Pre-Match Thread HMRC v SUFC - FINAL hearing on 1st March. DISMISSED

[annie1954]

Probably because he wants to stay the 45th richest person in Essex

Surly if we did have a few happy millionaires on our board the least they would do if cover the clubs wage bill , can’t believe they would watch staff members lose their jobs or struggle with their household bills and payments,

 

[Kat_r]

I've been watching Southend since the Sixties, and I've encountered a ragbag collection of Chairmen that didn't/don't warrant the title. But still I go and watch the team because that's what I do, follow my team. I don't own the bricks, mortar, wood, plastic and asbestos that make up Roots Hall, the Chairman, as owner, does, and from that aspect I don't have the ability to make him do stuff he doesn't want to. What I can say is that all the bad boy chairmen I have seen have long gone now with the exception of Ronny and the Club still exists and I still go and watch. So boycotts for me? no thanks.

You can boycott if you want, that's your prerogative, but I want a team tomorrow and next year, and I can do that by being patient and seeing him off when he goes, and he will.

Will you renew your season ticket next season if the club is still there?

Ah yes only ‘real fans’ attend matches that’s what you are getting at, no?
The answer is: none of your business

 

[KiwiRob]

It's nothing to do with the directors. Thus is all down to Ron. Deflecting blame is pointless and achieves nothing.

Probably because he wants to stay the 45th richest person in Essex

It's nothing to do with the directors. Thus is all down to Ron. Deflecting blame is pointless and achieves nothing.

Yes, RM owns the club and calls the shots. But the Directors of the club have a responsibility for its well-being particularly at a time when the club is facing a financial crisis because its Chairman has not got the money to meet the running costs of the club. If the present crisis at Southend is nothing to do with the Directors, they should not be sitting on its Board.

 

[Stuart W]

It's nothing to do with the directors. Thus is all down to Ron. Deflecting blame is pointless and achieves nothing.

“Nuffink to do with me mate, not my problem”.
Yeah, great attitude.

 

[blues exile]

The other directors need to take some responsibility. It's not just Martin that seems to lack a sense of morsllity about what's happening. Also, how can the CEO and the main sponsors remain silent in the face of this outrageous state of affairs?

 

[Ricey]

Ah yes only ‘real fans’ attend matches that’s what you are getting at, no?
The answer is: none of your business

What a strange answer.

 

[RHB]

Ah yes only ‘real fans’ attend matches that’s what you are getting at, no?
The answer is: none of your business

I have absolutely no idea what your status is as a fan, and truthfully, I actually don't care. You seem to look for criticism or 'stalking' in all things. You might be surprised to learn that is not the case, especially on a public Football Forum where we discuss all things football. I just assumed you must have some affinity for SUFC hence all your posts. Have a good day.

 

[fbm]

The other directors need to take some responsibility. It's not just Martin that seems to lack a sense of morsllity about what's happening. Also, how can the CEO and the main sponsors remain silent in the face of this outrageous state of affairs?

There will be a reason. And I don't know, am just guessing, but could be something like -

1) There is something going on that is commercially sensitive and which, if news of it got out, would jeopardise whatever that is?
2) There are so many companies involved in the running of SUFC, the one that is responsible to pay the players isn't one that they are Directors of (this may have some legs, thinking about it... didn't TL did say earlier that then players wages were "ring fenced"?)
3) There may well be furious rows behind the scenes between RM and the other Directors, we don't know... it isn't just a case of Directors putting their hands in their pockets and lending the company money, the money has to get from the company to the players.

The structure involved with running SUFC and everything that goes with it is not simple. Companies are completely separate legal entities and do not have the flexibility that individuals have.

But I do understand how the complete silence and inaction is causing concern. Apparently RM met the players yesterday... it will be interesting to see how they perform tonight.

 

[Jai]

Because the fans let him

Total rubbish.

 

[Carl]

There will be a reason. And I don't know, am just guessing, but could be something like -

1) There is something going on that is commercially sensitive and which, if news of it got out, would jeopardise whatever that is?
2) There are so many companies involved in the running of SUFC, the one that is responsible to pay the players isn't one that they are Directors of (this may have some legs, thinking about it... didn't TL did say earlier that then players wages were "ring fenced"?)
3) There may well be furious rows behind the scenes between RM and the other Directors, we don't know... it isn't just a case of Directors putting their hands in their pockets and lending the company money, the money has to get from the company to the players.

