco decided to hold a sale where there were terrific bargains, the first thing that they would do was make it as easy as possible for those top 100 customers to be there. SUFC seem to do the opposite.

As for the flags and t shirts, yes I accept that these are given away, but lets face it, they are self serving. Dont get me wrong, I am pleased that the club is moving in the right direction but it cannot be sustained without the fans.

 

[fbm]

Quote[/b] (TonyTheKray @ Nov. 30 2006,00:18)]

Quote[/b] (shrimperian @ Nov. 29 2006,12:45)]The debacle over the Spurs ticket allocation

I have to agree with you there.

It's a little appalling the way the club make us season card holders stand hour upon hour in a queue for Carling Cup tickets.

Some other way should have been used, not queueing for ages.

When seasos had so long to pick the tickets up, why did most choose to queue for so long on day 1?

I cannot work that out to be honest. If you queued for hours, then frankly that's your fault. It's not like we only had a few days a la the Man Utd match. Season ticket holders get weeks before what's left go on general sale.

Why is that the clubs fault?

 

[TrueBlue]

Quote[/b] ]From afar, the relationship between club and Trust seems to have broken down, why? I could be terribly wrong on this and again ask someone to comment who is maybe closer to the action?

To answer you question as I sit on the trust committee things have been tough recently with the club and the trust but we are working on both sides to make sure this is just a minor blip! I can't speak for the trust alone but MY PERSONAL view is that Geoff King is a MAJOR problem for the club/trust relationship once again thats my own personal view, wether thats the Trusts collective view that will be made clear in a statement if the turst feels it needs to make one.

 

[Shrimp in a Kilt]

Quote[/b] (fbm @ Nov. 30 2006,08:21)]

Quote[/b] (TonyTheKray @ Nov. 30 2006,00:18)]

Quote[/b] (shrimperian @ Nov. 29 2006,12:45)]The debacle over the Spurs ticket allocation

I have to agree with you there.

It's a little appalling the way the club make us season card holders stand hour upon hour in a queue for Carling Cup tickets.

Some other way should have been used, not queueing for ages.

When seasos had so long to pick the tickets up, why did most choose to queue for so long on day 1?

I cannot work that out to be honest.  If you queued for hours, then frankly that's your fault.  It's not like we only had a few days a la the Man Utd match.  Season ticket holders get weeks before what's left go on general sale.

Why is that the clubs fault?

Because the information coming out of the club was inadequate and confusing to put it mildly. The first indication that there was no need to panic was the ST's who had queued coming back on here and reporting that there was a sign in the shop saying that there would be enough tickets for ST holders - which was a bit late, frankly.

 

[overseas shrimper]

Quote[/b] (TrueBlue @ Nov. 30 2006,09:24)]

Quote[/b] ]From afar, the relationship between club and Trust seems to have broken down, why? I could be terribly wrong on this and again ask someone to comment who is maybe closer to the action?

To answer you question as I sit on the trust committee things have been tough recently with the club and the trust but we are working on both sides to make sure this is  just a minor blip! I can't speak for the trust alone but MY PERSONAL view is that Geoff King is a MAJOR problem for the club/trust relationship once again thats my own personal view, wether thats the Trusts collective view that will be made clear in a statement if the turst feels it needs to make one.

With all due respects, if you sit on the Trust committee, are you really helping relations between the Trust and the club by coming on this board and campaigning for calls for 'GK out'?

 

[Shrimperstrust]

Quote[/b] (Prodigal Son @ Nov. 29 2006,12:53)]From afar, the relationship between club and Trust seems to have broken down, why? I could be terribly wrong on this and again ask someone to comment who is maybe closer to the action?

It is not true that the relationship between the Trust and the Club has broken down - the Trust will always from time to time disagree, sometimes strongly, with actions that the club take. Ticketing policies are always an emotional issue and it is fair to say that the Trust does not feel that the club have acted in the best interests of supporters recently. As ever we have raised these concerns with the club and are currently discussing how we can improve the situation together.

It is unrealistic as in all walks of life to expect two parties to agree about everything and healthy debate to resolve these issues should not be construed as a breakdown in relations.

The Trust exists to help the club and the supporters in the best way it can and sometimes that will mean standing up for the rights of supporters when perceived injustices occur.

The Trust, as is widely known, consists solely of volunteer Southend United football supporters we aren’t arrogant enough to think we’ll get everything right all of the time but we do our best and as always if anyone does not agree with the actions we take we are more than happy to answer criticism. If at any time anyone would like to get involved - we are always looking for members prepared to make a difference to help us improve – just contact any committee member”

 

[TrueBlue]

Quote[/b] (overseas shrimper @ Nov. 30 2006,08:28)]

Quote[/b] (TrueBlue @ Nov. 30 2006,09:24)]

Quote[/b] ]From afar, the relationship between club and Trust seems to have broken down, why? I could be terribly wrong on this and again ask someone to comment who is maybe closer to the action?

To answer you question as I sit on the trust committee things have been tough recently with the club and the trust but we are working on both sides to make sure this is just a minor blip! I can't speak for the trust alone but MY PERSONAL view is that Geoff King is a MAJOR problem for the club/trust relationship once again thats my own personal view, wether thats the Trusts collective view that will be made clear in a statement if the turst feels it needs to make one.

With all due respects, if you sit on the Trust committee, are you really helping relations between the Trust and the club by coming on this board and campaigning for calls for 'GK out'?

My personal view is that GK should not be at the club I post on here as TRUEBLUE and thus these are TRUEBLUE's Views! not the Trusts not Smiffys not Xabia Shrimpers but MINE!

