What WE can do for OUR club - GET INVOLVED NOW!!

[Napster]

Do the Trust have a fund we can donate to? Couldn't see anything specific on their site. Would be handy to have a link pasted on here prominently.

Should be up soon, I think.

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

It maybe worthwhile somebody at the Shrimpers Trust contacting Exeter City’s Vice Chairman and Sporting Director, Julian Tagg. I know from commercial contacts with Julian that he is very approachable and his experience of successfully dealing with football clubs in administration is unrivalled. Indeed, I believe he is the advisor to clubs in the Conference who enter or are near to entering administration.

Julian was the prime mover in the Exeter Trust taking over ownership of their club in 2003 (the previous Chairman and Vice Chairman stole the clubs money for which they eventually did time) and turning it into a community club, with 2 trust directors representing the trust on the ECFC Board and other professional directors appointed by the trust.

The trust took over with ECFC having been relegated from league 2, facing debts of 4million pounds, a ten point deduction from the Conference, hostility from HMRC and a ground that was falling to bits.

Today, they are in league1, have no debts of significance, have plans and funding in place to re-develop their ramshackle ground to a 15,000 capacity and are still owned by the Trust, who have directly contributed over 1 million pounds to the club, including a current average payment which I understand directly funds the wages of a couple of players. In fact, in the early days it was only the Trust’s involvement that prevented the club from lurching into insolvency.

Personally, I think Ron Martin has been very unlucky to have had his ambitious development plans caught up in the banking and credit crisis. Although I have always harboured serious doubts about the allocation of planning expenditure to the clubs books, rather than those of Martin Dawn, and the lack of ownership by the club of the proposed new stadium, at any other time in the last 15-20 years Ron would probably have pulled it off, to his certain benefit and possibly to the advantage of SUFC.

However, even allowing for essential business considerations and necessary commercial secrecy on the detail, it is unforgivable that supporters have been kept in the dark like a bunch of mushrooms and fed a diet of manure rather than be given the broad outline, at an early stage, of the difficulties the club found itself in.

It is also almost incomprehensible that the club has used payments due to HMRC (I’m unclear as to whether these are VAT or National Insurance contributions or both) for cash flow purposes. Either way, it appears that HMRC’s money has been collected and then not passed on, used to prop up cash flow and gambled against the vagaries of Southend Council’s Planning Committee. If I learned one thing at an early age, it was if your going to knock anyone in business, then screw your rivals, your suppliers or even your customers and friends but don’t mess with the Revenue. Even Jobson, with whom I had several dealings didn’t, as far as I’m aware, try that one.

As a Blues supporter for just over 50 years, and a sponsor during the John Main era, it breaks my heart to see the club in this mess. The Club is owned by Ron Martin but it belongs fairly and squarely to the people of Southend, both current residents and long departed exiles like myself who can only get to a handful of games each year.

Even at this late stage, I pray Ron can pull a rabbit out of the hat. But if he can’t or won’t then supporters, through the Shrimpers Trust, should be ready to step in and save the Club. The only way to do that is to be informed and to be organised and a call to Julian Tagg at ECFC is a damn good starting point.

Under the circumstances and the very good advice given,and a few things pointed out to us, this is definately in my Top Three posts of all time.

 

[Razam]

Anyone involved in local radio, can we get them to broadcast appeals for fans to tuen on Friday especially, Southend FM, Essex FM and Breeze?

Has anyone contacted Stan Collymore or Alvin Martin who are regular hosts on TalkSport Radio?

Also if we get more fans on http://www.the92.co.uk/#/fans_league It could drum up some more support - if everyone here joined we could easily beat Leeds Utd's 445 registered fans.

 

[please delete my account]

Seems to me some kind of festival is in order.

We could get Moyet to warble a few tunes, Alderton and Jupitus to do a comedy stint, Collymore and Martin to do a football skills bit and whatever other festival type event is appropriate.

I thought of a fat kid 100 metres and also a trampoline competition (only fit birds with ample breastmeat need apply.)
We could also get that James dude from Busted down, put him in stocks and pelt him with wet sponges/ rotten veg/ small rocks etc.

Any more ideas?

Kind Regards

 

[Uncle Leo]

Seems to me some kind of festival is in order.

We could get Moyet to warble a few tunes, Alderton and Jupitus to do a comedy stint, Collymore and Martin to do a football skills bit and whatever other festival type event is appropriate.

I thought of a fat kid 100 metres and also a trampoline competition (only fit birds with ample breastmeat need apply.)
We could also get that James dude from Busted down, put him in stocks and pelt him with wet sponges/ rotten veg/ small rocks etc.

Any more ideas?

Kind Regards

Yes. Less of the 'small' with those rocks.

 

[Mad Cyril]

Why don't the club hire a couple of Transits and send a couple of youth team players to Calais to load up with booze and snout?

We could then sell it to fans at the Gillingham game - I have a large suitcase and would be happy to operate the Shakespear drive entrance before the match.

Obviously this wouldn't look to good if HM Customs find out but people generally keep their mouths shut when there's a bargain to be had and sometimes you have to fight fire with fire.

Fireworks and Santa hats could also be a revenue stream this time of the year.

 

[mattytheshrimper]

wil there be collections going around as i would put some money in. surely that get a few quid in?

 

[OldBlueLady]

wil there be collections going around as i would put some money in. surely that get a few quid in?

Theory is, yes there will, we're waiting to clarify atm.

 

[BLUEBLOOD]

why don't the club hire a couple of transits and send a couple of youth team players to calais to load up with booze and snout?

