No, you are right. I represent you so you should see what we said, even if things have moved on. So with a HEAVY HEALTH WARNING, the minutes are below. Please remember we held this meeting before any announcements on Season Tickets, Return Dates were made, before any further Covid restrictions were introduced. Before issues with shirts became apparent and before our day in court!
Southend United Liaison Group Meeting
Welcome to Edan from the Custardsplat and Jim from the Exiles
A bit disappointed that we were limited to two options for the refunds on last season’s tickets. There was significant disappointment and anger from some fans. This was listened to by the club, on the back of representations from supporter groups and individuals.
Steps are being taken to ensure supporter’s safety under the Covid protocols. The EFL have to approve any match day arrangements (including behind closed doors). The situation is every changing but action is being take to ascertain what can be opened, what cannot be opened, what social distances measures are required amongst other things. There is a lot of collaborative work being undertaken simply to calculate the capacity. It is possible that a limited amount of fans may be allowed in for the EFL Trophy game vs Portsmouth with the potential that fans may be allowed to be in for Exeter.
The concourse space at Roots Hall provide significant challenges, and it has not been decided whether these will be open as it may limit capacity in the ground. That means, potentially no bar sales, no food but toilets will need to be opened with social distance measures in place. Other options are being explored, but probably wouldn’t be ready for October.
Players are being regularly tested.
Season tickets are incredibly complex due to social distancing and decisions are still being made. This is further complicated by the requirement to send ifollow codes out ahead of the Harrogate game and this is a manual process. Season tickets will go on sale Tuesday and the North Bank will be available for home fans, but this means there will be no away fans for the time being. Tickets will be only be sold in the Ticket Office or over the phone, as the seating arrangements wont be compatible with the ticketing system.
There is no hard and fast rules over away fans, the matter will be down to the home club. There is some guidance around away fans, and the difficulties everyone faces getting fans back into ground. We also have to be mindful that local lockdowns will have an effect. SGSA website has lots of helpful information. The situation remains very volatile and rules.
Police are planning the season as it was a normal season, but everything depends on guidance, test events and the like. Continue to work with the club, local authority and local businesses to ensure safety. There will be a significant difference to the match day experience, especially around pubs and other local businesses where fans congregate.
Seven Barnsley fans have been in court over the incidents back in March 2019 at Roots Hall.
Club shop is due to open fairly soon, Monday 14th is the likely date. This has no bearings on the dispatching of shirts, which will be done from the Hummell Distribution Centre.
The shirts have gone down very well, with pretty much positive comments all around.
The Winding Up order is due 16th September.
The new manager seems to have a really good outlook and has been looking at improving equipment and is making efforts to know his players and the people within the club. He has a different outlook than previous managers.
A meeting will be arranged very soon after fans are allowed back, specifically to discuss if there any issues. Further meeting in the middle November.
