Supporters Group News New Group Statement 28/02/23

[RHB]

VNL insider is not only a parody account, but is one of the Daggers fan who desperately tried to forge a rivalry between us and them.

Don’t bite.

I think it is also possible he was the one that broke the Lopata signing interest to Chesterfield fans.

 

[Danshrimper]

Why can’t we attract infrastructure that is heavily subsidised. Good on them for running a successful business and attracting inward investment. You have successfully highlighted how SUFC has been run into the ground and we can’t keep up with clubs with 1k gates. That is a reflection on the owner

What you are getting frustrated about is a football club having money making facilities that we don’t.

Boreham Wood are funded by Arsenal because Arsenal Women play there. How many Premier League clubs do you see around Essex that we could attract the same arrangement from?

The sorry state of Roots Hall and the fact we can’t make money from it is absolutely a reflection of an owner. Doesn’t mean we can compare ourselves to a small club getting funded by a massive Premier League club which has its training ground 15 minutes away. We need a new owner, not to be funded by a (non-existent) local Premier League club like Boreham Wood.

 

[hlane17]

In fairness, my mate sent it to me and knew it was garbage. Just made me giggle because how everything else has gone, it's the kind of thing you couldn't rule out.

To be fair, nothing would surprise me anymore

 

[londonblue]

Boreham Wood are funded by Arsenal because Arsenal Women play there. How many Premier League clubs do you see around Essex that we could attract the same arrangement from?

The sorry state of Roots Hall and the fact we can’t make money from it is absolutely a reflection of an owner. Doesn’t mean we can compare ourselves to a small club getting funded by a massive Premier League club which has its training ground 15 minutes away. We need a new owner, not to be funded by a (non-existent) local Premier League club like Boreham Wood.

And their 23s. That's why the pitch is so good.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Jack Martin is the only director of RH Ltd, I do agree though RM has run out of ways to get money club wise and will be heavily relying on others when it comes to any work on FF.

He thinks he is doing us a big favour keeping us barely going,he isnt doing it for us it's for him, he has no choice.

Whilst not formally appointed, Ron Martin is likely to be a Shadow Director.

Companies Act 2006

An Act to reform company law and restate the greater part of the enactments relating to companies; to make other provision relating to companies and other forms of business organisation; to make provision about directors' disqualification, business names, auditors and actuaries; to amend Part 9...

www.legislation.gov.uk

 

[Cricko]

Whilst not formally appointed, Ron Martin is likely to be a Shadow Director.

Companies Act 2006

An Act to reform company law and restate the greater part of the enactments relating to companies; to make other provision relating to companies and other forms of business organisation; to make provision about directors' disqualification, business names, auditors and actuaries; to amend Part 9...

www.legislation.gov.uk

 

[LBBlue]

Whilst not formally appointed, Ron Martin is likely to be a Shadow Director.

Companies Act 2006

An Act to reform company law and restate the greater part of the enactments relating to companies; to make other provision relating to companies and other forms of business organisation; to make provision about directors' disqualification, business names, auditors and actuaries; to amend Part 9...

www.legislation.gov.uk

Or maybe he says “do as I say son, or you won’t be allowed to play on your X-Box “

 

[Blue43]

I just don’t see the benefit of trying to work with Ron Martin anymore. How can you work with someone who refuses to communicate anyway? And when he does communicate he just lies to try and take the heat off him.

In the last 3 years we have been under a transfer embargo for more than half that time, completely hampering our transfer business.

We have had close to 20 winding up petitions in as many years, an absolutely staggering amount and no other club even comes close to us in having as many winding up petitions as us.

The most recent petition has been paid but yet we still find ourselves under an embargo and staff and creditors have still not paid. Staff have been part paid.

We have now found out that Ron owes a law firm £200,000 and is being sued. How many other creditors will probably follow in the coming months through unpaid invoices?

