Stan

[Leigh_Seasider]

Southend United has been relegated the Football League after 101 years following two of the most horrendous seasons in the Club's history. Ron Martin by his own admission has struggled to cope with running the Football Club and attempting to relocate from a delapidated Roots Hall to a new stadium at Fossetts Farm. We can all bang on about countless HMRC winding-up petitions and transfer embargoes and the like, but what's done is done.

I have sat back these past few weeks and watched the present situation unfold. I know that a few on here would not welcome any response from an out of touch "Exile" but here goes.

I am astonished at some of the negative comments I read aimed in the direction of Phil Brown and Stan "the man" Collymore. They have emerged from the darkest tunnel of doom and despair to offer their help to this beleagured Club.

To those doubters, please think again and consider what other options are available. You may come to the conclusion as I have, that not only are there none, but what's on offer is manna from Heaven given the current situation.

Thank you.

Exactly this. Are people afraid of change? Leaving things as they were led us to two successive relegations. The players we've been able to recruit, our reputation in the game and the way the club was being run hasn't been good enough, plainly. Stan wants to help us with this and I personally trust he will, if Ron lets him.

 

[stan collymore]

I understand your enthusiasm but I think you're over selling yourself, If getting into the Championship was simple, every club would be there.

My fear is your pitch of that promise land which in all honestly could take many years and in the mean time, leaving people disappionted that it didn't happen sooner than what was expected.

I've not promised anything other than what has clearly been stated in several hours of zoom meetings and posts and pitch to the Chairman.

Please understand the difference between delivering tangible things and believing that on delivering those tangible things expectations are exceeded down the line.

I'm sure you understand the difference.

 

[Tribal Chief]

I really don't understand why @hadenoughblue feels it's important to make this a referendum on Stan's character and outlook. I'm sure I disagree with him about a number of key issues, as I disagree with just about every other Southend fan on one thing or another. I've been guilty of lashing out at fellow Blues fans as these last two wretched seasons have unfolded, but at some point we have to stand together and FFS, maybe support the most gifted player we ever had in using his contacts and profile to help get us out of this mess. If we do this right, then next season could be truly special. I'm reminded of the first game against Forest after Stan left, and seeing the enthusiasm of their fans who treated a season in the second tier as a one-off adventure where they expected to get promoted (I recall 'On Loan to the Championship/Div 1' t-shirts, can't remember what it was called then). I would love for us to approach this coming season with the same optimism and excitement, and the early signs are incredibly positive.

 

[Boreham Blue]

I’ve actually felt the dialogue between Stan and Hadenough has been a breath of fresh air. HE disagrees with Stan and clarified his post wasn’t a personal dig but made his feelings about Stan clear. Stan not upset by not being liked and responded with respect. Grown up debate which we are not always blessed with on here.

 

[stan collymore]

I’ve actually felt the dialogue between Stan and Hadenough has been a breath of fresh air. HE disagrees with Stan and clarified his post wasn’t a personal dig but made his feelings about Stan clear. Stan not upset by not being liked and responded with respect. Grown up debate which we are not always blessed with on here.

Completely agree.

 

[kentblues]

If the Chairman



If the Chairman and I agree on a role tomorrow, I have lined up...

1. 6 recruitment specialists who've covered League 1 to National League for several years with great success, own and run the industry leading player profile software, have watched more gales at those levels than anyone in the country, have discharged roles from DoF to Academy to first team. None wanted any involvement without my assurance they weren't getting involved in a mess.

2. 15+ strikers wjo have been collated by these guys who all can perform at National League level and above. We need to get Phil as many options to fill the goals gap as possible.

3. Direct contact with several clubs with excellent reputations for developing young talent and loaning them out. All are interested, all would trust me to make sure their stars of the future are looked after.

4. Direct contact with out of contract players from mavericks to guaranteed 40 games a season. All would be put to Phil on day 1 for his and the football department perusal.

5. Constant communication with potential CEO in order to hit the ground running.

6. Communication with clubs across the pyramid to help Phil get a pre season match programme that would test and fill coffers.

Stan ?

