Shrimperstrust
Supporting SUFC
Time for reflection?
The Shrimpers Trust Board
Since our last Trust statement on 3rd October, things have moved on in many areas in relation to Southend United and its future and thus we felt it would be useful to update our position to our members and the fan community.
The Shrimpers Trust continues to hold Ron Martin responsible for the slow painful decline of OUR football club. Despite the recent departures and arrivals, we will not forget the position that Ron has put the football club in until we have a sustainable, stable club which operates at a standard we deserve. Could this change happen under Ron Martin? Possibly, but unlikely without a radical change of governance.
The vote of no confidence results echoes our sentiments with 95% (1811 votes) having no confidence in the chairman running our football club, he must take note that the fans are the football club with, or without him.
Our fans have made their voices heard over recent games and it's clear to the Trust we are now entering the most important period in the club's history starting with the right appointment of the club's new management team following the departure of Phil Brown and Craig Fagan, coupled with Ricky Duncan moving back to a sole Youth Academy role. We understand (from a post from Stan on Shrimperzone) that at this stage, the selection process for the new management team will be carried out by Stan Collymore, Tom Lawrence, Ron Martin and Gary Lockett. We cannot stress the importance of this appointment enough ... no pressure!
That brings us to Stan.
Stan spoke out during the defeat to Chesterfield and offered an alternative route for the progression of the club. We were invited to a supporters group zoom call on 10th October, which we were very pleased to attend and observe. The session was essentially, in our view, an open job interview to Ron Martin but Stan's passion and love for the club was clear for all to see. We were very disappointed when Stan walked away in the close season. Southend fans are desperate for a hero, we would like to go on record by saying that our board is in support of Stan's proposition to move the football club forward.
To protest or not to protest? On the call with Stan, he also called for a ceasefire on the protests, conversely, we understand the passion in our fan base and the need to protest to make feelings known, which is of course the right of all. The atmosphere around Roots Hall is toxic and the Trust now urges our fans to create the best possible matchday environment for the new management to prosper and deliver improved performance. This is not letting Ron Martin off the hook; this is giving Southend United the best possible chances to survive this season. Do we really want to be part of the problem?
Finally, as promised on the recent Zoom call, the council will review the planning application for Fossetts Farm on the 25th October. This is a key milestone in the development of the new stadium but also Ron Martin's ownership of the football club. It is unlikely that Ron will leave until he (or his family trust) has secured his pot of gold or he has realised it isn't going to materialise. Roots Hall is falling apart and it's difficult to imagine a successful club thriving at Roots Hall, however, we are also unclear as to how the new stadium will be a financial benefit to Southend United. The Trust are waiting on feedback from Tom and Ron as to realistic projected income streams from the new stadium. A commitment was made to provide this information on our latest Zoom call and we will continue to push for clarity on these points. The meeting at the Civic Centre brings us one step closer to understanding how Ron will ultimately leave the football club.
We remain unified with the other supporter groups in fighting for the future of OUR club.
The Shrimpers Trust continues to hold Ron Martin responsible for the slow painful decline of OUR football club. Despite the recent departures and arrivals, we will not forget the position that Ron has put the football club in until we have a sustainable, stable club which operates at a standard we deserve. Could this change happen under Ron Martin? Possibly, but unlikely without a radical change of governance.
The vote of no confidence results echoes our sentiments with 95% (1811 votes) having no confidence in the chairman running our football club, he must take note that the fans are the football club with, or without him.
Our fans have made their voices heard over recent games and it's clear to the Trust we are now entering the most important period in the club's history starting with the right appointment of the club's new management team following the departure of Phil Brown and Craig Fagan, coupled with Ricky Duncan moving back to a sole Youth Academy role. We understand (from a post from Stan on Shrimperzone) that at this stage, the selection process for the new management team will be carried out by Stan Collymore, Tom Lawrence, Ron Martin and Gary Lockett. We cannot stress the importance of this appointment enough ... no pressure!
That brings us to Stan.
Stan spoke out during the defeat to Chesterfield and offered an alternative route for the progression of the club. We were invited to a supporters group zoom call on 10th October, which we were very pleased to attend and observe. The session was essentially, in our view, an open job interview to Ron Martin but Stan's passion and love for the club was clear for all to see. We were very disappointed when Stan walked away in the close season. Southend fans are desperate for a hero, we would like to go on record by saying that our board is in support of Stan's proposition to move the football club forward.
To protest or not to protest? On the call with Stan, he also called for a ceasefire on the protests, conversely, we understand the passion in our fan base and the need to protest to make feelings known, which is of course the right of all. The atmosphere around Roots Hall is toxic and the Trust now urges our fans to create the best possible matchday environment for the new management to prosper and deliver improved performance. This is not letting Ron Martin off the hook; this is giving Southend United the best possible chances to survive this season. Do we really want to be part of the problem?
Finally, as promised on the recent Zoom call, the council will review the planning application for Fossetts Farm on the 25th October. This is a key milestone in the development of the new stadium but also Ron Martin's ownership of the football club. It is unlikely that Ron will leave until he (or his family trust) has secured his pot of gold or he has realised it isn't going to materialise. Roots Hall is falling apart and it's difficult to imagine a successful club thriving at Roots Hall, however, we are also unclear as to how the new stadium will be a financial benefit to Southend United. The Trust are waiting on feedback from Tom and Ron as to realistic projected income streams from the new stadium. A commitment was made to provide this information on our latest Zoom call and we will continue to push for clarity on these points. The meeting at the Civic Centre brings us one step closer to understanding how Ron will ultimately leave the football club.
We remain unified with the other supporter groups in fighting for the future of OUR club.
The Shrimpers Trust Board
