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Please find below a short statement from myself on the current situation at Southend United:
Lots of you have been asking me on the doorstep about the current state of play regarding Southend United so I wanted to let you know that I have in no way stopped my work supporting the Club, particularly with yet another High Court winding-up hearing fast approaching. However, I am currently in the middle of a General Election campaign which means that I am restricted on what I can say and do formally as I am not at present, the Member of Parliament with the privilege of representing Southend United and their fans.
Most importantly, I remain in regular contact with all the major stakeholders and stand ready to help, just as I have over the last 2 years, in any way I can. Our football club is one of our City’s most precious assets and I am as determined as ever to see it not just survive, but thrive.
Indeed, my last official meeting as your Member of Parliament was with Daniel Cowan, the Leader of Southend City Council. A vast majority of that meeting was spent discussing the current situation at Southend United and I would like to thank him for his time.
As you will all know from the recent articles in the Echo, Justin and the consortium have reaffirmed their commitment to the club by offering to discharge the latest petition debt but understandably cannot simply continue to pay millions of pounds to support the Club without more certainty. This process is clearly taking far longer than anyone anticipated and I am sure that you would all agree with me that Justin and the whole consortium have been exceptional in their dealings with both the outgoing Chairman and the Council.
Whilst the term “DD” is becoming increasingly synonymous with delays for Southend United fans, it is a crucial that this aspect of the deal is not rushed as the Council does have a duty to all Southend tax-payers to ensure that the deal for Fossetts Farm is fiscally sound.
The fact that the Euros is probably of more interest to the nation then the General Election, underlines just how much our football club transcends the political divide in Southend. Consequently, irrespective of how frustrated we feel, I do believe we must show that we are united behind a common goal. This has been a tortuous process for all involved. I am grateful to the consortium for their understanding and urge all parties to see the compromise necessary to bring this to a successful conclusion for the club and, most importantly, the fans.