We now have the worst reputation in football where, quite simply players just won’t want join next season and therefore I refuse to renew my season cards for myself and family to watch a team that has every possibility of being made of the youth team next season
and players that will only join us as they can’t find another club to join. Plus I’m not giving that man anymore of my money when it’s not being invested into the club anymore.

I’m in my late 40’s, I have a good career and have a family, so probably don’t fit the typical demographic that some fans seem to think make up the majority of any protestors but I will support them protestors and a boycott of season cards as the time for talking has long past.

I have sat and watched through zoom meeting after zoom meeting, statements from the Trusts and I ask myself, has the situation improved at all? No, it’s got a lot worse. The club won’t even communicate any more with supporters groups and when they do we get next to no information at all. It’s an absolute disgraceful way to treat paying fans who without us there wouldn’t be a SUFC.

If the Trust wish to carry on with this approach, then that’s up to them but what happens in 6-12 months time when things have got even worse and we’re facing a battle to stay in the NL. That’s even if the NL accept our membership for next season given the winding up orders and staff wages.

Don’t think for one minute that any of this isn’t a real possibility in the coming months.

I’m sure many fans thought, great he’s secured the bridging loan, paid off HMRC and the worst is now behind us, let’s get moving forward.

Well how’s that working out currently?
Why haven’t all staff been paid?
Why are we still under an embargo?
Why have no creditors been paid?

And how can we forget Ron’s treatment of the players. “You won’t get paid yet, but don’t dare go against me as you’ll lose”

Do you think if he doesn’t give a **** about his players and staff he really cares about us fans. No.

Kacper had finally had enough and as soon as the seasons over, other players and probably the management will follow him out the door and I wouldn’t blame any one of them one bit.

 

[danbowen]

I just don’t see the benefit of trying to work with Ron Martin anymore. How can you work with someone who refuses to communicate anyway? And when he does communicate he just lies to try and take the heat off him.

In the last 3 years we have been under a transfer embargo for more than half that time, completely hampering our transfer business.

We have had close to 20 winding up petitions in as many years, an absolutely staggering amount and no other club even comes close to us in having as many winding up petitions as us.


The most recent petition has been paid but yet we still find ourselves under an embargo and staff and creditors have still not paid. Staff have been part paid.

We have now found out that Ron owes a law firm £200,000 and is being sued. How many other creditors will probably follow in the coming months through unpaid invoices.

We now have the worst reputation in football where, quite simply players just won’t want join next season and therefore I refuse to renew my season cards for myself and family to watch a team that has every possibility of being made of the youth team next season
and players that will only join us as they can’t find another club to join. Plus I’m not giving that man anymore of my money when it’s not being invested into the club anymore.

I’m in my late 40’s, I have a good career and have a family, so probably don’t fit the typical demographic that some fans seem to think make up the majority of any protestors but I will support them protestors and a boycott of season cards as the time for talking has long past.

I have sat and watched through zoom meeting after zoom meeting, statements from the Trusts and I ask myself, has the situation improved at all? No, it’s got a lot worse. The club won’t even communicate any more with supporters groups and when they do we get next to no information at all. It’s an absolute disgraceful way to treat paying fans who without us there wouldn’t be a SUFC.

If the Trust wish to carry on with this approach, then that’s up to them but what happens in 6-12 months time when things have got even worse and we’re facing a battle to stay in the NL. That’s even if the NL accept our membership for next season given the winding up orders and staff wages.

Don’t think for one minute that any of this isn’t a real possibility in the coming months.

I’m sure many fans thought, great he’s secured the bridging loan, paid off HMRC and the worst is now behind us, let’s get moving forward.

Well how’s that working out currently?
Why haven’t all staff been paid?
Why are we still under an embargo?
Why have no creditors been paid?

And how can we forget Ron’s treatment of the players. “You won’t get paid yet, but don’t dare go against me as you’ll lose”

Do you think if he doesn’t give a **** about his players and staff he really cares about us fans. No.

Kacper had finally had enough and as soon as the seasons over, other players and probably the management will follow him out the door and I wouldn’t blame any one of them one bit.

