Ron Martin gives a bleak answer to Southend United fans protesting at his home on Monday evening prior the club’s court appearance.
The club’s chairman Ron Martin spoke with 12 fans who turned up to where he lives wanting to know what is happening to the takeover.
He however says a deal to sell the club will not be completed before Wednesday, and this has led to fans saying in response “well that’s it then, we’re finished.”
Desperate fans who could not wait until tomorrow evening, protested against the chairman tonight.
We’ve been sent this response to questions raised….#martinout pic.twitter.com/2pc3Z6Nb4f
— Southend Fan Protest Group (@fan_southend1) July 10, 2023
One fan spoke to Echosport about what Martin had to say: “Ron Martin came out to talk at one point and he told us and I quote because it was recorded, it won’t happen before Wednesday that’s for sure.
“I know some people might think going to his house is a step too far, I used to think that that too.
“But I just care too much to sit back and watch this club die.
“We want to know what’s going on and fans who have supported the club up and down the country deserve to know what is going on too.”
The National League side will appear back at the High Court on Wednesday amid a winding up petition served by HMRC which was adjourned in May.
The staff at Roots Hall haven’t been paid for four months some of the players are due money, and Southend have been in a transfer embargo since September due to money that is owed to HMRC.
Anna Firth, the Member of Parliament for Southend West, and members of the Shrimpers Trust spoke with the National League on Monday.
She said, as per Echosport: “As a Southend United fan and a member of the Shrimpers Trust, the current situation at Southend United is obviously hugely disappointing.
“My main focus is, like every other fan, to ensure the survival of Southend United Football Club.
“These meetings have been hugely beneficial for both myself and the Shrimpers Trust to establish key facts, dates and deadlines that the club must meet for it to continue in its current form.
“I share the frustrations of all Blues fans that this situation is still ongoing and there is so much uncertainty at a time where anticipation for the new season should be at its absolute highest.
“Like all of you, I hope to hear positive news as soon as possible about the takeover and cannot wait to be back at Roots Hall.”
The Shrimpers Trust were keen to gain a deeper understanding of the National League’s stance on various matters in the lead up to the club’s latest High Court appearance on Wednesday.
SHRIMPERS TRUST STATEMENT
Trust Statement — 10″ July 2023
“Representatives of the Shrimpers Trust, together with Anna Firth, MP for Southend West, were pleased to be given the opportunity to meet with the National League today to discuss the current situation regarding Southend United FC.
“We felt it was necessary to arrange such a meeting given the lack of information being provided by the owner, Ron Martin, who has – largely speaking – been hiding behind an NDA relevant to the potential sale of his shares in our football club and related interests. To remind, not that long ago, the club was just hours away from being expelled by the National League due to failure to publish its accounts and the fanbase were none the wiser.
“We were also keen to try to understand the deadlines and milestones that the Club is required to meet to ensure we have a team to support in the 2023/24 season.
“The meeting has done nothing to change our opinion that Wednesday 12th July 2023 is the latest in a series of crucial dates in Southend United’s history. Ron Martin’s evidence in the High Court will not only be considered by the judge but, if he seeks an adjournment and that is accepted, the matter will then be considered by the National League in respect of their regulations.
“Despite our sense that there was a willingness from the National League to give the Club every chance to resolve the outstanding issues, they were clear that they will not compromise the integrity of their competition. There would need to be a compelling reason present for the National League to allow a further period of grace. For that reason, it is vital that the parties involved make significant progress regarding the ownership of the Club in the next 36 hours.
“The Shrimpers Trust would like to thank Mark Ives, General Manager of The National League, for his time this afternoon and for providing clarity regarding the league’s handling of Southend United’s ongoing issues
“It is clear that the National League will continue doing all that it can to work with the club to get it into a better position, but we respect the fact that it has regulations and competitive integrity to uphold.
“We’d also like to thank the Department for Culture, Media and Sport for engaging with us about the upcoming independent regulator and for assuring us that Southend United is their top ‘red flag’.
“We will continue our work to spread awareness, and we would be happy to feed into the development of legislation by presenting our own experiences of supporting a football club at risk.
“Finally, thanks to Anna Firth MP for helping to facilitate these meetings and her involvement generally in supporting our football club at this difficult time for all Southend United fans.”
SEE MORE: Update emerges on Southend as Ray Winstone speaks out on proposed takeover
Here what Twitter users are saying as Ron Martin gives bleak answer to Southend fans protesting at his home prior the court appearance on Wednesday…
@JohnAspinall7: Good luck to Southend, we have been there at Bolton within 48 hours of losing the club and this week Bury began the long road back so there is always hope.
@charlie28975873: So basically, we’re either being liquidated, or will be kicked out the national league, or both
@PAULELLISSS: Hopefully things sort out.
@Tracey_SUFC: Makes me feel sick, just seeing this man’s face. 🤬 I don’t believe he’d know how to tell the truth, so many years of lies. Please just get this done.
@Lord_Football: “its not my fault”……. of course its fucking not!
@clarkliam04: ‘We’ll find out what the judge says’ the sigh mid way through that fills me with dread the tone of voice just tells me that we really are past the point of saviour. This is the longest and painful death of a football club we have seen and there’s been 0 media coverage. Absurd.
@ScottWallace_: Didn’t wanna react in the heat of the moment last night. I’ve slept on it. I’m terrified. He’s walking into court tomorrow without a plan
@SUFCGoals: Let’s just hope this is one last sick joke from Ron
@BNEShrimper: What normal, sane, serious businessman would stand out on the street and speak to people protesting at his home in this manner just as negotiations are at a crucial point ahead of a court hearing which could see the football club be wound up? So I don’t know what to make of this
@d1versity3: “We will find out what the judge has to say” – Killing the club, tearing apart the squad & couldn’t give a royal toss about us fans.. generally filled with such a sick feeling towards Ron like never before 😡🤢
@LiamGlover_: Fucking clown is playing Russian Roulette on the off chance he gets granted another adjournment when he was told this would be the last.
@SUAFSG: The very fact he looks at the ground & has a smug smile on his face when asked about the sale almost proves he’s hiding something and not being honest.
@liamo240: Not a care in the world. Sickening
@Jack_Sargeant1: His face angers me at this point
@glentiesbhoy: So; monies owed need paying by 2moro or we’re folder or kicked out of NL? That’s my understanding. Even if we survive tomorrow- monies still owed means we can’t sign players, have trialist, re sign out of contract players? Basically, it seems we’re up the creek without a paddle
@dan_mays86: He can’t exactly share details if it’s with legal teams. If it is Kimuri holding it up can you really blame them? They need to ensure that they uncover every skeleton so it does not come back and impact in the future.
@Davewyatt19: If that’s the case that’s it then. The end of a era history past present and future
@JuliaJoystix: Is this his way of twisting the knife for one last time ? I would take it with a pinch of salt – you never know Kimura might actually get it over the line before they get to Court on Wednesday – fingers crossed
@sufc_harry: So it’s over
@lukemayes8: We are absolutely done for! Thanks Ron
@AndrewStyles5: Absolutely appalling, this takeover should have been sorted out a month ago. Everything is always left to the last minute. Even if we get a stay of execution from the judge, the club is in a state of paralysis and could still be thrown out of the league.
@kierannnSUFC: That’s it then 👋🏻
@richbayes1: The end is near 😢
@Matt_Inne5: I’ll say it again, he won’t let the club disappear he isn’t that stupid. He will and is taking the most enjoyment he can from continually playing the fans who he knows hate him, its his last hurrah before we never hear from him again. As agonising as this is, it isn’t the end 🙏🏻
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