Transfer Embargo, Winding Up Petition & Staff Salary Issues

[Whispering Bob]

There was an interesting reply to Chris Phillips on Twitter from Jobson’s son (who incidentally is the Royal Editor at the Evening Standard - who knew?) which seems to indicate that Ron never paid the final third payment for the majority shareholding and so is not therefore the majority shareholder. He says he is the executor for Vic’s estate and is ready to take action.

I can picture Vic shouting over the garden fence - "OI, where's my money Blondie ?!?" (IIRC they were next door neighbours).

 

[fbm]

I'm in the same position mate. For too many years I've held out an olive branch with obligation and fee-free advice and design work, only to be treated like an inconvenience.
The apathy of our fanbase is just another nail in the coffin of my patience.

Not just from you @Sherif H, but the phrase "apathy of our fans" is something I've read a lot on here lately, mainly (but not always) because we aren't all 100% united on getting Ron Martin out at this stage of his tenure, or mass protests, or sit-ins, or whatever.

Can I just point out that if the fans were in any way apathetic towards the club, we would not have loyally supported the club through the worst period in it's history, probably the worst set of football results over 2 and a bit seasons for any English professional club in history (I haven't checked, so I'll happily be proved wrong on that) and repeatedly turned up to cheer the team on, home and away.

We cannot be patting ourselves on the back one minute yet dismissing most of those people as apathetic the next. It doesn't work both ways.

Apathetic support means the sort of gates Col U get. Our crowds in the mid 1980's were apathetic.

This current set of supporters are not apathetic. They are loyal beyond belief and the club do not deserve them, seriously. They want the very best for this team and are frequently the 12th man, trying to get the team over the line. The Blue Voice, the supporters groups, they all want the best. They have agreed to the ceasing of protests mid match at the request of Stan, so as not to upset the good work everyone now connected with the management team are trying to do by creating distracting problems on the pitch. The players have responded as well.

However, there are clear differences on where we go from here. Yes, not paying staff is bad, but unfortunately in all businesses that will sometimes happen.

So, to those who think that most people don't care, just maybe consider that they just see it differently. and will consider that they want to put their energy behind getting the club out of this league rather than getting Ron Martin out of the club.

I can't speak for everyone, but judging from the comments on here I guess most people fall into that camp.

We are not apathetic, none of us. We just maybe don't believe in cutting our nose off to spite our face.

 

[Smiffy]

Not just from you @Sherif H, but the phrase "apathy of our fans" is something I've read a lot on here lately, mainly (but not always) because we aren't all 100% united on getting Ron Martin out at this stage of his tenure, or mass protests, or sit-ins, or whatever.

Can I just point out that if the fans were in any way apathetic towards the club, we would not have loyally supported the club through the worst period in it's history, probably the worst set of football results over 2 and a bit seasons for any English professional club in history (I haven't checked, so I'll happily be proved wrong on that) and repeatedly turned up to cheer the team on, home and away.

We cannot be patting ourselves on the back one minute yet dismissing most of those people as apathetic the next. It doesn't work both ways.

Apathetic support means the sort of gates Col U get. Our crowds in the mid 1980's were apathetic.

This current set of supporters are not apathetic. They are loyal beyond belief and the club do not deserve them, seriously. They want the very best for this team and are frequently the 12th man, trying to get the team over the line. The Blue Voice, the supporters groups, they all want the best. They have agreed to the ceasing of protests mid match at the request of Stan, so as not to upset the good work everyone now connected with the management team are trying to do by creating distracting problems on the pitch. The players have responded as well.

However, there are clear differences on where we go from here. Yes, not paying staff is bad, but unfortunately in all businesses that will sometimes happen.

So, to those who think that most people don't care, just maybe consider that they just see it differently. and will consider that they want to put their energy behind getting the club out of this league rather than getting Ron Martin out of the club.

I can't speak for everyone, but judging from the comments on here I guess most people fall into that camp.

We are not apathetic, none of us. We just maybe don't belief in cutting our nose off to spite our face.

In my opinion we won’t get out of this division (the right way) with Ron Martin as Chairman. If we do Kev & Co deserve a knighthood. That’s not me cutting my nose off, that’s my belief and why I feel he needs to be removed from post at the earliest opportunity.

The long list of managers in recent years and countless reasons for them having their hands tied is my evidence.

Lots of good people are having the rug pulled from underneath them time and time again. This is why we now find ourselves in the NL and will remain so until change is made right at the top. Again, in my opinion.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Not just from you @Sherif H, but the phrase "apathy of our fans" is something I've read a lot on here lately, mainly (but not always) because we aren't all 100% united on getting Ron Martin out at this stage of his tenure, or mass protests, or sit-ins, or whatever.

Can I just point out that if the fans were in any way apathetic towards the club, we would not have loyally supported the club through the worst period in it's history, probably the worst set of football results over 2 and a bit seasons for any English professional club in history (I haven't checked, so I'll happily be proved wrong on that) and repeatedly turned up to cheer the team on, home and away.

