Source: FOOTYMAD
Club has escaped administration 'by the skin of its teeth': A Rubin to return to Roots Hall?
Mark Rubin, son of former chairman Bill, has been interviewed in Friday's Echo and revealed as a member of the consortium that would like to take over the running of Southend United FC. Well, well, well; though it's been discussed on message boards today's interview in the Evening Echo has confirmed the names behind the present consortium that wishes to relieve uncle Ron of his duties as chairman, hopefully before the club goes under.Their spokesman is from a family well associated in Southend's past, one Mark Rubin, the other names being Colin Freedman, Paul Althaesen, lars Steffensen, Gavin Simmons, Rob Stillwell and Mark Gordon. Mark Rubin himself, now 59, also became chairman of SUFC following his father's death, and his family owned the Shrimpers between the sixties and the mid-eighties.Mr. Rubin told the Echo: "We felt it legitimate to gather together local business people of significant strength to be in a position, if enabled, to take the club forward. Its obvious there are inherent problems and only by the skin of its teeth has the club not been put into administration previously. Twice we were ready with funds lodged with our solicitors Jefferies to enable us to move at short notice."Sadly for most supporters there's not much about their future plans but more that they would be a 'safety net' providing much needed sucurity for the football club in it's present state of crisis, we would not be seeing a Man. City type takeover here.Mr. Rubin continued: "We are all football people, but we are also business people. We have very specific ideas on how a club should be run. So far, the club has been run as a property development company with a football team attached. The most important thing is you pay your bills, pay the players and pay Revenue and Customs. What's happened this year with players not being paid would never happen with this group of people who would be involved. We will safeguard the future of the club, but we won't pump millions in. We are looking after something owned by the town."However, Mark does confirm they would pay off any SUFC related debts and make sure the new ground at Fossetts Farm is built. Present Blues boss Steve Tilson would remain and be allowed to build up a first team squad of around 18 to 20 players.The sticking point is, of course, present Shrimpers supremo Ron Martin, who would need to get in touch with them first, and Mr. Martin has said up to now he will not do that.Unless of course we go into administration, votes already for that course in our S24 poll here: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/polls/loadpoll.aspThen the consortium could step in with a very cheap offer indeed, that's as long as it's administartion and not liquidation, and would work with Sainsbury's as a partner.Being of a younger generation I do not have the baggage I know the Rubin name carries with some, but have been told the sons inherited some of the sins committed by their father Bill, and anyway in our present situation it's not a case of 'frying pan' into 'fire' as the house has already burnt down in many supporters opinion and they would accept anyone as long as Martin goes, and goes soon.We should hear from our beloved chairman again sometime Friday afternoon, whether he mentions this or not we will have to wait and see; but knowing him, and the person asking the questions, probably not, but we can only hope.And if he does, we might not like what we hear!
