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Stan Latest

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Your update here @StanleyVictorCollymore spells out exactly why there's been an outcry! As fans of this club for years we've been left in the dark...until now! Speaking personally I would employ you purely for the regular and honest updates alone! They for me make you worthy of a position at the club. These updates are not coming from Tom, or Ron they come from you. You offer your email address for us as fans to suggest ideas, not Tom or Ron, yours. You are offering your plan for the future when complete - again, not Tom or Ron, they don't update us, nowhere near as regularly at least.

You say there's no need for this to be a sad or negative thing but for me (and I'm sure I speak for many of us) it would be a HUGE disappointment if you were not employed and continuing to give us an idea what's going on at the club.

We now suddenly feel connected and that now hangs in the balance, it's not so much about you being "the messiah" but if you leave I have 100% confidence the club would not seek someone to replace you. It ends with you.

I completely appreciate you don't need to help us and can walk away without it negatively affecting your life, you've earnt that in your career and deserve that right, but we as fans need you!! Without you were back in the dark with occasional updates from Ron, who many fans do not trust.

I sincerely hope a deal can be made as without your input I don't trust things to continue as positively as they've started.
I agree with this.

Stans updates have made many fans feel valued & included in Southend United once more instead of being fed rare scraps of news once in a blue moon.

I feel Stan very much bridges the gulf between the fans & the club hierarchy.

I fear this link will be lost if a role isn’t agreed for him at our club.

I also feel that having Stan at the club in an official capacity will, for want of a better phrase, keep certain people at the top ‘honest’ & less likely to withhold vital news or information from us or make decisions not in the clubs interest.
 
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Great question!

With a simple answer.

Employ 1 manager ( let's say Harry Redknapp at Pompey who's mantra has always been "if I'm given dough, I'll spend it, my job is to get results, not build a club) on £200 a week.

For that £200 a week you're getting a Jack of all trades and master of one ( 1st team manager).

He buy players
He utilises his contacts (agents)
His only concern is 1st team results


He even wins the FA Cup! Great, fans are happy.


But then the club is saddled with expensive players.

Harry moves on ( "sorry chaps, I've delivered the Cup, didn't say I'd club build or be prudent! Bye!).

The club slides down the divisions.

HMRC get involved.

Administration beckons.

Club nearly dies.


Sound familiar????


Or...


Employ a Head Coach, Assistant Head Coach, First team coach. They just coach, that's what a Pro licence in for. It's not a business degree. It's a coaching degree.

And you employ a Head of Recruitment. Someone who knows the market, can get gems, has a clear plan.

And you employ a good CEO. Someone who won't just give a manager a blank cheque.

And you employ a Head of Football Operations. They bring A class contacts to the table in positions, bring integrity as standard, care enough about the club to not let a promotion or Cup open the cheque book to old, infirm mates of who are 37, and who demand that 2 or 3 people with knowledge check and balance signings, sales for the benefit of the club and only the club.


And lets say those 5 roles cost you £250 per week.


The latter costs £2400 extra a year than Harry.

But you have a club to support that defines success as a steady and accountable trajectory rather than boom and literally bust.


If Southend United ever again, particularly in the position they're in, give any coach absolute power over recruitment of players they are insane.

Checks and balances saves money. And may just save your club.
Would the prospective Head of Recruitment still join the club if you didn't?
 
I seem to remember the interview with Stan on BBC essex after the chesterfield game stating that he would work for free and when viable financially they could sit down and talk about remuneration - i think Ron was probably thinking maybe 6 months down the line when they started seeing the fruits of Stans labour..not a couple of weeks later...

Also listening to Kev Maher interview he said that he asked for Darren Currie and Mark bentley as his team - so did Stan really give the club these other two people or did Kev ask to bring them in?!

a few unclear points for me

whats more on reflection of last nights 2 and a half hours zoom call (which i listened to the whole of it) there were a couple of times where i felt (you may disagree with me on this) where it felt like Stan was running the club and was bringing in Tom as and when it suited Stan - Stan has a very strong personality and i think h may have rubbed TL and RM up slightly the wrong way - Maybe RM thinks that Stan will ant his fingers in every pie and that may scare RM.. i could see a full blown argument between Ron and stan at some point

im not quashing stan, i think some of what he says is GREAT i just wonder hat he wants financially and the roles he plays compared to where TL and Ron see his services and money best spent...
I agree with this completely. Maybe if Stan hadn't said he would work for nothing then Ron wouldn't have taken him at his word.