I think most people will agree with most of what you said however please can you confirm what you have done so far to try and make a change and what you want to do? its just the same negative posts every time and not a single thing in your messages ever give ideas of what can be done.

 

[Blue43]

I think most people will agree with most of what you said however please can you confirm what you have done so far to try and make a change and what you want to do? its just the same negative posts every time and not a single thing in your messages ever give ideas of what can be done.

You clearly haven’t read my previous posts then have you, where I have suggested a mass boycott of season cards and also for every group to come together to organise protests on a much larger scale. Just like the May 21 and Chesterfield protests, which no matter what some might say worked and resulted in changes happening.

But it needs to be everyone pulling in the same direction. Just myself, kids and a few who I know boycotting won’t work.

Until more fans and the Trust realise this then things will just carry on getting a lot worse yet.

 

[danbowen]

You clearly haven’t read my previous posts then have you, where I have suggested a mass boycott of season cards and also for every group to come together to organise protests on a much larger scale. Just like the May 21 and Chesterfield protests, which no matter what some might say worked and resulted in changes happening.

But it needs to be everyone pulling in the same direction. Just myself, kids and a few who I know boycotting won’t work.

Until more fans and the Trust realise this then things will just carry on getting a lot worse yet.

The issue with the protests are word gets out that some people are talking about causing trouble and people dont want to be associated by that. Same reason I think that the trust distance themselves at times from the other groups. Also have the protests realistically had a positive impact in any way? Ron still not engaging, club not engaging and even the press seem to have gone quiet on our situation since HMRC has been paid. Thats not a dig at anyone who does protest but realistically questions need to be answered as to whether this is working and effective? The only place you see about it is really on the Echo or CP tweeting it occasionally.

Pretty sure boycotting the season cards started with someone else but if you are on the same page great but I am not sure that actually hurts Ron and will simply try and turn blame on the fans again. Can see why its being discussed though and the thought process behind it.

 

[kentblues]

Season card boycott- won't make Ron do anything different, will he put more money in to cover the shortfall- not a chance, it will just mean less money and a nightmare for Tom, Kev at al., and make it more likely people don't get paid (I should say even more likely)...
Chesterfield style protest on the pitch - no thanks. Again Ron won't care, he wont be there. The people most harmed will be those who go on the pitch and potentially, again, Tom & Kev et al according to what outcomes follow. BTW if you support this option then please then at least confirm its something you yourself will be doing- expecting others to do it for you and sitting in the stands and watching others take the consequences is not a good look..

My personal opinion is what ever we do should be co-ordinated through the ST as they represent over 1300 fans. Other groups going off and doing their own thing divides rather than brings together. And this helps Ron.

Once again I want Ron to sell up and us to get the right owner (although we don't get to choose who). I like many (but not all) think this wont happen until the stadium is built. Great if before but tbh I just don't see it.

If there are protests co-ordinated with ST then that carries real weight as that carries the membership with it. But those protests will then also reflect what the membership are likely to support (which won't be enough for some but this doesn't make it wrong)...

 

[8]

The issue with the protests are word gets out that some people are talking about causing trouble and people dont want to be associated by that. Same reason I think that the trust distance themselves at times from the other groups. Also have the protests realistically had a positive impact in any way? Ron still not engaging, club not engaging and even the press seem to have gone quiet on our situation since HMRC has been paid. Thats not a dig at anyone who does protest but realistically questions need to be answered as to whether this is working and effective? The only place you see about it is really on the Echo or CP tweeting it occasionally.

Pretty sure boycotting the season cards started with someone else but if you are on the same page great but I am not sure that actually hurts Ron and will simply try and turn blame on the fans again. Can see why its being discussed though and the thought process behind it.

Let him blame the fans. It won't bother me. We all know who and what the real reason is and the fact that he is an out and out liar.

