Southend United fans protest again as outgoing chairman Ron Martin says sorry and gives an update on takeover situation.
He has informed the BBC that he hopes to complete the sale of the club by mid-May 2024 after back in December 2023, Ron Martin and a consortium led by Australian IT millionaire Justin Rees finalised the contracts for the sale.
However, the necessary paperwork for the deal to be officially signed has been delayed due to the thorough examination conducted by various parties involved.
Expressing his regret, Ron Martin reflected on the challenging period that the club’s fanbase have endured throughout more than a year of uncertainty.
He said that the process is progressing positively and that his bank’s approval of a repayment agreement is still pending.
STATEMENT: PROTEST TOMORROW (6TH APRIL) 11AM pic.twitter.com/OU7P6qzZbS
— Southend Fan Protest Group (@fan_southend1) April 5, 2024
He added he was “99%” sure the club would be sold by mid-May.
“I think that’s realistic. Justin knows that and we’re working to the same programme,” he told BBC Essex’s fans’ phone-in.
“I think we are committed to each other – not just through the contract but morally.
“No-one’s trying to slow it down. To the contrary, we’re trying to speed it up.”
Stewarts Law, which claimed to be a creditor of the club, this week made a bid to wind up the club in details made public earlier this week. See more on that HERE.
A judge in the Insolvency and Companies Court in London is due consider its claim on the 17th of April.
Ron Martin said the firm had “jumped the gun” and revealed his aim to settle with them before the court hearing.
He said he always knew the club would never have gone out of existence despite the challenges and winding up petitions they faced and even had debts of £2.5m, with the proposed sale to Mr Rees and other investors was announced in October.
Southend had a 10 point deduction by the National League in August due to previous proceedings at the High Court, potentially costing them a playoff place.
The sanction came one month after fans continued to protest outside Ron Martin’s house, and do so again on Saturday (6th April 2024).
“I know it’s frustrating for the fans and I’m sorry to the fans for that because it’s been a tough time, but I think next year will be a great season for the club,” the chairman said.
He also praised manager Kevin Maher and the staff at the club, and added they had done “fantastically well”.
“Dropping into the National League was the absolute worst day in my footballing life, I never thought that would happen.
“That’s a huge disappointment because it’s a very tough league to get out of.”
He added: “I am sorry for the fans, it’s been a tough time for them but my focus, as always, was making sure we did get to that safe harbour and passed the baton to someone else who was well funded.”
A statement was issued by the consortium this week saying they had yet to receive a formal response from Martin’s financial partner and confirmed another winding up petition was issued against the cub.
A statement from the Southend Fan Protest Group said: “Our demands to Martin are simple: Pay your debts immediately to stop, once and for all, the existential threat hanging over our club from Winding Up Petitions in order to allow the takeover deal to be completed without any further delay.
“Commit to proactively work in best faith with the council and financiers in order to expedite the closure of the deal.
“We call on all Shrimpers fans dust off the banners and join us to deliver these demands.
“Fans’ patience is finite. We haven’t gone away, you know.”
A statement from the Trust said: “It should be recognised that the Council is undertaking important and responsible work to ensure the appropriate use of public finance and that this is subject to a rigorous and robust process.
“We call strongly for the cessation of personal attacks on councillors whilst the process continues.”
“We call on Stewarts Law to reconsider their position, given their previous defence of Southend United FC as a significant asset within the local community, and will be attempting to reach out to them to speak directly on this matter.
“We share the concern of supporters that the never-ending cycle of financial anxiety, potential court appearances and an associated existential threat to Southend United FC has yet to be broken, and the dark clouds hanging over Roots Hall as a consequence of Ron Martin’s tenure as owner have not completely lifted.”
“We thank the consortium for providing clarity and detail on the current situation.
“We urge all relevant parties to work proactively and efficiently to bring matters to a satisfactory close as quickly as possible to ensure the football club’s future is secured without detriment to the outstanding work undertaken by so many employees to this point.
“The Shrimpers Trust will continue to seek the appropriate advice to help guide and inform our position as this situation develops, and we will endeavour to communicate with our members and the club’s supporters throughout this period.”
She said many creditors had been “incredibly patient with the club throughout this process”, adding: “Without their continuing support and willingness to work with the club and consortium, there may be no football club to support.
“Unfortunately, the starting of yet another winding up petition against the club does not appropriately target those who caused the issues in the first place.
“For too long, the club, the players and the fans have been disproportionately affected by actions beyond their control.”
Southend Council leader Tony Cox also eased concerns by saying: “Everything is on track as scheduled. The formal committee report will go to cabinet later this month, as promised in our forward plan.
“We are working with democratic services to get a formal date arranged.
“We will give notice for when the report is set to be published.”
Twitter users reacted while Southend fans protest as Ron Martin says sorry and gives an update on the takeover situation…
@Alex_Wakeham1: Does he only own white shirts? You’re at home mate, just wear a polo or something.
@kenmcnasty: Never trust anyone who doesn’t look you in the eye.
@CazParker1871: If you’re sorry, then do your bit to get it over the line and stop making these fans suffer over and over again. Only crumb of comfort I’d take as a Shrimper is that he’s done the interview and somewhat ‘fronted’ it out which may suggest he will get a deal done… eventually.
@Sufc_Evans: Can’t even listen to it, lying clown
@Simontimofish: Ron Martin is a fraud all that comes out of his mouth is lies lies and more lies
@Bid999_999: Ron the Rat….. out now!
@meatologist_: No one who knows even a single shred of info about SUFC believes anything this geezer says. Racked up loads of debt, knocked loads of people, didn’t pay staff, run shell companies with his family to hide the lies.
@MaxReed210897: Oh look, another one of life’s pricks
@euniesufc: I’ve heard it all. I’m done 👍
@Buckby89: How on earth is this man still associated with football let alone poor Southend United
@marcus_ingramuk: A crook
@mattysufc: Ron will always be known as Ron the rat. Great legacy that!
— Jonathon Murphy (@Jonathon_Murphy) April 6, 2024
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