Latest Rumours SUFC up for sale

[Shrimp and two veg]

Well, what a suprise (not)

Tomorrow we have people marching on down to Roots Hall, because of his reluctancy to explain why this club went to the brink a week ago, amid everyone connected with the club forced to get by without their wages.
There he sits in his ivory towers, wallowing in high interest loans, talking about how attractive this club is to a buyer, bemoaning this reputed 25mill he's put in.
Mmmm, seems to me he'll be alright Jack with the sun shining out of his arse when he walks away from this plaything.

Should have gone 10yrs ago, despicable owner, look at the state of us now, bloody disgrace. Dont let the door smack your arse on the way out eh...

 

[bazzashrimper]

I read that to say in an ideal world he'd like to sell the club and the stadium as one entity but he won't, because he won't get all his money back.

In the video it seemed a bit clearer. He wants to sell both. He didn’t seem to expect to make his money back for the build. I guess he seems it as the route to the bigger prize

 

[Shrimperstrust]

Trust Statement – 17th March 2023

The Shrimpers Trust, and Supporters’ Groups, note Ron Martin’s announcement today regarding the opening of a formal process for the sale of, or introduction of new investment into, Southend United Football Club.

This process is long overdue considering the continual financial problems that have blighted Mr Martin’s tenure as owner of our club, with repeated winding-up petitions, transfer or registration embargoes and a failure to pay playing and non-playing staff, local suppliers and other creditors on time.

Ultimately though, little changes immediately. The embargo remains in place due to unresolved issues with HMRC, some staff members are still behind on salaries, and the club’s ability to meet its financial obligations for at least the next three months continues to be in doubt.



Until any inward investment or sale becomes a reality, we remain concerned about the club’s short-term future, with important stage-posts for the new stadium development at Fossetts Farm due to be reached over the next three months.

We expect further clarity to be provided to supporters directly about what this means for our club and the city in the short- to medium-term in line with previous requests over the past few months.

We have been in contact with Ron Martin regarding an update on such matters over the past 48 hours and a meeting is expected to take place next week. We will push to go ahead with this as planned alongside other supporters’ groups, regardless of today's news. Until we get answers to our questions, our stance on season cards remains unchanged.

Whilst it is important to recognise some of the highlights of Mr Martin’s period as owner, with three national finals, two play-off final successes and a League One championship delivered, it is impossible to forget the lows, most notably the double-relegation from League One and out of the EFL for the first time in over a century.

The past four years have been a very tough time for Shrimpers fans, and the last few months have been particularly difficult. Despite that, supporters have continued to turn out in incredible numbers at home and away.

We encourage supporters to continue to show potential investors the strength of feeling for Southend United, and we really hope this announcement is the beginning of a positive change in the football club for all of our sakes.


The Shrimpers Trust Board.

 

[Shrimper57]

I read that to say in an ideal world he'd like to sell the club and the stadium as one entity but he won't, because he won't get all his money back.

Listen to the announcement video on youtube. Gives me a bit more positivity.

 

[Shrimp and two veg]

Trust Statement – 17th March 2023

The Shrimpers Trust, and Supporters’ Groups, note Ron Martin’s announcement today regarding the opening of a formal process for the sale of, or introduction of new investment into, Southend United Football Club.

This process is long overdue considering the continual financial problems that have blighted Mr Martin’s tenure as owner of our club, with repeated winding-up petitions, transfer or registration embargoes and a failure to pay playing and non-playing staff, local suppliers and other creditors on time.

Ultimately though, little changes immediately. The embargo remains in place due to unresolved issues with HMRC, some staff members are still behind on salaries, and the club’s ability to meet its financial obligations for at least the next three months continues to be in doubt.



Until any inward investment or sale becomes a reality, we remain concerned about the club’s short-term future, with important stage-posts for the new stadium development at Fossetts Farm due to be reached over the next three months.

We expect further clarity to be provided to supporters directly about what this means for our club and the city in the short- to medium-term in line with previous requests over the past few months.

We have been in contact with Ron Martin regarding an update on such matters over the past 48 hours and a meeting is expected to take place next week. We will push to go ahead with this as planned alongside other supporters’ groups, regardless of today's news. Until we get answers to our questions, our stance on season cards remains unchanged.

