Question From SUFC --- Do you feel loved and Engaged ?

[OldBlueLady]

Wasn't SK pro the idea initially ? but once Ron had words he went off it.

Personally, I have always been a believer in there being someone on the board speaking for the Fans , but unless there is a fan who has board level experience in a company with £3M + pa income, what benefit is there for the company ?

Does anyone know of a business model where this works ? any large company with a customer rep on the board ?

As far as I am aware, the key problem - in RM's view - is trusting a "fan" with commercially and financially sensitive information. We have to convince him that the right "fan" would be an asset. But, yes, I think you're right, I'm not sure SK was ever actually against it, but I think the Board generally are. (My own view here, not the Trust's)

 

[mfurok]

He often is Kay.:smile:

Try and keep up Phil.

The trust statement on 31 December 2009 confirmed that 'A Trust representative will join the Football Club Board at the end of the next financial year.'

That wording for the date is slightly ambiguous so it could have referred to 31 July 2010 or 31 July 2011 - six or seven years ago.

Since then - zip, zero, zilch.

 

[OldBlueLady]

Try and keep up Phil.

The trust statement on 31 December 2009 confirmed that 'A Trust representative will join the Football Club Board at the end of the next financial year.'

That wording for the date is slightly ambiguous so it could have referred to 31 July 2010 or 31 July 2011 - six or seven years ago.

Since then - zip, zero, zilch.

There may not have been any actual statement since then but it's been mentioned at AGMs and in newsletters. The aim is still the same.

 

[fbm]

Didn't vote here - like others I don't need to be "loved and engaged" by the club. If it wasn't SUFC I probably wouldn't watch football at all and I'm not going anywhere else.

Some more info re FF would be nice but I do understand that certain issues are commercially sensitive and I really would not look forward to page after page of negative stuff on here from people saying that RM was lying (whatever he says).

 

[Crowstone Crevette]

As far as I am aware, the key problem - in RM's view - is trusting a "fan" with commercially and financially sensitive information. We have to convince him that the right "fan" would be an asset. But, yes, I think you're right, I'm not sure SK was ever actually against it, but I think the Board generally are. (My own view here, not the Trust's)

I can completely understand this stance. All you need is some hot head shouting their mouth off / someone who breaks ranks from the ' i know something you don't brigade' and shares / someone who comes back from said board meeting pixxed off 'cos their point of view wasn't listened to / i could go on. Then commercial and financial info could be revealed. What 'hold' would the board have over this 'fans representative' for them to keep their council?

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

Try and keep up Phil.

The trust statement on 31 December 2009 confirmed that 'A Trust representative will join the Football Club Board at the end of the next financial year.'

That wording for the date is slightly ambiguous so it could have referred to 31 July 2010 or 31 July 2011 - six or seven years ago.

Since then - zip, zero, zilch.

As far as I am aware, the key problem - in RM's view - is trusting a "fan" with commercially and financially sensitive information. We have to convince him that the right "fan" would be an asset. But, yes, I think you're right, I'm not sure SK was ever actually against it, but I think the Board generally are. (My own view here, not the Trust's)

Ray,

FWIW,it seems to me that there are two possible scenarios for SUFC in the next 5/10 years.Either we'll get the long-awaited move to the promised land of FF and the Chairman will depart shortly afterwards, with his pot of development gold.

Alternatively,we could go into administration and the Chairman would be forced to sell up to some sort of Blue Knights consortium for a quid. (I suppose a third scenario could be that the Chairman would pass on the club to his offspring as Bill Rubin did.Though this is unlikely I feel).

As far as the Trust is concerned,I tend to agree with Kay that the elusive seat on the board probably won't ever happen while the current Chairman is in charge.

I'm relatively sanguine about this, as the reasons I coughed up 100 quid for Life membership of the Trust were twofold 1) I prefer to be inside the tent ****ing out (rather than the reverse like you) 2) I thought there would eventually need to be some sort of fighting fund/organisation in place to help buy the club if it folded.

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on this.

Ps Hope you enjoyed Oldham yesterday!

 

[The Big Shrimp]

I voted zero.

As a season ticket holder, I feel like I'm a mug punter. I'm still going to renew my ticket every year until I either die or move away from the area. The season ticket prices are too high, despite the crap justification we get from the club. the facilities are poor, as is the catering. Yes, I know we are looking for a unicorn, I mean new ground, but that subject is boring.

