Harry Lennon

[rigsby]

Every club has its’ minority of idiots and would forgive most players if they did the business on the pitch, football has always been this way and our fans (on the whole) are patient and welcoming. Lennon is one of a crop of players who don’t appear to want to play for Southend and respect the club, as Stan, Ranger amd others did and still do. Leaving the moral rights and wrongs out of it, that’s a fact. Anyone who crosses the line and abuses the guy directly, on social media or otherwise, is a scumbag. It’s a game at the end of the day.

Stan did manage about 20 odd games but how can you possibly include Ranger in that statement?

 

[Leigh_Seasider]

Stan did manage about 20 odd games but how can you possibly include Ranger in that statement?

He did respect the club and the fans in one sense. He always wishes us well. Ok, his application wasn’t great and he never turned up on time for training but that wasn’t restricted to us. He did that at every club, he’s clearly got issues outside football. I’m not defending the bloke, it just irks me that there are players here that don’t appear to care. I want to know why, what’s behind it? Fair play though I got carried away mentioning NR.

 

[OldBlueLady]

Stan did manage about 20 odd games but how can you possibly include Ranger in that statement?

However much I disapprove of him, I do think he has a genuine affection for the club, not least the fans who always seemed to give him the adoration he craved when out on the pitch.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Lennon could afford a beer.

He isn't shown with one in the video.



I think people also need to consider how this will look to players being courted by Sol for the January window.

Punishing someone for being seen with friends will come across as just vindictive. Think of it this way: all footballers will know and socialise with players on other sides. These will be the people they grew up, the people they use to work with. Would you want to work for an employer who said you can't socialise with the people you grew up with, the people you use to work with?

As for respect, where's the respect shown for someone who has broken bones on two occasions whilst playing for the club? Respect works both ways. He might not be good but he's trying and putting his body on the line for Southend. He tried to play on with a broken leg last year FFS. If calling players ****s worked as a motivation tactic we'd be top of the table instead of where we are.

 

[OldBlueLady]

Punishing someone for being seen with friends will come across as just vindictive. Think of it this way: all footballers will know and socialise with players on other sides. These will be the people they grew up, the people they use to work with. Would you want to work for an employer who said you can't socialise with the people you grew up with, the people you use to work with?

As for respect, where's the respect shown for someone who has broken bones on two occasions whilst playing for the club? Respect works both ways. He might not be good but he's trying and putting his body on the line for Southend. He tried to play on with a broken leg last year FFS. If calling players ****s worked as a motivation tactic we'd be top of the table instead of where we are.

Exactly right YB.

Worth considering that, during some of our deepest rivalries with Colchester, our captain Kevin Maher and theirs, Johnnie Jackson, were and still are great mates, going back to their days at Spurs together, and play a lot of golf together. What went on on the pitch was one thing, what went on off the pitch was totally separate.

 

[rigsby]

However much I disapprove of him, I do think he has a genuine affection for the club, not least the fans who always seemed to give him the adoration he craved when out on the pitch.

Actions always speak louder than words

 

[Leigh_Seasider]

Exactly right YB.

Worth considering that, during some of our deepest rivalries with Colchester, our captain Kevin Maher and theirs, Johnnie Jackson, were and still are great mates, going back to their days at Spurs together, and play a lot of golf together. What went on on the pitch was one thing, what went on off the pitch was totally separate.

No issue with players socialising off the pitch or having mates who play for rival teams. But wearing a club tracksuit on the back of a cup defeat where he’d been partly responsible for a goal .. more than a bit silly. Agree with YB that getting on players backs doesn’t help but we’re at the end of our tether here. All I ask is that the 11 men in a Southend shirt give their all. I would love to know the full story here and love to hear Lennon’s justifications. If he really does hold the club in that much contempt it’s very sad indeed. There’s stuff clearly badly wrong but I don’t think the fans are responsible. Just passionate and more than a bit p*ssed off. Maybe Ron needs to make a statement, draw a line in the sand, let everyone at the club know what’s acceptable and allow Sol to try and salvage something from the burning embers.

 

[onceknownasrab]

Lennon lets his hair down shocker! From what I understand, which is no more than anybody else, Lennon had a post match meet with a mate and is a criminal for appearing to enjoy himself? Correct me if I am wrong there.

