Ron Martin has his say hours after the court appearance on Southend’s future, with the winding-up petition adjourned again.
The club were given more time to get their future in order, hopefully get this proposed takeover done and pay out the unpaid taxes.
The financially troubled club were at High Court over a £275,000 tax bill, with the case previously adjourned back in May.
Chairman Ron Martin requested for a further 42-day extension to finalise a sale was granted by Judge Sally Barber.
James Schooley updated from court: “That was a very stumbling and unimpressive performance by Mr. Martin. Arguing just because he disagreed with the HMRC barrister’s view that its speculative to be waiting on a 3rd party (a buyer) was idiotic. Judge told him, in a more polite way, to shut up. Pick your battles.”
Southend United have been given more time to secure their future. https://t.co/KCgZgkehC6 pic.twitter.com/UsunJXO4n4
— BBC Essex (@BBCEssex) July 12, 2023
The Shrimpers are now due back in court on the 23rd of August. It’s also down to the National League over whether Southend will play in the division next season.
They are in contact with each other, adding the matter will be “considered further” at a meeting on Thursday (13 July).
Southend are due to begin the season at home to Oldham on the 5th of August – 18 days before their next court date, but gradually players are leaving having gone unpaid along with staff.
Martin is reportedly trying to find a buyer for the club since putting it up for sale back in March, telling court the extra six weeks needed to save the club was for the new owners to satisfy the FA’s directors test.
But some feel the owner is ‘playing chicken’ with club and supporters.
Rob Craven from the Shrimpers Trust told BBC Essex the situation remains “really frustrating”.
“Ron Martin’s been hiding behind non-disclosure agreements and it’s been a clandestine process to sell the club or seek investment.
“The supporters are the last to hear anything and today’s decision is unsatisfactory.
“It feels like Ron Martin’s playing chicken with our football club. He needs to sort this out.
“The 42-day adjournment is largely irrelevant because we haven’t got that long.
“We were fortunate to have a meeting with the National League on Monday and the sense we got was they were trying to accommodate the club as much as possible, but this matter needs to be sorted for the integrity of their competition.
“If we’re in a situation where creditors and staff haven’t been paid the indication we got is that the club won’t be permitted to play in the National League this season.”
Speaking before Wednesday’s hearing, Robert Jobson, son of the club’s ex-owner Vic Jobson, urged for Ron Martin to “do the decent thing” and sell the club as soon as possible.
“The football club is more important than the chairman. Let’s make sure the club survives,” he told BBC Essex.
“If we had a proper leader, with some people with some deep pockets, we’d be able to get new players and probably double the people we get on the terraces, and probably get back into the Football League.
“It’s the people’s club and he should look to do the decent thing and do a deal with whoever looking to buy it.”
Southend chairman Ron Martin:
“I remain in discussions with the National League regarding the sale of the Club, but the adjournment today provides the opportunity to continue what I started on March 17th. I look forward to passing the baton on”.https://t.co/PHBHJ333IB
— Ollie Bayliss (@Ollie_Bayliss) July 12, 2023
RON MARTIN STATEMENT:
At a hearing earlier today Southend United were given 42 days to settle the petition debt.
I announced my decision to sell the club on March 17th, and what I said then remains unchanged – I want to find a buyer to take our club forward and maximise its potential.
If I had the choice to continually update our fanbase on sale negotiations, then in most circumstances I would. I’ve long appreciated running a football club is not like any other business, there’s a community to answer to as well as many others. However, the nature of selling an asset such as a football club means details cannot be shared.
I have never hidden from talking to fans, as I hope many would testify if they approached me, however unfortunately it is not possible to share confidential details of any possible deal. This silence naturally leads to rumours.
For complete transparency following my statement in March, my intention has never been to make money out of the sale of Southend United. In addition, I have no intention of seeking the return of my substantial investment in the Club over the last 25 years. The terms for the sale of the Club are:
- Share purchase 70.6% for £1
- 3 years rent free at Roots Hall unless the club gets promoted in which case, we would charge 50% of the rent under the lease.
The sale of Southend United simply can’t be accelerated, due diligence must be undertaken and the Owner and Directors Test must be completed by the purchaser.