In short the club know they have a loyal 2-3000 who will buy their season tickets every year and buy them 4-5 months before the next season starts. That is taking the wee wee a bit, as well as the amount being charged!

 

[Sherif H]

Absolutely zero.

As I've shouted about many times on here and the FF thread, as somebody who has followed Southend for 21 years, and who has some very specific expertise the club may have found useful in their constant struggle to bring the stadium project closer to realisation, to have those offers of free assistance left unread/discarded by Ron and SK, it has left a permanent bad taste in the mouth.
I've also previously tried to converse with Danny whilst he was Essex CCC, and found him pretty unengaging, and I've since had a behind-closed-doors Twitter row with him about the fact (in my mind) our season ticket prices do not represent value for money, so that ship has probably sailed in terms of any future working relationship.

I'll always love the club, but I don't trust or like the management, however we are, frankly, stuck with them.

 

[RobM]

But 10 games unbeaten, right?

 

[Up the Shrimpers]

Absolutely zero.

As I've shouted about many times on here and the FF thread, as somebody who has followed Southend for 21 years, and who has some very specific expertise the club may have found useful in their constant struggle to bring the stadium project closer to realisation, to have those offers of free assistance left unread/discarded by Ron and SK, it has left a permanent bad taste in the mouth.
I've also previously tried to converse with Danny whilst he was Essex CCC, and found him pretty unengaging, and I've since had a behind-closed-doors Twitter row with him about the fact (in my mind) our season ticket prices do not represent value for money, so that ship has probably sailed in terms of any future working relationship.

I'll always love the club, but I don't trust or like the management, however we are, frankly, stuck with them.

The club didn't even want any help from the fans in the Summer to help paint the ground, let alone use your expert knowledge to help build a new ground.
Don't worry Ron can do it all himself, I think so much happens behind the scenes with the new ground he must spend most of his 'working' week sorting out all the fine details and I cant wait to hear the latest update.

 

[OldBlueLady]

The club didn't even want any help from the fans in the Summer to help paint the ground, let alone use your expert knowledge to help build a new ground.
Don't worry Ron can do it all himself, I think so much happens behind the scenes with the new ground he must spend most of his 'working' week sorting out all the fine details and I cant wait to hear the latest update.

Yes they did! It just didn't fully happen. There was a whole workforce of people on here prepared to help/pay to do this but it never got done. As it goes, the Trust put money up to refurbish the Shrimpers, the entrance has been totally re-done, new matting and new lino, and all the walls inside re-painted and the carpets cleaned. The TVs are better and we've tidied up the Trust corner. It's a massive improvement in there.

 

[McNasty]

The club didn't even want any help from the fans in the Summer to help paint the ground, let alone use your expert knowledge to help build a new ground.
Don't worry Ron can do it all himself, I think so much happens behind the scenes with the new ground he must spend most of his 'working' week sorting out all the fine details and I cant wait to hear the latest update.

The names and contact numbers of everyone who volunteered was passed to the club.

At the last meeting with Danny Macklin this point was raised, only to be told that "there were insurance issues" that prevented it happening.

I am very disappointed that people were let down.

 

[OldBlueLady]

The names and contact numbers of everyone who volunteered was passed to the club.

At the last meeting with Danny Macklin this point was raised, only to be told that "there were insurance issues" that prevented it happening.

I am very disappointed that people were let down.

Absolutely, I'm also very disappointed that the ground didn't get to benefit from this!

 

[RHB]

The names and contact numbers of everyone who volunteered was passed to the club.

At the last meeting with Danny Macklin this point was raised, only to be told that "there were insurance issues" that prevented it happening.

I am very disappointed that people were let down.

A response from the club at that time would have been sensible. It was very frustrating not to hear anything.

 

[Sherif H]

I can understand how lack of Employers Liability insurance to cover any voluntary workers would have been a major stumbling block, as well as the fact there is still likely a huge quantity of controlled asbestos on site (some of it in the East Stand probably not in a favourable condition), so I get the reticence, however a courtesy 'thank you' would have gone a long way to those who put their hands up to help - something the Club has never done well.

 

[mfurok]

Ray,

FWIW,it seems to me that there are two possible scenarios for SUFC in the next 5/10 years.Either we'll get the long-awaited move to the promised land of FF and the Chairman will depart shortly afterwards, with his pot of development gold.

