The Meeting was opened at 19:30 by outgoing Chairman of the Shrimpers Trust, Paul FitzGerald, who welcomed the 43 Trust members in attendance, plus guests, Tom Lawrence, Kevin Maher, Darren Currie, Mark Bentley and Jason Demetriou.

Paul, and incoming Chairman, James Schooley, jointly presented the Chairman’s Report, which had been pre-circulated to members, and noted some significant milestones in the year to end June 2024. Trust membership had surpassed the milestone figure of 1906, and then 2000, and is currently around the 2100 figure. This includes 490 Junior Blues. We’ve managed to reduce the number of postal only members down to 28 which has saved significantly on postage costs, and have also stopped issuing physical membership cards. No increase in membership fees is planned. Trust Vice-Chairman and Membership Secretary, Paul Yeomanson, was thanked for all his hard work over this and many previous years regarding membership

The Trust had continued to thrive in several key areas, notably SUEPA, the Junior Blues and the Social Inclusion Projects, and those Board Members responsible for these – Andy Leeder, Kay Fogg and Michelle Gargate – were thanked for all their efforts. Outgoing Fund-Raising Chairman, Alan Perry (who has moved up to Lincolnshire) was also thanked for his outstanding efforts in fund raising over many years, with particular emphasis on the success he has achieved with the Shrimpers Trust Quid A Goal scheme in recent seasons. Former Society Secretary, Lesley Hicks, was also thanked for all her hard work in administering the Trust’s Away Travel, which she will continue to do.

Whilst this AGM was reflective of the year up to end June 2024, it would be impossible not to reflect on the jubilation of the takeover, which eventually went through just a few weeks later, on 19th July 2024. The Trust may not have been leading protests but an established working group was busy behind the scenes, mediating, working with the custodians, engaging with outside agencies and, of course, in particular, leading the way with the Football Governance Bill, alongside former MP, Anna Firth. Indeed, it was notable that the incoming Sports Minister, the Right Honourable Stephanie Peacock, chose to launch the Governance Bill at Roots Hall, and that Paul and James were both invited to be a part of this presentation.

The takeover by COSU signalled the dawn of a new era at Southend United Football Club and James emphasised that the Trust needs to reflect this and update and adapt.

The Trust has supported the former Academy and Youth for the past 16 years and, whilst what passes as our youth team now sits under the umbrella of SUCF, the Board had voted to continue to support this valued asset and remains as front of shirt sponsors.

There had been many highlights for SUEPA over the last year and since June, including “A Match for Micky”, evenings with Peter Taylor and Roy McDonough and the commencement of regular Former Players Meetings. SUEPA is also grateful to JLS Building Services for their sponsorship this last year. There is absolutely no reason to disbelieve the idea that we’re not the biggest FPA in the world now with 515 members.

Total donations by the Trust to the Club and related causes surpassed £300,000 during the year, this includes approximately £30,000 raised for the Hardship Fund. Trust Board Members are in discussions with York Trust over the disbursement of these monies. The outstanding £40,000 (plus £4,000 interest) loan from October 2022, to the football club remains under discussion. Outgoing Treasurer, Clare Chapman, was thanked for all her hard work over several years as Treasurer, and before that, as the Away Travel Organiser.

It is now possible to make a donation to the Trust easily, at the click of a button, on the website.

On behalf of the Trust, James thanked Paul for his many years of service to the Trust as Chairman, particularly through the recent troubled times. In addition to Alan Perry, Lesley Hicks and Clare Chapman, thanks were also extended to other outgoing Trust Board Members, Rob Craven, Shane Chapman, Ben Humphries and Harrison Lane.

Following recent elections, we were delighted to re-elect Paul Yeomanson and Andy Leeder to the Board, and to formally welcome new Treasurer Chris Hunt, who had been co-opted to work with Clare during the year, plus new Board Members Matt and Kelly Bolton, Sam Duckworth, Gary Jackets, Paul Hill and Mike Paterson.

Paul thanked everyone for their support over the years.

It is hoped to bring the next AGM forward so it is held closer to the year end.

This signalled the end of the business session of the evening, and, after a chance to refuel glasses, Tom Lawrence and Kevin Maher were welcomed to the top table for a Question and Answer Session, ably supported by Darren Currie, Mark Bentley and Jason Demetriou.

The first question related back to the £40,000 loan and how this is going to be resolved to a mutually agreeable outcome. Tom thanked Paul for his support over recent years, and the Trust for making this money available as it had enabled the Club to continue to compete and even to survive. Discussions have been ongoing since the takeover about this loan. There are basically three options – to repay the full amount/to pay back a % in the £/to offset against sponsorship or some refurbishment and Tom would like to have a formal offer at the next scheduled Liaison Meeting on 23rd January.

A number of questions were directed towards Kevin, relating to what is needed to get us moving up the table, and to the situation with strikers. Kevin was honest in his responses, saying that it’s obvious which areas we need to strengthen and what we need. It’s the area of the pitch we are least consistent in and to strengthen there, costs money. We’d been tracking Charlie Kendall for some time. Losing Harry Cardwell and Ollie Kensdale was a double blow, Cardwell’s defensive qualities were also missing – it was reckoned possibly 8 points lost this season from set pieces, that likely wouldn’t have been with Cardwell playing. Statistics indicate that we are doing well, heading in the right direction. We’re top of the statistics table for crosses into the box but we’re not converting.

Cardwell also used to lead the press on the pitch as well, and we saw the first signs of Kendall doing this at Ebbsfleet so this is an area to improve in.

