Brown appointed: fans react

Chairman Martin Ron rambles incoherently - EXCLUSIVE TO ALL PAPERS

Chairman Martin Ron rambles exclusively and with erratic punctuation to the Southend Afternoon Echo Sportsdesk The decision I have had to make today was a very hard call but one I instinctively know is correct and in the best interests of Southend United Football Club's chief shareholder, South East Lesiure Ltd's chief shareholder Dawn Martin plc's chief shareholder, Martin Ron. Most people associated with the Club are currently thinking of “the day out” at Wembley. The 7th April will be a Special Day, a day in the Club’s history….a day for the Town of Southend and a day for the manager, who I have invited along as mascot (provided he pays for his kit - note Paul that doesn't say kilt!) I too will look forward to “our day out” but as Chairman my responsibility and focus must also be on the wider interests of “Martin Ron”. The primary objective last season and again this season was get the fans off my back. The Manager and Players have understood that from the outset. We came up short last season in the Play Offs and the recent results against relatively low League teams such as: o Accrington o Barnet o Wimbledon o Plymouth and o Torquay have not been good enough…..2 points out of 15 by any standard is poor. ALL these Teams’ tax bills are settled considerably earlier than Southend United’s and 4 out of the 5 teams are around half of what I or my numerous chief executives (has the latest one quit yet? - MR) have invest in “its” Squad by imposing marquee signings like Freddy Eastwood and Neil Harris in an attempt to fill seats. The amount of investment in these players must be one of the fundamental criteria for success – otherwise I could argue that by cutting the Clubs budget in half we should still expect promotion. Our investment has enabled the Manager to build a squad both last year and this year of having more, quality, players at his disposal than most Teams in the League. Therefore in the event of injury or suspension other players were readily available to “step up to the plate” and prove themselves. Except when I sold Kane Ferdinand and we had only one central midfielder for the start of the season and were under embargo so we couldn't get anyone in. All Teams in football have injuries and when that has happened at Southend we have "supported" the Manager too late. The Board has recently sanctioned an additional six players (5 loanees) to help maintain the challenge at the top end of the Table, although let's not too many questions about why Ben Reeves and Tam Mkandawire's loans did not go through in time for the Wimbledon game one of the games I say we should have won. However the form, just as it did last season, has dropped off when it should have been pushing for automatic promotion - it was almost as if the new players didn't have time to settle! Let’s be clear, promotion should always be a realistic prospect for Southend United in League 2. We are not a League 2 Club even though we have played in the basement division for much of the club's history. Promotion has always been the first priority except when we desperately needed to beat Orient in the Area Final in order to get the Wembley gate receipts needed to pay off the tax-man before our latest visit to the winding up court and so the Manager rushed back from injury his two most experienced defenders who subsequently ended up missing the rest of the season and the Manager has always known that. If one knew nothing of football one could reasonably expect to win all the above games and that would have seen us currently 2nd in the League Table…even 12 points would have seen us in the Automatics. So we're obviously not that far off and the margin between success and failure is fine. However with just 2 points out of 15 when judged against that arbitrary selection of 5 games it ignores that we won away at high flying Port Vale during that period and have taken 5 points from the last 15 obviously still not great but not sufficient to be sacked hence the random choosing of those five matches out of context. Paul Sturrock’s three year contract comes to an end this season and The Club will not be renewing Paul’s contract. Paul’s first year was difficult after I tied his hands behind his back but the last two seasons he has had a free hand to achieve the clear objective of getting the Club out of this League with only the one tied behind his back - at least most of the time. No matter how much I personally wrestle with the positive arguments (Paul is experienced, a nice man, honest and likeable) and is better than the alternatives named so far my responsibility is to myself and the disappointing season ticket renewal numbers which leaves me short of cash. If the Club were to appoint a different Manager during the Close Season the new man would have no opportunity to assess the ability of the current squad of players in, and crucially, a competitive environment. That would mean that we would start next season with uncertainty, inevitable changes and a loss of continuity as he got to grips with each players ability (strengths/weaknesses), the individual characteristics and how those temperaments mould within the squad as a whole. Instead, with the season over we will see the players compete in midtable games with nothing riding on them and suffer from a lack of continuity next season after the new man brings in his own signings. The next 7-8 games (at least) is an opportunity for the players to prove their ability. After all, one can change a manager on just 5 games in nearly three seasons so 7-8 games is plenty to judge players. I have not lost faith in this Squad, they are good people who haven't griped when I've paid them late, with talent and many capable of playing at a higher level and who will no doubt now walk away at the end of the season to do so. I would like to keep much of the Squad together but it is now up to each and every player to prove beyond any doubt that my faith in the new Manager, is not misplaced. The Club as I say above will not be renewing Paul’s contract at the end of this season and will appoint a new Manager tomorrow to ensure interest in season ticket sales are protected and tickets are sold in advance both now and from the first day of next Season. They say “there is no money to be made in football” I do not agree, we are all human and have to understand the emotions influenced by our decisions. The decisions here are, as I say at the beginning of this Statement, driven by the wider interests of Southend United…..its success and growth whilst remaining conscious of what is fair and just. These may not be sentiments consistent with what I've done but it is the way I want this Club to be run and you don't get a say. For all these reasons I have suggested to Paul he leads the Team out and manages them at Wembley. He has earned that privilege and agreed to be mascot for the day. Martin Ron Chairman

