Forget Colu we are playing the Real Scum tomorrow

[Xàbia Shrimper]

Quote[/b] (C'mon you Blues @ Mar. 18 2006,09:49)]If SUFC moved to Ashford it wouldn't be SUFC. You cannot export feelings or history.

Exactly! It WON'T be Southend United FC (formed: 1906).

PS - I knew that Basildon were keen to welcome Southend United with open arms back in the late 80s (was it going to be called plain 'SUFC' or something), but is that the case now? I seem to remember reading something to the contrary before I moved away ...

 

[Ron Manager]

Quote[/b] (Xàbia Shrimper @ Mar. 17 2006,22:18)]No. And a vast majority of Wimbledon FC fans would disagree as well which is why they set up AFC Wimbledon. Obviously I can't speak for everyone but I would suggest that the vast majority would prefer to follow an AFC Southend outfit playing in the Borough of Southend-on-Sea than a franchised version of their club playing 70 miles away.

I think that's the crux of the matter. I personally would much rather go along to Southcurch Park and watch us ground share with Southend Manor in the Essex Senior League than travel to a souless franchise miles away.

However that is my opinion, Thenweblue obviously has a different opinion....doesn't make it any less valid though does it lads? Surely that's what this forum is all about, offering different views?

 

[Xàbia Shrimper]

I thought the SZ community might be interested in the following results from the Football Fans Census on football franchising that took place last year. Far from following the football club anywhere, it seems that the vast majority of fans wouldn't blindly re-locate:

Over 84% of respondents disagreed with the notion of Wimbledon FC moving to Milton Keynes and over 60% said that not enough alternative solutions were explored before the club was moved; less than 4% said there were.

Almost 64% said that a football club's relocation outside its geographical locals could never be justified whilst a further 30% said that it could but "only in exceptional circumstances". Just 5% said that it was justified.

Almost 65% of respondents said that would NOT attend any matches if their teams was relocated 70 miles from its present location; less than 10% said that it would make no difference to their match attendance.

Asked what would be the reaction if their club HAD to move location in order to survive, 39% claimed that they would rather see their football club drop down to a lower division but stay in the same ground whilst almost 30% said it would accept a ground-share with a LOCAL team to stay in the same division. Less than 20% would accept relocation if it meant the club surviving.

Over three-quarters of respondents felt that Wimbledon FC deserted the fans when it moved to Milton Keynes; just 5% felt that fans had deserted the club. (Remember that this afternoon!)

Finally, over 95% would be concerned if the moved signalled the start of football franchising in English football and almost 38% felt that the move probably has.

 

[C'mon you Blues]

Quote[/b] (Xàbia Shrimper @ Mar. 18 2006,08:53)][
PS - I knew that Basildon were keen to welcome Southend United with open arms back in the late 80s (was it going to be called plain 'SUFC' or something), but is that the case now? I seem to remember reading something to the contrary before I moved away ...

sorry Mike I wasn't clear. Yes that was basildon council's feelings at the time of Jobson's planned move to Basildon. Having seen the opposition to Billericay moving to Gloucester park and Basildon United's difficulty in relocating so their land can be concreted over I doubt Basildon Council feel the same way.