There has been much discussion on social media regarding the front runner to purchase the Club. I have done everything in my power to close the deal quickly and I confirm that I remain motivated to continue at pace.
I remain in discussions with the National League regarding the sale of the Club, but the adjournment today provides the opportunity to continue what I started on March 17th. I look forward to passing the baton on and watching the club succeed to its rightful position in the Football League.
If you believe this, I have a bridge to sell you. Or should that be Bridge? Of course, it’s £1 for 70% of the club*
*plus c£25m for the new ground, training ground & debts. And we lose £100k/month & you have to be in business with Ron for years while he keeps all housing profits https://t.co/pwLjkp0xTN
— Matt Slater (@mjshrimper) July 12, 2023
The real Southend Utd story is we’re in Bury territory. Our licence to play is conditional. We’re in breach. The NL wants to help but can’t risk another 23-team season. And the rest of the league can’t stand us. We’ve got 2-3 weeks to convince the NL to let us play. Sell up. Now.
— Matt Slater (@mjshrimper) July 12, 2023
Here’s what fans said as Ron Martin has his say hours after the court appearance on Southend’s future…
@JDLeadbetter81: To not even mention the staff who have worked for the club and gone unpaid for the last 4 months in this statement is nothing short of a disgrace….
@mgwrexham: Now I see, he’s asset stripped the club and the club no longer owns the ground. Bad situation – very bad. I hope you can sort it. Wrexham Council made a compulsory purchase order on Racecourse when it happened to us – maybe Essex could do the same 🙏
@FarmdogSUFC: Have you paid Steve Tilson yet?
@Jones616Kevin: No apology to unpaid staff. No apology for the fact we are still under embargo and in effect writing off this season before it has begun. No blame attached to himself whatsoever, always someone else’s fault as the club I and many other love slowly dies #MartinOut
@cafc153: Praying that it gets sorted. Southend was my first away game with Charlton and have always enjoyed the games there. Fantastic local club and it simply cannot be lost 😞.
@sfield34: No mention of paying the staff, what about adding to the squad? Any acknowledgment of the horror show that’s been created 🤬
@PeterGreenway1: Shock horror it’s everyone’s fault but his. Bet it will be the fault of the greedy staff, expecting to be able to feed their familys, wanting their wages, next. Starting to think HMRC shouldn’t have given us an adjournment. The only way Martin sells is if administrators force it
@georgepoole12: How can he sit there and say I’ve never hidden away from talking to fans when was the last time someone see him at a game
@Gmski: The sale if it happens will be so late we will be lucky to stay in the league let alone have the players and staff
@hfitch121: Martin out, get gone within the next two days, not the next 42.
@shrimperlass: He also said he would pay the debt if sale hadn’t gone through
@shrimpers_nwg: Come on ladies, come on, ladies. £1 football club. Very, very good, very, very cheap.
@philjd52: No mention of FF! Who would want to just buy a run down club with no assets, unless it was just a play thing.
@MattyMarr17: “I’ve long appreciated running a football club is not like any other business” – yeah not many other clubs are run like this Ron.
@DanBasildonBlue: No apologies to the employees who remain unpaid? Thought not.
@TomSalmon123: ‘my intention has never been to make money out of the sale of Southend United’ – why are you hanging on to the stadium, training ground and the Fossetts land? Maybe trying to make money out of the club and new owners that way? We need to cut ties with Ron Martin asap.
@tommyharris57: Hasn’t said anything new here. Does he know what the National League’s views on this are & due to non payment of the tax bill and most back room staff not paid for months whether they will expel us from the NL? As usual he tells us nothing!!
@peaky2234: “Our Club”. He’s got some front hasnt he? He couldn’t give 2 shits about the club. The man’s potless & wants to pass on as much debt as possible. That’s the stumbling block, all the hidden debt. He represented himself today as no solicitor will go near him as they don’t get paid!
@YTSteveGames: Saying you wanna sell the club been like 4 months since you said you wanted to sell the club, saying about promotion were loosing players and not gaining any at all players out of contract still under an embargo so carnt bring players in season starts soon! So get out our club!!
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