The structure involved with running SUFC and everything that goes with it is not simple. Companies are completely separate legal entities and do not have the flexibility that individuals have.

But I do understand how the complete silence and inaction is causing concern. Apparently RM met the players yesterday... it will be interesting to see how they perform tonight.

One of the only common sense posts about the other directors.

By extension of the logic that directors should chip in because they could be wealthy… should Stan chip in? Well, he probably has through unpaid labour I guess.

Should the Trust chip in? They have.

Should the sponsors chip in? They have.

Should fans chip in? They have.

They’ve all chipped in to prolong the pipe dream of a speculator running out of options, and the net effect is that this has been dragged out longer. Any true value from the club, money coming in, planning permissions, and so on doesn’t impact SUFC Ltd unless the Chairman decides.

Same ****, different month, different year, different decade. What makes you think things will change if a co-director chucks say £500k in?

Save your frustration for the one who has continually shafted staff, suppliers, the tax office and creditors.

(PS My understanding is that the other directors have, and have had as much luck in being paid as St John’s Ambulance and the taxman)

 

[Smiffy]

One of the only common sense posts about the other directors.

By extension of the logic that directors should chip in because they could be wealthy… should Stan chip in? Well, he probably has through unpaid labour I guess.

Should the Trust chip in? They have.

Should the sponsors chip in? They have.

Should fans chip in? They have.

They’ve all chipped in to prolong the pipe dream of a speculator running out of options, and the net effect is that this has been dragged out longer. Any true value from the club, money coming in, planning permissions, and so on doesn’t impact SUFC Ltd unless the Chairman decides.

Same ****, different month, different year, different decade. What makes you think things will change if a co-director chucks say £500k in?

Save your frustration for the one who has continually shafted staff, suppliers, the tax office and creditors.

(PS My understanding is that the other directors have, and have had as much luck in being paid as St John’s Ambulance and the taxman)

Yep. At the back of a very long queue...

 

[8]

One of the only common sense posts about the other directors.

By extension of the logic that directors should chip in because they could be wealthy… should Stan chip in? Well, he probably has through unpaid labour I guess.

Should the Trust chip in? They have.

Should the sponsors chip in? They have.

Should fans chip in? They have.

They’ve all chipped in to prolong the pipe dream of a speculator running out of options, and the net effect is that this has been dragged out longer. Any true value from the club, money coming in, planning permissions, and so on doesn’t impact SUFC Ltd unless the Chairman decides.

Same ****, different month, different year, different decade. What makes you think things will change if a co-director chucks say £500k in?

Save your frustration for the one who has continually shafted staff, suppliers, the tax office and creditors.

(PS My understanding is that the other directors have, and have had as much luck in being paid as St John’s Ambulance and the taxman)

Well I hope that is right. The board seem to be members in name only. Surely they should stand up to IT. They should be held accountable for this **** show to.

 

[Scamps]

Yeah I’m guessing the directors have put enough money in to keep southend running but have simply had enough of Ron”the crook” Martin keep asking for money because he doesn’t have it. Surprised they don’t buy him out together.

 

[Tampa Blue]

One of the only common sense posts about the other directors.

By extension of the logic that directors should chip in because they could be wealthy… should Stan chip in? Well, he probably has through unpaid labour I guess.

Should the Trust chip in? They have.

Should the sponsors chip in? They have.

Should fans chip in? They have.

They’ve all chipped in to prolong the pipe dream of a speculator running out of options, and the net effect is that this has been dragged out longer. Any true value from the club, money coming in, planning permissions, and so on doesn’t impact SUFC Ltd unless the Chairman decides.

Same ****, different month, different year, different decade. What makes you think things will change if a co-director chucks say £500k in?

Save your frustration for the one who has continually shafted staff, suppliers, the tax office and creditors.

(PS My understanding is that the other directors have, and have had as much luck in being paid as St John’s Ambulance and the taxman)

100% the best and most articulate and accurate post in this whole thread.

Those aiming their vitriol at any one other than RM should read this.

 

[BoyWonder2]

Let’s stop flinging mud around and seeing who it sticks to.

First Stan, then TL now the other directors.

The other directors, and TL, have all put their hands in their pockets to help out. I genuinely think we may not still be here if it wasn’t for TL. Players have helped with agreeing to wage deferrals and so on too. The sponsors have chucked money in, more than has been suggested. The Trust, the go fund me as well.

