SOUTHEND United fans are being urged  to delay buying season cards for the 2023/24 campaign.

The Shrimpers announced an increase in prices earlier today.

And a statement from the Southend United supporters’ groups requested supporters wait until chairman Ron Martin has met with them before deciding whether or not to renew their seats.

The statement said: “Our loyal support is being taken for granted and our quiet acceptance assumed.

“The supporters deserve to be engaged and communicated with rather than treated with continued disdain.

“Whilst the club chairman, Ron Martin, has indicated that he would be agreeable to a meeting with supporters’ groups to discuss key issues in the club’s short- and long-term future, the date for this has yet to be arranged.

“We urge him to commit to a date for this immediately.

“As a consequence, we suggest that all supporters delay the purchase of season cards until the results of our fan consultation are known.

“The consultation runs until Friday 17th March and we will make a further statement after this point and well ahead of the “early bird” deadline.”

An adult season card cost £295 for the current campaign but will rise to £340 for next season and £380 when the early bird window ends.

And the supporters group are also frustrated they were not consulted with before the increased prices went public.

The statement added: “We are disappointed that details of 2023/24 Southend United season cards have been announced without consultation with the club’s supporters.

 

 

“Despite recent publicity around supporter engagement in the UK Government White Paper and the release of a supporter-led consultation yesterday, Southend United FC have clearly demonstrated they don't consider this important, regardless of the platitudes about the quality of our support contained within the club’s announcement. “

The group remain right behind boss Kevin Maher and his players but struggle to understand the large price hike.

The group said: “We all want to give our full support to Kevin Maher and his team.

“However, we struggle to think of a justification for proposed price increases to an adult season ticket of 15 per cent at the early-bird rate, and almost 30 per cent once that offer has expired in just four weeks’ time.

“These increases are comfortably above the national inflation rate of nine per cent.

“This will be unpalatable to many supporters during a cost of living crisis, given that many of them remain deeply concerned about the appalling way in which the club is being run.

“Consultation may have borne out these opinions and prevented yet another public relations disaster for the club.”

Fans are also being urged to make their feelings known here.

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