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

[Medway Blue]

A land deal was held up due to planning refusal- resubmitted/appealed but he is looking to sell to developer at a discount now (or was). Also talk of an "investor"....personally given nonpayment of wages, St. Johns et al I think the other irons scenario is now more likely with the loan as a back stop. Generating all this pain just to avoid a months interest is I think unlikely..

That was one of his options for getting money in place, but it was put on the back-burner as it was felt it could never be sorted in time to help out with HMRC.

 

[danbowen]

I am not a Ron sympathiser before anyone says this but I generally think Ron will be embarrassed deep down at the fact so many are suffering because of his financial mismanagement and I don't think he has ever wanted the **** to hit the fan like it has now that he has run out of money but he really doesn't have any options now. He needs to sort this asap, communicate with the fans what is going on and leave. Too much water under the bridge now for any rebuilding of the relationship between the fans and him.

Every day that ticks by is more painful and worrying that the previous one for all of us fans but the unpaid staff who I imagine are often fans too it must be horrendous.

 

[fbm]

I am not a Ron sympathiser before anyone says this but I generally think Ron will be embarrassed deep down at the fact so many are suffering because of his financial mismanagement and I don't think he has ever wanted the **** to hit the fan like it has now that he has run out of money but he really doesn't have any options now. He needs to sort this asap, communicate with the fans what is going on and leave. Too much water under the bridge now for any rebuilding of the relationship between the fans and him.

Every day that ticks by is more painful and worrying that the previous one for all of us fans but the unpaid staff who I imagine are often fans too it must be horrendous.

Yes, I don't think this is deliberate at all... in fact, the other day I typed a comment in a post that the one thing we can all agree on is that we want the club run better and I think even Ron would agree with that! Then I deleted the last bit because of the potential abuse that would inevitably come my way...

 

[Jmayhew32]

I agree. I think if Ron felt he had a choice, he wouldn't choose to run the club this way.

I think he just has too much to lose to have it any other way.

Either way, it's no way to run a business, a community asset and certainly no way to treat people who rely on the club to live. Time to get help

 

[Medway Blue]

Yes, I don't think this is deliberate at all... in fact, the other day I typed a comment in a post that the one thing we can all agree on is that we want the club run better and I think even Ron would agree with that! Then I deleted the last bit because of the potential abuse that would inevitably come my way...

I don't think it's deliberate either. I don't think he has set out to do this, and there is a sliver of merit in the "he's no Steve Dale (yet)", etc.

He saw an opportunity to make big bucks by using the club as a vehicle for his property development plans. He probably thought it would all come to fruition within 5 or 6 years. He should have backed out then and admitted that he couldn't do it on his own or without causing harm to the club. But his pride, ego and greed wouldn't let him and he has tied the club up in knots with his web of companies and debts whilst continuing to pursue it.

He is is narcissistic, incompetent and pig headed. Whether he did it on purpose or not is immaterial now. He has had plenty of time to sort it out and has made an absolute pig's ear of it. He may well be embarrassed deep down, or even feel a twinge of guilt, but he will never admit it and it's his actions and demeanour which have turned things so toxic. He's probably could have finished the club off by now if he really wanted to......some say he hasn't because he has affection for it......maybe some truth in that. The real reason I think comes back to pride and ego. He wants this to be his legacy to the town and the club. He wants to turn things around and redeem himself. He's deluded, but I genuinely think he's convinced that he can. That then circles back to the narcissism....almost in denial (and/or not caring enough) about the damage he's done to people's lives and livelihoods, and to the damage his wreaked upon a 116-year-old community institution. If he genuinely doesn't believe that the club will be better off without him gone as quickly as possible, then I don't know what hope there is for him.

TL;DR - he may not have set out to do any of this, but that doesn't matter and isn't the issue. His actions mean that the relationship between him and the fans is irreparably broken, the club's reputation and image irreversibly damaged whilst he is connected to it, and therefore his position untenable

 

[Murkey_Mouse]

I don't think it's deliberate either. I don't think he has set out to do this, and there is a sliver of merit in the "he's no Steve Dale (yet)", etc.