Whilst it is important to recognise some of the highlights of Mr Martin’s period as owner, with three national finals, two play-off final successes and a League One championship delivered, it is impossible to forget the lows, most notably the double-relegation from League One and out of the EFL for the first time in over a century.

The past four years have been a very tough time for Shrimpers fans, and the last few months have been particularly difficult. Despite that, supporters have continued to turn out in incredible numbers at home and away.

We encourage supporters to continue to show potential investors the strength of feeling for Southend United, and we really hope this announcement is the beginning of a positive change in the football club for all of our sakes.


The Shrimpers Trust Board.

View attachment 25574

Well done the Trust. My feelings entirely. He's looking after his interests, imperative we look after ours.

 

[Fairport]

He says he has arranged £2 million to keep the club "sustainable". Yet he then goes on to say he is in negotiations with HMRC. This means that he obviously can't see himself paying the next VAT, NI and Tax on the due date. Staff are still owed money along with a likely very long list of creditors. Was the £2m just to pay the original court debt? He also couldn't say that the embargo would be soon lifted. Although it's good that he has been forced to sell, there are still massive problems in the short term.

 

[Target man]

And here's where everything is down to interpretation....

I read it as him saying that ideally he would like the purchaser to buy the club and the stadium together, but any sale would not recoup the money he has put into the project. (No **** Sherlock!)

A moment of realism for everyone, but a positive in that he realises he cannot cling onto his pot of gold, without going under and losing the control of the project altogether. An epiphany he had during COVID, when The Hall was like a morgue.

He is open to a sale of the ground and the club together OR if the new owners couldn't afford both, buy the club now rent the ground and buy it at a later date.

Either way the club and the ground get reunited at some time in the future. That is music to my ears.

My only negative on today, was this sort of press conference should have taken place in 2009 to11 when the original planning permission on Fossetts was obtained, in place and someone who could actually see the project through to completion could have come in then.

And that's why he has burnt his bridges. He has dragged the club through years of decline because of his arrogance, stubbornness and greed which has been to the detriment of the loyal staff and fans. Sooner he's gone the better. A man with a half cooked plan and none of his own money to make it happen.... and now we're in the national league being resuscitated ..... he realises!

 

[Blue43]

Still won’t be renewing our season cards until I see ACTION, not just words.

If there is no new owner in place before next season then it’s still a no from me.

 

[ColinMorrisWalksOnWater]

Trust Statement – 17th March 2023

The Shrimpers Trust, and Supporters’ Groups, note Ron Martin’s announcement today regarding the opening of a formal process for the sale of, or introduction of new investment into, Southend United Football Club.

This process is long overdue considering the continual financial problems that have blighted Mr Martin’s tenure as owner of our club, with repeated winding-up petitions, transfer or registration embargoes and a failure to pay playing and non-playing staff, local suppliers and other creditors on time.

Ultimately though, little changes immediately. The embargo remains in place due to unresolved issues with HMRC, some staff members are still behind on salaries, and the club’s ability to meet its financial obligations for at least the next three months continues to be in doubt.



Until any inward investment or sale becomes a reality, we remain concerned about the club’s short-term future, with important stage-posts for the new stadium development at Fossetts Farm due to be reached over the next three months.

We expect further clarity to be provided to supporters directly about what this means for our club and the city in the short- to medium-term in line with previous requests over the past few months.

We have been in contact with Ron Martin regarding an update on such matters over the past 48 hours and a meeting is expected to take place next week. We will push to go ahead with this as planned alongside other supporters’ groups, regardless of today's news. Until we get answers to our questions, our stance on season cards remains unchanged.

Whilst it is important to recognise some of the highlights of Mr Martin’s period as owner, with three national finals, two play-off final successes and a League One championship delivered, it is impossible to forget the lows, most notably the double-relegation from League One and out of the EFL for the first time in over a century.

The past four years have been a very tough time for Shrimpers fans, and the last few months have been particularly difficult. Despite that, supporters have continued to turn out in incredible numbers at home and away.

We encourage supporters to continue to show potential investors the strength of feeling for Southend United, and we really hope this announcement is the beginning of a positive change in the football club for all of our sakes.


The Shrimpers Trust Board.