Stan is a very strong personality, and don't get me wrong sometimes that is needed. When he mentioned that he spoke to Sam Dalby, and Matt Rush during games, and coming on to the pitch when JD was in temporary charge makes you wonder who was asking him to do this? Probably no one, and his enthusiasm cannot be questioned, but it may feel like to some (i.e Ron) that he is taking over somewhat.
 
Great question!

With a simple answer.

Employ 1 manager ( let's say Harry Redknapp at Pompey who's mantra has always been "if I'm given dough, I'll spend it, my job is to get results, not build a club) on £200 a week.

For that £200 a week you're getting a Jack of all trades and master of one ( 1st team manager).

He buy players
He utilises his contacts (agents)
His only concern is 1st team results


He even wins the FA Cup! Great, fans are happy.


But then the club is saddled with expensive players.

Harry moves on ( "sorry chaps, I've delivered the Cup, didn't say I'd club build or be prudent! Bye!).

The club slides down the divisions.

HMRC get involved.

Administration beckons.

Club nearly dies.


Sound familiar????


Or...


Employ a Head Coach, Assistant Head Coach, First team coach. They just coach, that's what a Pro licence in for. It's not a business degree. It's a coaching degree.

And you employ a Head of Recruitment. Someone who knows the market, can get gems, has a clear plan.

And you employ a good CEO. Someone who won't just give a manager a blank cheque.

And you employ a Head of Football Operations. They bring A class contacts to the table in positions, bring integrity as standard, care enough about the club to not let a promotion or Cup open the cheque book to buy expensive mates or pals of the manager or an agent he knows, who demands that 2 or 3 people with knowledge check and balance signings and sales for the benefit of the club and only the club.


And lets say those 5 roles cost you £250 per week.


The latter costs £2400 extra a year than Harry.

But you have a club to support that defines success as a steady and accountable trajectory rather than boom and literally bust.


If Southend United ever again, particularly in the position they're in, give any coach absolute power over recruitment of players they are insane.

Checks and balances saves money. And may just save your club.
I remember that year, as my Pompey mate had to watch in horror as his team goes from winning the FA Cup in 2008 to on brink of the Conference until they got dragged up to a bottom half finish in their first season of League 2!
 
Totally unsurprising twist in events, even though it seemed it was nailed on in the zoom call...just had a feeling this would happen today when it got down the nuts and bolts.
 
Hey TheBeard

I haven't taken one penny from Southend United since the first informal involvement in May.

In that time I took a CEO to the club, got 18 coaching and recruitment candidates around a table and 3 excellent coaches have been given jobs after an incredible amount of work.

They are two tangible deliveries which everyone I'd hope can acknowledge that were driven by a structure, a structure set out in a Zoom call on May 10th. So I'd ask every Southend United fan one question...

Before May 10th, who, why, where and what was the plan? The plan was Phil Brown, Ricky Duncan and Ron trusting their judgment.

No CEO, no forward planning, Ron justifiably spending time on FF, trusting others to do a job of work. For pay.

So compare my "work" for free ( I told Tom today I want nothing, nada, zero, zilch for anything I've done so far, but put it in a deal moving forward. Fair? I think so) to others work for money. And then ask yourself where the value is.

If anyone at the club, any supporter or watcher from afar can point to any evidence that a competent CEO, an owner comfortable now with his role , 3 young coaches fully vetted would be a reality even weeks ago most would have said this was a pipe dream. And I helped deliver that, and some clarity and some reasoning and some positive hope. All good things that will serve the club well.

But I'm not a trialist.
I'm not in need.
I don't have to prove anything.

So an offer of free help, while valid up to today ( I will not put a petrol chit, nor train ticket nor take one penny to date because that's what I promised) isn't valid beyond today. And that's not an issue at the club because today was to discuss roles, responsibilities and a deal that only values me for what I can deliver, in line with club budgets and trust me, for what I'm delivering is fantastic value.


But again, I'm not a trialist.
I'm not in need.
I don't have to prove anything.


I'm surprised at the outcry over what I thought was an update on a positive morning in lieu of another thread on the forum which asked "what time will Stan be confirmed "

I just didn't want anyone to be disappointed if white smoke didn't bellow from Roots Hall, so I thought an honest appraisal of the situation would temper a building "the messiah is here " sentiment that naturally happens when a former favourite comes back but at every step of the way I've been at pains to temper.

Tom will be guided by club finances, his view ( he's the boss! He runs the club, Ron had no involvement today whatsoever other than to say hi when he called Tom during our meeting) of my involvement, roles and responsibilities, then agreeing with them, or not. That's business!

We're actively discussing a position at the club and that position has to be right for the club ( Tom, the boss) and me (giving lots of time that ordinarily I'd be involved in medua projects at home and abroad). There is a will on both sides to do a deal but not at any cost on either side. That again, is business!

