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

Fans plan further protests as Southend United say they have had to cancel a pre-season friendly just a day before the game.

Chris Phillips of Echosport reported at 12:40pm (14 July): “Blues are doing all they can to be able to play at Billericay tomorrow. More to follow later.

But by 2:30pm, he said, along with the club statements: “Blues’ match at Billericay has been cancelled.”

SOUTHEND STATEMENT:

We regret to inform supporters that tomorrow’s pre-season friendly against Billericay Town has been cancelled.

Due to some injuries to contracted players, we are unable to fulfil a matchday squad.

We apologise for the inconvenience caused.

BILLERICAY STATEMENT:

MATCH CANCELLED – Tomorrow’s scheduled fixture vs Southend United has been cancelled.

If there are any clubs at steps 3-5 that would like to fill this slot please contact Nick Hutt on 07712 148864 by 4pm today please. The pitch here at New Lodge and the match officials are all booked.

If you purchased online tickets for the Southend game and wish to gain a refund please contact GH@billericaytownfc.co.uk

Apologies for any inconvenience caused.

#BTFC #ACommunityClub

Meanwhile, Shrimpers Trust released their own statements: “As part of our continued attempts to ensure that Southend United Football Club survives, the Shrimpers Trust has reached out to Kriss Tremaine of Kimura Capital LLP.

“We share a sense of frustration at the current situation, which sees a 117-year-old community asset put at risk by the current owner, Ron Martin, who in March announced that he was prepared to sell the club or seek investment in it.

“It is our belief that the statement released on the club’s official website on Wednesday evening was disingenuous in that it only referred to part of the deal.

“Any prospective new owner would rightly want to make full use of the opportunity to maximise the club’s potential.

“At the moment, it seems the two parties are some way off an agreement.

“It is difficult to see how the situation can be resolved without Ron Martin engaging in a realistic acquisition process, but the Shrimpers Trust stands ready to assist in any way it can to facilitate this.”

It’s been another testing week for the club, having gone back to court, given another 42 days to pay off a £275,000 debt to HMRC, with staff still going unpaid three months, some haven’t receives wages for four weeks, Southend are under a transfer embargo, players are stopping training together for a week waiting for their payments, water has been cut off at their training ground and pre-season is still not getting underway with a game against Canvey Island rearranged while the friendly with Billericay Town is as mentioned postponed.

A joint supporters group statement reads: “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 unforgivable, and he must pay his debts and leave now.”

Shrimpers Trust said on Thursday: “In summary, following yesterday’s statement from the owner, Ron Martin, we have little faith that he will be able to resolve the matter before the next adjourned court hearing in 42 days.

“We have therefore requested that the National League do the following.

“Set a public deadline for a date before the commencement of the new season by which Southend United FC must pay all debts to HMRC and football creditors, including all club employees, in line with National League rules around the club’s licence.

“Help to bring the matter to a swift conclusion without immediate sanctions, which would only serve to punish the supporters and employees of the club whilst having little impact on the outgoing owner.

“As emotionally difficult and worrying as it would be for many supporters to see a public, hard deadline, it is our opinion that the can cannot be kicked further down the road.

“Setting such a date would provide much-deserved clarity to supporters and employees of the club.

“It will leave everybody, including the club’s ownership, in absolutely no doubt about the expectations and requirements.

“It will also provide a degree of certainty upon which the owner can be publicly held to account, rather than keeping such deadlines secret and hiding behind Non-Disclosure Agreements.

“We recognise that the National League has a duty to protect the integrity of its competition, whilst satisfying other members who are acting in good faith,” they added.

“For these reasons, it is time for this matter to be brought to a swift conclusion with a clear public deadline and consequences.”

Southend have just 14 contracted players with more and more leaving to find a new club so they can provide for their families.

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

As mentioned, fans plan further protests as Southend cancel the pre-season friendly a day before the game, here’s the Twitter reaction…

@gafferwoody: All down to martins house enough is enough surely get him out of our club by any means possible!!!! 😡🐀🧨

@tommyharris57: Ouch! The club is virtually dead now it seems if we can’t even field a side for a friendly 15 miles away.Does RM not see how this will look to the NL who will soon decide our fate! If we can’t field a team for a friendly how on earth are we going to fulfill our league fixtures?

@plunkmaster: Due to not paying the contracted players?

@SimplyShrimpers: Absolute disgrace

@JacckCFC: “Injuries” yeah sure 🤥

@sufc_harry: Absolutely shocking

@Joshuagray2811: Shock horror

@ejll____: Complete shambles

@richbayes1: The end is near 😢

@ken1978uk: Time to get yourselves down to Rons house tomorrow and do a much deserved poo on his lawn.

@allen_bonesy: Breaking news, Ron Martin is a clown! #MartinOut

@PhilOwen702: I think Ron has killed the club now, how can one man be so blind to the dedication of thousands of fans. Fans that travel the length of the country to support, through thick and thin.

@ProgressiveAJ: Is it really now just days before the club folds? How has it come to this? Genuine question from a football fan who lived away from the area a long time ago but still keeps an eye on results.

@andy_b1969: Ron Martin you’ve turned our once proud club into a total embarrassment. Do the decent thing for once….. #martinout #southend #shrimpers

@MaxwellWatson79: Martin, you are a criminal. Pay those who have worked hard for a modest salary. Pay your debts. You have degraded and embarrassed a proud community asset and a cherished generational pastime. How do you look your wife in the eye over dinner? You are not welcome in this City.

@Arselona: How can they be injured if they are not training ? We know it’s not your fault but the supporters need to be treated with respect .

@lala_ozzer1978: What a joke, Shame on you Southend, I feel sorry for contracted players, management team and all staff associated with this absolute mess.. how does Ron sleep at night, I fear for his safety as he is playing with fire right now, and rightly so, enough us enough get this deal in!

@northern_shrimp: Embarrassed for every decent person involved in our club… except Ron the 🐀 Hope you get another game sorted and if you don’t, I won’t be reclaiming my match ticket money. 💙🦐💙

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