Prodigal Son
Manager
Dear SUFC,
I am posting this open letter because whenever I have emailed the club over the years I have never received a reply. I am a season card holder with my young son in the West Stand and was appalled at the lack of segregation on offer at today's match with West Ham, and consequently found myself surroundered by away fans despite being seated in our usual position. It made for an unpleasant and uncomfortable match day experience. I think the very least I can expect is to watch the match without regretting that my son was wearing his new navy blue home shirt sitting in his usual seat.
There were a series of distracting and unsavoury incidents in the West Stand throughout the match and we subsequently left the match early to get away from the undercurrent of violence.
I am not in denial that South East Essex is hugely populated with West Ham fans but why not go to greater efforts to segregate them?
I had planned to introduce the club to another young boy and his mother today but, thankfully, they could not make it as I would have been ashamed for them to witness today's proceedings.
I also recognise that the club is a business and do not expect the people that manage the club to have even remotely any emotional attachment, and on that basis I am glad that 9,500 paying £20 a ticket was a real money-spinner. However,taking a business view,just how much all round damage did you do to the franchise and the SUFC brand today to make a quick buck?
Stop for a moment, consider today's proceedings in the West Stand (some are not coming back),we were the only season card holders there today in an area normally 99% populated by SC holders,and you choose to play a Centenary Match against our most disliked opposition in our 101st year (correct me if I am wrong) despite announcing that the May Ball concluded our 'celebrations'.
With hindsight, many had the good sense to boycott today's match but for those who backed the club by turning up (in the West Stand) today I think you owe them an apology and a potential refund. Please don't take the fans for granted again.
I don't publicise my surname on a public site like ShrimperZone but I understand this site is monitored by club personnel and you can easily reach me if you want to discuss any of the contents of this letter.
Check me out: two season card holders,my son is a Junior Bluesmember, does the soccer courses and the club shop tell me I am their best customer as I buy stuff to send to people around the world who have become fans. What I am saying is I would not whinge for the sake of it. Today was a bad day at the SUFC 'office'.
David (Prodigal Son).
I am posting this open letter because whenever I have emailed the club over the years I have never received a reply. I am a season card holder with my young son in the West Stand and was appalled at the lack of segregation on offer at today's match with West Ham, and consequently found myself surroundered by away fans despite being seated in our usual position. It made for an unpleasant and uncomfortable match day experience. I think the very least I can expect is to watch the match without regretting that my son was wearing his new navy blue home shirt sitting in his usual seat.
There were a series of distracting and unsavoury incidents in the West Stand throughout the match and we subsequently left the match early to get away from the undercurrent of violence.
I am not in denial that South East Essex is hugely populated with West Ham fans but why not go to greater efforts to segregate them?
I had planned to introduce the club to another young boy and his mother today but, thankfully, they could not make it as I would have been ashamed for them to witness today's proceedings.
I also recognise that the club is a business and do not expect the people that manage the club to have even remotely any emotional attachment, and on that basis I am glad that 9,500 paying £20 a ticket was a real money-spinner. However,taking a business view,just how much all round damage did you do to the franchise and the SUFC brand today to make a quick buck?
Stop for a moment, consider today's proceedings in the West Stand (some are not coming back),we were the only season card holders there today in an area normally 99% populated by SC holders,and you choose to play a Centenary Match against our most disliked opposition in our 101st year (correct me if I am wrong) despite announcing that the May Ball concluded our 'celebrations'.
With hindsight, many had the good sense to boycott today's match but for those who backed the club by turning up (in the West Stand) today I think you owe them an apology and a potential refund. Please don't take the fans for granted again.
I don't publicise my surname on a public site like ShrimperZone but I understand this site is monitored by club personnel and you can easily reach me if you want to discuss any of the contents of this letter.
Check me out: two season card holders,my son is a Junior Bluesmember, does the soccer courses and the club shop tell me I am their best customer as I buy stuff to send to people around the world who have become fans. What I am saying is I would not whinge for the sake of it. Today was a bad day at the SUFC 'office'.
David (Prodigal Son).