Huge news has been announced on Southend’s winding up order following their High Court appearance relating to unpaid taxes.
The Shrimpers were due to be heard at 10:30am on Wednesday morning, and the League Two club’s supporters were left nervous over what would be the outcome, hoping to not follow the likes of Macclesfield Town.
Southend United chairman Ron Martin made an admission on the League Two club’s future amid concerns from fans that they could go under.
Four weeks ago, the Shrimpers chief came out and stated that the club’s parent company will pay their outstanding tax bill on the High Court deadline – 28th of October.
It was on the 16th of September that they had a winding-up petition against the League Two club, which was adjourned for a fourth time.

Southend owe a total sum of £493,991 to HM Revenue and Customs, and that debt is something they hope to settle through ‘refinancing’.
“We will discharge the debt at the time the next hearing comes around,” Martin told BBC Essex.
“Certainly the club [Southend] won’t be able to discharge the debt so I will support it through this.
“HMRC have not been at all aggressive. We agreed to a six-week adjournment.
“I have a responsibility to all the staff and also the community, to make sure this succeeds.”
Now confirmed https://t.co/ZtF8LyLbeQ
— Chris Phillips (@CJPhillips1982) October 28, 2020
He added: “We are light years away from where Macclesfield were.”
The Silkmen, who ended up getting relegated from League Two last season instead of Stevenage, were sadly wound up earlier this month over debts which amounted to more than £500,000.
Martin, who says only six players were placed on furlough this summer, added: “The football club’s finances were shot as soon as we went into lockdown. We’ll come through this.”
Southend have lost seven of their opening nine league games this season to sit bottom of League Two, also scoring five and conceding twenty.
Fast forward to the due date, and it has been confirmed that the debt has been paid in full, to the relief of Southend United and it’s fans.
Various reliable Twitter users have also stated that the petition with HMRC has now been dismissed.
The petition with HMRC has now been dismissed
— Shrimpers Report (@shrimpersreport) October 28, 2020
Fans reacted after seeing the fate of Southend’s winding up order following the High Court…
Brilliant news.
— Peter Hawkins (@299Peter) October 28, 2020
In full?….That would be a huge surprise.
— Smiffy (@SmiffySUFC) October 28, 2020
In a statement chairman Ronald “Chancer” Martin said “I would like to thank HMRC for their superb unofficial overdraft facility and look forward to seeing them back here in 3 months time so that we can start the process again. Up the taxmen.”
— Sheldon Weston (@SheldonW65) October 28, 2020
It only needs to happen once though.
Personally I don’t question his willingness to pay this stuff, I question his ability to do so.
— Mr Cameron (@acameron78) October 28, 2020
— Joe (@J0E0007) October 28, 2020
Hearing the debt been paid …. then realising the season gets to continue… pic.twitter.com/lZtY2ANlPj
— name cannot be blank (@MobbsLloyd) October 28, 2020
I really hope that this is the end of the saga for the rest of the season, as it has become almost as draining and boring as watching the fottball, and that the club can now fully focus on the relegation out of the Football League dogfight that it is in, but somehow I doubt it.
— Mike Jolly (@djmikejolly) October 28, 2020
Southend United, need to stay in the fight, losing FL status can be a big blow and being well supported often isn’t enough protection.
In recent times Chesterfield and Notts County have struggled to come back.
And going back further Lincoln City were detached for six seasons.— Mick Day (@MickDay99) October 28, 2020
Hearing we are still under embargo ?
If true … pic.twitter.com/eaQRhlQMZf
— Oliver Graystone (@TweetGraystone) October 28, 2020
Our first win of the 2020/21 season, shame we don’t get 3 points for it ?
— Luke Nutley (@Luke_Nutley) October 28, 2020
Great to hear some positive news on Southend’s winding up order following High Court being dismissed. Still reckon they could be at serious risk of going down this season. The fight for them continues.
— Jason Lee ?? (@ForeverAYellow) October 28, 2020
Some of the fans started an online fundraising campaign to try and save the club, but Martin added: “It’s a wonderful thing for them to do – I don’t want them spending their hard-earned cash trying to save the club. That won’t be necessary.
“If they are raising funds then it would be nice for them to put into the Shrimpers Trust and support the club’s academy.
“We want our young players to come through. Any funds would be helpful to the academy.”
Martin added that he believes any protests from fans were “grossly unfair” amid the pandemic and said he had attempted to call the organiser to try and meet him to discuss fans’ concerns.
“We don’t need people distracting us from our principle aim and objective, which is to ensure we survive.
“A protest, I’m not sure what they hope to achieve from it. You have to be careful what you wish for sometimes.
“I’m not going to walk away. I want to make sure this club fulfils its ambition.”
On Saturday (26th September), Southend United Chairman, Ron Martin, met with a group of supporters who had initially voiced their concerns online.
The group were planning to protest following the match against Morecambe.
The club recognises that information flow is critical to understanding why decisions are sometimes taken and the impact those decisions have on the playing performance.
The Chairman therefore contacted the Supporter Group to invite them to a Q&A after the match. The Manager, Mark Molesley, joined the meeting later to discuss specific player related questions.
The meeting, which lasted nearly two hours, was positive throughout and the Chairman was grateful for the opportunity to meet the supporters in person. It was acknowledged that there could be greater communication with the fan base through the club’s official channels and particularly so during these challenging times as a consequence of Covid-19.
The club suggested it would also hold more regular discussion groups combined with the ongoing communication with the Shrimpers Trust and other Supporter Groups. The club will always listen and hopefully Saturday proved a good step towards a better understanding for everyone.
The Blues Chairman added: “These are tough times for us all. Nevertheless we will come through them better if we unite.
“The club is nothing without its supporters.
“Together we are strong and Saturday underpinned that.”

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