Hey Everyone.
Last week, Ron, Tom, Kev, Darren, Benno, John and I met at Roots Hall.
A 2 hour meeting to go through several agenda items on and off the pitch that affect or could affect the Football Department.
Ron, as ultimate owner of Southend United set out the position on all of the raised issues, and specific questions we ( everyone freely asked questions in a cordial but business like atmosphere) all had regarding staff, morale and potential solutions.
My commitment to transparency, integrity and honesty is clear, unambiguous and I'm sure would be confirmed by the Shrimpers Trust, staff and Football Department. However it is not in my remit, nor ever was and certainly wasn't suggested ( in my zoom calls with you guys), that I would be the conduit to give Southend United privileged business information. That is the job of the CEO via the owner, and is normal business practice.
The same people who are critical of me on this forum for "being quiet", are exactly the same people who criticised when I gave them "too much running commentary". But my transparency and honesty specifically related to what the Football Department do, act upon and execute, along with commercial, media and Supporter initiatives. Why haven't you seen me pop up in meetings or video clips? Because the Football Department is doing rather than talking, and that Football Department is not only a resounding success in one year, but a resounding success despite of the situation the club has found itself in.
My role nor remit at Southend United involves privileged financial information.
You should be incredibly proud of the way that the Football Department and general staff conduct themselves,bthe Football Department in particular is fully functional, respected ( kind words last night from Luke Williams towards our Football Department in the manager's room post match ) and can discharge everything that we need to discharge when the light turns green.
Ron owns the club and there are ongoing issues, this is known and the staff at the club every day along with the Football Department are a credit to our club. Without these people, my genuine opinion is that the club would be in National League South which compounded by long term issues would be a very difficult place to come back from. Our position on the pitch now gives us a fighters chance on and off the pitch to get things right and on your behalf that is constantly messaged to those who make decisions.
Until we are fully staffed, until long standing issues are resolved , which we all hope will be very soon, then none of us will be truly happy, none of us.
But sledging anyone working their absolute tails off for our club is not ok, not cool and uncalled for.
The club, your club has very clever and long in the tooth football adults in the building,and what you've seen on the pitch can't happen without the support the Football Department and general staff give each other.
We all need your support, and trust me we are supporting you in ways that I know you all would be very proud of.
Keep calm, trust the Football Department, General Staff and Tom.
Stan