KING OUT!

 

[Prodigal Son]

Quote[/b] (TrueBlue @ Nov. 30 2006,08:24)]

Quote[/b] ]From afar, the relationship between club and Trust seems to have broken down, why? I could be terribly wrong on this and again ask someone to comment who is maybe closer to the action?

To answer you question as I sit on the trust committee things have been tough recently with the club and the trust but we are working on both sides to make sure this is  just a minor blip! I can't speak for the trust alone but MY PERSONAL view is that Geoff King is a MAJOR problem for the club/trust relationship once again thats my own personal view, wether thats the Trusts collective view that will be made clear in a statement if the turst feels it needs to make one.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[Prodigal Son]

Quote[/b] (Shrimperstrust @ Nov. 30 2006,09:23)]

Quote[/b] (Prodigal Son @ Nov. 29 2006,12:53)]From afar, the relationship between club and Trust seems to have broken down, why? I could be terribly wrong on this and again ask someone to comment who is maybe closer to the action?

It is not true that the relationship between the Trust and the Club has broken down - the Trust will always from time to time disagree, sometimes strongly, with actions that the club take. Ticketing policies are always an emotional issue and it is fair to say that the Trust does not feel that the club have acted in the best interests of supporters recently. As ever we have raised these concerns with the club and are currently discussing how we can improve the situation together.

It is unrealistic as in all walks of life to expect two parties to agree about everything and healthy debate to resolve these issues should not be construed as a breakdown in relations.

The Trust exists to help the club and the supporters in the best way it can and sometimes that will mean standing up for the rights of supporters when perceived injustices occur.

The Trust, as is widely known, consists solely of volunteer Southend United football supporters we aren’t arrogant enough to think we’ll get everything right all of the time but we do our best and as always if anyone does not agree with the actions we take we are more than happy to answer criticism. If at any time anyone would like to get involved - we are always looking for members prepared to make a difference to help us improve – just contact any committee member”

Notice I said from 'afar', seems I am wrong, would be happy to contribute, bug chunk of my job is communications to staff and clients.

 

[Prodigal Son]

Quote[/b] (Maisie Shrimper @ Nov. 29 2006,21:09)]what is so shocking about the spurs tickets though. Season ticket holders have 2 weeks to collect them, and theres still some left even with telephone sales.......

Maisie, alot of STHs are kids whose parents don't go to away games and pensioners, like the bloke who sits next to me, who gets puffed out walking to Roots Hall so don't go away. You might feel the same when you reach 88.

My son does'nt go to all away games with me and has to get permission to stay up late for Tuesday home games from Mum.

 

[Prodigal Son]

Quote[/b] (shrimperian @ Nov. 29 2006,19:03)]Prodigal Son, I always appreciate the constructive comments that you post in response to my posts.  I do have xome close friends within the club but, not too surprisingly, this is not usually the source of my intelligence.

However, I would comment that, apparently, Tilly has been slowly going into meltdown over the teams results this season and has simply lost the confidence to deal with the players on a day to day basis.  To this end, I gather, he has confined himself to a heirarchical role and left Brush with training etc.

There are rumours of disharmony in the camp, both regarding Freddies arrogance since the Man Utd game and from one or two of the new players who are not in the team or are playing out of position.

However, that apart, it must be remembered how far we have come in such a short space of time but, as I mentioned before, just because you drive a Skoda to the race track, doesnt mean you race in it!

I expect some form of backlash to my comments but please, if you didnt witness the events at Oakwell, please ask someone who did; the team was simply awful, probably the worst performance for five years but, it was really the total lack of understanding shown by those in charge that made this defeat so hard to take.  Those moved enough to raise any chant joined together for a rousing chorus of "You don't know what you're doing!".  A sad night indeed that such cutting chants should be aimed at Messrs Tilson and Brush but at least calls of Tilson Out were quelled by the rest of us before it took hold.

Please try to keep the faith but, even if you do, do the club care?

Thanks, the comments on Tilly are disappointing, almost smacks of ''lost the dressing room''.

Some new players can't be happy for a variety of reasons.

 

[steveo1]

Quote[/b] ]this club is on the up and anyone who dissagrees is quite frankly a little naive.

Consider this scenario: Ron wants to move the team out so he can primarily develop Roots Hall. The team goes into decline, as we are at the moment, and there is no money available for new players. We get a new stadium but with small crowds have no way of running it. The Southend United Football Club Ltd goes into receivership owing wages, tax and VAT. Martin Dawn PLC thrives on the profits made at Roots Hall.

Just a thought, stupid really maybe i'm just being a little naive.

 

[Beefy]

Quote[/b] (steveo1 @ Nov. 30 2006,18:25)]

Quote[/b] ]this club is on the up and anyone who dissagrees is quite frankly a little naive.

Consider this scenario: Ron wants to move the team out so he can primarily develop Roots Hall. The team goes into decline, as we are at the moment, and there is no money available for new players. We get a new stadium but with small crowds have no way of running it. The Southend United Football Club Ltd goes into receivership owing wages, tax and VAT. Martin Dawn PLC thrives on the profits made at Roots Hall.

Just a thought, stupid really maybe i'm just being a little naive.

They could have done that a lot more cheaply, several years ago. I'd venture to suggest that the days of seriously doubting Ron Martin's intentions are long gone.

 

[steveo1]

Hopefully you are right Beefy. I know we have disagreed on this subject before, maybe im just too pessimistic.