These are areas where very substantial value will be added, and not just now but as the club hopefully progresses through the leagues.

FWIW We have the right manager (as supported by 80-90% of fans) based on what we know he brings, what Ron knows what he brings, and he is, as you rightly say, the incumbent. At another time, hopefully in 3+ years because then we will have had success, we can approach things a little more differently.

BTW Stan well done on the support for the Shrimpers Trust charity for the kids- saw your post on LinkedIn.

 

[TrueBlue]

Really important issue this, Smiffy. I think £299 would be great, and I also think reductions in single ticket prices too.

One of the most important things for me this coming season, possibly more important than ever before given just how shocking our home record has been, is turning Roots Hall into a fortress and making it an intimidating cauldron for away teams. A really difficult place to come to.

Drop season and match day ticket prices. Get an average of 6, maybe 7,000 in the VNL. Make up some shortfall in ticket revenue by getting more bums in seats and increasing secondary spend.

And, most importantly, rebuild loyalty between fans/community and club again.

Lincoln is the model. Relegated out of the EFL with average attendances of 5,000. First season back in L2, average attendance of nearly 9,000.

This is what I have been saying about relegation out of the football league it can wipe the slate clean and clubs can have a huge bounce back with crowds, same happened with Carlisle and Luton BUT it has to be done right

 

[blueblueblue]

I've not promised anything other than what has clearly been stated in several hours of zoom meetings and posts and pitch to the Chairman.

Please understand the difference between delivering tangible things and believing that on delivering those tangible things expectations are exceeded down the line.

I'm sure you understand the difference.

Stan... It's the self promotion that gets me, every post seems to be about you and your friends and what you can do and have done. If you scaled it down a little and was more of a poster than a promoter of what you can do, I'd more than likely agree with you. I know things need to change, that I do agree with.

I served in the Army for many years, 3rd and 1st Royal Anglian Regiment, I served with the best men in the world but I don't feel the need to tell everyone. I hope I don't come accross as patronising, Good men don't have to big themselves up. You were the most amazing footballer I've ever seen at the Hall, you don't need to big yourself up, we know it.

 

[sufc4life21]

@stan collymore you are an real breath of fresh airs in the past 3 week, I feel I have an hope for the new season in conference, rather than feeling down after the last 3 seasons.

I remember my first ever SUFC Vs **** Ham on 7th of April 1993 as an child when you set up an winner, plus I have an habit of signing you on Championship Manager/SWOS games between 1994 to 1999 for Southend to give me an chances of glory in Premiership!

Championship manager what a game that was

 

[TrueBlue]

Stan... It's the self promotion that gets me, every post seems to be about you and your friends and what you can do and have done. If you scaled it down a little and was more of a poster than a promoter of what you can do, I'd more than likely agree with you. I know things need to change, that I do agree with.

I served in the Army for many years, 3rd and 1st Royal Anglian Regiment, I served with the best men in the world but I don't feel the need to tell everyone. I hope I don't come accross as patronising, Good men don't have to big themselves up. You were the most amazing footballer I've ever seen at the Hall, you don't need to big yourself up, we know it.

I think though the self promotion is the key for how successful this is, To prove everything is credible is important.

btw Thank you for your service

 

[TrueBlue]

@stan collymore you are an real breath of fresh airs in the past 3 week, I feel I have an hope for the new season in conference, rather than feeling down after the last 3 seasons.

I remember my first ever SUFC Vs **** Ham on 7th of April 1993 as an child when you set up an winner, plus I have an habit of signing you on Championship Manager/SWOS games between 1994 to 1999 for Southend to give me an chances of glory in Premiership!

Always sign Bjorn Heidenstrom from orient ALWAYS!!!!

 

[fbm]

My only concern Stan and it is such a concern to me and I’m sure other supporters as well is our financial fragility. How on earth are we going to fund a CEO . You will need a salary of course which is only to be expected. MM and his team will have to have their contracts paid off. Due to COVID my understanding is that VAT and PAYE can currently be deferred but as things open up again and fans return to stadia this scenario will not last much longer and my obvious concern is that we will very quickly get back into the hapless merry go round of cash flow issues of the last few years resulting in non payment of wages/HMRC winding up orders / non payment of local businesses and the like.

