Echo News Comment: This is as bad as it's been for Southend United in 30 years

[Ex-Member1]

I completely agree, this DOES feel different, worryingly so. It cannot be compared to the 80s woes, Times now are harder financially, and more unforgiving IMHO.

 

[shrimperjon]

I wrote a email to Ron, in many ways similar to what Chris wrote. My main concerns were the lack of honest news, being kept in the dark, but reality knowing what was going on etc. But the main focus being how does the club expect to sell ST and especially the early bird ST (i normally buy mine then) when the club is in such a mess and there is so much uncertainty surrounding the future of the club. The club is so reliant on ST sales leading up to the summer and i fear that few will take up the offers available until the picture is made more clear. Ron as stubborn as he is can not allow the situation to continue. He must front up to the press/fans, no lies, but give us the facts of what is going on, where we are at and what the future holds for the club we all follow (still in good numbers) and support

 

[Blueronron]

I wrote a email to Ron, in many ways similar to what Chris wrote. My main concerns were the lack of honest news, being kept in the dark, but reality knowing what was going on etc. But the main focus being how does the club expect to sell ST and especially the early bird ST (i normally buy mine then) when the club is in such a mess and there is so much uncertainty surrounding the future of the club. The club is so reliant on ST sales leading up to the summer and i fear that few will take up the offers available until the picture is made more clear. Ron as stubborn as he is can not allow the situation to continue. He must front up to the press/fans, no lies, but give us the facts of what is going on, where we are at and what the future holds for the club we all follow (still in good numbers) and support

Very easy if you want to buy a season ticket and worried the club may go bust,purchase on a credit card and its covered

Its really a case of does the supporter want to continue watching Southend in Div xxxx or listen to the radio and go to the odd game,catch 22 supporters willnot buy a season ticket and therefore club has no funds,supporters buy the season ticket and it helps pay players throughout the summer and you get to watch a Southend team next season in some sort of shape or form in whatever division we are in minus or even points from game one

 

[shrimperjon]

Very easy if you want to buy a season ticket and worried the club may go bust,purchase on a credit card and its covered

Its really a case of does the supporter want to continue watching Southend in Div xxxx or listen to the radio and go to the odd game,catch 22 supporters willnot buy a season ticket and therefore club has no funds,supporters buy the season ticket and it helps pay players throughout the summer and you get to watch a Southend team next season in some sort of shape or form in whatever division we are in minus or even points from game one

Yes that makes perfect sense. I for one am in the camp, buy and support the team no end (me and my son). I have heard so many that are saying no chance, which of course is their right but will only damage the club further, but people have the right to choose how they spend their money etc and thats the consequence that Ron will have to face up to

 

[markw]

Not sure I totally agree with Rigsby.
Yes, the football was dire and we flirted with the bottom of what is now League 2. yes, Anton Johnson was a crook, Vic Jobson was a horror, but at least they didn't asset-strip the infrastructure of club the way that Ron Martin has been allowed to do and although finances were precarious it was in an era where wages were much lower.
When RM bought the club it included Roots Hall, Boots & Laces etc, now the club has nothing as he's hived everything else off, put it in his own companies and mortgaged it, rents everything to the club at sky-high interest rates, charges outrageous 'consultancy fees' then claims he's 'invested his own money' which half the people on here actually believe. I fear this is only going to end one way.

Does he actually charge us rent? I'm pretty sure he didn't for quite a while!

 

[fbm]

Not sure I totally agree with Rigsby.
Yes, the football was dire and we flirted with the bottom of what is now League 2. yes, Anton Johnson was a crook, Vic Jobson was a horror, but at least they didn't asset-strip the infrastructure of club the way that Ron Martin has been allowed to do and although finances were precarious it was in an era where wages were much lower.
When RM bought the club it included Roots Hall, Boots & Laces etc, now the club has nothing as he's hived everything else off, put it in his own companies and mortgaged it, rents everything to the club at sky-high interest rates, charges outrageous 'consultancy fees' then claims he's 'invested his own money' which half the people on here actually believe. I fear this is only going to end one way.

You've defeated your own argument.

When someone buys a company, they would have had to have used their own funds or assets to finance the initial purchase.

Therefore it is their own money.

