There is a glimmer of hope for Southend United as significant news emerges on the club’s future with Ray Winstone mentioned.
It’s being reported the sale of the National League side could be about to happen with both The Athletic and Southend Echo saying the club are on the verge of being taken over by a group of local business people
Talks have reached an advanced stage as group bids to buy Southend, an the deal could see actor Ray Winstone join the club’s board.
Talks have reached an advanced stage as group bids to buy Southend Unitedhttps://t.co/m025dsrbsO
— Chris Phillips (@CJPhillips1982) May 24, 2023
In 2021, the Essex-based side were relegated to the National League, ending 101 years of EFL membership. But their problems started long before then.
But more lately, we’ve seen Ron Martin put the club on the market in March, a move much welcomed by fans because his tenure had been a constant struggle with creditors and the taxman.
Two weeks prior to Martin’s announcement the club avoided liquidation after finally paying a late tax bill amounting to almost £2million. However, two weeks later another winding up petition was filed over unpaid taxes.
The petition, signed by three parties including the sponsor of the club’s shirt, PG Site Services was adjourned to the 12th of July, giving Martin 56 more days to find an additional £275,000, or sell the team and let someone else pay the bill.
If the second option is chosen, then the group led by Kristofer Tremaine and Simon Jackson are the favourites. They are the respective chief executive officer and chief financial officers of Kimura Capital in London, a hedge fund that specialises in commodity markets.
Six years after the launch of their business in 2013, they expanded into sports, esports and media with the creation Kimura Performance, and a motorsports division named Kimura Racing.
Tremaine has a connection to Winstone, stemming form when he joined the board at Integral Sports Management. This agency was co-founded in 2019 by Winstone and Gary Pettit, a former broker.
A normal day at Southend United. It’s all I ask.https://t.co/DkFbFkesxU
— Brad Gray (@Brad_Gray_) May 24, 2023
The Athletic report that the group is being advised by Laurie Pinto who has extensive experience in football finance.
Kimura Capital sponsored a charity fundraiser at the club’s stadium last weekend. Peter Taylor, formerly of Crystal Palace, Hull, and Leicester, is also involved with Kimura Performance.
The Kimura group, if their bid for Southend succeeds, will become the majority owner of the club and its training facility, as well as the new stadium Martin had been trying to construct for the entire time he was in charge.
The stadium proposal is part of an ongoing plan to develop Fossetts Farm, which is a large area on the outskirts of the city. Martin settled on the idea of building hundreds of new homes and Roots Hall at the site after several failed schemes.
Martin was given permission to build a stadium with 21,000 seats in 2020, but he had to revise the plans due financial issues, with the final approval for a stadium of 16,000 seats yet to be granted.
It is important to resolve the uncertainty surrounding the planning permission, because it makes it tough for those who want purchase the club until they know what they’re getting and when.
Southend may be able to leave the beloved Roots Hall within two years if all goes according to plan.
It’s also being mentioned that the Kimura group are liking the idea of producing a Welcome to Wrexham-style documentary, as per the report.
Ron Martin was in talks with at least one group with Essex connections about purchasing the club, while a North American group led by Steve Nash (former NBA player and Vancouver Whitecaps Co-Owner) hasn’t approached him.
@SUAFSG (Southend United Armed Forces Supporters Group) tweeted: “Just had a very interesting conversation regarding the news coming out tonight about the sale of Southend United. Very positive and the future looks exciting and bright.
“Looks like we may finally have our club back, keep an eye on the news in the days to come would be my advice.”
As mentioned, a glimmer of hope for Southend as significant news emerges with Ray Winstone mentioned, here’s what fans are saying…
@Felstedboy: Lets hope so
@53BFC53: Truly hope this is the new start the club needs. 🧡
@TotalSpursUK: He’s the daddy now, Southend will get there perks but they go through him…
@viennamaestro: “And don’t forget – Please gamble responsibly..”
@RamseyMatt87: Let’s gooooo – Shrimpers assemble!!!!
@JoshTyrrell03: Oh my
@Chefbradpoker: Love it let’s hope it happens 💙💙💙🥳🥳🥳
@ShrimpersTalk: I hope that when/If Ray meets Ron the first thing he asks him is where’s ya fuckinnnn tool!?
@clarkliam04: Everybody stay calm… we’re nearly there!
@RobsonSUFC: This is the best birthday present of all time!
@FidgeEd: The Sugar Daddy
@scottycav13: If true this is fantastic news
@JohnathonnGibbs: We’re saved! 🤞🏻 HOPEFULLY…
@TomRoss_: I am a little bit lost for words here. Just hope the Ray Winstone West Ham fan part of him stays away.
@JacckCFC: Incoming bet 365 sponsor when They take over
@P_Rourke: Fucking please
@Mrdudley83: Really really hope this is real, for the sake of us supporters but mostly the staff who have not been paid and the players having security again whilst playing for the mighty @SUFCRootsHall
@Essexren: Can’t wait for someone to sign on dotted line and get him out
@LordJackShaw: Southend United, another step closer to safety! Up the fucking shagging shrimpers!
@jamesshulton: Please be true
— Simply Shrimpers (@SimplyShrimpers) May 24, 2023
— D1VERSITY (@d1versity3) May 24, 2023
G’wan me mate Ray. Save our club! https://t.co/uQha4wTaEm pic.twitter.com/mznK38FDYU
— Ben Thornton (@thornton_b) May 25, 2023
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