In this article, we look at what chairman Ron Martin had to say to Southend fans during the protest with an update made by MP Anna Firth.
Supporters brought put up signs, banners and leaflets while chanting for Ron Martin to “sell up and get out”.
This comes amid growing fears that the 117-year-old club 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.
#Southend United fans protest outside Ron Martin’s home
More 👉https://t.co/0ineFkDrh6 pic.twitter.com/z7hbdzk1G3
— BBC Sport Essex (@BBCEssexSport) July 16, 2023
A friendly against Billericay was postponed on Friday, with Southend citing “contracted player” injuries.
On Wednesday, the High Court gave a 42-day extension to the club’s latest winding-up petition from HMRC.
Martin said to the court that the extra time would be needed for any new owner to go through the necessary checks with the EFL and FA, but patience is wearing thin.
In a statement, he added that the process to sell the club “cannot be accelerated” and claims he was committed to finalising a sale as soon as possible.
“My intention has never been to make money out of the sale of Southend United,” Martin said.
Southend Fan Protest Group uploaded a YouTube video over the weekend, showing Ron Martin talking to the fans.
The protest group captioned the video: “Due to the abysmal running of Southend United, and threat of expulsion from the National League, Southend fans protested outside Ron Martin’s house. Ron Martin spoke to fans for around 15 minutes, here is what he had to say. #MartinOut”
Having seen footage, Echosport report that when asked about the league, Martin said: “They would like us to pay football creditors.
“They’re being very sensible and they don’t want to chuck us out the league.
“They’re good people.
“Rumours come from all over the place that aren’t true.
“There’s another person in the frame, in fact there’s two other people in the frame.
“The shares and Roots Hall were offered to them (Kimura) yesterday.
“I don’t think they can afford the new stadium.”
Martin adds that he ‘doesn’t have lots of money to do what you want me to do’, that he doesn’t have ‘£300,000 or £400,000 in his pocket.’
RON MARTIN STATEMENT VIA CLUB WEBSITE (17 JULY)
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.
Meanwhile, an update has been made from MP Anna Firth via her Facebook page.
“A lot of people have spoken to me over the weekend about the future of the Club so I wanted to provide a short update before the weekend ends.
“In short, both #sirjamesduddridge and myself have been working every day since the High Court hearing last Wednesday to try and secure the Club’s future.
“This has taken the form of calls and meetings with the National League, Ron Martin, financial specialists and potential investors.
“I am completely satisfied that the National League wish to do everything that they can to ensure the Club is compliant with the League’s licensing requirements, and I am very grateful to Mark Ives, the General Manager of the National League, for the amount of time he has already given to trying to help the Club.
“However, the League requires certain information to be forthcoming and action to be taken. To remain compliant with the League’s requirements the Club needs to provide a complete list of football creditors, all players and staff need to be paid and a full safety certificate for Root’s Hall must be obtained, before the new season begins.
“Ron is aware of these requirements and has given Sir James and myself an assurance that he is working on getting this information to the National League in short order.
“The bigger issue is finding a new buyer for the club and obviously with interest rates rising and asset prices falling, this is particularly challenging. Both buyers, players and staff need a deal which is simple, attractive, competitive and National League compliant, to give them the confidence that they are buying a professional football Club which will “make it” all the way through the next season.
“Work on this side of things has also been on-going all weekend and I am hopeful that a simpler deal will attract more investors.
“I am sorry not to be able to say more at this stage but with so many moving parts, to do so would risk hindering rather then helping the Club move forward.
“I hope that this short post assures you that we remain fully committed to doing all we can to secure the Club’s future.
“The many matches that I have attended both as the candidate and then as MP for Southend West have been fantastic times.
“Win or lose, the players and fans, transform an ordinary Saturday afternoon or Friday evening into something really special.
“I have said many times that SUFC is a jewel in our new Cities crown and a vital community asset that must be protected.
“Again, we will not leave any stone unturned in order to secure the Club’s future.
“If you have any constructive feedback and ideas please post or email me at anna.firth.mp@parliament.uk. Thank you.”
Here’s what fans are saying after hearing what Ron Martin had to say to Southend fans during the protest with an update also made by MP Anna Firth…
@AndyChefwali: This is great, good questions! Him waving at people beeping 🤣🤣🙈 So all bidders are dubious about FF ? Hopefully we get a breakthrough asap .
@Pandamonium1881: Brilliantly done by the guy questioning him. It can be all too easy to get very emotive and therefore angry. We found that at Leyton Orient, every tiny bit helps in hopefully the right result for you guys the fans. Every little bit of pressure, every little bit of investigative work, every pound raised for staff or to save the club, every ounce of passion shown – believe me it all adds up. You, like we were, are on life support. Unfortunately I make no bones about that but the switch hasn’t been turned to off yet. Keep on SUFC fans 👏
@andyhill9: Good point made there many of us made the noise back in 99 that Ron Martin was not fit to run our club, and he would ruin us in the end. I took him nearly 24 years to do it. But he has almost got his wish. #MartinOut
@sufcberry: Good questions there, didn’t really give him anywhere to hide. Whoever was asking about the mezcal debt etc has done their homework, well done all 👏👏 (The one regarding getting in for free will always go in his favour though)
@ZiRovinReporter: I wouldn’t be surprised if Martin knows the people at SISU. The crap is Coventry City fans had to put up with. You need to get rid of this man Southend Utd fans. Your club deserves better. Hope better times are ahead for you! 🙏🏽
@jackieessexgirl: Not one ounce of compassion or integrity here from a man smiling and almost smirking as he replies. Good questioning guys. Let’s see now if what he says does and we all await for “this statement” on Monday
@hlane0117: The constant beeping in the background clearly got under his skin😁
@JB_Allen: Genuinely surprised he managed to stay calm throughout this, normally he blows his top of very fast and easily.
@sgracie81: At the end as he’s walking away, did someone say “you’re still a c**t”
@TweetGraystone: Watching that was like pulling teeth 🤦🏻♂️
Get out of our club you rat @SUFCRootsHall #MartinOut pic.twitter.com/FoCVHyhXfA
— Matt (@Badgersno1) July 15, 2023
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