He is only charging rent to protect his own investment, so that in the event of a collapse he gets the lions share of a payout. I understand that. It's not crooked or sharp, it's perfectly sensible. In any event, he hasn't been paid it and (I believe) in the past has written huge sums off, and will do so again. He has a serious asset which is costing a fortune to maintain and which is not providing any return. It is an annual drain on the coffers, which he - no-one else - has to make up.

Please note - this is not a "pro-Ron" post, but if we are going to be critical, let's get the facts right, shall we?

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

I wrote a email to Ron, in many ways similar to what Chris wrote. My main concerns were the lack of honest news, being kept in the dark, but reality knowing what was going on etc. But the main focus being how does the club expect to sell ST and especially the early bird ST (i normally buy mine then) when the club is in such a mess and there is so much uncertainty surrounding the future of the club. The club is so reliant on ST sales leading up to the summer and i fear that few will take up the offers available until the picture is made more clear. Ron as stubborn as he is can not allow the situation to continue. He must front up to the press/fans, no lies, but give us the facts of what is going on, where we are at and what the future holds for the club we all follow (still in good numbers) and support

Yes, good luck with getting some answers. You have no chance. That's why I knew he wouldn't turn up to the trust meeting. It's the way he has always played things. He's in deep negotiations with the Council. He can't publicly declare what a financial mess we're in, whilst dealing with the Council, and hoping to get some investors on board. But he has dealt the wrong hand regarding Sol. He should have put him in the picture, but asked him to keep it quiet. Instead, he's created a rift and break up between them. Sol would have been more understanding if RM said sorry Sol, I know I promised you up to 6 players, but the goal posts have moved financially, and by the EFL. Blanking Sol is the wrong thing to do and totally disrespectful. The guy has to start with 4 not good enough yet kids, and then gets slated for the 4-0 drubbing. Ron Martin will make a statement, but when it suits, probably if the EFL situation is sorted, and when he has good news to go along with the bad.

 

[Shrimper]

Some of you need see a specialist of some sort. If you really were a supporter in the early early/mid 80's and claim now is worse. then you are in complete denial. You have buried a traumatic period in your life and by refusing to talk about it it may well come back to haunt you in later years.

I had an uncle who never spoke of his war time experiences, us kids knew not to mention the war. He would get up and switch the TV off even for Sunday afternoon war films....I guess some of you must do the same for certain seasons of SUFC 1980's DVDs.....

Back in my day.....

Although 30 years is 1990. So not including 1980's

 

[Benfleet Blue]

Yes, good luck with getting some answers. You have no chance. That's why I knew he wouldn't turn up to the trust meeting. It's the way he has always played things. He's in deep negotiations with the Council. He can't publicly declare what a financial mess we're in, whilst dealing with the Council, and hoping to get some investors on board. But he has dealt the wrong hand regarding Sol. He should have put him in the picture, but asked him to keep it quiet. Instead, he's created a rift and break up between them. Sol would have been more understanding if RM said sorry Sol, I know I promised you up to 6 players, but the goal posts have moved financially, and by the EFL. Blanking Sol is the wrong thing to do and totally disrespectful. The guy has to start with 4 not good enough yet kids, and then gets slated for the 4-0 drubbing. Ron Martin will make a statement, but when it suits, probably if the EFL situation is sorted, and when he has good news to go along with the bad.

Sorry but Sol made a statement by playing 4 not so good yet kids, by omitting Kelman, Goodship and Hutchinson. Really cannot condone that.

 

[RobM]

Very easy if you want to buy a season ticket and worried the club may go bust,purchase on a credit card and its covered"

Yes it's called Section 75. But if a credit card company doesn't think a company (in this case SUFC) is creditworthy, they won't allow a credit facility.
If you don't like using a credit card, how about starting a regular savings account and saving for it that way? Then you could get the seaso' on the credit card and pay it up in one go when the savings account matures - hence no charges.

 

[Rob1920]

Sorry but Sol made a statement by playing 4 not so good yet kids, by omitting Kelman, Goodship and Hutchinson. Really cannot condone that.

Its possible Sol's thinking was that the Posh game was always going to be very difficult to get anything from, therefore use it to give some more youngsters gametime / experience, and rest the players you mentioned for more winnable games coming up.

 

[bluebrian]

I think it’s very bad. Ron can no longer be seen driving around in his Bentley. Make of that what you will.

