Oh dear, oh dear. As some of you probably know, we sponsor Harry, and I've always found him to be an affable young man, quieter than some but generally very pleasant.
As a parent, and as someone who used to work in schools, in particular dealing with a lot of "playground/friendship issues", I have learnt over the years that it is not wise to jump to quick conclusions and that the evidence should be weighed up when in possession of the full facts.
I was not on the Zone yesterday so didn't respond on this thread earlier. My take on this (and that's without knowing any further facts) is that I think this is a very ill judged thing to have done but it's not the crime some on here are making it.
I am sure Harry lives in Hornchurch now, I remember talking about it with him when he was wearing that big boot on his foot last season as I was surprised he was allowed to drive. I am also sure that he has some connections with Dover players, from his time at Charlton and Gillingham, so he's arranged to meet mates for a drink after a match.
This is where the guesswork comes in, I am guessing that he was rather later getting back to the area than others were which is why he's in his Southend gear. Obviously he should have gone home and changed or had the foresight to take something to change into - but he's a bloke after all, and I'm not sure how many of you castigating him would have either - but he was probably dropped off by the coach with no means to get home before meeting mates so decided to go straight out.
Whatever happened, Harry has been incredibly naive in thinking going out with the opposition we've just lost to, in club gear would not be found out in this day and age of trial by social media. I know he'd already deactivated his Twitter account because he was getting abused by some on there - as an aside, I know several others who now have protected their accounts on various platforms.
So what is he actually guilty of? Being stupid? Yes, I'd say undoubtedly so. Bringing the club into disrepute? Hmmm....possibly, but ONLY because he's wearing the trackwear. Is it a sackable offence? No. Absolutely not. Blimey, look at some of the stuff former players have done where we've stood by them - I'm thinking particularly favourites such as Michael Timlin and Bilel Mohsni, and others that were well liked like Sean Clohessy and Ryan Hall, plus, of course, Nile Ranger.
I expect disciplinary action internally but that's all.
I think people's judgement on this has been clouded by the inadequacy of the team this season, and the fact that so many think Harry is rubbish anyway. Yes, we're all hurting, but making players sacrificial scapegoats is just counter productive.