 

[Blue43]

The issue with the protests are word gets out that some people are talking about causing trouble and people dont want to be associated by that. Same reason I think that the trust distance themselves at times from the other groups. Also have the protests realistically had a positive impact in any way? Ron still not engaging, club not engaging and even the press seem to have gone quiet on our situation since HMRC has been paid. Thats not a dig at anyone who does protest but realistically questions need to be answered as to whether this is working and effective? The only place you see about it is really on the Echo or CP tweeting it occasionally.

Pretty sure boycotting the season cards started with someone else but if you are on the same page great but I am not sure that actually hurts Ron and will simply try and turn blame on the fans again. Can see why its being discussed though and the thought process behind it.

I would strongly argue that the protests did make a difference, a lot more anyway than what trying to just talk with Ron and have zoom meetings discussing the same things time and time again has done.

Both protests helped bring about change, with Ron employing Tom and Stan getting a lot more involved after the Chesterfield game.

This resulted in a huge improvement on the recruitment front which has resulted in dramatic improvements on the pitch. Stan and Tom were also responsible for bring the 3 amigos to the club.

Before anyone says that Ron was already looking to bring Tom in and the protests didn’t achieve this, then I would strongly argue they were a contributing factor in putting the pressure on Ron to get in help.

We all know Ron hates protests and negative publicity, so that should be exploited to a maximum effect. Does he deserve anything less for how he is treating his staff and fans? Definitely not.

I never claimed to say it was my idea to boycott, can’t remember whose idea it was, but I’m saying I’ll 100% support it.


If the protests were backed by all supporters groups and it was done within the laws and peacefully then no fan should worry about turning up and supporting it, but can’t see that happening anytime soon seeing as though one of the trust board members in the most recent zoom meeting the other week said he wouldn’t attend and support it so guess we know their real stance on protests, despite them saying they don’t appose them, which I found a bit contradictory.

Like it not, protests and boycotts would be our best chance of change. Having weekly zoom meetings about the same things and continually saying Ron isn’t a fit and proper owner WON’T change anything.

 

[Alexshrimper]

I just don’t see the benefit of trying to work with Ron Martin anymore. How can you work with someone who refuses to communicate anyway? And when he does communicate he just lies to try and take the heat off him.

In the last 3 years we have been under a transfer embargo for more than half that time, completely hampering our transfer business.

We have had close to 20 winding up petitions in as many years, an absolutely staggering amount and no other club even comes close to us in having as many winding up petitions as us.


The most recent petition has been paid but yet we still find ourselves under an embargo and staff and creditors have still not paid. Staff have been part paid.

We have now found out that Ron owes a law firm £200,000 and is being sued. How many other creditors will probably follow in the coming months through unpaid invoices.

We now have the worst reputation in football where, quite simply players just won’t want join next season and therefore I refuse to renew my season cards for myself and family to watch a team that has every possibility of being made of the youth team next season
and players that will only join us as they can’t find another club to join. Plus I’m not giving that man anymore of my money when it’s not being invested into the club anymore.

I’m in my late 40’s, I have a good career and have a family, so probably don’t fit the typical demographic that some fans seem to think make up the majority of any protestors but I will support them protestors and a boycott of season cards as the time for talking has long past.

I have sat and watched through zoom meeting after zoom meeting, statements from the Trusts and I ask myself, has the situation improved at all? No, it’s got a lot worse. The club won’t even communicate any more with supporters groups and when they do we get next to no information at all. It’s an absolute disgraceful way to treat paying fans who without us there wouldn’t be a SUFC.

If the Trust wish to carry on with this approach, then that’s up to them but what happens in 6-12 months time when things have got even worse and we’re facing a battle to stay in the NL. That’s even if the NL accept our membership for next season given the winding up orders and staff wages.

Don’t think for one minute that any of this isn’t a real possibility in the coming months.

I’m sure many fans thought, great he’s secured the bridging loan, paid off HMRC and the worst is now behind us, let’s get moving forward.

Well how’s that working out currently?
Why haven’t all staff been paid?
Why are we still under an embargo?
Why have no creditors been paid?

