Southend United manager Kevin Maher has his say on the uncertain future for the club potentially being kicked out of the National League.
Supporters displayed signs, banners and leaflets calling for chairman Ron Martin to “sell up and get out” with growing fears that the Shrimpers could be shut down as they face a winding up petition.
They have been given until the 23rd of August to pay a £275,000 tax bill, or find a new buyer, by the High Court last Wednesday.
One man who is deservedly getting praise is the boss Kevin Maher, who remains fully committed to leading his side, or what he has left of it as they have 14 players under contract.
Kevin Maher on Southend United’s struggles and why he won’t be walking away https://t.co/t0a059LZ56
— Chris Phillips (@CJPhillips1982) July 18, 2023
Blues are playing a behind closed doors clash against a young West Ham side today. Unsure if details of the match will be made public but a positive sign that it’s actually taking place.
— Chris Phillips (@CJPhillips1982) July 18, 2023
He has since spoken, as per Echosport, saying: “I’ve got a loyalty to this club, the players, the staff and the fans and I want to be successful here.
“What success means at the moment is perhaps slightly different to what has been in the past but we’re taking it day by day and we’re doing all we can.
“Of course it’s very difficult and yes I’ve been worried.
“There’s no point denying that but this club means a hell of a lot to me and we’ve got to do all we can from our perspective to be in the best position possible.
“The start of the season isn’t too long away now.
“It will be here before we know it and we have to do all we can to be in the best shape possible.
“That’s all we can do and we can’t affect anything else that’s going on at the club.
“We’re behind, everyone knows that.
“Obviously the players were off for a week and it’s been difficult but we’re modifying training when we can and I have to say the players have been fantastic with the way they’ve approached things and applied themselves.
“The staff at the club have been great as well but it’s tough and we obviously need to start playing games.
“We did all we could to get the Billericay game on but we do have a couple of injuries so it wasn’t possible.
“We thank Billericay for being so understanding about the situation but we need to get minutes into these players for them to be anywhere near ready for the first game.
“We all want to just be talking about the football and focusing solely on that as well.
“We could’ve made the play-offs last season and wanted to push for promotion this year too.
“I’m not saying that’s not going to happen but we should all be gearing up for the new season by now and we haven’t really been able to do that yet.
“That’s what we want to be doing and we had 8,500 fans at our last game which is amazing and we want to be focusing on that too.
“The support we get is best in the league and that’s keeping us going as well.”
ICYMI 🔈
The #Southend United head coach Kevin Maher says he’s had no thoughts of quitting despite the club’s financial issues.
— BBC Sport Essex (@BBCEssexSport) May 5, 2023
Ron Martin said that he’s willing to sell his stake in the National League club for £1 amid takeover talks that have been ongoing since May but the club are under a dark cloud due to that winding-up petition.
In a statement on the club website, Martin set out the “principal terms” for a sale, which also include payment of £4.5m for their Roots Hall ground.
It read: “In view of the speculation surrounding the sale, and future of the club, I agreed when talking with supporters on Saturday to set down the principal terms we could accept.
“It may not be the legacy I wished for the club, but the club’s survival is of most importance. The interested parties have shared the view for a simple deal.
“The parent company will sell its entire shareholding in SUFC (70.6%) for £1.
“Roots Hall stadium £4.5m. This was the purchase price paid 25 years ago.
“We could agree to spread the purchase price of Roots Hall over 3 years with no rent payable in between.
“I am happy to sell the new training ground at cost.
“The money to fund the Club’s debt is not required on day one. The Club assesses the cash required in the short term, including settling HMRC (releasing the embargo), to be about £1m. The balance of debts (around £1.5m) can be spread over a period of time, as we have with many of our creditors.
“There has been much misinformation and many inaccurate rumours. I hope this statement clears that up.”
Here’s what fans are saying as Southend manager Kevin Maher has his say on the uncertain future for the club…
@ScottWallace_: WHEN This takeover eventually happens absolutely no one is gonna deserve the success more than Kev. Taking his monicker of “King Kev” to a whole new level 👑
@GeorgeWebb77: Just when you think this 👑 can’t be any more of a legend! @kevlaa7 we’re all with you Kev 💙
@liamkier59: Real class. 8000 + fans right behind him
@299Peter: Both @kevlaa7 and @CJPhillips1982 deserve the ‘Freedom of the City’ recognition for their undying commitment to SUFC and the City @Anna_Firth @JamesDuddridge @Essex_Echo
@DavidWa18425508: Said it before, but it needs to be said again: that man is a saint.
@TweetGraystone: The Kevin Maher End needs to be a thing at Roots Hall
@JohnAustin101: Without doubt the greatest player/coach/manager this club has ever seen
@loud_MM91: What a bloody legend
@TonyMaddocks1: Hero in every sense- as a player and now manager, Kev will always be known as a SUFC legend!! #Martinout
@BryanWoodford: And that’s why the fans love him.
@gpdixon: Legend on the field… legend off the field. Held in the highest regard. He needs owners who will enable him to reach his goals.
@AustinWilks: WHEN we move to a new stadium and this is all behind us ( maybe a pipe dream ) king Kev needs a memorial of some kind for sure. This kinda of attitude/ loyalty is very rare in football/ business.
@SUFCcode: He’s gonna go down as our best ever manager in 20-30 years, it’s inevitable
Lovely piece Chris, @kevlaa7 could easily walk into another job and would doubtless be a success, but choses loyalty even in such a dire situation. A beacon of hope and a class act who will never be forgotten by this club and our city.
— Peter Miles (@PeterRMiles) July 18, 2023
You must be logged in to post a comment Login