He saw an opportunity to make big bucks by using the club as a vehicle for his property development plans. He probably thought it would all come to fruition within 5 or 6 years. He should have backed out then and admitted that he couldn't do it on his own or without causing harm to the club. But his pride, ego and greed wouldn't let him and he has tied the club up in knots with his web of companies and debts whilst continuing to pursue it.

He is is narcissistic, incompetent and pig headed. Whether he did it on purpose or not is immaterial now. He has had plenty of time to sort it out and has made an absolute pig's ear of it. He may well be embarrassed deep down, or even feel a twinge of guilt, but he will never admit it and it's his actions and demeanour which have turned things so toxic. He's probably could have finished the club off by now if he really wanted to......some say he hasn't because he has affection for it......maybe some truth in that. The real reason I think comes back to pride and ego. He wants this to be his legacy to the town and the club. He wants to turn things around and redeem himself. He's deluded, but I genuinely think he's convinced that he can. That then circles back to the narcissism....almost in denial (and/or not caring enough) about the damage he's done to people's lives and livelihoods, and to the damage his wreaked upon a 116-year-old community institution. If he genuinely doesn't believe that the club will be better off without him gone as quickly as possible, then I don't know what hope there is for him.

TL;DR - he may not have set out to do any of this, but that doesn't matter and isn't the issue. His actions mean that the relationship between him and the fans is irreparably broken, the club's reputation and image irreversibly damaged whilst he is connected to it, and therefore his position untenable

Ron need to do something otherwise his family’s and future Martins generations will stuffer hells from fans as they would be associated to a man who murdered SUFC.

 

[Shrimperstrust]

Trust Statement - 10th February 2023

As previously disclosed, The Shrimpers Trust met with the club's CEO, Tom Lawrence, and Anna Firth MP today at Roots Hall and discussed the situation regarding the future of the football club.

Thank-you to everyone for your questions, they have been collated via social media and ShrimperZone and shared with Anna & her team completely uncensored. These will be reviewed in more detail by Anna and a response will be posted on our website once received.

Whilst the meeting's focus was to engage with the club's local MP, clearly there were other issues which needed and still require clarity. Although Tom confirmed that significant progress has been made in relation to financing and he went on to say that the club would comment only when there is substantial news to share, the Trust remains concerned about Southend United's future.

Tom also confirmed that St John Ambulance has been replaced by an alternative medical services provider and that all the relevant authorities have been informed.

Further discussions will take place between the Trust and supporters' groups to discuss further action and next steps on Monday. The supporters' groups will also be welcoming Anna Firth as a guest on Monday to allow others to share views and concerns on the situation.

The Shrimpers Trust Board

 

[meerkat54]

Ron need to do something otherwise his family’s and future Martins generations will stuffer hells from fans as they would be associated to a man who murdered SUFC.

I do believe if Ron f-cks up and the club goes down the plug hole.
It would be better for him to move well away from Essex.
Just for a happier retirement. I would suggest Outer Mongolia

 

[blues exile]

Disappointing to hear waffle like 'significant progress has been made' from TL, which translated into plain English means finance has not been agreed yet.

 

[Holy Joe]

Disappointing to hear waffle like 'significant progress has been made' from TL, which translated into plain English means finance has not been agreed yet.

It's probably why we don't get regular updates

 

[BoyWonder2]

Do any ITK posters have anything they can update on at the moment?

@BoyWonder2 @Moley

Always appreciate your updates and realise you have to be loyal to your contacts but anything at all you can share to put any positivity on the shower of negative news currently?

As I’ve mentioned on numerous occasions, I stay out of the financial stuff. I never ask about players wages, backroom staff wages, if they’ve been paid, when they can expect to be paid etc. the people I speak to have never asked me, and I’d never ask them.

However, my contacts are still there, still working away, and don’t seem overly concerned by things, so I’m taking that as a good sign.

I’ve heard from other sources a couple of different things. One, the bridging loan is in place, and will be drawn at the last possible moment to avoid additional interest charges. I’ve heard that the bridging loan is all agreed, but we haven’t signed it off because there is the potential that we have outside investment/investors getting on board. I’ve heard that we may take a smaller bridging loan (I.e. enough to pay the tax man) because the external investment/investors won’t be able to get in done in time for 1st March. I’ve also heard that “final” isn’t final, and some form of agreement to pay will suffice.