Zach Jeacock has returned at the end of his loan period but it is hoped that he will return soon, once Lincoln’s current injury situation is resolved (which may be by them loaning in a GK themselves). Talks are ongoing in the hope of loaning him again until the end of the season.

James Golding has come in from Oxford Utd on loan and is doing well, he looks good and his loan is expected to be extended to the end of the season. He’s still in contract at the end of the season but we will see how things go.

Someone asked if it was hard to get a loanee without a recall clause, and Tom said yes, it is. We include them ourselves with our players out on loan.

Luton had a window between the 1st and 10th January in which they could recall Bim Pepple, and, unfortunately, this has been activated. Bim was happy with us and had wanted to stay. Kevin felt that his contacts at Luton were happy with Bim’s progress but that the decision to recall had been out of their hands. Tom emphasised that it had not been a financial decision. Would it be better to have a player growing in confidence, happy and settled, loved by the fans and scoring for fun or going to sit on a bench in League Two, where he hadn’t previously had any success when loaned out?

Kevin was asked about the level of officiating in our League. The questioner felt that the quality of some of the officials had been amateurish and out of place in a professional league, and wanted to know if managers of Clubs in the NL had plans to make representation. Kevin said he felt that there were a shortage of officials and some are fast tracked too quickly. In relation to the specific game the question obviously referred to, he also defended the referee, feeling that it was more the 4th official who had caused the problems.

To a question about whether anyone is interested in any of our players, Tom said that any potential transfers would be discussed, but that there is no pressure to sell at the present time. Any significant offers would potentially be considered if there was an easy and cheap alternative available.

Tom was asked if we are on target financially, to which he replied we are actually ahead at the present time. There’s been a significant increase in year on year income as fans have come back and are supporting the team on matchdays. The Commercial team had also had a strong response to securing sponsorships resulting in an increase of £750,000 quoted. Tom also said that there is a £1.3m net difference in revenue centrally between the EFL2 and the National League from TV money but that we are in the best place we’ve been for a long time financially.

Kevin was asked about Macauley Bonne, who, several supporters noted, had become a target for certain factions of fans, particularly at the Braintree away game on New Year’s Day. Kevin said he had had several conversations with him, they want him to be more selfish. He has a good football brain, but always wants to do things for others, set them up and so on. It’s an area where we’ve had a lot of change and the one where we need to start seeing improvements.

Tom and Kevin responded to questions about identifying transfer targets explaining that there is now a transfer committee composed of three Board members (Justin Rees, Shivaas Gulati and Jason Brown) plus Kevin and John Still. This is largely data and analytically driven with a profile created to support targets. This is then given over to Jason and the scouts. There are plenty of targets being looked at, with dossiers of 3 or 4 pages – one on information about the individual, then up to three scouting reports, then a final page planned compiling data – and plans are to be able to recruit early for next season. A question was raised about the validity of the Board being involved in making decisions on player targets, whether this detracts from the management team. Tom responded that the new system is to extrapolate information, to identify and support the process and will exist alongside traditional scouting methods. There’s no prohibition on signing players, Tom admitted that they are still finding their way with it, and added that if they only relied on this, Charlie Kendall wouldn’t have been one they would have gone for.

To questions about the training ground, it transpires that they are doubling up using both Boots and Laces and the new pitches while work is finished off. Cabins have gone in at the new training ground, these need to be finished fitting out and internet connections put in etc. A £57,000 spend has been authorised for the new gym to be kitted out, with a further £60,000+ spend on ground maintenance equipment planned. Kevin emphasised that it is the culture at the football club and the togetherness of the supporters and the team that is makes it so special. Loan players come in and don’t want to leave, we’ve seen this over a number of seasons with a variety of players.

The work undertaken in the North-West Corner recently was commended and it was pointed out that some supporters need to feel some love, to help repay the faith shown over the years. The recent situation with season ticket holders being charged to relocate to the North Stand and closing the doors behind the West Stand so the new burger van couldn’t be accessed. Tom admitted that charging for the transfer of season ticket seats to the North shouldn’t have happened, it had been an inbuilt part of the Kaizen ticketing system and that the Club would be addressing this. He added that the North Bank would remain on trial for the rest of the season, and also that the East Stand was still 2/3 years away from being demolished.

Darren Currie paid a lovely tribute to Kevin, saying what a humble and respectful man he was, how he was always open to ideas. They talk a lot amongst themselves. Kevin’s loyalty to the Club is unparalleled and that he, Benno and JD feel it too. He’s a pleasure to work for, and impatient to get the Club back to where it belongs, he added that they all share that frustration. Last season had taught him this, the togetherness brought this Club forward and makes it special.

A question arising from what was said at the last Club AGM, Ron Martin had promised that employees would be rewarded for their loyalty, did Tom know if this had been carried out as promised? Tom said he absolutely expected that he would honour this promise.

The final set of questions were related to the Club Shop. Several people felt that opportunities had been missed, that there hadn’t been enough stock or range of items. Tom responded by saying that we’ve been with Macron for 4 years with another year to run. They run the shop, organise their staff, supply etc. The Club receives a loyalty payment. Tom admitted it had not been a priority during the fight for survival.

To give some perspective though, Tom said that last season, we sold 2,800 shirts across the season. We sold this number in the first week of this season and are currently at nearly double this for the whole of the season so far. The sales for the 1st quarter of the year have already outstripped the whole of last season, so things are all a bit unprecedented. Tom acknowledges that there is work to do here and that they regularly meet and provide feedback to representatives from Macron. He plans to make sure that plans for improvements to stock levels and range are in place for next season.