05-10-2023, 12:08
fter 25 years in charge - culminating in arguably the most miserable period in the club's history - property developer Ron Martin has sold Southend United Football Club. The Shrimpers said a takeover deal was reached with a consortium led by Australian businessman Justin Rees. What did it mean to the fans attending Tuesday night's home win against Oxford City?
Short presentational grey line
'Over the moon'
Justin Rees heads the consortium that has agreed to buy Southend
IMAGE SOURCE,SOUTHEND UNITED FC
Image caption,
Justin Rees was the co-founder of Sydney-based company Eighty20 Solutions
Paul Lee was dressed at Roots Hall stadium in stereotypical Australian attire with corks dangling from his hat - a nod to the club's new custodian.
He said the takeover announcement at 16:40 BST was a huge moment for him, his wife and their daughter - all Blues fans.
"I am absolutely ecstatic," said Mr Lee, who was worried the club would be wound up in the High Court on Wednesday over its tax debt to HMRC.
"I am over the moon - no more anxiety scrolling through Instagram and Twitter every day to find out whether we'll have a club come 4 October."
He said he hoped the Shrimpers' transfer embargo would now be lifted.
The club said its HMRC debt, previously estimated at £275,000, had been paid off in full.
Nick and Emily Hardy were at Tuesday night's match with their two children
Nicky Hardy, who has been a Blues fan for more than 25 years, said the last five years had been "pure pain".
The club was relegated from the Football League in 2021 - for the first time in 101 years.
"Ron Martin has just run the club into the ground - embargos, unpaid staff, unpaid players, hopefully this is the end of it - it's great," said Mr Hardy, who said he did not know anything about the incoming owners.
"Beggars can't be choosers. I think they will be good; it's a consortium; I think a lot of local businesses are in there with interest in the club."
Mr Hardy expects the club to now redevelop the stadium, rather than sell it off as housing and relocate to Fossetts Farm - as was the plan under Mr Martin.
He was joined by his two children and wife Emily, who added: "There is still that due diligence [needed from the new owners] to do the job effectively and safely and make sure we are run properly, and not just take over and leave it."
Short presentational grey line
'Over the moon'
Justin Rees heads the consortium that has agreed to buy Southend
IMAGE SOURCE,SOUTHEND UNITED FC
Image caption,
Justin Rees was the co-founder of Sydney-based company Eighty20 Solutions
Paul Lee was dressed at Roots Hall stadium in stereotypical Australian attire with corks dangling from his hat - a nod to the club's new custodian.
He said the takeover announcement at 16:40 BST was a huge moment for him, his wife and their daughter - all Blues fans.
"I am absolutely ecstatic," said Mr Lee, who was worried the club would be wound up in the High Court on Wednesday over its tax debt to HMRC.
"I am over the moon - no more anxiety scrolling through Instagram and Twitter every day to find out whether we'll have a club come 4 October."
He said he hoped the Shrimpers' transfer embargo would now be lifted.
The club said its HMRC debt, previously estimated at £275,000, had been paid off in full.
Nick and Emily Hardy were at Tuesday night's match with their two children
Nicky Hardy, who has been a Blues fan for more than 25 years, said the last five years had been "pure pain".
The club was relegated from the Football League in 2021 - for the first time in 101 years.
"Ron Martin has just run the club into the ground - embargos, unpaid staff, unpaid players, hopefully this is the end of it - it's great," said Mr Hardy, who said he did not know anything about the incoming owners.
"Beggars can't be choosers. I think they will be good; it's a consortium; I think a lot of local businesses are in there with interest in the club."
Mr Hardy expects the club to now redevelop the stadium, rather than sell it off as housing and relocate to Fossetts Farm - as was the plan under Mr Martin.
He was joined by his two children and wife Emily, who added: "There is still that due diligence [needed from the new owners] to do the job effectively and safely and make sure we are run properly, and not just take over and leave it."
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People got to shout to stay alive
People got to shout to stay alive