Source: TheGuardian
As Southend face 18th winding-up petition, is there hope for the future?
National League club is back in court under divisive chairman Ron Martin amid protests from fans – but all is not lost Peeling from a boarded-up building outside Roots Hall is an old poster. It shows a glimpse of a possible future, the image that of a grand white stadium with a sweeping concourse and fans chatting before the match. Underneath there is a line that reads “making Southend proud” and above, the slogan “Bring it on!” Once perhaps an exclamation of joy, it now reads like desperation.On Wednesday Southend United face a winding-up petition in the high court, the result of unpaid taxes to HM Revenue & Customs. It marks the 18th such petition in the 25 years that the chairman, Ron Martin, has owned the club and it is hardly their only problem. Staff have gone unpaid, fans have lent money that remains unreturned, the club is up for sale and in 2021 the Shrimpers were relegated from the Football League for the first time in 100 years. They remain in the fifth tier. Continue reading......read full article
