Now it’s time to Shrimp and save

…but fans remain fearful

's winding up petition from HMRC has been dismissed but Shrimpers supporters are still concerned for the club's future.

The night before Southend were back in the High Court on Wednesday, a short statement was issued to confirm the debt – which was believed to be close to £2million – had been paid off.

But the combined supporters groups fear the Shrimpers will soon be back in the same situation due to the actions of controversial chairman Ron Martin.

“We are concerned that the short statement does not address the issue of responsibility for the fundamental and ongoing problem facing the club, which is the continual mismanagement of Southend United by its owner, Ron Martin,” said the group.

“The supporters' groups will endeavour to establish more detail on how the club intends to be funded in the short- and medium-term, and we reiterate our desire to meet with

Mr Martin to raise important questions on behalf of our loyal fanbase, who continue to back the club in impressive numbers.

Sharp focus

“Although the dismissal of this winding-up petition draws to a close this particular saga, our experience over more than 20 years of Ron Martin's tenure at the helm of the club suggests we should not be complacent, and the next crisis could be just around the corner.”

And the group also believe the Shrimpers will not be able to push on until there is a change of ownership.

“The experiences of everyone connected to Southend United Football Club over the past five months have brought the owner's inadequacies into sharp focus,” said the group.

“We believe we will only be able to truly enjoy a new beginning when a new structure and ownership is in place at the club.”

Amid the financial issues, Southend's players had to wait an extra 28 days for their January pay packets but are now up to date with their wages having also been paid for February.

Embargo

However, the club remain in a transfer embargo which has been in place since September, office staff are still waiting on some of their salaries and some youth team scholars are refusing to play until they are paid.

Despite those concerns, the Shrimpers have been in fine form on the pitch and had won five of their last six league games ahead of Friday night's clash with at Roots Hall.

The fine run of results has kept Southend in the play-off places.

And head coach Kevin Maher is keen to keep football at the forefront of his mind for the rest of the season.

“That's what we want to do and it's what we're here for too,” said Maher.

“We've done unbelievably well considering the circumstances but we want to keep it going now and hopefully we can.”

And those sentiments have been echoed by Shrimpers star Jack Bridge.

“It's quite nice it's all cleared up now,” said the left wing-back.

“It's not on everyone's minds now and hopefully we can focus on football just a little bit more than we have done.

“To be fair, during the whole time it's been going on, it hasn't distracted us at all but it's good news.”

ROOTS OF THE PROBLEM: The off-the-field issues at Roots Hall have eased and, inset, fans protest

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