Southend fans, following another defeat in midweek, went to Roots Hall to lock the team coach out of the ground and also threw eggs.
The Shrimpers fans haven’t had much to cheers about lately, though did however see their club survive getting wound up in court recently.
Tuesday night saw Southend suffer their heaviest ever defeat to their Essex rivals Colchester United, losing 6-1 in the Papa John’s Trophy.
Supporters were kept updated with in-game commentary on the dreadful loss, so in protest went to the ground and padlocked the gates to show just how angry they are at a 16th game without victory.
Mark Molesley’s side currently sit bottom of the League Two table with two points in 11 games and remain under a transfer embargo.
Molesley in an open letter to fans: “I wanted to communicate to our fans that with our current injury list, several key players catching up a lack of pre-season and playing a lot of games recently, putting them at risk last night was not an option.
“We can see how hard it has been this season playing without our key players and need to protect them as our numbers are very limited.
“I understand and share your hurt and frustrations at the moment. I can assure you we are working tirelessly to turn our fortunes.
“Now more than ever we must remain united in these times of hardship and use these struggles to develop our strength.”
?️ #Blues boss Mark Molesley gives his post match reflections to last night’s defeat to Colchester United. ?
— Southend United (@SUFCRootsHall) November 11, 2020
Southend were knocked out of the FA Cup by non-league Boreham Wood via penalties on Saturday and have yet to win a game this season.
Chairman Ron Martin said: “Further changes need to be made.
“Surprise surprise… I hear readers say.
“When I appointed Mark Molesley, and with him several backroom staff including an analyst and goalkeeper coach, the club had already culled the squad by 13. Since then a further three have departed. Of the 13 players in last year’s squad, and many in the previous season’s squad, I have no regret letting any go. Most were overpaid and underachieved.
“Changes had to be made then to restore the culture of the club.
“At the time of employing Sol Campbell I had to act fast and there were no outstanding candidates. Discussion with Henrik Larsson had, unfortunately, for both of us, just came to an abrupt end after five weeks. Henrik, now assistant manager at Barcelona, text me a few days ago… but I do not think we expect any loanees!
“So when Sol departed during lockdown I had time to really interview our next manager. When I talk about making further changes there are three areas supporters focus on.
“For starters, I have no interest in selling the club. I have a job to do and remain strongly motivated to deliver the town a successful and sustainable football club. Mark and I share the same work ethic as do his staff… we are all motivated to get this right.
“Since Mark started we have brought in seven new players (one’s gone back) and in the close season we moved several young players up from the Academy who Sol had “blooded”. This took up a lot of places, in fact we have a large squad of players (many young and not necessarily ready for the rigour of League Two).
“The way I see it, some of our players are not good enough (yet) and some do not work hard enough… the penny has to drop on that cultural change; they have to employ the same work ethic as everybody around them.
“Having discharged the Bill to HMRC we now need to unlock the Embargo and recruit. Mainly in both boxes but to cover injuries too (losing Nathan Ralph was a blow). Mark and I will get this right or die trying.
“These are tough times for all of us. The effects of Covid have magnified the problems no end. However, we are “on it”… please stay with us; we need you.”
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In October, the club settled tax debts worth £493,931, allowing a winding-up petition against the League Two club to be dismissed by the High Court. You can read more on that by clicking HERE.
There was plenty of social media reaction after seeing that Southend fans chose to lock the team coach out of their ground following their latest defeat…
Martin Cass: Yes. Misplaced anger is exactly the sort of behaviour we need right now.
Leon Pezzuolo: Can’t unlock a defence either……..
Trevor Bartholomew: Players are embarrassing ?
Tommy Chamberlain Jnr: Love it. About time
Euan Bass: at least the players and management knows what this means, rather then be negative they should use this a trigger to put some fight in
Thomas Finch: About time someone done something hopefully there more to come and more people can be involved ? ? ?
Lee Jeffries: Whilst I don’t agree with the manner of which they went about it… at least the fans are showing more passion about this club than the players on the pitch and the board! They need to get a grip on this crisis before it becomes too late… What’s the point of having a shiny new stadium when your not even playing in the Football League!
Matthew Gunn: It was a padlock it was not to far it was a point being proven I think we all as fans should get together to show these players managers and owners that they are completely ruining the club and for them to have no fight is embarresing
Ben Rudd: What a waste of eggs
James Grigg: Really helpful!! Young team with a few making the first team squad for the first time as well. Should do their confidence a world of good!! ffs ?♂️
Lee Mason: I’m sure this is just the beginning. Things will get worse unless Ron leaves the club.! #martinout
Luke Rush: Average age of 20.7? Getting fully grown adults throwing stuff at them for following their managers instructions? Lock the gate…great message. Throw stuff at kids? Grow up.
Mark Jones: Why is this childish? If we were in the stands he would hear how upset the fans are, reading posts & emails haven’t worked ( if he reads them at all) this isn’t childish this is real fans, real supporters showing how angry & frustrated they really are …
John Campbell: Should throw shit at it
Colin Brown: Can understand the frustration watching our club crumble in front of our eyes. Shame on you Ron Martin!
Chris Callaghan: Absolutely gutted, embarrassed and ashamed to be a supporter of over 50 years standing of my beloved Southend United today! Regrettably nothing to do with last nights awful performance and result (that carries a different soul-destroying feeling) no my feelings are the result of the performance and actions directed at our players on their return to our home. For the young inexperienced players that have been cruelly exposed to the situation we now find ourselves in, through prolonged off field mismanagement, what on earth has this done to their already low confidence. Remember a number of these lads have grown up with the club and consider it their club too. All this pie in the sky talk about RM shd sell up, let’s sack yet another manager, let’s bring in past legends to save us, for God’s sake let’s get real. The situation is like Covid, we are not in bloody control of it at the present time all we as fans can do is live up to our name Southend UNITED and if anyone seriously believes the actions at Roots Hall last night are constructive ones then good luck to them but for me it sunk lower than any performance on the pitch!
SEE ALSO: Huge news announced on Southend’s winding up order following High Court appearance
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