We cannot be patting ourselves on the back one minute yet dismissing most of those people as apathetic the next. It doesn't work both ways.

Apathetic support means the sort of gates Col U get. Our crowds in the mid 1980's were apathetic.

This current set of supporters are not apathetic. They are loyal beyond belief and the club do not deserve them, seriously. They want the very best for this team and are frequently the 12th man, trying to get the team over the line. The Blue Voice, the supporters groups, they all want the best. They have agreed to the ceasing of protests mid match at the request of Stan, so as not to upset the good work everyone now connected with the management team are trying to do by creating distracting problems on the pitch. The players have responded as well.

However, there are clear differences on where we go from here. Yes, not paying staff is bad, but unfortunately in all businesses that will sometimes happen.

So, to those who think that most people don't care, just maybe consider that they just see it differently. and will consider that they want to put their energy behind getting the club out of this league rather than getting Ron Martin out of the club.

I can't speak for everyone, but judging from the comments on here I guess most people fall into that camp.

We are not apathetic, none of us. We just maybe don't believe in cutting our nose off to spite our face.

Agreed. I’ve explained - at some length - why I take a similar position in the ‘Update’ thread in the finances forum.

 

[Medway Blue]

Not just from you @Sherif H, but the phrase "apathy of our fans" is something I've read a lot on here lately, mainly (but not always) because we aren't all 100% united on getting Ron Martin out at this stage of his tenure, or mass protests, or sit-ins, or whatever.

Can I just point out that if the fans were in any way apathetic towards the club, we would not have loyally supported the club through the worst period in it's history, probably the worst set of football results over 2 and a bit seasons for any English professional club in history (I haven't checked, so I'll happily be proved wrong on that) and repeatedly turned up to cheer the team on, home and away.

We cannot be patting ourselves on the back one minute yet dismissing most of those people as apathetic the next. It doesn't work both ways.

Apathetic support means the sort of gates Col U get. Our crowds in the mid 1980's were apathetic.

This current set of supporters are not apathetic. They are loyal beyond belief and the club do not deserve them, seriously. They want the very best for this team and are frequently the 12th man, trying to get the team over the line. The Blue Voice, the supporters groups, they all want the best. They have agreed to the ceasing of protests mid match at the request of Stan, so as not to upset the good work everyone now connected with the management team are trying to do by creating distracting problems on the pitch. The players have responded as well.

However, there are clear differences on where we go from here. Yes, not paying staff is bad, but unfortunately in all businesses that will sometimes happen.

So, to those who think that most people don't care, just maybe consider that they just see it differently. and will consider that they want to put their energy behind getting the club out of this league rather than getting Ron Martin out of the club.

I can't speak for everyone, but judging from the comments on here I guess most people fall into that camp.

We are not apathetic, none of us. We just maybe don't believe in cutting our nose off to spite our face.

We will not be upwardly mobile out of this division with Ron Martin at the helm. Damage is done and there is no fully repairing it under his tenure. I'm all for debate on most things, but that just isn't debatable.

I also think it's one thing to enjoy going along to the football on a Saturday, we all love that. But, and again only my opinion, quite another to be passionate enough to stand up and fight for the club you love. IMO, if you love something enough, you do everything you can to defend it against the sort of damage that has been inflicted on our football club and to fight for a better future for it, no matter how futile that fight may seem. You don't just sit back, shrug your shoulders and watch it happen whilst saying "there's nothing I can do". Maybe that's just me.

 

[dusterman]

We will not be upwardly mobile out of this division with Ron Martin at the helm. Damage is done and there is no fully repairing it under his tenure. I'm all for debate on most things, but that just isn't debatable.

I also think it's one thing to enjoy going along to the football on a Saturday, we all love that. But, and again only my opinion, quite another to be passionate enough to stand up and fight for the club you love. IMO, if you love something enough, you do everything you can to defend it against the sort of damage that has been inflicted on our football club and to fight for a better future for it, no matter how futile that fight may seem. You don't just sit back, shrug your shoulders and watch it happen whilst saying "there's nothing I can do". Maybe that's just me.

I see myself in the boat of willing to stand up and fight, but what vehicle do we choose to do that in?

 

[fbm]

We will not be upwardly mobile out of this division with Ron Martin at the helm. Damage is done and there is no fully repairing it under his tenure. I'm all for debate on most things, but that just isn't debatable.

Why not, as a matter of interest? Yes, we are in the NL and that's primarily down to Ron not funding the club properly. But we have previously been promoted under his tenure, 3 times in fact, and once into the Championship.

There is a strong management team in place, a new squad and results are picking up. We are 4 points from the playoffs after 11 games. Who knows what can be achieved?

Why on earth is that not debatable? And I know you've said it's only your opinion, but there has to be some substance behind what's to come in the future after Ron goes.

 

[tommy tucker]

May be PG site services has had a long talk with Tom after friday .And hopefully he has got them to re think there position on sponcering our shirts even for the rest of the season insted of pulling out .

