Southend United FC

• Nickname:
• Founded:1906
• Manager:Paul Sturrock

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• Capacity:NaN

Blues face winding-up order

26 Oct 2009 - 11:58:56

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Southend United, who have revealed that the Football League placed them under a transfer embargo last month, face a winding-up order later this week.

It is understood that the Shrimpers, who have just 12 fit professional players available, had the restriction placed on them four weeks ago.

United were not allowed to extend the loan spell of Wolves left-back George Friend because of their debt of £660,000 to HM Revenue and Customs which has resulted in a winding-up order in the High Court on Wednesday.

"On Monday last week the club agreed to extend George Friend's loan with Wolverhampton Wanderers," said a club statement.

"The paperwork was then submitted to the Football League who subsequently advised that the newly-adopted rules relating to HMRC prevented us from extending the loan until the HMRC position was sorted.

"The Football League's reading of the new rules did not reflect that of the club's secretary who, having already agreed the position with Wolves, believed there was no reason to prevent an extension of the loan.

"Once the club has settled its case with HMRC we will speak further with Wolves and, while the original loan was only requested for one month, George has performed well and the manager would now like to keep the player for at least a further month."