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Crowd of Southend fans gathers outside Ron Martin’s home making feelings known in protest

A crowd of Southend United fans gathers outside Ron Martin’s home making their feelings known in protest towards the running of the club.

Supporters, staff and players protest are still unsure as to if they will see their side play any part in the National League this season.

As the Southend Fans Protest Group say: “No squad, No medical team, no training, no friendlies, embargo, no wages for staff…”

The season begins in 21 days and they haven’t played one friendly.

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A joint supporters group statement said: “With potentially a matter of days left until the National League revokes Southend United’s licence, we have reached a critical juncture.

“The combined supporters’ groups have therefore agreed to undertake immediate and direct action.

“We invite you to join us on the corner of Essex Way, Vicarage Hill and Benfleet Road this Saturday, 15th July for a sensible and lawful protest.

“This will take place between 10am and 8pm and will be rolling in nature, giving fans the flexibility to come and go as they please or to join us for a while at a time that suits them.

“Bring your placards, signs, posters and leaflets and make your feelings clear, but a zero tolerance policy on alcohol will be in effect.

“The damage that Ron Martin has done to our beloved football club is unforgiveable, and he must pay his debts and leave now.”

Essex Police has said officers are aware of the planned protest and have confirmed patrols will be in place during the event on July 15.

A spokesman for the force commented: “We are aware of a planned peaceful protest in Southend on Saturday.

“Patrols will be in place and we will monitor and engage positively with those involved to ensure the protest is safely managed.”

Hardship Fund statement from Shrimpers Trust

Following the latest adjournment, Ron Martin released another statement showing a lack of care or compassion for our loyal staff who have not been paid in 4 months in some instances.

Staff had good reason to expect back payment by the 12th July as the Club posted the following as a final paragraph on their previous statement (5th June) “In short, the petition debt and sums due to staff must, and will, be paid before 12th July 2023.”

The Owner appears to have zero empathy with the people who work for him. They have bills, rent and mortgages to pay, they have families to feed and all at a time of a cost-of-living crisis. Despite this, they are treated like they do not matter.

Well, they matter to us.

Staff have shown extreme loyalty to the club and we can confirm we have begun the process of making payments to applicants with fundraising now having surpassed the £5,500 mark.

Thank you for all your generous donations, it has really made a difference to people in our club and community.

We must not stop here; we have only been able to help a small number of staff and there does not seem an end in sight to this fiasco.

We now continue to ask for your support in helping us with the hardship fund.

The link to support this is here, alternatively you can scan the QR Code to the right.

If you are unable to contribute or have already made a contribution, please share as widely as possible and if on social media, even tag some of your favourite accounts. It really helps in spreading the message and is extremely appreciated.

To any staff member reading this, thank you, we stand ready to help you with our hardship fund. Please make contact us via DM or email us at chairman@shrimperstrust.co.uk to find out more. Your identity will be treated in the strictest confidence.

The Shrimpers Trust Board

SEE MORE: Fans plan further protests as Southend cancel pre-season friendly day before game

SEE MORE: Ron Martin has his say hours after court appearance on Southend’s future

SEE MORE: Packed out courtroom find out fate of Southend United’s latest winding up petition

Here’s how social media users are reacting as a crowd of Southend fans gathers outside Ron Martin’s home making their feelings known in protest…

@JHCSportsReport: Keep doing what you are doing Southend supporters #MartinOut

@neilhay3s: Bad owners need to be driven out . They put unrealistic demands on the sale of clubs. The NL are very quiet at the moment, but they’ll pounce eventually and demand a bond like they did with my club Wrexham many years ago. Shrimpers fans need to be ready to raise it quickly.

@magpies_history: Keep fighting for YOUR club! 💪🏼

@GeorgeDavisHAR: Will be driving by later on my way to work, have a good one guys!

@allen_bonesy: Seeing the numbers today is very emotional. well done to you all, wish I could be there with u #MartinOut

@move_say: Now we’re coming in numbers…. more of a turn out then tottenham wanting levy out….

@worzel999: Good luck guys, I hope and pray you get the outcome you need and deserve 🙏🏻👍🏻 (Walsall fan)

@merlinsbeard66: Great to see a good crowd of all ages 💙

@sportyreg: Good luck from #Wxmafc

@benjames1996: This is hardship, @ManUtd fans moaning about the glazers when they lose need to understand you lot have it easy and shouldn’t be so entitled. Southend United are on the brink of extinction and it’s heartbreaking as the club will be a massive part of the community. Good luck 🤞

@CustardSplatPod: Fuck off Ron 🐀 🤥

@Brad_Gray_: He could sell the club and all this would stop.

@sophsomething: Owners, players, managers come and go but fans are there for life. Best of luck to all the Southend fans, nobody deserves to lose their club

@lancs_rob: @BBCNews @SkyNews @SkySportsNews @talkSPORT should be on this story and highlighting the issue. Instead no doubt it will be Saudi this and “big 6” that ad usual. #ScumMedia

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