A few observations from me.
1) Let's stop the fake offence at the expletive, he used it to emphasise a point (for instance, he didn't say "I love the club you ****ing idiot", which is a personal attack). Everyone's a grown up and no-one seems to be upset when the expletives are aimed in his direction.
2) Apparently Tom splits his job between us and Gillingham. Perhaps that's a reason why things haven't progressed more quickly (note - this was on here the other day in another thread and I haven't fact checked it, but it would explain some things).
3) I mean this in the most sincere and non patronising way - really - and it is not aimed at anyone in particular, but in general terms. But if you are a person who has never owned a property, raised a child, run a business or maybe even had a full time job, with the greatest possible respect to you and your opinions (which of course you are entitled to), you do not have a clue how the world actually works and also do not know how you would behave when you are in in that world. You've not achieved anything yet, so don't start moralising about people's actions and behaviours who are in that position. That's not a criticism or an attack, but just an observation. The world is not as ideological as we believe when we were all students, in our mid 20's and/or living at home.
4) This issue of blackmailing the fans... Really? Does anyone think that Ron has seriously taken 25 years and spent £20m in keeping the club afloat to try and negotiate himself into a position where he has the club over a barrel? Really? That's one hell of a long game. It might be where we are at, but he hasn't engineered this. I'm sure he would have rather had the stadium built 15 years ago and have saved himself about £15m!
5) Putting money into the club to keep the club afloat because he loves the club is not the same as giving the club the money and never wanting it back. For instance - the plumber who was on the call (sorry, can't remember the name) was offering £25m from his hypothetical Euro millions win (good luck by the way). Let's just say - and humour me please - that Ron said yes to £40m (sidenote - when Ron refused £40m on the call I'd probably have come back with a counter of £50m, £75m or any amount that would make him consider it. Everyone has a price. Anyway...). So, someone has won the Euro millions and bought Ron out with £40m. Is that a gift, never to be seen again? Or would they want a return? If it's a gift, what happens when the money runs out (because at some point it will - football clubs generally aren't profitable). Do you put more money in? Do you want it back? Bearing this in mind, can someone state one single reason why Ron shouldn't have his investment back?
I get that emotions are running high and that RM is public enemy no 1. But we are where we are and unless people start dealing with Ron differently he is just going to shut down and not give any information out. Remember when he did that and everyone was up in arms? "All we want is information?" "Tell us what's going on Ron"
Then after said information is received,.. "He's lying", "Can't believe a word he says", "More Bull**** from Ron."
Presumably this is because the information didn't fit the popular narrative. Why therefore should he say anything at all?
So - be careful what you wish for. If he goes and we have to start again as a phoenix club, then I have probably seen my last EFL game that Southend will play in my lifetime. I'm now 60.
Moving forward, I want to hear Ron take ownership of the fact that the clubs finances have been underfunded for the last 2-3 years, apologise for this to the very, VERY loyal fanbase that this club frankly doesn't deserve if performances were the only measure to take into account, that he will take steps to ensure that will NEVER happen again and will move heaven and earth to get us back into the EFL. That's what I want to hear from him.
To make progress off the pitch, is there anything we can do to accelerate the stadium? Can we lobby/pressurise the council? Can we work with Ron rather than against him?
Perhaps someone on the next Zoom call can ask that.