When telling you all in 2003 on here I'd always be here to help, I meant it. This year, Southend United has got great input from me, an industry professional of 30 years, 18 candidates lined up within days of a sacking, brought 3 guys together ( don't kid yourself, there was zero chance of this 3 coming together without the process we embarked upon) who'll be great on the coaching pitch, a new CEO who's bossing it and ideas and solutions ranging from supporter engagement to recruitment to scouting and a document robust enough to set out a clear way forward.

If I'm seen as competent enough to be involved in bringing a CEO and 3 young and talented coaching staff to the club, then I'm competent enough to only have the same hoops to jump through as any other employee.

I think that's fair, don't you?
Firstly Stan thank you for everything you have done so far....but I'm sure in the future there will be more.

It's a simple fact is that a club will not exist without it's Supporters and over the last few weeks you have re-energised the majority of us Supporters with your enthusiasm, hardwork and most importantly your open and honest communication. You have given us Supporters renewed belief in the club and we are excited for the new era, starting tomorrow at Daggers.

The way the negativity of us Supporters has swung into such positivity is because of the work YOU have done and is incredible. We have been loyal supporters through these tough times of the last three seasons and we now see hope because of the changes you have facilitated, god bless you.

I am hopefull that your meetings are successfull next week and you get recognised for what you have done for the club and us Supporters. If they are not, a massive thank you for what you have done and you will always be a hero to us at Roots Hall.
 
Firstly Stan thank you for everything you have done so far....but I'm sure in the future there will be more.

It's a simple fact is that a club will not exist without it's Supporters and over the last few weeks you have re-energised the majority of us Supporters with your enthusiasm, hardwork and most importantly your open and honest communication. You have given us Supporters renewed belief in the club and we are excited for the new era, starting tomorrow at Daggers.

The way the negativity of us Supporters has swung into such positivity is because of the work YOU have done and is incredible. We have been loyal supporters through these tough times of the last three seasons and we now see hope because of the changes you have facilitated, god bless you.

I am hopefull that your meetings are successfull next week and you get recognised for what you have done for the club and us Supporters. If they are not, a massive thank you for what you have done and you will always be a hero to us at Roots Hall.
????
 
There’s rent and management charges. There’s a net inflow but that doesn’t mean no cash flows out. It’s also worth reiterating that every time cash comes in from Ron’s companies that creates a debt the club has to pay back to Ron’s companies. Ron said he’ll write it off but we only have his word for that and your value on that may differ from most.

Management tiers. Get the structure right or we’ll be doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past.
We haven’t lacked signings in recent years - we must have made close to 50 signings over the last couple of years - but how many of them have been good signings?
Whether it all gets written off is frankly something that we wont get any consensus or certainty on until either it happens or doesn't regrettably. So I agree. But at least we also agree that the net net is cash is flowing IN from Ron not OUT. I know its stating the obvious, but there are a few still who suggest otherwise.

Agree its quality of not lack of signings and that doesn't necessarily mean fees or higher salaries. It means a good recruitment set-up - indeed the structure Stan suggests.
 
FWIW, my take (and I didn't post earlier, because I have just got in from working, for which I have negotiated a contract I am happy with and my employer is happy with too), is that this is an update on a contract between two parties to come to a mutual agreement on the fee one party is prepared to pay and the services of the 2nd party moving forward.

Tom is paid to look after the club finances and Stan has some very obvious assets he can bring to the club. What is being discussed here is the mutual agreement, which may be taking longer than first thought to reach that agreement.

There is obviously a gap to close, but nothing has been said differently, to my reading, than Stan said last night about all the personalities involved.

I hope that the gap can be closed. I would like to think Ron has seen Stan's worth, I am sure he has, he can't be that blind, surely? But business is business. That is what this is hopefully and in business negotiation of gaps is part and parcel of it, but it takes 2 parties and a bit of give and take on both sides to come together and meet agreement.

So Let's not hit the panic button, I am sure this was Stan just letting us know why there isn't a big headline on the Club site yet. With all that has happened and last night's superb Zoom conference, let's keep the positivity, back the team and staff to the max tomorrow, which I presume Stan is still attending as he said he would be in the Zoom meeting last night?

So I ask both parties to close this gap, because there is a massive win at stake for all of us here, which I for one don't want to slip through our fingers and wonder what could have been, when it is so close to a reality!!!.

UTB
 
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People need to stand back a minute and await developments. This is one of the problems with transparency, so public, and possibly premature. So far much of the 'information' is one-sided and aimed at garnering as much support as possible to create as much leverage as possible. I, as many, am pleased with recent appointments and hopeful they will find success for us, but as much as Ron has yielded to populist demands, he doesn't have to do everything others want.

