SOUTHEND United fans are fearing for the future of the football club after the Shrimpers were hit by another winding up order from HMRC.

Blues will be back in court in mid-May following a further missed tax bill.

And long-term Shrimpers supporters are now genuinely concerned it could be the end of the club which formed in 1906.

Kerry Fairless, a Blues fan since 1976, said: “Today's news is a hammer blow to all the fans of the club.

“It comes immediately after the closure of the early bird season ticket sales and after he had intimated those of us holding out on seasons tickets would be to blame.

“Many of us have been concerned how the National League will view this on-going and never ending circus, and whether we'd be allowed to stay at this level.

“Playing at any level next season now looks unlikely.

“I really hope I am wrong and there is a saviour out there who will swoop in, but I honestly think this is the end of the road for this proud, local club.”

The Shrimpers full-time office staff are still waiting to be paid for both March and April while manager Kevin Maher has been unable to add to his squad since September due to a transfer embargo caused by missed payments to HMRC.

And Andy Robinson – who has followed the fortunes of Blues for more than 25 years – is also worried he has watched his last match.

“Over the years we have gone through this over and over again with Uncle Ron kicking the can down the road but this feels different,” said Robinson.”

“The club has been a massive part of my life and I have had many amazing highs and some massive lows but I would still come week in week out.

“My kids are now season ticket holders and love coming to the home games but I fear this is going to be taken away from them all because of greed and poor management from the powers that be at the top of the club.”

Under-fire chairman Ron Martin continues to insist the club is up for sale.

But Paul Hewitt, a fan since 1984, is worried the latest hammer blow will put off potential buyers of Blues.

“Who is going to want to pay up for a club that will have to go begging to join the Isthmian League, even if we can point to 8,500 fans at our last home game?,” said Hewitt.

“Ron is clearly in some very, very hot water, and seems to be lobster like in the sense that he doesn’t seem to show any reaction to how hot that water is getting.

“If this was a crystal maze game, we’d all be banging our fists on the door screaming to get out by now.”

Daniel Mays travels from Southampton to watch the Shrimpers play and has already bought three season tickets for his family for the forthcoming 2023/34 campaign.

But Mays is keen to know where his money is being used.

“We were urged to buy season tickets to ensure staff were paid and that has not happened,” said Mays, who has supported Blues for 32 years.

“I purchased three for me and my family to the value of £635.

“The question I would like to know is where are the season ticket and gate receipts going.”

And Martin Harris, a supporter for 56 years, shares that sense of frustration and fear.

“I’m not surprised any more and Ron’s clearly run out of cash and options now,” said Harris.

“We have under two weeks to pay this bill and no adjournments will be allowed this time I’m sure.

“Unless a new buyer is found now and pays this bill I fear the club will be wound up.

“If that happens it’s curtains as I believe we’ll be kicked out of the National League and our worst nightmare of having to start all over a again as a phoenix club in the Essex Senior League may actually happen.”

Pip Halling regularly records footage of Blues’ games for his Diversity YouTube show and he was also among those to express his concern.

“Another month, another problem at SUFC and to no one’s surprise it’s another problem caused by Ron Martin,” said Halling.

“As many fans will agree, each new problem digs a deeper hole in all our hearts watching our club suffer.

“The management team, staff and players have all suffered at Ron Martin’s hands.

“How much longer until the suffering leads to the inevitable end of SUFC?"

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