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Shrimpers Trust Statement

Last updated : 21 October 2003 By Robert Craven
“It has always been one of the Shrimpers Trust's main objectives to provide regular contact with the owners and staff of Southend United. Monthly liaison meetings are held with club directors to discuss the issues affecting the club over a wide spectrum. We also have an obligation to our members to provide them with the platform to air their views with the powers at be.

On May 21st 2003, the Shrimpers Trust made an approach to Deputy Chairman Geoffrey King regarding the availability of new appointed manager Steve Wignall and club physiotherapist John Stannard for a Question & Answer session.

The original request for a session in the close season was refused and the Shrimpers Trust were happy to agree to the club's request not to hold the session until the new manager had an opportunity to settle in. However Mr King advised the Trust via the monthly liaison meeting that it would be a good idea for Mr Martin and himself to attend the session.

At the liaison meeting on July 23rd, the Shrimpers Trust suggested that the Question & Answer session be held following the Shrimpers Trust AGM to be held on October 22nd.

At the liaison meeting on the 20th August, Mr King confirmed that Messrs. Martin, Wignall and Stannard would be available at the Shrimpers Trust AGM on the 22nd October 2003 but reported that he may be on holiday at that time.

At the liaison meeting on the 24th September, Mr King confirmed that he would be on holiday at the time of the Trust AGM and further reported that Mr Martin may also be on holiday and unable to attend. At no time was the issue raised that team management could not appear without a club management presence.

Shrimpers Trust Deputy Chairman Paul FitzGerald subsequently contacted SUFC joint owner Mr Martin to determine his availability for the AGM but was informed that Mr Martin was likely to be on a family holiday at the time of the AGM although nothing had been arranged.

As Mr Martin hadn't definitely committed to being on holiday, it was hoped he could be persuaded to attend, but our understanding was that if Mr Martin was unable to attend then Messrs. Wignall and Stannard would.

If Trust members or other interested parties wish to check this sequence of events, the minutes of liaison meetings between the Shrimpers Trust and SUFC directors are available as always on the Shrimpers Trust website.

It is therefore with much regret that the Shrimpers Trust have learnt at a very late stage via a statement on the official website of Southend United Football Club and some fans' message boards that the club had reneged on this agreement. It is also unfortunate that the club did not seek to correspond with the Shrimpers Trust directly on the matter. It can only be assumed that a communication breakdown has occurred within the club, as we do not believe that the club would intentionally treat the Trust so shabbily.

The Shrimpers Trust can only apologise to its nearly 1000 members for this embarrassing development and would hope that they will still turn up in numbers to support the Trust this Wednesday at its AGM which commences at 7.30pm. at the Shrimpers Bar at Roots Hall.”