Do the club deserve our support?

[Jam_Man]

Im sure Ron Martin has the clubs interest at heart. If he just wanted us in a new stadium so he could have roots hall why bother with a 22,000 capacity ? He could have left it at 16,000, saved on the build costs and got what he wanted.

Of course the flats etc are a nice sweetener for him and Im sure theres money to be made there:)

 

[Beefy]

Ron is a businessman. He didn't buy Southend United out of the goodness of his heart. Thats the way the World works though.

 

[shrimperian]

Have to say that my perseption is ron bought a club he didnt really care for and ended up loving it. I seriously doubt that he is going to run it down. However, any business is not run inside out by one individual and it is those that ron chooses to employ on his behalf that are apparently causing an issue. Mr King and Ms drew I belive are quite a problem.

 

[Hong Kong Blue]

Of course the club don't deserve our "support".

They deserve far better.


Ron Martin, Geoff King, Steve Tilson and Paul Brush have put together the most exhilarating 36 months in Southend's history - 3 Millenium Stadium appearances, a first ever play-off triumph, only our second ever title, our biggest (profile wise) win, our best ever League Cup run, our two best LDV runs etc etc.

And what do they get?

The players are jeered at the first misplaced pass. People question the ambition of the club when had you suggested we'd have been this successful 3 years ago you'd have been sectioned. People call for Steve Tilson's head.

The players and management of Southend United deserve much, much better.

 

[Shrimp in a Kilt]

Quote[/b] (Hong Kong Blue @ Dec. 01 2006,04:51)]Of course the club don't deserve our "support".

They deserve far better.


Ron Martin, Geoff King, Steve Tilson and Paul Brush have put together the most exhilarating 36 months in Southend's history - 3 Millenium Stadium appearances, a first ever play-off triumph, only our second ever title, our biggest (profile wise) win, our best ever League Cup run, our two best LDV runs etc etc.

And what do they get?

The players are jeered at the first misplaced pass. People question the ambition of the club when had you suggested we'd have been this successful 3 years ago you'd have been sectioned. People call for Steve Tilson's head.

The players and management of Southend United deserve much, much better.

Spot on.

 

[sufcintheprem]

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 club's fault?

Much the point I was trying to make a week ago.

That said, I can also agree about the club communicating it better but personally, they communicated it well enough for me.

 

[Somerset Ex-TTB]

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.

When I was on the trust I had nothing but trouble from Geoff King, including a couple of quite heated arguements

 

[shrimper_sam]

Quote[/b] (Trust Treasurer Bloke @ Dec. 01 2006,12:05)]

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.

When I was on the trust I had nothing but trouble from Geoff King, including a couple of quite heated arguements

thats because his a arrogant Tw&T who couldn't care less about the fans. Hence why he wanted all the supporters, kids to miss a day from school, so they could go down in person and pick there ticket up for Manchester United! - Thank god Mr Ron Martin Stepped in!

 

[TrueBlue]

Quote[/b] (Hong Kong Blue @ Dec. 01 2006,04:51)]Of course the club don't deserve our "support".

They deserve far better.


Ron Martin, Geoff King, Steve Tilson and Paul Brush have put together the most exhilarating 36 months in Southend's history - 3 Millenium Stadium appearances, a first ever play-off triumph, only our second ever title, our biggest (profile wise) win, our best ever League Cup run, our two best LDV runs etc etc.

And what do they get?

The players are jeered at the first misplaced pass. People question the ambition of the club when had you suggested we'd have been this successful 3 years ago you'd have been sectioned. People call for Steve Tilson's head.

The players and management of Southend United deserve much, much better.

More tripe!

 

[TrueBlue]

Quote[/b] (Trust Treasurer Bloke @ Dec. 01 2006,12:05)]

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.

When I was on the trust I had nothing but trouble from Geoff King, including a couple of quite heated arguements

Glad you see the problem aswell Craig!
GK needs to go!

 

[Shrimpersarmy]

Quote[/b] (Hong Kong Blue @ Dec. 01 2006,04:51)]Of course the club don't deserve our "support".

They deserve far better.