Alternatively,we could go into administration and the Chairman would be forced to sell up to some sort of Blue Knights consortium for a quid. (I suppose a third scenario could be that the Chairman would pass on the club to his offspring as Bill Rubin did.Though this is unlikely I feel).

As far as the Trust is concerned,I tend to agree with Kay that the elusive seat on the board probably won't ever happen while the current Chairman is in charge.

I'm relatively sanguine about this, as the reasons I coughed up 100 quid for Life membership of the Trust were twofold 1) I prefer to be inside the tent ****ing out (rather than the reverse like you) 2) I thought there would eventually need to be some sort of fighting fund/organisation in place to help buy the club if it folded.

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on this.

Ps Hope you enjoyed Oldham yesterday!

My thoughts?

Since the dark days of 2009 and 2010 Ron has done a pretty good job to finance our move back up the leagues. With a less defensive start to the first 25% of the season and a better goalkeeper we would be firmly in the play off positions now.

My view is that there should be two separate objectives for the Trust - to support the club now and to attempt to safeguard the future but the first is much easier than the second.

There are already a few supporters on the Board so one more won't make any difference when the shares are distributed as they are.

As for being outside the tent ****ing in, you must be confusing me with someone else. I wish the Trust well but as I am not bothered about onions on my burgers, I'm keeping my £100 in my pocket for a rainy day.

Oldham was great. A main stand to make Simon Inglis proud and a second consecutive win there - what more could you want.

Oh and thanks for the great Christmas card by the way.

One to share with other fellow Shrimpers?

Yuletide felicitations.

 

[Medway Blue]

Such a multi-faceted question! Not sure about the word "loved". Are we "loved" by the Club? I don't know. We certainly love it. Guess engagement is a better word to use here.

6 for me.

I think the Commercial and Marketing teams are doing a much better job than they have been in recent years although not quite as stellar as the "Blues Country" campaign-era of a decade ago. Doesn't feel like crowds are quite as solid as they were in our last stint at this level.

Social Media is fairly good, website is often fairly poor.

Ticket prices are steep. I know the club and some fans will always defend it but I do feel like £22-£25 is over the odds for any League 1 football.

Communication about anything stadium or "long-term existence of the club"-related is unbelievably poor. Fans have a huge emotional investment about the future security of the club in terms of finances, stadium, etc. and you'd think this therefore be one of the most important things to keep fans updated about. No matter what anyone says about "they can't win" or "commercial sensitivity", that doesn't register with me. Fans will feel like they're not truly cared about if they are constantly kept in the dark and that can't be argues against.

 

[RHB]

One of the things I forgot to mention is ticket prices. Southend deem you a senior supporter at 60 and then a seat is £15 which I don't think is too shabby. I don't know how many other FL1 or 2 clubs use 60 as a marker, but well done Southend.

 

[Lord Football]

Had this discussion on the coach on Saturday. This question is way too simplistic.

Do I get communication from the club about things I might want to know? Yes. This is good, positive, well done.

View on the club shop? Yes. Usually greeted with a hello and a smile, got a decent range of merchandise (certainly better than some other clubs we visit).

Ticket Office? Should be better. Shouldn't have to wait whilst my server goes out the back to get away tickets. Shouldn't need to give my name everytime I buy a ticket. I live next door, so I can easily pop in. I've no need to use other methods.

Seat? Dreadful. The one next to me has been broken since the Chester FA cup. Occassionally someone nails it back together. Fortunately, we are the back so can stand. But these must be the oldest seats in any football league stand.

Food? Wouldn't touch it with a barge pole. Smelling it is bad enough

Ground? Awful. The chaos at half time at the back of the East where those wanting a pint, wee, burger, fag all converge into one tiny corridor.

Fans? Some of you are numpties. If you want to come to a game to scream abuse at our players / management, can you do it from the away end.

Ron? I used to think he was a crook. But surely he'd have done a bunk with what little money have by now. I think his intentions (getting a new ground) are fine but he hasn't got the cash to do anything about it.

Reputation? Everything is based on saving a few pennies. Those of you follow badger on facebook will see how SUFC didn't support his charity event when the likes of Daggers and Col U did. Its that kind of little thing that we should do better.

I think the really important thing is do WE love our club. And if you were up at Oldham, you'd see a great many of us do.

 

[Chairman Trigg]

My problem is solely with Ron.His total disregard to the fans regarding being honest about Fossetts and keeping us updated deserves a 0.My love for the club and any player that gives a 100% ...10