It’s going from bad to worse at Southend United as St John Ambulance say they are to stop covering the National League club’s games.
Because of outstanding fees, St John Ambulance said that it will no longer be staffing home games at Southend United, who owes £1.4m to HM Revenue & Customs. They are applying for a £5m bridging loans.
St John Ambulance haven’t been paid for recent home matches, including the 2-0 victory over York City on the 4th of February.
The club announced that its FA Trophy match at Roots Hall on Saturday, also against York City, is expected to go ahead.
Southend United: St John Ambulance ends cover over debts https://t.co/Drh1hmL9Ee
— BBC Essex (@BBCEssex) February 10, 2023
FA Trophy rules require that all home teams provide first aid.
A St John Ambulance spokesman said: “The charity has worked closely with the football club to come to an agreement regarding payment but, to date, despite many attempts, that has not been possible.”
Meanwhile, Southend chief executive Tom Lawrence said sorry last month for late payment of wages to much of the staff.
He said the club wants to move into a new stadium at Fossetts Farm, on the outskirts of the city centre, to help plug the gap in its finances, yet the rate it’s going, they won’t have a club to do just that.
Lawrence stated that a short-term bridging loan would be sufficient to pay the HMRC debt.
HMRC has filed a winding up petition against Southend. The High Court will hear the case on the 1st of March.
A collection of supporters groups have begun “exploratory work” to establish a phoenix club to replace Southend in the event the club faces liquidation.
Conservative Southend West MP Anna Firth told the House of Commons on Thursday the club was the “beating heart” of the city and fans were “deeply concerned for its financial viability”.
The club has been asked who will be providing the first aid cover for the match on Saturday.
Ex-Southend boss Steve Tilson feels Kevin Maher said via Echo News: “They’re on a bit of a crest of a wave so at the moment when things are going well on the pitch it would make things a little bit easier.
“We were struggling towards the bottom of League One and not getting paid for up to three months, was a tough, tough ask.
“People have to pay mortgages and bills, especially at the moment when everything is so expensive.
“It’s not as though they’re earning thousands and thousands a week either.
“It is tough but the result on Tuesday shows how good that group is and how well Kev has done that they kept going and got a result at the end like that when they haven’t been paid.
“How many chippies, how many plumbers, how many bricklayers would work for a month and not get paid?
“It’s not going to happen.
“It’s not easy and with everything else going on with all the rumours of being wound up etc, etc it’s tough.
“The youth team players are boycotting games and these lads have got to live.
“It must be so difficult but we were in the same scenario years ago.
“I’m sure Kev would probably have been one who didn’t get paid so at least he’s got good experience of it and hopefully that stands him in good stead.
“It’s demoralising to see where it had got to and where it is now.
“What Kev, Benno and Darren have done is fantastic so far with all the problems they’ve had.
“They are three really decent blokes.
“I was with Kev and Benno at the club before so it means a lot to them and I know Darren as well.
“I think they’ve done unbelievably well.
“The only consolation is that at least they have a decent sized squad.
“I know there’s an embargo but at least they do have that squad and as long as they don’t get too many injuries I think they’ve got a fantastic chance.
“But don’t get me wrong, I’ve been there and it’s really tough.
“It’s going really well on the pitch though and I just hope Ron sorts it out by the beginning of March.”
You can also read what Maher had to say ahead of the upcoming game against York by clicking HERE.
This is what fans said as things go from bad to worse at Southend with St John Ambulance to stop covering the club’s games…
— Chris Toop (@ChrisToop14) February 10, 2023
@299Peter: Surely this breaks every @TheVanaramaNL rule in the book. And I wonder what the @PFA have to say….and the @WeAreTheFSA. Putting fans, staff, players and coach’s at risk… @shrimperstrust @Anna_Firth @FansSouthend @SUFCRootsHall @healthandsafety
@HarryTheHammer_: It’s disgusting what’s happening to Southend at the minute
@kizzyq: Wow … St John’s still not paid, players + staff… I will truly be shocked if he has any interest in paying the court(1st of march) Because it clearly looks like he isn’t paying anyone… as he is going to file bankruptcy. 😭😭😭 💙🔵⚽💙💙 #southendunited #SaveOurClub #RonMartinOut
@colin02534816: Ron’s silence is deafening
@EssexMe18: A lot of talk about a bridging loan…. but who in their right mind would provide 5 million quid to this man??? You’d even get loan sharks running a mile
@Sufcmark1968: Ron act now let in us NHS season ticket holders free we can run the first aid until this mess is sorted out!!!
@ShaunMalone1997: I am beyond embarrassed. Why are us fans being left to feel second-hand embarrassment on behalf of hard-working staff whilst our parasite chairman continues to hide in the shadows like a rat?
@JFCTom2001: Absolutely praying Southend recover from this
@prawnzone: So Ron is shafting the players, the staff, the fans, the taxman (which is us), other clubs, and is now shafting a charity, how low do you go?
@Jones616Kevin: But Everton are the worst run club in the country though aren’t they @Carra23
@clarkliam04: The end is near. I could cry. I probably will cry.
@LTonsports: Sad to see any club in this position
@FlashDarbs: Utterly embarrassing and completely shameful.
@RobbGray:
Can’t pay ground staff.
Can’t pay youth squad.
Can’t pay for stadium repairs.
Can’t pay first team.
Can’t pay first aid cover.
Can’t pay taxes.
CAN pay to build loads of flats.
Ron is a clown #MartinOut
@JamesWhiff_: Surely we can’t play games without any sort of ambulance team at the game? We’re truly fucked 😣
@Dannydeathdisco: the catchment area for Southend United is huge… its such a shame to see the club on the brink of collapse.. bring back Shrimpers!
@Felstedboy: Will the club be allowed to admit fans to ground with no medical cover?
@LiamStoker: Just fold the club at this point. At least a phoenix entity wouldn’t be so permanently stained.
@acameron78: No one fall over tomorrow
https://t.co/L73sYs2JMm pic.twitter.com/rrpUahT54R
— The Custard Splat Podcast (@CustardSplatPod) February 10, 2023
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