Ron Martin, Geoff King, Steve Tilson and Paul Brush have put together the most exhilarating 36 months in Southend's history - 3 Millenium Stadium appearances, a first ever play-off triumph, only our second ever title, our biggest (profile wise) win, our best ever League Cup run, our two best LDV runs etc etc.

And what do they get?

The players are jeered at the first misplaced pass. People question the ambition of the club when had you suggested we'd have been this successful 3 years ago you'd have been sectioned. People call for Steve Tilson's head.

The players and management of Southend United deserve much, much better.

Excellent post.

If we were without a win in 16 league games in League 2 then fair enough, but this is the championship. The players have just come too far in such a short amount of time.

 

[Beefy]

Quote[/b] (Hong Kong Blue @ Dec. 01 2006,04:51)]Of course the club don't deserve our "support".

They deserve far better.


Ron Martin, Geoff King, Steve Tilson and Paul Brush have put together the most exhilarating 36 months in Southend's history - 3 Millenium Stadium appearances, a first ever play-off triumph, only our second ever title, our biggest (profile wise) win, our best ever League Cup run, our two best LDV runs etc etc.

And what do they get?

The players are jeered at the first misplaced pass. People question the ambition of the club when had you suggested we'd have been this successful 3 years ago you'd have been sectioned. People call for Steve Tilson's head.

The players and management of Southend United deserve much, much better.

Bravo.

It makes me wonder what would have happened this time next season had Tilly and Brush somehow defied logic and steered us to a third promotion in a row. Would our "fans" have been calling for his head had we gone 16 without a win in that league too?

 

[shrimperian]

Quote[/b] (Beefy @ Dec. 01 2006,15:01)]

Quote[/b] (Hong Kong Blue @ Dec. 01 2006,04:51)]Of course the club don't deserve our "support".

They deserve far better.


Ron Martin, Geoff King, Steve Tilson and Paul Brush have put together the most exhilarating 36 months in Southend's history - 3 Millenium Stadium appearances, a first ever play-off triumph, only our second ever title, our biggest (profile wise) win, our best ever League Cup run, our two best LDV runs etc etc.

And what do they get?

The players are jeered at the first misplaced pass. People question the ambition of the club when had you suggested we'd have been this successful 3 years ago you'd have been sectioned. People call for Steve Tilson's head.

The players and management of Southend United deserve much, much better.

Bravo.

It makes me wonder what would have happened this time next season had Tilly and Brush somehow defied logic and steered us to a third promotion in a row. Would our "fans" have been calling for his head had we gone 16 without a win in that league too?

You guys are all missing the point here, or are to lazy to read the post properly....

Nobody can ever underestimate how well the club/team have done over the last three years. I doubt that many fans feel more proud of the achievements than I do. That is not in question. However, you are in danger of running logical risks with your comments that success means that support is deserved. Without support, a club cannot function and if we are saying that the club deserve our support because they have recently been successful, then why do we all not support Chelski etc.?

No, the point that I am making is that the club, rather than remaining humble and approachable are actively taking steps to becoame more aloof and unapproachable to their fans. Fair enough, you may say. However, I think that if the club on the one hand urge us to help them in their endeavours, they might be more concilliatry towards us when we have needs, such as ticketing issues etc.

The number of hard working ST personnel who have had difficult meetings and discussions with GK seems to suggest that at least that individual couldnt care less about the fans.

I am simply asking the question, do you think the club (not team) do enough to warrant you continuing to spend money on them (which lines their pockets).

 

[shrimper_sam]

Quote[/b] (shrimperian @ Dec. 01 2006,18:42)]

Quote[/b] (Beefy @ Dec. 01 2006,15:01)]

Quote[/b] (Hong Kong Blue @ Dec. 01 2006,04:51)]Of course the club don't deserve our "support".

They deserve far better.


Ron Martin, Geoff King, Steve Tilson and Paul Brush have put together the most exhilarating 36 months in Southend's history - 3 Millenium Stadium appearances, a first ever play-off triumph, only our second ever title, our biggest (profile wise) win, our best ever League Cup run, our two best LDV runs etc etc.

And what do they get?

