The FSA make an important plea regarding the future of Southend United as the club owner bans banners from Roots Hall stadium.
Echosport have received complaints from frustrated Shrimpers fans after Saturday’s 2-0 home win against York City that their ‘Martin Out” banners were not allowed into the stadium.
A spokesperson for the National League side confirmed that the decision was made due to safety concerns following the incident against Chesterfield last year when fans made their way onto the field of play.
Southend United owner bans banners from Roots Hallhttps://t.co/TjLC05iw1l
— Kieran Maguire (@KieranMaguire) February 8, 2023
He said: We recognise supporters’ right to peacefully protest, however, supporter and staff safety is of paramount importance to us.
“Last season, we allowed banners into the stadium and, it resulted in safety issues and substantial disorder.
“Supporters left their seats, climbed over the wall on to the perimeter of the pitch.
“On one occasion supporters walked up and down the pitch side with the banner and on another occasion supporters entered the pitch using the banner as a barrier to push our staff out of the way, assaulting our staff in the process.
“In addition, at least one supporter was injured in the melee.
“We have learnt some lessons and taken advice and we are not going to do anything to compromise supporter and staff safety.
“No banners will be permitted in the stadium.”
However, ‘Southend Fan Updates’ group demand stewards to consider their next move.
“We can’t win this fight on our own,” the group said.
“If the club staff are happy to gleefully carry out the orders of a man who refuses to pay them their hard earned fair wage, we certainly won’t be going out of our way to change that.
“The staff need to choose a side.
“We would love that to be us supporters who are trying to gain them fair treatment.”
I went to Southend on Saturday and walked alongside fans protesting about an owner killing their great club. A 116-year institution is on the brink of extinction and the FA are doing nothing. This story needs national attention. @ShrimpersTrust https://t.co/5iNcyurTUj
— Lewis Steele (@LewisSteele_) February 6, 2023
❗️£1.4m unpaid tax bill
❗️HMRC winding up petition
❗️Players not paid
❗️U18 youth team not paid
❗️Office staff not paid
❗️Transfer embargo
❗️Ticket office closed
❗️Darlington not paid gate receipts
❗️Stewards confiscating bannersNever looked so bad at Southend United 💔🦐
— London Shrimper (@londonshrimper) February 2, 2023
FSA STATEMENT:
Southend United fans warn that their club is potentially weeks away from disappearing as the crisis at Roots Hall shows no sign of resolution.
Supporter groups are growing increasingly concerned that the National League club, which faces an HM Revenue & Customs winding-up petition, could go out of business.
Club executives say that unresolved financial issues meant the club faces an annual funding gap of £2m. The winding-up hearing is due to take place on March 1st while Southend United chairman Ron Martin says they are seeking bridging finance to clear the debt.
Last week the Shrimpers Trust met with other fan groups to discuss the club’s plight and options to save the club.
“Last week we declared our concern that, come 1st March 2023, we may no longer have a football club to support,” the Shrimpers Trust said. “Knowing how important Southend United is to us all, and to the local community as a whole, we cannot allow that to happen.
“The thought of Southend United as we know it ending does not bear thinking about.”
The Shrimpers Trust says it will continue to host meetings with fan groups on a weekly basis while the crisis at the club remains unresolved. Additionally, a working group has been established to begin work on establishing a phoenix club if required.
“In line with contingency planning for possible liquidation of the club, a working group has been established to begin urgent exploratory work around the possibility of establishing a phoenix club to take the place of Southend United within the National League system.
“We recognise that this is an emotive subject and it is not a decision that we have taken lightly.
“In the absence of any official evidence-based messages of reassurance coming out of the club, now is the time to stop treating the subject of a phoenix club as taboo.
“We would be doing the club and the fanbase a disservice by not preparing fully for such an eventuality.”
It might only be Maidenhead away on a cold Tuesday night we hear you say. The opponent is immaterial. This is the second win on the bounce by a team & staff that haven’t been paid since Dec. There’s a strong bond building between the players & fans, uniting against the dark lord. https://t.co/ySSawkktFz
— Save Our Southend 🆘🦐 (@OurSouthend) February 7, 2023
What does the FSA think?
It is sad to see yet another community institution and historic football club – Southend United was founded 116 years ago – fall into crisis. Whatever happens in the coming months, it will once again be supporters of the club who will be left to pick up the pieces.
The FSA has been in touch with Southend United supporters and attended a meeting with our affiliates at Roots Hall, the Shrimpers Trust, last week to offer advice and support.
We’ll continue to offer whatever help we can as the crisis on the Essex coast develops.
From the top to the bottom of the professional game this is more evidence of the need for implementation of the Fan-led Review‘s findings.
Southend United players and fans celebrate 2-1 National League win at Maidenhead. Reaction on @BBCEssexSport pic.twitter.com/kR0LkM4UVi
— BBC Sport Essex (@BBCEssexSport) February 7, 2023
This is what fans said as FSA make a plea regarding the future of Southend United as club owner bans banners from Roots Hall…
@vefamdamme: Would love someone to get the big “Martin out” banner along the flats behind the south stand. He can’t do anything about that.
@fan_southend1: ‘In addition, at least one supporter was injured in the melee.’ — a steward pushed a fan over a wall, the fan hit his head on concrete after a substantial drop. The fan quite possibly could have been killed.
@1988watson: Such a shame it’s happening to clubs while premier league clubs are spending more than ever
@OurSouthend: Safety, eh? Is that a collective cry of “buuulllshiiit” that we hear? The more likely reason is that the tin pot dictator is rattled and wants to stamp out dissent and criticism. Waiting for the gulags to open and the show trials to begin 🙄
@rogerthedodge2: Sad but according to @Carra23 Everton with their PL millions, new ground etc etc are the worst run club in fball, shame the pundits don’t start looking at lower & non league clubs to see the real problems in fball-good luck in getting ur club back-good friends in Southend
@Sean99Wall: So because a steward pushed a fan over a wall with a 5ft drop banners are no longer allowed, got it
@peaky2234: I think the main point to take from this is that they are comparing recent issues with issues last year. There lies the ISSUE! This situate has been going on for far too long. RM clearly has no intention of helping the club. I predict he’ll apply for bankruptcy Mar 1st
@Olly_Summers: And Man Utd fans think they have it bad… unbelievable if they actually took their head out their asses and had a look around
@JacckCFC: But the away fans will be allowed them!
@djm_eightyone: Are @SUFCRootsHall banning stewards pocketing cash in exchange for letting people in too?
@AggressiveDimi: Away fans not allowed to bring in flags aswell now if they are unsafe?😂😂😂
@danfairless97: Stewards, let the banners in. Let push this cunt out of a club, then you may actually get paid on time?
@jamiestripe: This isn’t going to end well.
@MAKtGWB1: We at #oafc feel your pain @SUFCRootsHall We had a terrible owner but Frank Rothwell saved us Hopefully loads of you will travel to our place on the 15/04 and we can all meet up for a beer
@JRM1862: When Chelsea are spending 300mil in January and clubs have to deal with this it’s sickening! Hopefully it gets sorted
@Sweendog82: Awful times, hope the situation improves
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