Shrimpers Trust asked to make contribution to pre-season Scottish tour

Last updated : 12 May 2011 By westfield shrimper

Methil Docks in Fife; just like going to Tilbury

The Pub Crawl was written, the cheapest rail singles all ready to post; however it still might not happen, or at least to confirm that well-known Scottish side Southend United will be taking part in a quadrangular pre-season tournament, which will include the home side East Fife, near-neighbours Raith Rovers, and the Dark Blues of Dundee, as the Shrimpers Trust has been asked to contribute £10,000, around 50% of the overall cost of the trip.

It's down to be held at East Fife's Bayview ground over the weekend of July 16th and 17th, and many of the faithful are already looking at accomidation in the area as it could be a serious laugh and certainly beats Canvey on a Tuesday night, (at slightly more cost to be fair!)

Still, here are the contents of the e-mail sent out to memebers.

The Trust said: (Southend United Chief Executive Officer) Tara Brady, has asked the Shrimpers Trust if we would contribute 50% of the cost of the proposed Scottish Tour next year.

The committee had mixed views on this based on several points. We have recently pledged 12k for a variety of physio equipment and next year's youth sponsorship and with funds falling in line with the lower crowds, (and members), as well as the general financial situation we did not feel we would recoup the money in the coming 12 months.

However, our motto is to 'Help not Hinder' and we do have the money in the bank and if the pre-season tour were to be successful and meant a decent start to the season then the money could be argued to be well spent.

The feeling here was any points gained by the expenditure would be worth it - although of course there are no guarantees.

Paul and Craig were asked to write a paragraph on their feelings on this and their views are below.

Paul Sturrock says:
I have taken every side I have ever been manager of on a pre-season tour of some description as I believe it is a vital part of preparing for the season ahead.

We spend something like 40 weeks training at the training ground each season and so a change of environment at the start of the season can help get the squad in the right frame of mind for the long year ahead.

The facilities at the proposed venue are first class and will hopefully help ensure that we get the right levels of fitness into the squad so we avoid the problems we saw this season where we picked up numerous injuries due to a lack of a proper pre-season.

There are also the benefits of bonding as a team and ensuring there is a team spirit with new players set to join this summer.

I've no doubt the fans will also enjoy a weekend in Scotland and the proposed games should offer the team a good workout combined with those friendlies we are proposing back home.


Craig Easton says:
A pre-season tour is an important part of the preparation for the new season, not only in terms of training and playing matches but it gives the squad an opportunity to get to know each other better.

There will probably be new players coming in to strengthen the squad in the summer and it's a great chance for them to form a bond with those of us who are already here.

A change of scenery with good facilities also helps focus everyone on the training aspect and builds upon the couple of hard weeks we'll have put in beforehand.

I've been on many pre-season tours in my time in football and I think there are definite benefits, none more so than helping to build team spirit.

Personally, I'll be voting yes, while EEB has given up his Trust membership after they lent Uncle Ron some dosh without telling him, the bastards! (But he would have voted yes as well, just cough up you're fiver mate and you can tell them yourself!)

And what do you think? Your chance to have a say in our poll member or not:
http://www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/interactive/voting_polls.asp

If you do want to register you're vote officially, learn about joining the Trust here:
www.shrimperstrust.co.uk/home.asp?page_id=80

It's on, maybe!:
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/
east_fife_confirm_southend_united_dundee__
raith_rovers_in_preseason_tourney_676627/index.shtml