Echo News Five talking points from the Shrimpers Trust's AGM this evening and The Trust's Report

[OldBlueLady]

I think he means the lack of youngsters at the AGM, not that they would really be interested in it.

Ah, right. As opposed to the number of women? There was one who has just gone up from the JBs there, but by and large, most were 50+.

 

[Blue Yonder]

So Kendal was signed even though he failed the data analysis is that right ? Not really a ringing endorsement of either the player or recruitment process. A bit unfair on the player to put that in the public domain. Also, when as we all hope kendal is a roaring success does the data driven plan go in the bin.

 

[Barry.C]

Sorry dont get me wrong, I think our Trust is great, huge admiration too for the many who give up their time and do so much like Kay herself

The first picture just instantly caught my eye and made me chuckle a bit as I think there are about 28 blokes, of a roughly similar age no youngsters, no women or people of colour on view if I may put it that way
Maybe it was just an unfortunate angle

Anyway I wouldnt want to detract from the excellent effort from all and brilliant minutes

Than you all attenders and contributors very informative. ,

 

[Thundersley Blue]

So Kendal was signed even though he failed the data analysis is that right ? Not really a ringing endorsement of either the player or recruitment process. A bit unfair on the player to put that in the public domain. Also, when as we all hope kendal is a roaring success does the data driven plan go in the bin.

Data analysis is only part of the process. No player will be signed or not signed on data alone. Seems to be a guide only.

 

[Holy Joe]

So Kendal was signed even though he failed the data analysis is that right ? Not really a ringing endorsement of either the player or recruitment process. A bit unfair on the player to put that in the public domain. Also, when as we all hope kendal is a roaring success does the data driven plan go in the bin.

I suspect he was trying to put to bed the computer says no mentality that some have adopted at the mention of data.

 

[Rattus Norvegicus]

So Kendal was signed even though he failed the data analysis is that right ? Not really a ringing endorsement of either the player or recruitment process. A bit unfair on the player to put that in the public domain. Also, when as we all hope kendal is a roaring success does the data driven plan go in the bin.

I'm not sure my comment is pertinent but here goes.

As I understand it Mark Cavendish did not meet the normal criteria set down by British Cycling even though the physical characteristics required to become a top cyclist are quite easily measured. Instead they took a punt ............ as we now know British cyclists came to dominate the top cycling events across the world including a massive haul of medals at successive Olympics.

And Mark didn't do too badly either - the most successful sprinter the world has seen and a record haul of stage wins at The Tour de France.

 

[jphfitz]

Sorry dont get me wrong, I think our Trust is great, huge admiration too for the many who give up their time and do so much like Kay herself

The first picture just instantly caught my eye and made me chuckle a bit as I think there are about 28 blokes, of a roughly similar age no youngsters, no women or people of colour on view if I may put it that way
Maybe it was just an unfortunate angle

Anyway I wouldnt want to detract from the excellent effort from all and brilliant minutes

Than you all attenders and contributors very informative. ,

Whilst half joking I do think it’s a valid point.

We would love to see more diversity at our events and within the membership, so any ideas how to help in this area from anyone would be most welcomed. It’s an area we are actively looking into but haven’t delivered on. I think some of it is improving diversity with our board (as a nearly 40 year old white male im not exactly helping!) and improving perception that it’s not an over 50s male dominating event/club.

Feel free to message me directly on info@shrimperstrust.co.uk if anyone has any views.

 

[Southend Elvis]

I'm not sure you have to worry about diversity of members, for me it's a diversity of views. Like politics, we need everyone to feel that they can have a view. Fair play to all the members, but I would have thought you would have more clout if you were a mouth piece for all fans. Not saying you don't do that all ready, but we all should feel like we belong.

 

[in the know]

Just reading on here about our data analytical approach to football recruitment and 5 man international commitee while watching a Tamworth player from our league, balancing on a mother players shoulders taping up a hole in the goal net so they can start the game on their sloping 3g pitch.
The whole things mad in this division!

 

[Holy Joe]

Just reading on here about our data analytical approach to football recruitment and 5 man international commitee while watching a Tamworth player from our league, balancing on a mother players shoulders taping up a hole in the goal net so they can start the game on their sloping 3g pitch.
The whole things mad in this division!

I saw an advert from Braintree the other day for a club secretary - salary 0, looking for a volunteer

 

[kentblues]

So Kendal was signed even though he failed the data analysis is that right ? Not really a ringing endorsement of either the player or recruitment process. A bit unfair on the player to put that in the public domain. Also, when as we all hope kendal is a roaring success does the data driven plan go in the bin.

Unless we are going to invest £££ in fees and wages to get players whose stats scream buy me, and by the way other clubs have those stats as well and will also be in the race hence the said said £££, then this is where the blend of traditional and data will take us.

We want “value”. I noted Tom’s quote “Any significant offers would potentially be considered if there was an easy and cheap alternative available”.

The data should ask questions, and identify apparent strengths and weaknesses, and identify areas to be followed up more closely to either validate or revise. The real skill will be to spot the players where to some extent the “data lies” for their lies “value”. Mr Kendall may prove the point.

