User:Kenmcnasty/sandbox

ShrimperZone.com is the independent web-site for all Southend United fans to keep in touch all around the world. The free to join web-site has over 4000 members and receives a million hits a month and is one of the busiest fans' forums outside of the Premiership. The anonymity of the membership enables people to post with impunity and, unless they divulge their usernames to others, no-one knows their real identity.

Created in 2001 as the SUFC Fans' Site by Mike (Westcliff Shrimper ) Smith and David (McSciven ) Scriven to provide information for Shrimper fans and the many forums enable members to comment on a variety of subjects, many not football related. It was re-launched in October 2003 in it's current form.

In 2004 both the original owners of the site left, Mike moved to Spain and Dave gained a job as media manager for Southend United, so they handed over control to Paul ( Napster ) Napper and Lee (Leeboy ) Morgan --- both dedicated United fans. After a period of time Ken ( mcnasty ) Jarvis joined the owners as a silent partner.

Paul subsequently moved to Kent and with his works commitments felt he could not devote the time required to help run the site.

With back to back promotions in 2004-5 and 2005-6 the Zone became busier and busier and it was felt more people were needed to run the site. Steve (Spaceman Spiff ) Clayton, Matt ( Matt the Shrimp ) Walker and James ( Uncle Leo ) Welham were invited to bring their skills to the Zone. It was proposed to form a limited company to run the web-site as it has grown so much it could no longer be just a hobby web-site. ShrimperZone.com limited was formed with 5 directors in April 2006.

Membership had grown to over 1500 due to promotions and popularity. Due to various work, family and overseas opportunities led to various changes in directors until the current directors being the long-standing Ken Jarvis and John ( Cricko ) Crickson. Despite 2 consecutive relegations the membership has risen to over 4,000 with usually 1000+ visiting the site every day and this figure is matched by the guests reading the forum posts.

ShrimperZone has it's own independent travel arm in TravelZone which provides transport enabling fans to attend all away games. This highly successful and well organised set up recently filled eleven coaches for Southend United's first ever Cup visit to the home of football when, on the 7th April 2013, the team played Crewe Alexandra at Wembley in the Final of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. A good day was had by all despite losing the match 0-2.

ShrimperZone has been instrumental in assisting in the launch of Southend United Independent Supporters Association in the summer of 2013. SUISA has been set up to give fans the choice of joining either the Shrimpers Trust, the long-established fans group or SUISA, both groups passionate about supporting the football club.