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Update emerges on Southend as Ray Winstone speaks out on proposed takeover

An update emerges on the future of Southend United as Ray Winstone speaks out on the proposed takeover and speculation over his role.

Around a month ago, it was first reported that the sale of the National League side could be about to happen with both The Athletic and Southend Echo saying the club are on the verge of being taken over by a group of local business people.

Talks reached an advanced stage as group bids to buy Southend, and the deal linked actor Ray Winstone to joining the club’s board as he’s a co-founder of Integral Sports Management.

However since then, after some false hopes of a confirmation that a deal was nearing, it had gone relatively quiet in recent weeks.

Some staff haven’t been paid for four months.

The Blues are back in court on 12th July, facing another winding up petition, this time for an unpaid tax bill of £275,000.

Thankfully supporters have heard some news this week (5 July) with Ray Winstone saying via talkSPORT that he will not be on the board at Southend should the Kimura group seal their takeover.

He told the radio station: “I can’t. I’m part of an agency, so I can’t be part of a board in any way for a football club.

“I did have talks with a certain company about it because I’ve got a great love for Southend.

“It was the first team I ever went to see play football when I was a kid.

“My nan lived in Southend and when I was a little kid my uncle Len took me along to see Southend play, so I’ve always had a kind of a little love affair with them.

“I hope someone takes it over and turns it into a blinding club, because it needs some money injected into it.

“I think the people going into Southend have great intentions of actually doing some good stuff there,” said Winstone.

“They want to develop the stadium there and with that kind of facility they’re talking about, good players will want to go there at that level.

“Hopefully it will stand them in good stead for the future.”

Chris Phillips reports that positive talks are ongoing between Kimura and Ron Martin, with progress made and Winstone adds that those currently in talks with the chairman will be a boost for Southend.

A statement from the Shrimpers Trust emerged on Wednesday, saying: “The Shrimpers Trust would like to invite any affected staff members to approach the organisation in the strictest confidence to make an application for support from a hardship fund set-up for this purpose.

“This is a day that should bring optimism and excitement about what is to come over the coming campaign but, instead, Blues fans have been met this week with reports that the first-team squad have halted pre-season training with some players not having been paid their June wages.

“We wholeheartedly support the players’ collective decision to suspend training until all members are paid.”

MIDEX PRO join PG Site Services in revealing they won’t renew their sponsorship with Southend as managing director Gary Parker confirmed: “This was a difficult decision to make after working with the club for two years.

“It will come as no surprise that the decision was made based on the current situation with the club’s owners.

“I have waited as long as possible before making the decision to step away in order for some indication of who might own the club and for the club to give some confidence that progress is being made.

“This hasn’t happened.

“We appreciate that ‘our need to know’ will not be seen as a priority by some and we completely appreciate that some fans may not appreciate this post.

“However, I feel it appropriate to make it clear the reason why we are stepping away and to make it clear that we stand firmly behind the players, back-end staff, supporter groups and fans who are still waiting for clarity and wages.

“In our time of investment into the club we have made some great friends with great passion for a club who deserve better than this.”

Here’s what fans are saying as an update emerges on Southend as Ray Winstone speaks out on the proposed takeover…

@HarryConstabl13: It is a tough time fellow blues fans and it’s not enjoyable however I see a lot of people thinking it’s already all over and that we are done and dusted. We have to stay positive as a group. Always go back to that quote ‘if you believe something will happen, it might just happen’

@TomSalmon123: With a week to go until the court date, now is the best time for fans to be putting the pressure on Ron to take the offer on the table via any way possible (maybe write an email). Let him know your disappointment and your lack of confidence in him. We need to all stick together

@paulforsyth84: Well done to the Trust for setting up a hardship fund for the long suffering employees of the club. Ron Martin’s mismanagement continues to plumb new depths. Shambles.

@jezrab: I don’t understand the lack of communication from the club about what’s going on. We were told that someone was going to buy us, but nothing since and this week the players won’t train because they’ve not been paid. How long until they all walk and their is no club?

@299Peter: @shrimperstrust @fan_southend1 So sad that one man’s greed has led to hard working, loyal people and their families suffering, even more sad when you consider all the other cost of living challenges we all face. This man must go NOW!

@phil_spivey: I’m not convinced there will be a club in existence to fulfil the fixtures unless Martin sorts it out

@scottycav13: 👏 great work all @shrimperstrust

@hsnegsywy: He’s beyond evil, it’s awful watching him put hardworking people through this..

@LaurenManley13: Being a Southend fan for around nearly 10 years has been the best decision of my life but oh my would i be lying if i said it hadn’t bought pain, tears and stressful night into my life🤦‍♀️

@tommyharris57: I hope Ron Martin feels totally ashamed and embarrassed by this. But he won’t be. I’ve said this many times, he should be locked up, not just because of his abysmal financial mismanagement & disregard for the hardships he’s forced on his staff but also the hopes of us supporters.

@djmikejolly: How confident are you that we will still be in existence come August 5th and if so will have 16 names to fill the team sheet? Asking for 6,000 friends.

@RyanStubbs_: Another loyal partnership jumping off the sinking ship that is HMS Southend. Bravo Ron, the gift that truly keeps giving. #MartinOut

@JamieGreen95: £500 donated. I’m sure the Trust will ensure the money goes to those who need it. Ron hang your head in shame

@woodstockcatman: Don’t blame you at all. Surprised any sponsors at all still want to have their names linked to this utter train-wreck of a club. 🤔

@Lord_Football: A sponsor with principals. Thank you for support and show of solidarity with unpaid staff

@mondazeo88: Another nail in the Ron Martin ⚰️ Surely, this is a wake-up call for the deluded clown!

@crawliano: Today in Southend United: Someone posted a video of the Adolf Hitler video with HILARIOUS HOT TAKES!!! LOL. Someone tweeted “it’s going to be ok” and everyone is now going batshit mental wanting more info. People think emailing Ron Martin is going to expedite the sale. Fucksake

SEE MORE: Jeff Stelling urges Jim White to speak as Southend players stop training over unpaid wages

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