So the conclusion is he does not give a stuff about his club or us the fans. We know this how? He might have been relieving the pressure valve. He may have felt dreadful about the defeat and his apparent error that led to the goal. Sometimes you have to laugh or you will cry. If he admits to not caring then fair enough but none of us know what goes on in his noddle.

 

[FarmdogSUFC]

Lennon lets his hair down shocker! From what I understand, which is no more than anybody else, Lennon had a post match meet with a mate and is a criminal for appearing to enjoy himself? Correct me if I am wrong there.

So the conclusion is he does not give a stuff about his club or us the fans. We know this how? He might have been relieving the pressure valve. He may have felt dreadful about the defeat and his apparent error that led to the goal. Sometimes you have to laugh or you will cry. If he admits to not caring then fair enough but none of us know what goes on in his noddle.

**** all, that's half the problem

 

[wakes123]

Imagine what Roy Keane would have done the next day in training if this was a Man Utd player back in the day in a similar situation?

 

[LennySUFC]

Imagine what Roy Keane would have done the next day in training if this was a Man Utd player back in the day in a similar situation?

I don't think they'd have found the body 20 years later..

 

[Highlands Blue]

Well Harry ...I'm still hurting from yesterday ,and after the game the rest of my Sunday was miserable ...Unfortunately that's how supporting affects the average fan .We also spend and many have to justify the time and cost to our families .We also help pay your wages so the least you can do is show some respect after what we suffered yesterday from players who don't appear to hurt or care like we do.

I agree we all invest time and money in the club, and we get fed up when we lose, so see a player out having a good time just after such a humiliating defeat sticks in the craw a bit.

To my mind after the match, all the players ought to have been back on the coach to Roots Hall, for a debriefing (bollocking), kept there for as long as possible. Then sent home, with an instruction to turn up for training at 8.00 pm on Monday. In addition a complete ban on all players consuming any alcohol, until the first team can win a lg 1 match.

Any player spotted defying the ban loses 1 weeks wages.

It might concentrate the minds a bit.

 

[Chris Powell's mate]

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.

You make your points with a fair degree of logic.
BUT there are an awful lot of 'should haves' or the same sentiment. That's when choices are made.
All of Lennon's were wrong in the CONTEXT.
I agree it's not a sackable offence per se, but I doubt he has a future with us now.
If for nothing else, lack of respect to those who help pay his wages has done him.
Back to context: it's everything!
Our worst defeat of a torrid season involving a player easily brushed off for the only goal in the game.
One who has yet to really earn any affection from fans, and one who knew he was being filmed. He is after all looking right down the lens.
And one who is celebrating, what other word can you use?
I remember a moment when Lee Clark was depicted wearing a 'sad Mackem' T-shirt while playing for Sunderland. It was a joke for the Newcastle supporter - but I think he never played for Sunderland again.
A costly mistake - and this is another.

 

[Chris Powell's mate]

He did respect the club and the fans in one sense. He always wishes us well. Ok, his application wasn’t great and he never turned up on time for training but that wasn’t restricted to us. He did that at every club, he’s clearly got issues outside football. I’m not defending the bloke, it just irks me that there are players here that don’t appear to care. I want to know why, what’s behind it? Fair play though I got carried away mentioning NR.

Just to remind that Barry Fry gave Stan time off to attend to his sister who was dying of cancer.

 

[Mad Cyril]

Then the best answer would be for him to be out on the field and winning fans back over with performance.

Isn't that - metaphorically speaking - exactly what any employee would be expected to do once they've had a dressing down from their boss?

No, I'd do the bastards motor.

 

[kentblues]

I don't think they'd have found the body 20 years later..

Yes- probably right and its probably why Keane could never cope with management (particularly at a lower level) :-)

Everyone judges what is professional of course by their own standards, and whilst a level of understanding may be appropriate, what is tolerated professionally often tells you as much about the judger as the judged.

At best his actions are foolhardy in the extreme- you don't put yourself in that environment and amongst those scenes whether in your own time or not. And for heavens sake have a change of clothes. You're right Keane would have exploded and had him with the U18s until his taxi arrived.

 

[Chris Powell's mate]

Lennon lets his hair down shocker! From what I understand, which is no more than anybody else, Lennon had a post match meet with a mate and is a criminal for appearing to enjoy himself? Correct me if I am wrong there.

So the conclusion is he does not give a stuff about his club or us the fans. We know this how? He might have been relieving the pressure valve. He may have felt dreadful about the defeat and his apparent error that led to the goal. Sometimes you have to laugh or you will cry. If he admits to not caring then fair enough but none of us know what goes on in his noddle.

