A Southend MP has welcomed today's adjournment for the Blues to pay off their HMRC tax debt but warns the club's problems are not over.

Southend United chairman Ron Martin was back in the High Court this morning (July 12) after the initial hearing was adjourned back in May. His application for a second adjournment was granted, meaning he now has until August 23 to pay off the £275,000 debt.

Conservative MP for Southend West, Anna Firth, has released a statement this afternoon welcoming the news.

However, she has warned the club must be able  to "satisfy" the National League that they will be able to remain compliant with their rules.

Ms Firth commented: "Southend United Football Club means so much, to so many people, for so many reasons. In the last week I have received numerous emails, many of them detailing different, heart-warming stories about spending time at Roots Hall and the deep and lifelong connections that constituents have to the club.

"Today’s adjournment is welcome, however, it does not unfortunately mean Southend’s problems are over. Whilst we now have until the August 23 to discharge the debt to HMRC, we must be able to satisfy the National League that we are, and will remain compliant with their own rules.

"Since I was first approached in September to assist and advocate for the club in meetings with HMRC, I have always made myself available to the Shrimpers Trust and any other fan groups that have wanted to discuss the current situation."

Ms Firth noted she has had numerous meetings with HMRC, Southend United, The Shrimpers Trust, The Department for Culture, Media and Sport as well as the National League. She has addressed the House of Commons twice on the problems at the club to attract "as much national attention as possible"

She added that Southend United is a vital community asset blessed with some of the best fans in the UK who have been "suffering" throughout this saga, and praised the hard work of the Shrimpers Trust.

The MP continued: "When the Government announced their ambitious plans for implementing an Independent Regulator for English Football, it was welcomed by a vast majority and the current crisis at Southend United has unfortunately proved why it is necessary. I hope that the Government will recognize how vital the rapid implementation of this new legislation really is and that they will seek to include it in the next King’s Speech.

"I want to assure you all now that I will do my utmost to further lobby the Government to see this happen.

"Finally, if we look to the future, I hope that there will be better times ahead for this incredible football club. Staff not receiving pay packets for four months would be unacceptable anywhere in the world and Southend United is absolutely no exception to this. I hope when the new owners are in place, they will engage actively with fans, sponsors and stakeholders to ensure the events of the last 12 months are never repeated.

"There has been 117 years of fantastic history for Southend United, and I look forward to seeing many more."