You know what? I don't think we are particularly financially fragile.

I think Ron has got access to money if he really needs it, otherwise we would have been in administration.

My view is that at the beginning of the season he sets the budget. If "unforeseen" things happen, like not winning one cup match in about 30 attempts to get a bit of a cup run going and some extra revenue, then we have not a hope in hell of meeting the budget.

I therefore think he has chosen who to pay and who not to pay; he has played HMRC 19 times and always won, has played fast and loose with other clubs and their payments due with the result that with a lot of juggling we've stayed out of serious financial trouble. But unfortunately the clubs reputation is what has suffered, and we are now in different sorts of trouble which is much more damaging to the club.

If @stan collymore can persuade Ron to go down a different path, and we can start "behaving" as if we were part of the wider football family and not just out on our own, attitudes towards us may change.

 

[stan collymore]

Stan... It's the self promotion that gets me, every post seems to be about you and your friends and what you can do and have done. If you scaled it down a little and was more of a poster than a promoter of what you can do, I'd more than likely agree with you. I know things need to change, that I do agree with.

I served in the Army for many years, 3rd and 1st Royal Anglian Regiment, I served with the best men in the world but I don't feel the need to tell everyone. I hope I don't come accross as patronising, Good men don't have to big themselves up. You were the most amazing footballer I've ever seen at the Hall, you don't need to big yourself up, we know it.

Thank you for your service!

My Grandad served in Ypres, King's Shropshire Light Infantry, shot in the arm during the Hooge battle, went back to Blighty, recovered and went back to the Somme. Came back and worked 20 years down the pit in Cannock to top off a life I can't imagine.

My 2 Uncles were Canada Run for the merchant navy and Desert Rat in the North Africa campaign.

So to step into the uniform does indeed take something special so you should be very proud of your achievements.

I disagree on my comments being self promotion, I've jumped into a situation where many only know tabloid headlines, urban myths and in some cases complete cobblers, so it's important that I back up what I'm offering with as many facts that you guys can put to the test and hold me to.

Do I believe I can be a great asset to the club? Absolutely.

Did I need to give you names, clubs, jobs and information to give you guys reassurance that I'm not all talk? Yes.

Like you said, you don't like me, that's fine. I try to only reserve judgement on people who I've met a number of times rather than from tabloid newspapers which I'm comfortable with. Job at the club or not, I invite you to meet me a number of times when I'm your way, ask any questions you like, look into the whites of my eyes and make your mind up, as I'm sure you did in the Armed forces.

The key for me is respect. You respect my motives, I respect your right to question them. Simple ??

 

[fbm]

Stan... It's the self promotion that gets me, every post seems to be about you and your friends and what you can do and have done.

I think you're missing a few words from that sentence.

Stan's posts seem to be aimed at getting as many of us as possible onside, with the overriding message about what he can do for us.

It's not about self promotion; it's about not being Southend Divided.

 

[RHB]

@hadenoughblue & @stan collymore, This particular thread is in danger of becoming a personality discussion and it's losing the main intent of the thread. Lets draw a line on likes and dislikes now please. As usual I'm asking nicely.

 

[blueblueblue]

@hadenoughblue & @stan collymore, This particular thread is in danger of becoming a personality discussion and it's losing the main intent of the thread. Lets draw a line on likes and dislikes now please. As usual I'm asking nicely.

It's a pleasant debate with Stan but that's fine, I get it.

 

[Big_Nath]

Ffs @stan collymore all this positivity.... even I'm thinking of getting a season ticket now and I live in Cardiff!

Thanks though Stan there does seem to be genuine momentum within the club now and fingers crossed it all comes to fruition ?

 

[Callum]

This is what I have been saying about relegation out of the football league it can wipe the slate clean and clubs can have a huge bounce back with crowds, same happened with Carlisle and Luton BUT it has to be done right

Totally agree with you Scott look at Luton now championship club bounced back from the national league

 

[Bratislava Blue]

Hi Jimsdad

My original conversation with The Chairman was to put ducks in a row and do things properly in line with how the modern football industry works rather than being left behind on and off the pitch.

