FANS WANT CLUB SOLD

Shrimpers hit with new petition

CRISIS CLUB Southend United have been hit with another wind- ing up petition by HMRC.

The Shrimpers survived a winding up petition by paying close to £2million back in March.

But the National League club will now be back in the High Court in mid-May after yet another outstanding tax bill.

The winding up petition is Southend’s 18th in 23 years and fans continue to fear for the future of the club.

Under-fire chairman Ron Martin insists the club is up for sale.

But fans want him to be realistic with his demands.

A supporter group statement said: “Now is the time for Ron Martin to consider what he wants his legacy to be, and whether he’d like to depart with some goodwill in the bank.

“We believe that his position is untenable and his redemption in the eyes of the fanbase impossible, but he can still prove that he truly cares about the club and show that he is doing right by it and its supporters.

“We therefore implore the owner to be realistic about the terms and timeline of a sale, and to be an open book.

Embargo

“A good start would be to audit and submit all missing accounts.

“This summer must not develop into a game of chicken. Time is of the essence.”

Full-time office staff at Roots Hall are still waiting to be paid for March and April while the club have been in a transfer embargo since last September due to money owed to HMRC.

Shrimpers boss Kevin Maher cannot offer new contracts to existing players in his squad until the restrictions are lifted and fears stars like Jack Bridge could end up leaving the club this summer.

And, when asked about his future, Maher said: “The coaching staff is unbelievable and we’re set up ready to go but what I don’t want is to be taken for granted.

“I’ve got a great connection with the club.

“I believe in the staff and I’ve got loyalty to them and everyone at the club.

“I really want to succeed for the football club first and foremost but I want to be given that opportunity to work properly.

“The football department is in a great place, we’ve got a good CEO and recruitment is in a good place too but I have a family to think about and they come first.”

Club legend Maher led the Shrimpers to an eighth placed finish last season despite the off field issues and they could have even sneaked into the play-offs on the final day.