THE Shrimpers Trust have called on Southend City Council to ensure Southend United’s proposed new stadium is owned by the club.

Current chairman Ron Martin has announced he is looking to sell the Shrimpers but will continue to own the ground at Fossetts Farm should it be built.

And the Trust want that to be changed.

In a statement issued on Monday morning to the Council, the Trust said: “We urge you in the strongest possible terms to make it a condition of planning approval that the stadium at Fossetts Farm is returned to Southend United's ownership.

“If you don't, then there is a very real possibility that there will no longer be a football club left to play in that stadium.

“If you do, then it gives the football club an asset it rightfully owns, which might in turn help to attract a buyer who could secure the club's short- and long-term future.

“There are strong recommendations in the recently-published UK Government White Paper for football governance and regulation that would preclude any club from being in this situation ever again.

“We have met with multiple Parliamentarians and understand the weight of cross-party support this document has.

A quick sale by July is a potential method to bypass future regulation and this must not happen on your watch.”

And the Trust also revealed they would be meeting with General Sports Worldwide LLP who have been appointed as agents in the sale of the club.

The statement added: “We look forward to meeting with General Sports Worldwide LLP and showing them what a wonderful asset they are bringing to market.

“A club that, historically, has walked hand-in-hand with its local community.

“A club with passionate fans all over the globe, in all industry and from all backgrounds.

“We welcome new custodians; ones who will listen to us, respect us and see us as the asset to the club that we are.

“The landscape for the future changed with Ron Martin’s announcement on Friday.

“This is a matter of huge public significance and we believe the new plans submitted for the Fossetts Farm stadium must ensure the prospect of long-term sustainability for Southend United.

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