We could then sell it to fans at the gillingham game - i have a large suitcase and would be happy to operate the shakespear drive entrance before the match.

Obviously this wouldn't look to good if hm customs find out but people generally keep their mouths shut when there's a bargain to be had and sometimes you have to fight fire with fire.

Fireworks and santa hats could also be a revenue stream this time of the year.

:d :d ...

 

[Smiffy]

**BUMP**

Most important thing on this list IMHO.

Bring several friends on Friday night and next Saturday at The Priestfield.

 

[Andy_S]

Just to add to this thread:

I took it upon myself to contact Max Rushden, he of Soccer AM presenting fame. I told him about our plight etc and went on to also mention the fact Stan Collymore had offered his services, knowing he's been on their show before and the fact that they could possibly tie in giving us some publicity by contacting him. To my surprise, he got back to me quite quickly. He said that our crossbar challenge will be shown this week or next and he'll be getting in some mentions for us. He also said he'll look into trying to get Stan on the show with us in mind. So Stan if you're back on the board, it'd do us no harm at all if you could get yourself a guest spot on the sofa. ;)

I also made him aware of the S.O.S Facebook group. If I hear any more I'll post it.

 

[BrettieAngell]

Just to add to this thread:

I took it upon myself to contact Max Rushden, he of Soccer AM presenting fame. I told him about our plight etc and went on to also mention the fact Stan Collymore had offered his services, knowing he's been on their show before and the fact that they could possibly tie in giving us some publicity by contacting him. To my surprise, he got back to me quite quickly. He said that our crossbar challenge will be shown this week or next and he'll be getting in some mentions for us. He also said he'll look into trying to get Stan on the show with us in mind. So Stan if you're back on the board, it'd do us no harm at all if you could get yourself a guest spot on the sofa. ;)

I also made him aware of the S.O.S Facebook group. If I hear any more I'll post it.

Good work mate!

 

[chapperzUK]

Just to add to this thread:

I took it upon myself to contact Max Rushden, he of Soccer AM presenting fame. I told him about our plight etc and went on to also mention the fact Stan Collymore had offered his services, knowing he's been on their show before and the fact that they could possibly tie in giving us some publicity by contacting him. To my surprise, he got back to me quite quickly. He said that our crossbar challenge will be shown this week or next and he'll be getting in some mentions for us. He also said he'll look into trying to get Stan on the show with us in mind. So Stan if you're back on the board, it'd do us no harm at all if you could get yourself a guest spot on the sofa. ;)

I also made him aware of the S.O.S Facebook group. If I hear any more I'll post it.

nice one. Would love to see stan on there.

 

[bilbyboy]

I am gobsmacked as to what contacts some of our suppoters have, and are not afraid to use them, if any of you have contacts that may be able to help then please contact them NOW, if you have high profile names and numbers then please either use them or give us their names and numbers, we need to contact anyone and everyone who just may be able to help, hey, does anyone have a direct number for Noel Edmunds or his agent, the guy owes me a favour, i doubt if he will remmebr me or why he owes me a favour, but it is worth a try. UTB IN TILLY & BRUSH WE TRUST.

 

[Sean 2]

I am gobsmacked as to what contacts some of our suppoters have, and are not afraid to use them, if any of you have contacts that may be able to help then please contact them NOW, if you have high profile names and numbers then please either use them or give us their names and numbers, we need to contact anyone and everyone who just may be able to help, hey, does anyone have a direct number for Noel Edmunds or his agent, the guy owes me a favour, i doubt if he will remmebr me or why he owes me a favour, but it is worth a try. UTB IN TILLY & BRUSH WE TRUST.

:D
WTF have you done to Noel?

 

[OldBlueLady]

Just to add to this thread:

I took it upon myself to contact Max Rushden, he of Soccer AM presenting fame. I told him about our plight etc and went on to also mention the fact Stan Collymore had offered his services, knowing he's been on their show before and the fact that they could possibly tie in giving us some publicity by contacting him. To my surprise, he got back to me quite quickly. He said that our crossbar challenge will be shown this week or next and he'll be getting in some mentions for us. He also said he'll look into trying to get Stan on the show with us in mind. So Stan if you're back on the board, it'd do us no harm at all if you could get yourself a guest spot on the sofa. ;)

I also made him aware of the S.O.S Facebook group. If I hear any more I'll post it.

Well done, Smiffy and I have contacted Soccer AM but heard nothing so that's brilliant. I did hope with him and Helen both supporting lowly clubs they might be sympathetic and I know the Crossbar Challenge was due up either this week or next but that really is VERY good news.

 

[Heskey]

Whats that coming over the hill,
Administration , Administration!:unsure::'(:'(

... I think we'll be OK!

 

[shrimperman]

Wouldn't want to speak on anyones behalf but is Keefmoon and his band available to do a charity gig or something? Does anyone know him? The album is awesome and would definately go along to any such arranged gig...

 

[bigmolt]

I am not at work tomorrow and have a transit van sitting doing nothing. If i and my van can be of any use to the Trust please call or pm me. My phone no is listed on trust files under membership no 1323. Jon Moltino

 

[MK Shrimper]

Wouldn't want to speak on anyones behalf but is Keefmoon and his band available to do a charity gig or something? Does anyone know him? The album is awesome and would definately go along to any such arranged gig...

Piers is a top bloke indeed and his band are superb, trouble is I think a couple of The Boxer Rebellion live overseas. I'll send him a message via FB.