I can’t confirm which will happen, however I do have an inkling.

 

[BedfordShrimper]

As I’ve mentioned on numerous occasions, I stay out of the financial stuff. I never ask about players wages, backroom staff wages, if they’ve been paid, when they can expect to be paid etc. the people I speak to have never asked me, and I’d never ask them.

However, my contacts are still there, still working away, and don’t seem overly concerned by things, so I’m taking that as a good sign.

I’ve heard from other sources a couple of different things. One, the bridging loan is in place, and will be drawn at the last possible moment to avoid additional interest charges. I’ve heard that the bridging loan is all agreed, but we haven’t signed it off because there is the potential that we have outside investment/investors getting on board. I’ve heard that we may take a smaller bridging loan (I.e. enough to pay the tax man) because the external investment/investors won’t be able to get in done in time for 1st March. I’ve also heard that “final” isn’t final, and some form of agreement to pay will suffice.

I can’t confirm which will happen, however I do have an inkling.

Excellent. Thanks as always BW2. Do appreciate your comments. It’s not an ideal situation as we all know but any one of those ‘possibilities’ is at least somewhat positive.

 

[Kat_r]

Trust Statement - 10th February 2023

As previously disclosed, The Shrimpers Trust met with the club's CEO, Tom Lawrence, and Anna Firth MP today at Roots Hall and discussed the situation regarding the future of the football club.

Thank-you to everyone for your questions, they have been collated via social media and ShrimperZone and shared with Anna & her team completely uncensored. These will be reviewed in more detail by Anna and a response will be posted on our website once received.

Whilst the meeting's focus was to engage with the club's local MP, clearly there were other issues which needed and still require clarity. Although Tom confirmed that significant progress has been made in relation to financing and he went on to say that the club would comment only when there is substantial news to share, the Trust remains concerned about Southend United's future.

Tom also confirmed that St John Ambulance has been replaced by an alternative medical services provider and that all the relevant authorities have been informed.

Further discussions will take place between the Trust and supporters' groups to discuss further action and next steps on Monday. The supporters' groups will also be welcoming Anna Firth as a guest on Monday to allow others to share views and concerns on the situation.

The Shrimpers Trust Board

View attachment 24762

I think the loans secured

 

[Kat_r]

It's probably why we don't get regular updates

I see it the other way I think they are confident but dint want to share exact details. As I keep saying there’s no way things will end March 1st

 

[Kat_r]

Ron need to do something otherwise his family’s and future Martins generations will stuffer hells from fans as they would be associated to a man who murdered SUFC.

I’m genuinely believe they will pull it off. People should be angry for how it’s all gone but I cannot begin to imagine they would let the whole thing collapse and frankly lose out on the pot of gold...

Let’s hope the stadium and flats are done to a good standard otherwise yes I think people will be very cross and feel they’ve been used

 

[Napster]

I think the loans secured

Well it’s not going to be unsecured

 

[Billy Bests boot laces]

I’ve heard from other sources a couple of different things. One, the bridging loan is in place, and will be drawn at the last possible moment to avoid additional interest charges. I’ve heard that the bridging loan is all agreed, but we haven’t signed it off because there is the potential that we have outside investment/investors getting on board. I’ve heard that we may take a smaller bridging loan (I.e. enough to pay the tax man) because the external investment/investors won’t be able to get in done in time for 1st March. I’ve also heard that “final” isn’t final, and some form of agreement to pay will suffice.

I can’t confirm which will happen, however I do have an inkling.

That's reassuring to know, thanks BoyWonder2. Yet that's 4 different scenarios being mentioned, so who knows ( apart from 1 man? ) what the eventual outcome will be?.
At least the dire situation appears to look more positive than negative.

 

[Yer Blues]

Ron need to do something otherwise his family’s and future Martins generations will stuffer hells from fans as they would be associated to a man who murdered SUFC.

You keep making these threats. Bit unpleasant.

 

[WestyReturns]

You keep making these threats. Bit unpleasant.

Nowhere near as unpleasant as how Ron treats his employees. A truly vile and disgusting man. He's family should feel ashamed of him.

 

[Evening Echo]

ANOTHER Southend United fan has his say.

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