Breaking News SZ & Trust meeting with RM Tuesday.

[Jam_Man]

ok lets look at this from another way. A 3 sided stadium that no-one wants or believes in. No guarantees of a fourth side. No guarantee of perpetuity. Lets accept it. Lets do nothing. Lets not even discuss possible actions/options. All we need to do it wag a finger at RM, call him the devil and watch the club slide into oblivion.

I have always tried to see things from RM's side too and I wish him well but I do want his success to acknowledge his debt to us and the club and those that heroically strove to provide us with a stadium at roots hall.

By all means let him have his dream but not by giving us a nightmare. We deserve better than that. I accept a lot of you disagree with me but as yet I have not heard one alternative suggestion of action bar talking to RM as and when he deems acceptable. I think its good to open lines of communication but I certainly hope that is not all we do.

Totally agree, a 3 sided stadium would be awful and I will be gutted if thats what we ended up with.

The one point Id make is whatever the action make sure you have clear defined objectives.

Yes we want a 4 sided stadium, but what does that require, is it even possible ? If not why not ?

As Ron keeps all information regarding FF to himself there is little information available as to what is actually going to be built and when. He may even announce its going to be 4 sides (although doubtful seeing as we dont have a hotel).

Until we know what the actual plan is its hard to act with or against it, and thats where talking to Ron comes in.

 

[sealion]

As onceknownasrab said, cant add no more than that other than being 'dumped in a souless out of town stadium with a 3 sides. Have a think about that, a real joke and the ultimate white elephant.
a real worry playing a stadium with less charisma than Colchesters

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

I was talking to a friend of mine who works for another League Two club. I'm not saying which club because I don't want to get this guy into trouble - he needs his job!

Basically football league revenue is paid to clubs on a monthly basis. I can't remember what the money is for, but each club gets a certain amount each month. Nearly all clubs hold onto away ticket sales to pay their bills. They do this knowing that they will receive their money from the football league at some point in the month. Once that money arrives each club then settles its away ticket sales revenue. Once the ticket money has become due the club who should have recieved the money can notify the football league that the money is still owing and an embargo is put in place.

Because every club does this the club that is owed the money ususally (out of courtesy) doesn't notify the football league until the day before the next installment of football league revenue is paid. Therefore the club in default would be under an embargo for one day. The next day the FL money is paid, and the club settles its away ticket money bills.

I can therefore only surmise that in our case this happened but for some reason when the FL money was paid to us, we still didn't settle our away ticket sales bill.

Whether we like it or not, this is how the lower league clubs have to behave to survive at the moment.

The chances are, therefore, that this really is only a few thousand at most, but for me the big question is what bill did we have to pay that meant that we couldn't pay over the ticket money?

Thanks, I was wondering how common a practice this was.

I keep reading about how the credit crunch is the real cause of not being able to start on the new stadium. What a load of old tosh, anyone in business knows that as the banks tightened their criteria it was IMPERATIVE to maintain a good credit rating not let it slip to a point where I doubt we would even get a wonga loan !

Ouch.

Do you want to point out why what you've said is complete and utter bollocks, or shall I?

 

[Kent Shrimper]

1) SK wanted another meeting next week but that isn't possible but it will be as soon as everyone's diaries allow.

2) We endeavour to get answers , and a bit like the club paying it's bills promptly --- and you should know mate ---- it is like getting blood from a stone if someone doesn't want to divulge too much. We can hardly pull out his teeth with pliers until he talks.

I have faith in you mate, I just don't want the slippery toad to do what he seems so good at and I would hate the opportunity that has been created to be missed. As for pushing him, don't forget the pliers next time ;-)

 

[onceknownasrab]

Totally agree, a 3 sided stadium would be awful and I will be gutted if thats what we ended up with.

The one point Id make is whatever the action make sure you have clear defined objectives.

Yes we want a 4 sided stadium, but what does that require, is it even possible ? If not why not ?

As Ron keeps all information regarding FF to himself there is little information available as to what is actually going to be built and when. He may even announce its going to be 4 sides (although doubtful seeing as we dont have a hotel).

