Exiled Shrimper
Manager
A working group was set up by the supporters' groups to explore the setting up of a phoenix club in March 2023. This was to familiarise the groups with the necessary regulations and work out what the timescales were should it have been needed for the 2023/24 season.Oh goodie! Phoenix talk again.
For what it's worth (which is **** all) zero interest.
I understand the planning of this was pretty advanced last time. As a fan base, how in the loop with this were we all?
I know there were discussions with the FA about which potential level the new club would be placed in. I imagine there have been discussions about new names, who would be on the board and other key details. All on the fans' behalf no less. But i'll reiterate, as fans, how much did we know about the plans?
Appreciate the potential good faith in exploring avenues, but by whom and why?
Worse than the lack of transparency is the thought of even more AI-generated imagery on social media and may I remind you of this monstrosity:
https://world-retro.com/product/southend-united-takeover-celebration-shirt/
Are proper football clubs putting their badge on things like this?
No from me.
What I think we do need, is the new consortium to provide a deadline. They are well within their rights to do so, I don't think they actively want to write off their current investment, but these are professional business people and I cant imagine they have the time for all this mucking about.
The working group utilised existing and new contacts to speak with supporters from other clubs, with the Football Supporters' Association and with local clubs. Preserving Southend United FC was always the priority, but it was felt it would be negligent not to put those foundations in place.
A phoenix club could never completely replace Southend United, but a sense of community, of local identity, and the opportunity for a fresh start with a modern ownership structure might be attractive and helped lay claim to the some of the heritage of the original incarnation.
Supporters would need to buy into the idea of a phoenix in the same manner as they have at the likes of AFC Wimbledon or Macclesfield or Newport County to make it a feasible organisation and I’ve no doubt - with a fanbase as loyal and passionate as ours - that would happen eventually, even though it's hard for that to happen whilst Southend United remains in existence.
However, in order for supporters to feel they are a part of that, they would need to have a say in those crucial club heritage aspects: club name, club colours, club badge, etc. There would also need to be an election process to determine the officers of the club. The first steps for a new phoenix club would be to arrange a meeting in order for this consultation to take place.
The work that was done previously has not been discarded; it's just hoped it will never be required.
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