My reasoning for transparency all along with you guys was simple. You can see a timeline of changes and events rather than guess.

So as I said to the supporter groups on zoom, early decisions on key staff, early back to pre season, early player scouting and recruitment were all clearly set out by me as matters of urgency, because the club have been left wanting in many ways in and off the pitch for a number of years.

So although I'm meeting the Chairman tomorrow where we may or may not agree anything regarding a role for me moving forward ( as I've said, it has to have teeth, not interested in cheerleading, I can do that anyway), the important penny drop moments for the Chairman and Phil seem to have at least lead to immediate action.

1. Players know now they have a tough 6 week pre season, back earlier than others, as I suggested should happen.

2. Manager signed up ( my preference is always to have a number of candidates for a job with a CEO/DoF leading an interview process, but Ron wanted Phil so that's his right before other roles have been filled) so that players know wjo they are working with.

3. Key roles to be interviewed and decided quickly. For similar reasons to a manager being signed up. Certainty.

4. Chairman allowing industry professionals to do their job when employed. We'll see if this comes to fruition. The Chairman knows my thoughts on how a proper football structure should work and unless it's allowed to work, the club will be paying the price for sometime to come.

So I'm happy that some of the early issues that I flagged up with the Chairman have been put into practice, fans now at least know the aim is to have a coherent plan to release, sign and line up a group in early July to be ready for the toughest season this club will have faced for a while, even with the two relegations.

For me, as reiterated clearly to supporters and Chairman, the easiest way for success and stability is to let the club structure of industry professionals work its course.

Then if any manager doesn't deliver or decides to go elsewhere, today, tomorrow or 10 years time, like the most successful clubs there are fewer bumps in the road, less damaging changes and more consistency.


Owner employs CEO to run the club.
DoF makes sure club has a comprehensive strategy
Any manager works within the strategy
That avoids excessive or unknown cost implications
That avoids mates, friends of any future manager to be employed by the club on anything other than merit.


My personal view ( i'm not employed by the club) is that a CEO should have been appointed first, a DoF second and then sitting down with Phil as incumbent with a wealth of experience and knowledge of the club putting him in the driving seat but to make sure Southend United at least explored other avenues.

That's not being disrespectful to Phil, someone I know, get on great with and respect. That's just common sense.

I believe the Chairman is meeting 2 potential CEO'S today and I'm meeting him tomorrow.

If I get any role ( which I set out on 2 zoom calls to general supporters and the Trust aside from Ron) it will Insist on doing things properly in every way, every day. Or the Chairman is free of course to go whichever path he wishes.

Talk is cheap. Gestures are cheap.

Action time. ?

Hi Stan,

Firstly, as an overseas and exiled Shrimper I really appreciate all the effort that you have made over the recent weeks. I've watched the YouTube zoom videos and fully understand and appreciate what you are aiming to bring about within the club that holds fond memories for you. I personally am of the age that was able to witness your impact at my club and followed your career after you left. Especially at Liverpool,the club that introduced me football from the mid 70's.

I have read many of your comments and agree with many if not most. The one that I have to disagree with is the one regarding the order of sequence related to the appointment of a new manager. I was a Brown fan during his first spell and was sad to see him leave. I was therefore happy to see him return to see if he could rescue our season. As a result of our relegation to the National League and the fact that this league is a graveyard for former league teams I felt that stating our intent with his appointment would send a clear message to the fans at the earliest opportunity that we mean business. Now you could argue that appointing a manager after the long overdue appointment(s) of a CEO would be the corrective sequence to follow. I respect your opinion and reasoning. However on this point and this point only I have to remain of a different opinion.