Witch-hunts are generally born out of misinformation and ignorance. You need at least two sides of the problem in order to have half a hope of making a right judgment.
 
Hey TheBeard

I haven't taken one penny from Southend United since the first informal involvement in May.

In that time I took a CEO to the club, got 18 coaching and recruitment candidates around a table and 3 excellent coaches have been given jobs after an incredible amount of work.

They are two tangible deliveries which everyone I'd hope can acknowledge that were driven by a structure, a structure set out in a Zoom call on May 10th. So I'd ask every Southend United fan one question...

Before May 10th, who, why, where and what was the plan? The plan was Phil Brown, Ricky Duncan and Ron trusting their judgment.

No CEO, no forward planning, Ron justifiably spending time on FF, trusting others to do a job of work. For pay.

So compare my "work" for free ( I told Tom today I want nothing, nada, zero, zilch for anything I've done so far, but put it in a deal moving forward. Fair? I think so) to others work for money. And then ask yourself where the value is.

If anyone at the club, any supporter or watcher from afar can point to any evidence that a competent CEO, an owner comfortable now with his role , 3 young coaches fully vetted would be a reality even weeks ago most would have said this was a pipe dream. And I helped deliver that, and some clarity and some reasoning and some positive hope. All good things that will serve the club well.

But I'm not a trialist.
I'm not in need.
I don't have to prove anything.

So an offer of free help, while valid up to today ( I will not put a petrol chit, nor train ticket nor take one penny to date because that's what I promised) isn't valid beyond today. And that's not an issue at the club because today was to discuss roles, responsibilities and a deal that only values me for what I can deliver, in line with club budgets and trust me, for what I'm delivering is fantastic value.


But again, I'm not a trialist.
I'm not in need.
I don't have to prove anything.


I'm surprised at the outcry over what I thought was an update on a positive morning in lieu of another thread on the forum which asked "what time will Stan be confirmed "

I just didn't want anyone to be disappointed if white smoke didn't bellow from Roots Hall, so I thought an honest appraisal of the situation would temper a building "the messiah is here " sentiment that naturally happens when a former favourite comes back but at every step of the way I've been at pains to temper.

Tom will be guided by club finances, his view ( he's the boss! He runs the club, Ron had no involvement today whatsoever other than to say hi when he called Tom during our meeting) of my involvement, roles and responsibilities, then agreeing with them, or not. That's business!

We're actively discussing a position at the club and that position has to be right for the club ( Tom, the boss) and me (giving lots of time that ordinarily I'd be involved in medua projects at home and abroad). There is a will on both sides to do a deal but not at any cost on either side. That again, is business!

When telling you all in 2003 on here I'd always be here to help, I meant it. This year, Southend United has got great input from me, an industry professional of 30 years, 18 candidates lined up within days of a sacking, brought 3 guys together ( don't kid yourself, there was zero chance of this 3 coming together without the process we embarked upon) who'll be great on the coaching pitch, a new CEO who's bossing it and ideas and solutions ranging from supporter engagement to recruitment to scouting and a document robust enough to set out a clear way forward.

If I'm seen as competent enough to be involved in bringing a CEO and 3 young and talented coaching staff to the club, then I'm competent enough to only have the same hoops to jump through as any other employee.

I think that's fair, don't you?
Take the time to sort it out between you and do it right. Of course this is what you are both doing as serious professionals.

Just don't snatch defeat from the jaws of victory!
 
Did you even read Stan's latest update? It would assist if you did I think.
Yep read it thanks….have you been following the Ron Martin actions over the years….hasn’t cared about young players mortgages whilst he has let them down, why would he worry about an ex legend that has got him a decent set up, fans on side all for nothing…..then 24 hours later, pulls the plug on him, watch this space but reading Stans bit from being about to be given the role to miles apart, fancy I might be right and the second hand car dealer has struck again!
 
Hey TheBeard

I haven't taken one penny from Southend United since the first informal involvement in May.

In that time I took a CEO to the club, got 18 coaching and recruitment candidates around a table and 3 excellent coaches have been given jobs after an incredible amount of work.

They are two tangible deliveries which everyone I'd hope can acknowledge that were driven by a structure, a structure set out in a Zoom call on May 10th. So I'd ask every Southend United fan one question...

Before May 10th, who, why, where and what was the plan? The plan was Phil Brown, Ricky Duncan and Ron trusting their judgment.

No CEO, no forward planning, Ron justifiably spending time on FF, trusting others to do a job of work. For pay.