 

[tommy tucker]

Also maybe tey have been told of all the free publisity on BTsport next sat ????

 

[Rayleigh boy]

Get rid of Ron .. I get that. Then what?

run the club ourselves ...

 

[tommy tucker]

RElly dont know why people keep harping on get rid of Ron .Ok where is the knight in shining armor coming from .I.It just is not going to happen is it .Sadly we are stuck with the fool on the hill .Who keeps telling us its all going to ok ..Thank god we still have Stan and Tom on our side And coaching staff who reall do care ..Because Ron sure does not .

 

[Yer Blues]

I see myself in the boat of willing to stand up and fight, but what vehicle do we choose to do that in?

A boat?

 

[Shrimpet steve]

It's just not going to happen. If it was going to it would of happened by now.

It feels like some of our fans would invite Ron round for dinner.

I would because the bloke keeps the club running and without him there is no club!!

 

[Shrimpet steve]

Things cant be that bad as ron signed lopata?

 

[Rayleigh boy]

Three key principles to achieve the end goal of SUFC finding itself in safe hands.

1. The current 'regime' must wobble/falter. We have had that in the unpaid staff, and the new embargo. If we cannot capitalise this time round, no doubt RM will give us another chance. This part I'm not worried about.
2. We need a group to take the lead, and a consensus must be reached to bring all concerned stakeholders together. All tools of change (protest, petition, boycott, meetings etc. just examples, not suggesting them) must be discussed and agreed/disagreed on.
3. A viable alternative 'regime' is willing/waiting to step in.

Too often have we found ourselves in a situation where we only tick one box, that being point 1.

Point 2 is a very difficult one as you rightly point out, but this seriously needs to happen sooner rather than later. We've had moments of consensus in the past, but yesterday's absolute failure of a protest shows the magnitude of the task required to bring the fans back together. Finding common ground is not easy, but it might be achievable through fan polling etc. I'd assist with such a project if needed.

Point 3 is totally out of our hands currently and may even eventually be locked behind NDAs. We can only wait until any prospective owner publicly applies large amounts of pressure on the club and the current ownership.

My opinion is that unless all three of these points are fulfilled, we won't get anywhere close to changing this club's culture and reputation for good. Yes we've made leaps on the pitch but that's only one part of a bigger puzzle that is SUFC as an organisation.

this sort of post gives us hope ..

Point 1 - wait until the time is right and then go for it...

Point 2 ... I will support people who come forward - we need a united front

Point 3 - is a fans organization - even if its just a "place holder" until investors buy in

there are a lot of capable and skilled fans .. I hope more people will be seriously looking at alternative ownership models

 

[Shrimpet steve]

Ron is a southend fan and has used his own money to bail us out year after year!All this just because a tax bill hasnt been paid on time.As we all know ron always pays and we go again.This is non news and not worth worrying about,heard it all before.

 

[Rayleigh boy]

I would because the bloke keeps the club running and without him there is no club!!

so wrong ... without the fans there is no club .... chairmen come and go

 

[Medway Blue]

Why not, as a matter of interest? Yes, we are in the NL and that's primarily down to Ron not funding the club properly. But we have previously been promoted under his tenure, 3 times in fact, and once into the Championship.

There is a strong management team in place, a new squad and results are picking up. We are 4 points from the playoffs after 11 games. Who knows what can be achieved?

Why on earth is that not debatable? And I know you've said it's only your opinion, but there has to be some substance behind what's to come in the future after Ron goes.

What I think is indisputable is that the damage is done and there is no repairing it fully whilst he's here. We might get lucky and get promoted again under his tenure but I think it highly unlikely. But there are literally businesses, clubs and agents that will avoid doing business with us like the plague for as long as he is here. We will therefore never get the fresh start and repaired reputation that is so desperately needed until he is gone. That is what cannot be debated in my eyes.

I'd also just remind you that the first 2 promotions that you speak of were before the first round of Ron Martin's mismanagement and destruction took place. The 3rd promotion you speak of took place after the first round of mismanagement and destruction but before the second round, which is still ongoing and several degrees worse than the first.

Regardless of new stadium (which is still of highly debatable benefit to the club in its present form) finally coming to fruition, or indeed anything else, myself and plenty of others will never, ever forgive him for the rot, decay, embarrassment and destruction that he has wrought upon OUR club in using it as a vehicle for HIS property dream. That, in my mind, makes his position untenable.

 

[WestyReturns]

I would because the bloke keeps the club running and without him there is no club!!

Haha that's nonsense. The supporters make clubs exist, not owners. How did it exist the 90 years before Ron got involved (and as a football league club). Since with us he's stripped all the assets out the club, injected huge debt and enforced relegation out the football league. A magnificent level of failure!

 

[Willis]

RElly dont know why people keep harping on get rid of Ron .

I find this hard to believe… are you not aware of his gross negligence & misconduct in running the club?