 

[Blue Yonder]

I imagine but for SUFC he’d have several Bentleys !

 

[Chris Powell's mate]

Some of you need see a specialist of some sort. If you really were a supporter in the early early/mid 80's and claim now is worse. then you are in complete denial. You have buried a traumatic period in your life and by refusing to talk about it it may well come back to haunt you in later years.

I had an uncle who never spoke of his war time experiences, us kids knew not to mention the war. He would get up and switch the TV off even for Sunday afternoon war films....I guess some of you must do the same for certain seasons of SUFC 1980's DVDs.....

Forgive me, but this is patronising, Rigsby.
Normally, don't mind your comments, but I think you need to check your facts.
Which part of the 80s are you referring to, and are you talking about Anton Johnson etc or matters on the pitch?
The infamous 84/85 season saw us win 8 and draw 8 in Division Four.
That was bad, but I'm willing to bet we will perform minor miracles if we get anywhere near that total.
That 84/85 season was the nadir three decades ago.
As regards matter on the pitch, this is much worse. One way to resolve is to ask Glenn Pennyfather and Paul Clark to compare. They were part of that 84/85 malaise.

 

[wildheart]

Well said Chris. I might be a dinosaur but I thought football was about entertainment? That's what we used to serve up at Roots Hall and beyond. But not anymore. Its all about Ron Martin and his ideology. I don't want Fossetts Farm Ron, I don't want your concept of progress for my club. Your legacy will be that you destroyed a community club, with your fantasy of what might be. I wished you'd bought Orient or Colchester, but would not wish you on anyone. You have systematically stripped our little club and left us totally dominated by your whim. I intend to stay away from the club I love, until you go! And we thought Jobson was a bad egg?

 

[C C Csiders]

Ron is in the illuminati if you think it is bad now he only has to snap his fingers and this country will be in a nuclear conflict with Pakistan.

 

[RHB]

I was driving into Southend along Vic Avenue this morning and passed Ron Martin near the staion walking towards the ground. Head down and looking deep in thought, not surprising really though is it? The walking bit was a bit odd but maybe he needed the exercise.

 

[Callum]

I was driving into Southend along Vic Avenue this morning and passed Ron Martin near the staion walking towards the ground. Head down and looking deep in thought, not surprising really though is it? The walking bit was a bit odd but maybe he needed the exercise.

Maybe he is thinking what lies can I tell people next

 

[Chairman Trigg]

Forgive me, but this is patronising, Rigsby.
Normally, don't mind your comments, but I think you need to check your facts.
Which part of the 80s are you referring to, and are you talking about Anton Johnson etc or matters on the pitch?
The infamous 84/85 season saw us win 8 and draw 8 in Division Four.
That was bad, but I'm willing to bet we will perform minor miracles if we get anywhere near that total.
That 84/85 season was the nadir three decades ago.
As regards matter on the pitch, this is much worse. One way to resolve is to ask Glenn Pennyfather and Paul Clark to compare. They were part of that 84/85 malaise.

When you think back to that period you suddenly remember some of the differences.
Didnt re election to the league only end mid eighties which was a major safeguard to league survival for a number of clubs? instead of possible free fall today.
Another major one definitely is the Internet and social media.Back then we only had our mates and the Standard and Echos Howard Southwood ? to feed us snippets of rumours and the mess we were in.Factor in you couldn't research companies or individuals without visiting libraries whereas today you have access to the club 24/7.
Ron ought to be thankful this isn't the late 60s/ 70s where his head would have been taken off with a flying seat cushion in the East

 

[Swiss Tony]

You've defeated your own argument.

When someone buys a company, they would have had to have used their own funds or assets to finance the initial purchase.

Therefore it is their own money.

He is only charging rent to protect his own investment, so that in the event of a collapse he gets the lions share of a payout. I understand that. It's not crooked or sharp, it's perfectly sensible. In any event, he hasn't been paid it and (I believe) in the past has written huge sums off, and will do so again. He has a serious asset which is costing a fortune to maintain and which is not providing any return. It is an annual drain on the coffers, which he - no-one else - has to make up.

Please note - this is not a "pro-Ron" post, but if we are going to be critical, let's get the facts right, shall we?

Whilst I agree with getting the facts right which is important, maybe Martini should do the same.