I can’t comment on Stan, but he doesn’t take a wage from the Club (Not withstanding the fact no one is taking wages at present). He has contributed in lots of ways.

RM is the one who can fix this, whether that is a bridging loan, external investments/investors or by hook or crock (which is how he has kept us afloat).

Let’s stop flinging mud at other people, when we don’t know the full story.

 

[Murkey_Mouse]

Let’s stop flinging mud around and seeing who it sticks to.

First Stan, then TL now the other directors.

The other directors, and TL, have all put their hands in their pockets to help out. I genuinely think we may not still be here if it wasn’t for TL. Players have helped with agreeing to wage deferrals and so on too. The sponsors have chucked money in, more than has been suggested. The Trust, the go fund me as well.

I can’t comment on Stan, but he doesn’t take a wage from the Club (Not withstanding the fact no one is taking wages at present). He has contributed in lots of ways.

RM is the one who can fix this, whether that is a bridging loan, external investments/investors or by hook or crock (which is how he has kept us afloat).

Let’s stop flinging mud at other people, when we don’t know the full story.

I think it’s more to do with us fan’s frustration over the last few weeks, especially staffs & players not getting paid etc, it’s triggered memory of Weymouth in 2009, when whole of squads walked out of the club after over a month without pay.

We had 5 home games in last 5 weeks, including tonight and Saturday (make it 7 in total), it’s baffling that players haven’t been paid yet.

 

[Colblue]

Yeah I’m guessing the directors have put enough money in to keep southend running but have simply had enough of Ron”the crook” Martin keep asking for money because he doesn’t have it. Surprised they don’t buy him out together.

They say the easiest way to turn a large fortune in to a small fortune is to buy a football club!! It’s not a risk that a great percentage of monied people are willing to take, I know I certainly wouldn’t!!

Also, depending on the structure of the directorship, they for the greater part might be more of an employee rather than an employer!! In which case it’s not really their responsibility to dip in their pockets to bail RM out

 

[BoyWonder2]

I think it’s more to do with us fan’s frustration over the last few weeks, especially staffs & players not getting paid etc, it’s triggered memory of Weymouth in 2009, when whole of squads walked out of the club after over a month without pay.

We had 5 home games in last 5 weeks, including tonight and Saturday (make it 7 in total), it’s baffling that players haven’t been paid yet.

I don’t think anyone is thinking of Weymouth in 2009. I think it’s bringing back memories of a few times under RM, including the end of Tilson’s reign/start of Paul Sturrock’s time.

I don’t know how many times it gets mentioned to you, but those games haven’t even touched the sides. We have so many people/companies/members of staff who are owed money. The York trophy game is the only one of those that all of the people that came through the gate paid for those tickets recently. The league games, the gate receipts for those ST holders has long gone. I’d hazard a guess, the York trophy game was close to being put on at a loss for us.

 

[Holy Joe]

wow, 65% is a surprisingly high percentage

I guess many people, myself included, haven't changed their vote. When the poll first went up (was it before the first court case?) I was probably 80% confident that it'd be paid off. I'm now 50/50, but I haven't changed my vote from debt cleared

 

[palexander]

I don’t think anyone is thinking of Weymouth in 2009. I think it’s bringing back memories of a few times under RM, including the end of Tilson’s reign/start of Paul Sturrock’s time.

I don’t know how many times it gets mentioned to you, but those games haven’t even touched the sides. We have so many people/companies/members of staff who are owed money. The York trophy game is the only one of those that all of the people that came through the gate paid for those tickets recently. The league games, the gate receipts for those ST holders has long gone. I’d hazard a guess, the York trophy game was close to being put on at a loss for us.

Yep... I'm sure people think we get loads of gate receipts and Ron is just waiting in the lobby with a big sack, puts all the coins in it, throws it over his shoulder and tiptoes out the ground laughing his head off.

I've said before, when finances get like this, there will be SO many people per day phoning into the club asking for payment. Generally whoever is shouting loudest (or threatening the worst sounding court action) will get some sort of payment.

The players and staff SHOULD be paid first, but its INCREDIBLY difficult.

Ron could make this all go away with outside investment - thats the only thing I blame him for at this moment and thats what is killing us.

The decision (if true) to delay the draw down of the bridging loan is understandable from a business sense, but baffling on a humane level for the sake of a couple of weeks. Surely the interesting isnt THAT much in that short period vs the mental health of your staff?