TORY MPs spoke out in the Commons of Southend United's financial struggls as they put pressure on ministers to ensure football governance reforms stop clubs falling into financial crisis.

Addressing sports minister MP Stuart Andrew in the Commons today (February 20), Southend West MP Anna Firth and Rochford and Southend East MP Sir James Duddridge urged the government take a closer look at the problems befalling the Blues.

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The calls come as the government prepares to publish a White Paper on football governance.

The document represents the Government’s official response to the recommendations of the fan-led review, which were published in November 2021, and are expected to support the creation of an independent regulator for football.

“Next month marks the first anniversary of Southend becoming a city, yet our treasured football club Southend United faces severe financial difficulties,” Ms Firth said.

“Supporters groups have done a huge amount, but will the minister agree to meet me to discuss what the government can do, if anything, to help.”

Mr Andrew confirmed he would meet with Ms Firth and added “its examples exactly like Southend United that we will be taking action.”

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Rochford and Southend East MP Sir James Duddridge asked if the proposals would also involve the broad community in decision making and not just fans.

“As well as involving fans, can we involve the broader community,” he asked.

“In the case of the Southend United development, there will be an extra 2,400 social houses as a result of the development if the club goes forward beyond the insolvency in two weeks’ time.”

The fan-led review was commissioned earlier than originally planned in the wake of the Super League scandal in April 2021.

Mr Andrew, addressing the House of Commons on Monday, said: “It is clear the game is in need of significant reform.

“As I have stressed to the football authorities on several occasions, there is much that football could already be doing to protect the game.

“This includes reaching a much needed agreement on a new package of financial redistribution for the football pyramid and I again urge them to solve this issue.”

Shadow culture secretary Lucy Powell criticised the delay in publishing the white paper, adding: “There’s widespread support for an independent football regulator and recommendations of the review.

“The arguments for it grow stronger every day.

“Bury FC has collapsed, Derby County nearly went under, from Southend to Scunthorpe other clubs stand on the brink. A European Super League is back on the table.

“Manchester City and the Premier League face years in the courts and negotiations over the sale of Manchester United, Liverpool and Everton are going on as we speak and we’re still nowhere on those financial settlements for the pyramid.”