Well…. pretty much as expected we didn’t make the play offs, but it was again an exciting season in parts and we know what might have been achieved with a better start. Problems at the beginning of the season have been well chronicled so let’s hope we don’t find ourselves in the same position again.
For me the season was dominated by the increased use of loan players and despite this being less than ideal, I think we’d all have to admit that as the years roll on the loan players at the club have increasingly been a) the norm and b) of higher quality. Personally I’d single out young Lee Sawyer; his attitude, commitment and no lack of skill were a joy and I wish him well wherever he ends up ….if only that were Southend. But he was not the only star and I don’t think it will be long before we see Dorian playing at a significantly higher level.
The season also saw a few youth team graduates breakthrough and that is not only pleasing personally (part Shirt sponsor of Franck) but also proof that investing in the youth does pay off – something the Trust has been doing for the last few years and is considering in a bigger way for the coming seasons.
Of course to do that we need not only to maintain our current level of income but also increase it and despite some tremendous fund raising efforts from the Trust team last year we continue to need new ideas.
On that point, several of the Trust committee met representatives from the 1st team (Adam & Dougie) recently to explain how the cycle of funding works and how their commitment, or lack of it, to our functions affect the investment we can put back into the club. We provided a schedule of amounts donated to the various Football Club activities and related causes over the last 4 years and they appeared surprised – maybe sometimes we don’t big ourselves up enough! As you’d expect both were extremely positive and understood the issues, promising to encourage the players to get involved in events agreed to be of mutual interest. More details of what we have agreed will be available shortly.
Finally, have a great summer and here’s to next season.