Exclusive 2010-2011 season memorabilia offer

Missed this year's big event? The Southend Afternoon Echo Sportsdesk are pleased to present for sell by auction to our discerning readers the ultimate in sports memorabilia:

Authentic Cutlery from the West Ham United end of season dinner

*Ideal for anyone who failed to get Demba Ba's autograph
*Comes in presentational police exhibit evidence bag

Estimated cost: a mere £80,000,000


Going.... going.... going.... down.

Southend poised to sign Jones on loan?

With the transfer deadline looming, rumours are circulating Roots Hall that the forward Southend United are chasing on loan is former West Ham striker Steve Jones.

The move follows pressure from fans to revive the fortunes of the Essex side who are currently lying 13th in the table.

Signing the veteran Jones would meet Paul Sturrock's wishes that any new frontman would be experienced, as he seeks to learn from history, having signed the inexperienced Waide Fairhurst, Nathaniel Jarvis and that one from QPR whose name escapes me, for spectacularly unsuccessful loan spells already this season.

However a stumbling block would be the wages of former Benfleet based front man, especially with the League Two side struggling to pay players and the tax man. Nevertheless fans took time out from calling for owner Ron Martin to go over his financial mismanagement of the club, to demand new signings to boost squad numbers.

The Southend Afternoon Echo will be the first to bring you the news should Southend manage to sign the new Steve Jones on transfer deadline day.

EXCLUSIVE: Ron Martin goes to jail

Controversial Southend United Chairman Ron Martin sensationally has gone to jail, the Southend Afternoon Echo Sportsdesk can exclusively report.

The immacutely haired club owner who has been interviewed by the police over allegations made by his cleaner and also on suspicion of money-laundering and corruption
- although the Southend Afternoon Echo is eager to add no charges were brought on either occasion - sensationally went today to Chelmsford Prison to collect disgraced winger Ryan Hall, who was released on bail pending an appeal over his 20 week sentence for affray.

Ryan Hall will now reportedly be available for both Saturday and Tuesday's crucial encounters for the promotion chasing League Two side.

Ron Martin has been convicted of no offence.

Breaking News: Blues' stadium to leave room for running track

In a sensational development it's been announced that the new Fossetts Farm stadium will include room for a running track.

It what's thought to be a homage to the London 2012 Olympic legacy and a cheap* joke at W*** H**'s expense, the ground is to include room for a running track by leaving an entire stand unbuilt.

By building a three sided ground there will also be room for a golf course, a swimming pool or probably just some more houses.


More to follow



*25% off the build price

Ferdinand attracting interest from agent

Kane Ferdinand's agent has put a cluster of Championship sides on high alert after the agent announced told Southend through Sky Sports - rather than the more usual methods of communication like e-mail or telephone - that he'd turned down a contract offer from Southend.

The 18-year-old cousin of Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has managed to establish himself in the Shrimpers first team with some mature displays at the heart of their midfield.

In recent weeks Roots Hall has been busy with scouts eager to see Bilel Mohsni, although Ferdinand's agent has been quick to claim the scouts are watching his client.

Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest are reportedly among the teams his agent has asked if they would be interested should the midfielder opt to further his wage packet to a higher level.

Indeed, the interest of this agent has prompted the League Two outfit to put a professional deal to the Under-19 Republic of Ireland international.

Under the terms of his scholarship contract, if Ferdinand fails to sign a professional contract by mid-March he will be able to walk away for free.

As Ferdinand's agent Matthew Southall might as well have said: "Kane has done very well over the last few weeks for me. He has shown his versatility and maturity and settled into the team well, which should earn me a fair bit more commission.

"I have asked one or two clubs to make enquiries which I expect to bump up what Southend are offering. At the moment, he is a Southend United player and is happy to be playing regularly but that won't stop me trying and make him move and hopefully we can ramp up his contract offer over the coming weeks."