So compare my "work" for free ( I told Tom today I want nothing, nada, zero, zilch for anything I've done so far, but put it in a deal moving forward. Fair? I think so) to others work for money. And then ask yourself where the value is.

If anyone at the club, any supporter or watcher from afar can point to any evidence that a competent CEO, an owner comfortable now with his role , 3 young coaches fully vetted would be a reality even weeks ago most would have said this was a pipe dream. And I helped deliver that, and some clarity and some reasoning and some positive hope. All good things that will serve the club well.

But I'm not a trialist.
I'm not in need.
I don't have to prove anything.

So an offer of free help, while valid up to today ( I will not put a petrol chit, nor train ticket nor take one penny to date because that's what I promised) isn't valid beyond today. And that's not an issue at the club because today was to discuss roles, responsibilities and a deal that only values me for what I can deliver, in line with club budgets and trust me, for what I'm delivering is fantastic value.


But again, I'm not a trialist.
I'm not in need.
I don't have to prove anything.


I'm surprised at the outcry over what I thought was an update on a positive morning in lieu of another thread on the forum which asked "what time will Stan be confirmed "

I just didn't want anyone to be disappointed if white smoke didn't bellow from Roots Hall, so I thought an honest appraisal of the situation would temper a building "the messiah is here " sentiment that naturally happens when a former favourite comes back but at every step of the way I've been at pains to temper.

Tom will be guided by club finances, his view ( he's the boss! He runs the club, Ron had no involvement today whatsoever other than to say hi when he called Tom during our meeting) of my involvement, roles and responsibilities, then agreeing with them, or not. That's business!

We're actively discussing a position at the club and that position has to be right for the club ( Tom, the boss) and me (giving lots of time that ordinarily I'd be involved in medua projects at home and abroad). There is a will on both sides to do a deal but not at any cost on either side. That again, is business!

When telling you all in 2003 on here I'd always be here to help, I meant it. This year, Southend United has got great input from me, an industry professional of 30 years, 18 candidates lined up within days of a sacking, brought 3 guys together ( don't kid yourself, there was zero chance of this 3 coming together without the process we embarked upon) who'll be great on the coaching pitch, a new CEO who's bossing it and ideas and solutions ranging from supporter engagement to recruitment to scouting and a document robust enough to set out a clear way forward.

If I'm seen as competent enough to be involved in bringing a CEO and 3 young and talented coaching staff to the club, then I'm competent enough to only have the same hoops to jump through as any other employee.

I think that's fair, don't you?
Is it just me but does anyone else think a ”Stan Collymore” is actually a huge asset for a club this size?

Maybe I’m wrong but would we, without Stan involved, have put together the interview process we had and put three coaches in place in such a short time period? My thinking is probably not.

Profile wise it’s huge as well. Stan has nearly 900k followers on twitter vs around 90k for Southend United on their own. That pushes our name out there a lot further attracting sponsors and investment.

Let’s also consider his contacts across football clubs up and down the country which we can tap into which would hopefully bear fruit. And the occasional post to praise a player who we would like to head our way (Tom Whelan at Eastleigh anyone) will always be seen as a head turner.

Wrexhams attendances for example are up around 2000 from before lockdown (Ryan Reynolds effect?) and I’m sure Stans return will encourage fans to return to Southend as well.

This is not a Stan appreciation post as such, but surely his value to us is far beyond the role he will do and makes me wonder exactly why as a club we haven’t bitten his hand off to come onboard.
 
Tom and Ron don't let this priceless apportunity slip through your fingers. Stan is a one off. He can sometimes go over the top in his up beat attitude. But I am sure he means well for our club. Not many clubs have such a priceless opportunity. Ron leave the football side to those who know and spend your time on the new ground.
 
I really hope Stan and the club work it out. I feel we really need his vision, experience, passion at a level between Chairman, CEO and the management team to drive us forward. Tom and Ron if you read these pages....You need to make this happen.
The point is you have to have a football man responsible for the footballing side "soup to nuts". If you have a coaching team, support staff, someone running the academy then who takes overall responsibility for the footballing side, the direction, ensuring its all pointing in the right direction? It can't be Tom or Ron- with the greatest of respect. So if there is no Stan then either you do the unthinkable, and unforgivable, and throw away the new model before its even started, or you have to go and recruit at the very least a new/different DoF/HoFO to take that responsibility?

With the relationship they have if Tom and Stan can't navigate their way to a compromise it will be, given where we have got to, a great disappointment. Which is why I think they will hammer something out- perhaps we should lock them both in a room and refuse to let them out until its sorted :-)
 
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