You're serious, right?
Lennon 'had a post match meet with a mate' (Dover players), and is 'appearing to enjoy himself'! What had he got to enjoy?
Yeah, the conclusion is he doesn't give a stuff about the fans, or he wouldn't be there doing that.
What other conclusion faced with the evidence can you draw?
I can think of at least 20 other ways of winding down after a dreadful defeat. As for what goes on his 'noddle' - I doubt it's very much when it comes to thinking ahead.

 

[onceknownasrab]

Wayne Rooney, Hugo Lloris, Darron Gibson, Firmino, Jermaine Pennant, Tony Adams? All done for drink driving. Sacked by the clubs? No. Richard Keogh anyone?

They could all be accused of embarrassing their clubs and being very poor role models. I suppose their stature in the game makes anything forgivable.

Lennons action may have appeared insensitive, unwittingly or otherwise, but in the grand scheme of things I doubt it was anything more than a blooper. I bet there are a lot of footballers having a sherbet after a game.

Lennon is still relatively young and has played precious few more league games than Elvis. He is still learning, has been hampered by injury and is playing in a very disjointed team. Cut him some slack.

 

[Tombstone Blues]

A few years ago, I was managing at non league level and we took an extremely heavy beating in our Boxing Day local derby.

As is usual with non league, as manager, I ended up having to clear up long after players had showered picked up their bags and were either on their way home or in the bar for their first pint. Once I’d sorted the kit and got the equipment loaded up I couldn’t physically face going in the bar. I was embarrassed but I was also tired and just wanted to get home to family and enjoy Boxing Day dinner......

The oppositions coach / assistant (who I never liked) took to social media to accuse me of disrespect and lack of character for failing to show my face in the bar afterwards....

My point is no one really understands what goes on in people’s heads. No one knows their reasons or their situations. And ultimately quite often you’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t.....

Has anyone ever been to a funeral wake and ended up ****ed laughing your face off? Did it mean you didn’t care or didn’t love the person you’re mourning?

For Harry we have to consider a few things first.....

We don’t actually know that he was ****ed or even drinking.....

Maybe it was a pre arranged meet that he planned on attending in celebration and felt it was only right that he attended despite losing.....

Maybe he was in his tracksuit because he had no intention on staying long or partaking but had literally shown his face out of respect for friends / family / fans that knew he would be attending.....

Maybe not going would’ve resulted in similar reaction from the other 50% of people for being a sore loser, a let down, someone who promised he’d attend and meet fans and families but didn’t show just because he’d lost a game of football....

Maybe he was having a quiet pint with a mate or his dad and several fans rolled in already ****ed and took over.....maybe not getting up and saying hello would’ve seen a situation turn unsavoury.....

Football fans are a disgrace sometimes....they feel they have the right to interrupt private moments, the right to engage players or their families for adulation or abuse at any given time and players or their families may just have to roll along with it to avoid problems.....

My point is we simply don’t know.....

What I would say is he’s probably....we don't know....but he is probably been guilty of being a bit stupid.

Being in a position where anything can be misinterpreted is naive at best and plain idiotic at worst....but he’s committed no crime. He hasn't been in breach of any contractual obligations.

He hasn’t actually done anything wrong other than be involved in a situation that is getting up people’s noses who are fed up and ****ed off and looking for reasons to vent and looking for people to blame.....

I saw plenty of supporters who were so distraught and so upset and so fed up and so down in the dumps and so angry after the game Sunday....they couldn’t even wait til the end of the game to get into the pub and throw another beer down their necks......surely they should’ve gone straight home and sulked all day?

I wasn’t going to say this as I was so upset with what I saw in the ground Sunday I’m not sure what I’d have said......but as I walked back to my car I saw a group of fans that were so distraught and traumatised with what they saw they needed to abuse Isaac Hutchinson’s family as they got back to their car....I’m ashamed to say I walked on....there were police present and I would’ve been arrested for certain.....

I’d say as fans let’s not be too judgemental of players personal lives eh.....glass houses and all that....

 

[Mad Cyril]

Imagine what Roy Keane would have done the next day in training if this was a Man Utd player back in the day in a similar situation?

I'd rather watch non league football than have characters like John Terry and Roy Keane deciding they know what is best for the team.