Until we know what the actual plan is its hard to act with or against it, and thats where talking to Ron comes in.

Bolting the stable door.... once he has the planning changes what do we do then? I would rather try and ensure the original planning has to be kept to.

 

[onceknownasrab]

To be fair you do raise some valid points at times and I respect your views on this saga, but unfortunately I have more chance of shagging Cheryl Cole than most of that happening.

Tried that. Didn't like it:whistling:

 

[kentblues]

There are straightforward reason why it has to be three sides

1. Sainsburys will only fund what they are commited to- a football staduim. This will happen unless Sainsbury's goes bust
2. A key part of the project is the hotel from a revenue viewpoint and it is physically part of the 4th side, and hence the hotel project/build funds the fourth side and enables also a number of additional football/stadium related streams as well
3. If we built a 14k four sided actually it would work out probably as expensive to the club as the 4 sided 22k stadium but with reduced revenue streams. In addition it might impact on the size and facilities available at the hotel as this would now have to be stand alone and not part of the stadium complex. Further given that revenue from the stadium wont just be from football the detachment of the hotel will further reduce revenues
4. The three sided option is a commercial necessity so we should get used to it.

 

[Shrimper]

Being honest I'm starting to think it'd be easier to just forget about building at Fossett's Farm and build somewhere else. In form Sainsbury's and I dare say it'd probably be quicker than it is now. Smaller, 12,500 - 15,000 stadium. Any money left over that Sainsbury's have given us then we can return. Question would be the site. Vacant waste-ground opposite Priory Park? Could build the new stadium in the car park and where the flats of Roots Hall are and swap the two around. Bit of a outlandish and crazy thought but what do people think? Not expecting any to agree though but we should've downsized our plans at the beginning at least.

 

[Jam_Man]

Bolting the stable door.... once he has the planning changes what do we do then? I would rather try and ensure the original planning has to be kept to.

Its not about bolting the door after the horse is bolted, as you dont even know if the horse will bolt, or whether there even is a horse.

There is no information as to what the actual situation is regarding Fossetts so hard to object against something if you dont know whats happening. We do know that the club have asked to be able to build 3 sides, yet we dont know if thats actually the plan, Ron said he still thought 4 sides was the plan. Whether you believe that or not....

First we need to know whether the plan is for it to be 3-sided, if so how long will that be for and what is the consequence of waiting till we can build 4 sides.

Anyway, thought there was good news coming, why the turn around ? :winking:

 

[Tampa Blue]

We can hardly pull out his teeth with pliers until he talks.

Now that would be an interesting approach?!

 

[Jam_Man]

Being honest I'm starting to think it'd be easier to just forget about building at Fossett's Farm and build somewhere else. In form Sainsbury's and I dare say it'd probably be quicker than it is now. Smaller, 12,500 - 15,000 stadium. Any money left over that Sainsbury's have given us then we can return. Question would be the site. Vacant waste-ground opposite Priory Park? Could build the new stadium in the car park and where the flats of Roots Hall are and swap the two around. Bit of a outlandish and crazy thought but what do people think? Not expecting any to agree though but we should've downsized our plans at the beginning at least.

Its not the size thats the problem, even if we were trying to build a 15,000 stadium we would still be having the same problems.

Staying at Roots Hall would put us exactly where we are, which is unable to survive plus it would be harder to park :) That is never going to be an option as the supermarket needs a carpark and the plans rely on housing to be part of the project.

Getting another site after it took so many years to get this one ? Sounds like another 10 years to me...

 

[onceknownasrab]

Its not about bolting the door after the horse is bolted, as you dont even know if the horse will bolt, or whether there even is a horse.

There is no information as to what the actual situation is regarding Fossetts so hard to object against something if you dont know whats happening. We do know that the club have asked to be able to build 3 sides, yet we dont know if thats actually the plan, Ron said he still thought 4 sides was the plan. Whether you believe that or not....

First we need to know whether the plan is for it to be 3-sided, if so how long will that be for and what is the consequence of waiting till we can build 4 sides.