The players are jeered at the first misplaced pass. People question the ambition of the club when had you suggested we'd have been this successful 3 years ago you'd have been sectioned. People call for Steve Tilson's head.

The players and management of Southend United deserve much, much better.

Bravo.

It makes me wonder what would have happened this time next season had Tilly and Brush somehow defied logic and steered us to a third promotion in a row. Would our "fans" have been calling for his head had we gone 16 without a win in that league too?

You guys are all missing the point here, or are to lazy to read the post properly....

Nobody can ever underestimate how well the club/team have done over the last three years.  I doubt that many fans feel more proud of the achievements than I do.  That is not in question.  However, you are in danger of running logical risks with your comments that success means that support is deserved.  Without support, a club cannot function and if we are saying that the club deserve our support because they have recently been successful, then why do we all not support Chelski etc.?

No, the point that I am making is that the club, rather than remaining humble and approachable are actively taking steps to becoame more aloof and unapproachable to their fans.  Fair enough, you may say.  However, I think that if the club on the one hand urge us to help them in their endeavours, they might be more concilliatry towards us when we have needs, such as ticketing issues etc.

The number of hard working ST personnel who have had difficult meetings and discussions with GK seems to suggest that at least that individual couldnt care less about the fans.

I am simply asking the question, do you think the club (not team) do enough to warrant you continuing to spend money on them (which lines their pockets).

I see what your saying - And thats why i say King Out because:

1) He seems to find it ok that we all went in person to collect Man Utd tickets. Thank god RM stepped in.
2) we are not informed about tickets when they come out on sale - such as how many tickets we have got - which causes panic.
3) the Club seem to be more worried about attracting new support then keeping old support. (I wonder who's idea that is **KING**)


And im sure there is more going on's. King couldn't even run a bath! - KING OUT!!

 

[Beefy]

Quote[/b] (shrimperian @ Dec. 01 2006,18:42)]The number of hard working ST personnel who have had difficult meetings and discussions with GK seems to suggest that at least that individual couldnt care less about the fans.

I am simply asking the question, do you think the club (not team) do enough to warrant you continuing to spend money on them (which lines their pockets).

Yes.

I think people would moan on here about something no matter what the club did.

 

[The Sudden In Out]

Quote[/b] (shrimper_sam @ Dec. 01 2006,18:52)]King couldn't even run a bath! - KING OUT!!

Some people really do have very short memories. Geoffrey King (amongst others) more or less saved the club from extinction just a few short years ago. Without the financial astuteness displayed by the incoming ownership, Southend United might well have been just a fleeting memory for many of us and Roots Hall an overgrown former shadow of itself waiting in sad silence for demolition, if not razed to the ground already. Simply because some people had to queue a few hours for a ticket does not, in my opinion, constitute a right to demand the dismissal of the chief executive of the football club. To me, such people come across as incredibly self-centred. The future of the football club, and indeed any football club, lies in its support both current AND supplementary; the club will no longer survive on the loyalty of a perceived 'hardcore' of fans; it needs new support and there is no better way to promote the club than highlighting its attraction as a participant in the top tier of the Football League. (Forget the Premiership; it markets its own attraction without the help of an individual corporate image.) If some of you think that is wrong then I ask you to think back to when you first started to attend matches at Roots Hall, cast a thought back to why you started regularly turning out in support of the Blues. You'll be surprised. In the meantime, any 'King Out' protest, as daft and misguided as it may be, is simply wasted breath and all together rather sad. Most supporters will have realised just what a contribution he and others have put into making the football club a marketable entity.

J.

 

[Stodge]

This is why the club and in particular Tilly deserve our support.

We could sign some bruisers and power our way to safety, but I want to see proper footy played. We have over achieved massively in the last 2 years whilst still playing entertaining football. We should appreciate that and stop whinging because we are struggling at a level higher than we can realistically compete at with our current set up.

Obviously it's slightly irritating that Col U are doing so well but that is temporary: their ambition? 10,000 new stadium. League 1 safety at the best. Ours? 22,000 and a long term future in the Championship.

Be patient Gentlemen. We will go down this year but be back within 2-3 years, but then to stay. Hopefully still with Tilly & Brush.