And how can we forget Ron’s treatment of the players. “You won’t get paid yet, but don’t dare go against me as you’ll lose”

Do you think if he doesn’t give a **** about his players and staff he really cares about us fans. No.

Kacper had finally had enough and as soon as the seasons over, other players and probably the management will follow him out the door and I wouldn’t blame any one of them one bit.

Great post

 

[danbowen]

I would strongly argue that the protests did make a difference, a lot more than trying to just talk with Ron and have zoom meetings discussing the same things time and time again.

Both protests helped bring about change, with Ron employing Tom and Stan getting a lot more involved after the Chesterfield game.

This resulted in a huge improvement on the recruitment front which has resulted in dramatic improvements on the pitch. Stan and Tom were also responsible for bring the 3 amigos to the club.

Before anyone says that Ron was already looking to bring Tom in and the protests didn’t achieve this, then I would strongly argue they were a contributing factor in putting the pressure on Ron to get in help.

We all know Ron hates protests and negative publicity, so that should be exploited to a maximum effect. Does he deserve anything less for how he is treating his staff and fans? Definitely not.

I never claimed to say it was my idea to boycott, can’t remember whose idea it was, but I’m saying I’ll 100% support it.


If the protests were backed by all supporters groups and it was done within the laws and peacefully then no fan should worry about turning up and supporting it, but can’t see that happening anytime soon seeing as though one of the trust board members in the most recent zoom meeting the other week said he wouldn’t attend and support it so guess we know their real stance on protests, despite them saying they don’t appose them, which I found a bit contradictory.

Like it not, protests and boycotts would be our best chance of change. Having weekly zoom meetings about the same things and continually saying Ron isn’t a fit and proper owner WON’T change anything.

I am not talking about protests in previous years. I am specifically talking about the ones over the last 4 months. What has changed off of the back of these ones? Even after all the negativity around everything it still isn't bringing Ron to the table and doesn't look like doing so anytime soon either. I get where you are coming from saying protests and boycotts will be the best chance of a change however the evidence is not there to support this currently as the protests this time simply do not appear to be doing anything at all in terms of getting the club or Ron to engage.

Doing the same thing over and over again is a sign of insanity. New ideas and a new approach are needed to try and get the cretin to engage with the fans as a bare minimum.

 

[Blue43]

I am not talking about protests in previous years. I am specifically talking about the ones over the last 4 months. What has changed off of the back of these ones? Even after all the negativity around everything it still isn't bringing Ron to the table and doesn't look like doing so anytime soon either. I get where you are coming from saying protests and boycotts will be the best chance of a change however the evidence is not there to support this currently as the protests this time simply do not appear to be doing anything at all in terms of getting the club or Ron to engage.

Doing the same thing over and over again is a sign of insanity. New ideas and a new approach are needed to try and get the cretin to engage with the fans as a bare minimum.

The protests over the last 4 months that have gained nationwide TV and press coverage you mean?

It’s certainly helped bring our financial problems to light now across the country, but until all fans and some groups fully back and join any protests then they won’t have the full desired effect, so very little will change.

But if you had thousands marching through the high street to the ground every other week and then turning up at RH but not going into the stadium, then that sort of publicity is on another level.

 

[Rayleigh boy]

the most important thing is having a credible functioning alternative organisation to the current owner.

We need a supporters group that can say to the courts, to the NL, to the FA to the council, the current owner is a grifter - deal with us.

Until we get off our knees and get organised people who want to help SUFC have no-one to deal with.

You need a few good men to step forward - form a commitee or action group - get a constitution drawn up and start getting our sh+t together.

Then we can call upon the fans to take action... and then we can get our club back.

 

[Paulie Walnuts]

I would strongly argue that the protests did make a difference, a lot more than trying to just talk with Ron and have zoom meetings discussing the same things time and time again.

Both protests helped bring about change, with Ron employing Tom and Stan getting a lot more involved after the Chesterfield game.

This resulted in a huge improvement on the recruitment front which has resulted in dramatic improvements on the pitch. Stan and Tom were also responsible for bring the 3 amigos to the club.