View attachment 25574

Don't hold your breath too long on that meeting next week, he intimated that that won't happen following the announcement today, in the video in reply to a direct question about a meeting requested by Paul.

 

[Rayleigh boy]

As soon as the dirty filthy lucre is waved under his nose ….

He will

Pronto

 

[gatecrasher]

Ron finally knows the gig is up, truth is probably closer to the fact he can't pay off another HMRC and with his other assets all close to going under he has to sell to get something back or go to the wall with the club.

It might be the case that his stance of wanting hugely more than the club is now not as strong as he battles to get something while he still can.

I think the pool of fish who may look at us will be very small, but there is very little for someone to come in and asset strip or make money out of, so if anyone does come in they will probably be quite benevolent, they would have to be!

 

[Flinty]

The relevant bits for me:

-we still have issues with HMRC which Tom is trying to sort a time to pay

- he is looking to sell preferably the club and the stadium but appreciates some potential investors may not afford this so would split the sale of the stadium to a later date, but doesn’t want to be a landlord

- he accepts that as part of the sale he may not recoup all the money he states he has invested £24m

-£2m was invested into the club a few weeks ago

- he would like this to be completed by July / August ahead of the new season

- by not buying season tickets we are affecting the cash flow of the club (we knew that would be coming!)

- there is a planned meeting with supporter groups next Tuesday …this now is unlikely to happen following todays statement

- you will hear nothing until the sale is agreed

 

[superblue24]

Sadly I fear that this is more likely to be abandonment of a sinking ship than anyone taking over who will offer significant investment

 

[Target man]

The relevant bits for me:

-we still have issues with HMRC which Tom is trying to sort a time to pay

- he is looking to sell preferably the club and the stadium but appreciates some potential investors may not afford this so would split the sale of the stadium to a later date, but doesn’t want to be a landlord

- he accepts that as part of the sale he may not recoup all the money he states he has invested £24m

-£2m was invested into the club a few weeks ago

- he would like this to be completed by July / August ahead of the new season

- by not buying season tickets we are affecting the cash flow of the club (we knew that would be coming!)

- there is a planned meeting with supporter groups next Tuesday …this now is unlikely to happen following todays statement

- you will hear nothing until the sale is agreed

2 million wasn't invested, it was secured via a loan to pay off debts. How is paying off a debt investment??? The man is a complete moron!

 

[The Late One]

"English football teams, such as Wrexham" Somebody needs to tell him !!

 

[Target man]

The relevant bits for me:

-we still have issues with HMRC which Tom is trying to sort a time to pay

- he is looking to sell preferably the club and the stadium but appreciates some potential investors may not afford this so would split the sale of the stadium to a later date, but doesn’t want to be a landlord

- he accepts that as part of the sale he may not recoup all the money he states he has invested £24m

-£2m was invested into the club a few weeks ago

- he would like this to be completed by July / August ahead of the new season

- by not buying season tickets we are affecting the cash flow of the club (we knew that would be coming!)

- there is a planned meeting with supporter groups next Tuesday …this now is unlikely to happen following todays statement

- you will hear nothing until the sale is agreed

It's disgusting that he has said he won't be meeting with supporters groups. Until the day the the club has been sold, whether he likes it or not, he IS responsible for what happens in the club. The club currently still has many issues and the fans have unanswered questions remaining. Complete arrogance and denial of his responsibility and accountability to the fans until the end.

 

[Smiffy]

Would the sale of the club include writing off the debt as promised several times?

 

[Supa Shrimpa]

Would the sale of the club include writing off the debt as promised several times?

Nope. He's now saying he wants back what he's (allegedly) put in

 

[Target man]

It's interesting what he said about the embargo, trying to reach an arrangement with HMRC. Clearly the funds he loaned didn't pay off all the debt to them. Then to suggest it was 'primarily them' whilst not making eye contact, tells you that other debts remain to prevent the embargo being lifted. I know 100% the players were told no more players would be coming into the squad this season.

Begs the question AGAIN!
Where is the supposed working capital gone???

 

[Target man]

"The fans buying season tickets is an opportunity for the fans to engage with the club"

ENGAGE????

The reason for the delay is that HE DOESN'T ENGAGE WITH THE FANS.
The man makes my blood boil!!!