Anyway, thought there was good news coming, why the turn around ? :winking:

no turn around. Good news will wing its way. I am now getting concerned who most benefits from the good news.

It really does not matter what RM says the new stadium will be, 3 or 4 sides. He has applied for changes that give him the opportunity to build a 3 sided jobby with the fourth side being done within 60 months of phase one. 5 years! and no guarantee offered it will ever be done.

If they have not got a hotel on board they should wait until they do. If they cannot afford to wait they cant afford to do the project, pack bags and move it on to someone who can.

 

[Shrimper]

Its not the size thats the problem, even if we were trying to build a 15,000 stadium we would still be having the same problems.

Staying at Roots Hall would put us exactly where we are, which is unable to survive plus it would be harder to park :) That is never going to be an option as the supermarket needs a carpark and the plans rely on housing to be part of the project.

Getting another site after it took so many years to get this one ? Sounds like another 10 years to me...

True that the biggest problem with the Roots Hall is that Sainsbury's wouldn't be happy to not be able to build there but a deal for Fossett's could be included. I'm sure there's some sites available in Southend or Leigh.

 

[Jam_Man]

no turn around. Good news will wing its way. I am now getting concerned who most benefits from the good news.

It really does not matter what RM says the new stadium will be, 3 or 4 sides. He has applied for changes that give him the opportunity to build a 3 sided jobby with the fourth side being done within 60 months of phase one. 5 years! and no guarantee offered it will ever be done.

If they have not got a hotel on board they should wait until they do. If they cannot afford to wait they cant afford to do the project, pack bags and move it on to someone who can.

Which is exactly what some of us have been questioning and raising the possibility for weeks and some have been shooting us down for. There is no one out there who will buy a club remember :hilarious:

 

[onceknownasrab]

Which is exactly what some of us have been questioning and raising the possibility for weeks and some have been shooting us down for. There is no one out there who will buy a club remember :hilarious:

Not said there is no-one. Said we have not got a single name of anyone that will buy it. I have always tried to get behind RM and I still want him to do it but I definitely want some cast iron guarantees.

 

[Reg Martin]

There are apparently a number of people interested in buying Port Vale and there were even several prospective buyers for Darlington last May.
Suggests that putting Southend up for sale could generate interest.
How much of that interest would be genuine, or genuine and take fright if it got to a 'DD' stage, is anyone's guess but there is only one way we will ever find out

 

[Smiffy]

So. Do we start an honest and respectful campaign asking Ron to put the club up for sale?

Is it worthy of a poll or a waste of time?

 

[Jam_Man]

There are apparently a number of people interested in buying Port Vale and there were even several prospective buyers for Darlington last May.
Suggests that putting Southend up for sale could generate interest.
How much of that interest would be genuine, or genuine and take fright if it got to a 'DD' stage, is anyone's guess but there is only one way we will ever find out

Indeed Port Vale have 6 bidders, its a simpler purchase but theres also no money to be made from redevelopment either.

As Ive said repeatedly just because we dont know the names of a buyer doesnt mean there isnt one, who had heard of Ron Martin when Vic was in charge?

Thats all by the by, first thing is to try and find out what the actual situation is with Fossetts and the medium to long term strategy, if there even is one. Questions for the next meeting, but I dont think Ron will be giving out much information unfortunately.

So. Do we start an honest and respectful campaign asking Ron to put the club up for sale?

Is it worthy of a poll or a waste of time?

TB got slaughtered for a poll that wasnt far from that...

 

[Shrimper]

So. Do we start an honest and respectful campaign asking Ron to put the club up for sale?

Is it worthy of a poll or a waste of time?

It's worth having a discussion with the fan base as to weather they'd be for or against it. I think that the Shrimpers trust or a fan group, similar to what's happening at Pompey should take over. Best to find out the full picture if you can on FF. It's complicated, we can say that.

 

[Cricko]

So. Do we start an honest and respectful campaign asking Ron to put the club up for sale?

Is it worthy of a poll or a waste of time?

You know it is a waste of time mate,it is all built on a pack of cards with Sainsbury's holding a pair of Aces and RM holding 2,8.