What we are seeing this year certainly beats the years of League 2 drudgery we had endured before the season before last.

 

[Mick]

Quote[/b] (The Sudden In Out @ Dec. 01 2006,22:50)]

Quote[/b] (shrimper_sam @ Dec. 01 2006,18:52)]King couldn't even run a bath! - KING OUT!!

Some people really do have very short memories. Geoffrey King (amongst others) more or less saved the club from extinction just a few short years ago. Without the financial astuteness displayed by the incoming ownership, Southend United might well have been just a fleeting memory for many of us and Roots Hall an overgrown former shadow of itself waiting in sad silence for demolition, if not razed to the ground already. Simply because some people had to queue a few hours for a ticket does not, in my opinion, constitute a right to demand the dismissal of the chief executive of the football club. To me, such people come across as incredibly self-centred. The future of the football club, and indeed any football club, lies in its support both current AND supplementary; the club will no longer survive on the loyalty of a perceived 'hardcore' of fans; it needs new support and there is no better way to promote the club than highlighting its attraction as a participant in the top tier of the Football League. (Forget the Premiership; it markets its own attraction without the help of an individual corporate image.) If some of you think that is wrong then I ask you to think back to when you first started to attend matches at Roots Hall, cast a thought back to why you started regularly turning out in support of the Blues. You'll be surprised. In the meantime, any 'King Out' protest, as daft and misguided as it may be, is simply wasted breath and all together rather sad. Most supporters will have realised just what a contribution he and others have put into making the football club a marketable entity.

J.

Ron Martin has been the main driving force in the rescue act you describe. He, however, has acted with passion, determination, even charm and has always had time for the fans. He has won over most of those who doubted his motives at the outset and is clearly a great asset to the club.

In contrast the man you champion, Geoffrey King, has never enjoyed that same warm rapport with the fans. In fact he seems to be at loggerheads with them most of the time. Why should that be? Why are that ever-so-committed body of fans, the Shrimpers Trust always given such a hard time by him? I'm not sure he has fully embraced the football culture and he seems more comfortable with the "hospitality" fans than the rank and file.

This is a shame, especially if he has been providing financial wizardry to keep the club afloat as you suggest.

There is no doubt that the club have treated their supporters poorly in some of the ticketing issues. They have demonstrated insensitivity and inflexibility and seem to avoid consultation with those who only want to help. Why is this?
They have introduced a new online seatbooking system which is nigh on useless for supporters. Why was that?

I'm not one of those saying "King Out"; SUFC is a Limited Company and he is an elected member of the Board appointed by the shareholders. I do think it would be a good idea to introduce another role to interface with the fans - a sort of PR man; a role which I'm sure even Mr King would agree might not be his forte.

 

[The Sudden In Out]

OK. I take on board your comments but I do have to point out that I am not necessarily championing Geoffrey King; I appreciate that much of his interaction with the Shrimpers Trust has been cack-handed at best and I would agree that he probably does not understand the concept of "football culture" of which so many fondly speak; indeed I would certainly support the idea of a designated PR person (maybe David Scriven) as an interface between club and fans. Nevertheless King is the chief executive of Southend United FC and is thus charged with maintaining financial stability of the football club. To that end I think he and his staff have performed sterling service to the club; debt has been managed and overall turnover improved. One cannot have asked for much more, considering the mess the club was in just five or six years ago?

J.

 

[The Late One]

Lets just go into ticketing...

Queue for five hours, on a work day, for Tottenham tickets after the club announce there are not enough tickets for all season ticket holders is like the captain of the Titanic telling his passengers "we are sinking and there are not enough life boats but don't panic" that was not the most sensible way to do things.

Allow a first time passer by to get a Hull ticket, not go to the match but get a Man U ticket that was not very clever.

At least they sorted the Col Ewe tickets this year in a fair way, but that was with the suggestion coming from the Trust in the first place.

And people wonder why the fans at Barnsley had the hump, at least the chats were not directed at the players performance.

Yes I know that we have got promoted into the Championship but we are heading downwards off the pitch quicker than we are on it.