Before anyone says that Ron was already looking to bring Tom in and the protests didn’t achieve this, then I would strongly argue they were a contributing factor in putting the pressure on Ron to get in help.

We all know Ron hates protests and negative publicity, so that should be exploited to a maximum effect. Does he deserve anything less for how he is treating his staff and fans? Definitely not.

I never claimed to say it was my idea to boycott, can’t remember whose idea it was, but I’m saying I’ll 100% support it.


If the protests were backed by all supporters groups and it was done within the laws and peacefully then no fan should worry about turning up and supporting it, but can’t see that happening anytime soon seeing as though one of the trust board members in the most recent zoom meeting the other week said he wouldn’t attend and support it so guess we know their real stance on protests, despite them saying they don’t appose them, which I found a bit contradictory.

Like it not, protests and boycotts would be our best chance of change. Having weekly zoom meetings about the same things and continually saying Ron isn’t a fit and proper owner WON’T change anything.

Well said.

 

[getintoem]

In my opinion there has been a change in RM’s attitude and I really don’t think he cares anymore about his public image. He knows his failings are in the public domain now so doesn’t give a damn about protests, particularly as he no longer attends matches. The only thing protests will achieve is keeping the plight of the club on the radar of those that know little or nothing about Southend United which, so long as they are peaceful, is not a bad thing.

The trauma we are experiencing this time is definitely different from all the other times in the past under Martin. Whenever previous crises have occurred, after not too long, he has ultimately made some kind of statement. Usually it would be patronising, reassuring us he would steer the ship into calmer waters, no matter how obvious it was to many of us that the ship was holed and he was trying to fix it with sticking plasters. His silence on this occasion suggests to me he has now even run out of sticking plasters. He simply has no answers, no money to supply and knows that nobody believes a word he says anyway. I have no idea how the Trust or any of the supporters’ groups can get any valid answers from him, short of kidnapping him and tying him to a chair but I think the law might have something to say about that. He has never been a good communicator, but this complete silence feels ominous, the way people behave when they are choosing to ignore impending disaster.

The man obviously gambled on the new training pitches being completed according to the original programme, which would have allowed him to release the B&L site for development bringing him much needed cash in the process. His backup plan was to obtain a bridging loan if completion of the training pitches project was delayed, as indeed it was. Now, for whatever reason, it seems he was unable to land an adequate bridging loan and what has been loaned has not been advanced to him but to his son, according to reports on here. It all suggests RM’s credit rating, the man who placed himself in complete control of our football club, is zero. He has no available capital and has always refused to entertain financial assistance for a share of the spoils. However, survival of our club currently relies upon a regular cash injection, and this is why it feels closer than ever to the end of Southend United’s existence.

Release of B&L will in time certainly provide him with some capital, but it probably will not flow until the current planning application has been approved, for which we understand SCC planners require some further information. As the provision of that information appears to be on the critical path of cash flow, why has it not been submitted? Could it be the consultants that would produce the information have not received their fees? I wouldn’t like to say, but it’s a reasonable supposition as we understand the reason for accounts not being filed is because the accountant’s fees cannot be met.

From the outside, without any official information, it looks as though RM is hamstrung by not having sufficient funds to clear his debts and no capacity to borrow any more, but payment of at least some of his creditors would in all probability allow him to move forward at some point in the future. The problem is nobody knows on what timescale that might be and I cannot at present think of any predicted date he has kept. Meanwhile, there are fixed points in time that things have to happen in the football world and that of HMRC, so timing is of the essence. By not being able to pay HMRC and everyone employed by the football club on the due dates it could be said he has already run out of time, severely damaging working relationships and the club’s reputation in the process. Will personnel move on? Will the club survive and, if so, will it be weaker next season? Will there be another WUP issued by HMRC? Only the coming weeks and months will give us the answers to these I guess but I sincerely hope Martin can now see the absolute shambles he has created and at long last sell up or accept help in the short term to allow him to plan an exit strategy in the near future.