sport news ON THE ROAD: Heartbreak as Southend United lies on its deathbed trends now

sport news ON THE ROAD: Heartbreak as Southend United lies on its deathbed trends now
sport news ON THE ROAD: Heartbreak as Southend United lies on its deathbed trends now

sport news ON THE ROAD: Heartbreak as Southend United lies on its deathbed trends now

Amid the despondency, pessimism and seething anger at a perilous situation caused by a greedy chairman, there was one common word on the lips of Southend United fans: heartbreaking.

A club steeped in 116 years of history, 101 of those in the Football League, could go out of business in 23 days and a community brimming with love for it would be desolate.

‘A football club is like your family — you change your job or spouse, but the team are always there,’ said one fan before the game. ‘To have that taken away from us would break my heart.’

Another implored: ‘Please give our story the national coverage it deserves. There is a way to save us but we’re running out of time. We’ve been run into the ground.’

The National League club are facing a winding-up petition from HMRC, and chairman Ron Martin has until March 1 to cough up a seven-figure sum to, as he puts it, ‘bridge the finance gap’.

Southend United supporters are fearful the National League side could go out of business

Southend United supporters are fearful the National League side could go out of business

Fans protested against owner Ron Martin with beachballs in Southend's 2-0 win over York City

Fans protested against owner Ron Martin with beachballs in Southend's 2-0 win over York City

Nearly 6,000 were at Roots Hall on Saturday for the visit of York City but one notable absentee was Martin, presumably scared for his wellbeing as fans’ frustration turns to hatred. A sticker on a lamppost outside the stadium depicted the long-standing chairman hanged from a noose.

Sportsmail walked alongside fans as they peacefully marched with banners from the city-centre Dickens pub, calling for Martin’s head and chanting about his greed. Protests continued at the game, with messages including ‘PAY YOUR STAFF’ felt-tipped on to beach balls that were thrown on to the pitch.

That referred to the office team who have not received January’s wages, and youth players striking over missing pay. The club are under a transfer embargo because of their debt to the tax man.

Winding-up orders are nothing new to the Essex club, who have been in the dock 10 times in the last eight years.

Martin has always paid up in the past but the £1.4million required now has fans understandably fearful for the club’s future.

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