Editorial Ethics
The Shrimpers-online aims to publish Southend United coverage that is accurate, fair, independent and clearly presented. These standards explain how we approach facts, opinion, corrections and responsibility to readers.
Four principles guide the site
Every article, archive page, guide, match report and opinion piece should be created with care. We aim to distinguish fact from opinion and to make clear when information has been updated or corrected.
Accuracy
We aim to check names, dates, scores, statistics and factual claims before publication.
Independence
Editorial decisions are made independently and are not controlled by advertisers, sponsors, clubs or outside interests.
Fairness
Coverage should be responsible, respectful and proportionate, even when opinion is strong.
Accountability
If we publish something that is factually wrong, we aim to correct it clearly and promptly.
Reliable information comes first
Football news, statistics and historical records can change as new information becomes available. Where a genuine factual error is identified, we review the evidence and correct the relevant content where appropriate.
Developing information may also be updated when later facts become available. Updates and factual corrections are not always the same thing.
Read the Corrections PolicyThe site speaks for itself
The Shrimpers-online is an independent supporter website. It is not owned, operated or editorially controlled by Southend United Football Club, advertisers, sponsors or other organisations.
Commercial relationships, where they exist, do not buy favourable editorial treatment or control over what the site publishes.
Strong views are welcome. Misleading readers is not.
The Shrimpers-online is written from a supporter perspective. Opinion, analysis and fan reaction may reflect the views of the writer, and readers may reasonably disagree with those views.
Opinion should still be presented honestly and responsibly. Passion is part of football, but personal abuse, discrimination, fabricated claims and deliberate attempts to mislead readers have no place on the site.
Use reliable information where possible
Where factual claims depend on external information, we aim to use official sources, recognised football data, contemporary reports or other sources appropriate to the subject.
Quotations, statistics and historical claims should be attributed or explained where doing so helps readers understand where the information came from.
Supporter knowledge matters
Readers often hold valuable knowledge about Southend United's history. Constructive corrections, archive information, memories and supporting evidence are welcome.
If you believe something published on the site needs checking, please contact us with enough detail for the issue to be investigated properly.
Hold us to the standards we publish
Editorial standards only mean something if readers can question the site when something appears wrong. You can raise a concern, report an error or ask about our editorial approach through the Contact page.