This differing opinion does not detract away from recognizing the amazing effort you have already put in have committed to if a role for yourself can be found within the club that brings about the changes that us fans are looking for. The bottom line for me is not that I want my club back as if to claim it back from the clutches of Ron Martin. I want my club back to performing in the Football League and experiencing the same or greater levels of success that I have witnessed over the years. From near and afar. If this can be achieved with you playing your part so that transparency and fan engagement levels are increased along with other internal communication channels and other club affairs then I'll be happy. If Ron Martin is still at helm of the club whilst this happens then I'll be happy because my club will be achieving things because of the new on the field approach to footballing matters. Not because I believe Ron Martin is the best person at the helm. He has his faults that has contributed to our current position but is not 100% responsible.

To finish, I want to wish you all the best of luck during this period and hope that the relationship with Southend United continues to be one that has the best interests of my club at heart. You proved it in the 6 months period of your playing career. I'm excited about your involvement this time round.

Thanks Stan for reading this. Thank you for trying to bring the United back to Southend.

 

[stan collymore]

Hi Stan,

Firstly, as an overseas and exiled Shrimper I really appreciate all the effort that you have made over the recent weeks. I've watched the YouTube zoom videos and fully understand and appreciate what you are aiming to bring about within the club that holds fond memories for you. I personally am of the age that was able to witness your impact at my club and followed your career after you left. Especially at Liverpool,the club that introduced me football from the mid 70's.

I have read many of your comments and agree with many if not most. The one that I have to disagree with is the one regarding the order of sequence related to the appointment of a new manager. I was a Brown fan during his first spell and was sad to see him leave. I was therefore happy to see him return to see if he could rescue our season. As a result of our relegation to the National League and the fact that this league is a graveyard for former league teams I felt that stating our intent with his appointment would send a clear message to the fans at the earliest opportunity that we mean business. Now you could argue that appointing a manager after the long overdue appointment(s) of a CEO would be the corrective sequence to follow. I respect your opinion and reasoning. However on this point and this point only I have to remain of a different opinion.

This differing opinion does not detract away from recognizing the amazing effort you have already put in have committed to if a role for yourself can be found within the club that brings about the changes that us fans are looking for. The bottom line for me is not that I want my club back as if to claim it back from the clutches of Ron Martin. I want my club back to performing in the Football League and experiencing the same or greater levels of success that I have witnessed over the years. From near and afar. If this can be achieved with you playing your part so that transparency and fan engagement levels are increased along with other internal communication channels and other club affairs then I'll be happy. If Ron Martin is still at helm of the club whilst this happens then I'll be happy because my club will be achieving things because of the new on the field approach to footballing matters. Not because I believe Ron Martin is the best person at the helm. He has his faults that has contributed to our current position but is not 100% responsible.

To finish, I want to wish you all the best of luck during this period and hope that the relationship with Southend United continues to be one that has the best interests of my club at heart. You proved it in the 6 months period of your playing career. I'm excited about your involvement this time round.

Thanks Stan for reading this. Thank you for trying to bring the United back to Southend.

Hey Bratislava Blue!

Great post and I can hear the love for your club in your post! You care, like everyone on SZ and every supporter cares, and because you guys care and gave me a wonderful 6 months, I want to give you all something to be proud of, genuinely I do.

The point about Phil was more about a structure for the future which does things in order rather than now because Ron wanted Phil, Phil's an experienced and we'll liked manager and he's the incumbent, all things I acknowledged as pointers that would have seen him as favourite for the job.

The key point is that if there's a structure in place which has at least a plan B( what if Phil said no after Ron said Phil was the only choice? What if Tranmere moved quickly for Phil after a handshake with Ron and sold Prenton Park to Phil?) and plan C would still find Phil as the best for the job whilst touching base with 1 or 2 other potential managers which never does any harm ( they may remember that meeting down the line or say how professional Southend are!), several Southend employees ( CEO, DoF, Chairman, General Manager) get to air their opinions and Phil is confirmed.

Sounds long winded of Ron can do that himself but the club don't have a great track record recently with managers, no structured recruitment policy to my knowledge, certainly no "2 heads are better than one, 3 better than 2" approach by including industry pros in the process with the cherry of building bridges with potential managers of the future or even if not managers, guys who'd say "Southend were great to deal with ".

In the context of everything above, that's why clubs that have a process and collegiate approach to big decisions tend to be those who have the most success.

??