SUFC: The Future SUFC up for sale

[londonblue]

Discussions are taking place with interested parties.

Some have “reignited” their interest since the announcement on Friday. Some have been talking before Friday, and some have come out after Friday.

I don't really care about their sexual orientation.

 

[Holy Joe]

Yes, interesting. I would also highlight this:
“The top clubs have either been snapped up or are too expensive, so the Americans are also looking at clubs with potential where they don’t have to risk a huge outlay. Even with League One and Two clubs, the idea is that if you are fairly sensible you can improve their situation and then sell your stake.”

This is the bit that concerns me - exit strategy from the new investors. And what happens when/if the business plan goes awry when promotion doesn't happen in the timescales in the plan.

 

[kentblues]

This is the bit that concerns me - exit strategy from the new investors. And what happens when/if the business plan goes awry when promotion doesn't happen in the timescales in the plan.

That's why you ideally want owners with a meaningful connection to the club. And therefore longer term commitment. But the problem is if Ron has an offer of £35m from a rich Arab who has to pay someone to find us on a map (they are buying a business, we are customers) and £25m from someone with connections to the club and who is even a supporter (a fellow supporter), then that's where you start having a problem. How much goodwill has Ron got left towards us rather than the other way around (not really something we think about quite understandably....)?

As mentioned so many times, getting him to sell is great and the first step, but, with the greatest of regret, we don't get to choose who he sells to. To some extent (please sit down before reading on...) we are reliant on his good nature...

This is where we need key influencers like Stan to play an a absolute blinder so everyone's a winner...

 

[Dutch Branch]

This is the bit that concerns me - exit strategy from the new investors. And what happens when/if the business plan goes awry when promotion doesn't happen in the timescales in the plan.

One of the first topics on the investment agenda is always the exit strategy.

 

[edwardss2]

the problem i see is this , in common with many other towns, the more affluent southend fans possibly the older ones have moved out of southend

On the other hand, there are people such as myself who have moved out of London into the fun capital of Essex, a trend which I think will continue. When I came here I wanted to follow my local team, my old loyalties are there still, but the joy of walking to the ground and supporting my local team trumps that. I know a lot of people think that you can only ever have one club but I am now 100% blue.

Sometimes I feel SUFC could just try a bit harder and do a bit more to get new people in; try and instill a bit of local pride, that sort of thing. Maybe posters at the railway station. More of a presence in the town centre, paint a bridge or something. Opening the ticket office would also help.

Me and my debit card are going to try again today.

 

[Gt Yarmouth Shrimper]

and a watered down carling.

That's the only way to make lager palatable, even then I wouldn't drink it.

 

[Dutch Branch]

Marketing, I would expect with new owners would bring with it a completely new marketing team. One that gets in the faces of the community and beyond. However, let’s start with answering the

 

[Che's Left Foot]

my debit card

you're brave.

 

[davewebbsbrain]

Damn, I wanted the 1000th post

 

[edwardss2]

you're brave.

It is OK, the ticket office was closed again. Has anyone actually managed to renew their season ticket? I don't think you can do it online, the ticket office never seems to be open... It is almost as if Ron doesn't want my hard earned £££

 

[Barry.C]

That's why you ideally want owners with a meaningful connection to the club. And therefore longer term commitment. But the problem is if Ron has an offer of £35m from a rich Arab who has to pay someone to find us on a map (they are buying a business, we are customers) and £25m from someone with connections to the club and who is even a supporter (a fellow supporter), then that's where you start having a problem. How much goodwill has Ron got left towards us rather than the other way around (not really something we think about quite understandably....)?

As mentioned so many times, getting him to sell is great and the first step, but, with the greatest of regret, we don't get to choose who he sells to. To some extent (please sit down before reading on...) we are reliant on his good nature...

This is where we need key influencers like Stan to play an a absolute blinder so everyone's a winner...

Lets hope Ron and whoever buys also has in mind the likely gaining of a licence under the Fit and Proper persons new tests to come ?

 

[kentblues]

Lets hope Ron and whoever buys also has in mind the likely gaining of a licence under the Fit and Proper persons new tests to come ?

Regrettably any such tests will come later and watered down I expect. Certainly to rely on this making too much of an impact might be a triumph of hope over expectation….I will, however, hope to be pleasantly surprised..

 

[fbm]

It is OK, the ticket office was closed again. Has anyone actually managed to renew their season ticket? I don't think you can do it online, the ticket office never seems to be open... It is almost as if Ron doesn't want my hard earned £££

You can always call them on 0344 477 0077. They can't be renewed online unfortunately.

 

[Barry.C]

Regrettably any such tests will come later and watered down I expect. Certainly to rely on this making too much of an impact might be a triumph of hope over expectation….I will, however, hope to be pleasantly surprised..

Indeed the new tests probably won t be arriving fast

Im not convinced they will be watered down but again thats a possibility. But it lookls like any test will apply to the Nat League and as the white paper proposes at present they are annual assessed licences. That to0 could be watered , however why not take on board the possibility of a stiffer test than is current , rather than risk someone comes in who in due course fails the test

It would make sense to cater for this now rather than gamble with some twerp who might fail it?

 

[Tommy2holes]

the problem i see is this , in common with many other towns, the more affluent southend fans possibly the older ones have moved out of southend, as the southend area with the exception of a few places, has become a really awful city, I walked through the high street to the pier the other sunday afternoon, and couldnt believe what I saw( I moved out many years ago) it looks like a downtrodden suburb of london. So attracting new fans to a new stadium might be a harder job than you think. Especially if the stadium goes ahead in the middle of social housing, its hardly going to be a place you are likely to linger around . I would be interested in seeing how many southend fans still live in southend ??

Whilst it's true that the dynamic of southend has changed its really not as bad as some make out.

Id say that Southend is now like Romford was 20 years ago.

I go out in southend a fair bit and have plenty of good nights. Yes there is definitely a london element but it's still feels safe.

I live in prittlewell and don't remotely worry about the area.

I grew up leigh. Time changes places. The population is increasing all of the time and this can only benefit the support of the club in the future. When we are at fossetts I can we us getting a regular 10k. Unfortunately, under RM at roots hall, 6k is the max we can expect and less as the infrastructure of the club crumbles.

Now.is the time for new ownership and a new future to match our city.

 

[kentblues]

Indeed the new tests probably won t be arriving fast

Im not convinced they will be watered down but again thats a possibility. But it lookls like any test will apply to the Nat League and as the white paper proposes at present they are annual assessed licences. That to0 could be watered , however why not take on board the possibility of a stiffer test than is current , rather than risk someone comes in who in due course fails the test

It would make sense to cater for this now rather than gamble with some twerp who might fail it?

Again relies on Ron to some extent- especially if twerp offers £10m more…

 

[stewart]

I will just sit at my Laptop here in the Philippines waiting for a post that says " INCOMING "

 

[Tinks]

I am a little late in seeing all this as been at sea since Friday and hence no Internet
i am confused as to what is happening

 

[bertbert]

I will just sit at my Laptop here in the Philippines waiting for a post that says " INCOMING "

Here in Manila waiting for any good news.Please.

 

[overseas shrimper]

It would also require a trust in rm that he will cancel the debt when stadium is complete or whenever. Which I actually believe he will do. But would a new owner want to take that risk?

If somebody was happy (stupid enough) taking RM's word for it, rather than having a watertight, legally binding agreement in place, he/she wouldn’t be the kind of person I'd want owning the club!