 

[Westcliff Shrimper]

Trust write up on proceedings:

2024 AGM and Q&A Report

The Meeting was opened at 19:30 by outgoing Chairman of the Shrimpers Trust, Paul FitzGerald, who welcomed the 43 Trust members in attendance, plus guests, Tom Lawrence, Kevin Maher, Darren Currie, Mark Bentley and Jason Demetriou. Paul, and incoming Chairman, James Schooley, jointly presented...

www.shrimperstrust.co.uk

Excellent work JP, as usual.

Couple of things stood out for me:

1. Club Shop/Macron - we were all aware that we have another season on the current deal with Macron (taking us up to the end of 25/26). Assume the comments from Tom mean that we won’t be getting out of the deal early? Interestly a lot of the Commercial team seem to be liking stuff on LinkedIn from Puma UK so I must be putting two and two and getting five?

2. Was anything mentioned about a B or reserve team?

3. The North Bank is on trial? Does this mean that home fans won’t be in there for next season?

4. Nothing mentioned about a Fanzone? Easy way to get discretionary spend or is all the focus on the new training complex?

 

[Liam AAS]

Slightly worrying if nearly all of the trust think the football is fine and dandy, would hope there would be a few different opinions putting the questions to the top table.

There are over 1,600 adult trust members so I feel confident in saying that 'nearly all the trust members' dont think the football is fine and dandy. The Q&A was an opportunity for Kev et al to explain how frustrated they were and what they plan to do in a supportive (non-hostile) environment.

If you wish to ask questions of the management team or club's leadership you are welcome to join and attend any trust events and do so (unless you're a member already?)

 

[Liam AAS]

Loved the photo of the astonishing diverse group, lol

Some trust board members had a meeting at the club this morning. Diversifying the membership was a key item on the agenda.

 

[OldBlueLady]

Excellent work JP, as usual.

Couple of things stood out for me:

1. Club Shop/Macron - we were all aware that we have another season on the current deal with Macron (taking us up to the end of 25/26). Assume the comments from Tom mean that we won’t be getting out of the deal early? Interestly a lot of the Commercial team seem to be liking stuff on LinkedIn from Puma UK so I must be putting two and two and getting five?

2. Was anything mentioned about a B or reserve team?

3. The North Bank is on trial? Does this mean that home fans won’t be in there for next season?

4. Nothing mentioned about a Fanzone? Easy way to get discretionary spend or is all the focus on the new training complex?

1. Think there's very little expectation of getting out of a deal halfway though.

2. No-one asked about this. Questions about the Academy didn't really reflect on it.

3. I think it means they will assess it when more data (!) is available to show uptake/spend etc.

4. It wasn't brought up.

 

[Gremlin]

3. The North Bank is on trial? Does this mean that home fans won’t be in there for next season?

I suppose that if it doesn't get many takers this season, they won't bother opening it up for home fans next season.

 

[Southend Elvis]

There are over 1,600 adult trust members so I feel confident in saying that 'nearly all the trust members' dont think the football is fine and dandy. The Q&A was an opportunity for Kev et al to explain how frustrated they were and what they plan to do in a supportive (non-hostile) environment.

If you wish to ask questions of the management team or club's leadership you are welcome to join and attend any trust events and do so (unless you're a member already?)

Not a member, and I'm sure we all appreciate what you guys do. My main question was about those attending feeling the same way, there's no problem with that. I would have thought it would be better, if you could have questions voted on by all members before these meetings so you get a cross section of points?
I don't think this should be the place to be a hostile environment, but would be nice to know views of Kev on why things are done a particular way, as sometimes the media don't ask the questions fans want to know.

 

[fbm]

The first picture just instantly caught my eye and made me chuckle a bit as I think there are about 28 blokes, of a roughly similar age no youngsters, no women or people of colour on view if I may put it that way
Maybe it was just an unfortunate angle

More likely that the only people that turned up were middle aged white men of a certain age.

I'm not an employment law expert but I'm not sure diversity is an issue here. Everyone is free to join, it's not like they are being vetted or appointments being made that exclude the minorities. You can't make people join and get involved! I'm sure the trust would like as many as possible.

 

[Barry.C]

More likely that the only people that turned up were middle aged white men of a certain age.

I'm not an employment law expert but I'm not sure diversity is an issue here. Everyone is free to join, it's not like they are being vetted or appointments being made that exclude the minorities. You can't make people join and get involved! I'm sure the trust would like as many as possible.

I think thats a pretty honest appraisal from you and accurate

However just maybe the Trust should look at it. COSU seem to have made it part of their philosophy and culture and indeed it should be

The The COSU Board itself is a bit of a mixed bag, not sure about the fans representation though at various levels

 

[PIERS]

The median age in Southend is 41. Of the population 87% are white Take out the under 16’s and the trust is a perfect replication of Southend age wise. And considering you would have to been born in Southend to be mad enough the support them. The ethnic mix isn’t a millions miles off ..

Oh data does have its uses