SOUTHEND United fans staged a demonstration outside the house of under-fire chairman Ron Martin tonight - but just a handful of supporters were in attendance.

The Roots Hall faithful continue to fear for the future of their club with Martin having until Friday to accept a revised proposal from Southend City Council over the Fossetts Farm project which is key to the consortium taking charge of the club.

And the Southend Fan Protest group expressed their disappointment at the fans opting to stay away.

"It's just so disappointing," said a spokesman for the group.

"It's not been helped by the Shrimpers Trust deciding not to back the protest and a divided fanbase gets less done, just like in politics with a divided party.

"From our perspective it's never been more important to apply pressure on the Martin family. but people just seem happy to sit back and take Daniel Cowan on his word and wait for Friday.

"But we've seen him say on Twitter now that discussions are ongoing so you really can't rely on anyone else doing what's needed, you have to do it yourself.

"I really don't understand the apathy from elsewhere because this is about as serious as it gets.

"We might not have a football club to support anymore but if the worst happens we can at least have a clear conscience and know we did everything we could to save it.

"Whether or not others can say the same is entirely up to them."

In a statement released on Sunday, the Trust explained that after discussions with the consortium they felt protesting would be counter-productive at this stage.

The statement said: "Whilst we back any supporter’s individual right to make a decision over whether or not to protest, as an organisation the Shrimpers Trust feels the ongoing negotiations continue to be of too delicate a nature for such actions to be helpful at the moment.

"The Martin family has been issued with an ultimatum and a hard deadline; it is important they are not allowed to use the distraction of supporters protesting to further risk the future of Southend United.

"We spent a significant period of time on Saturday in discussions with Justin Rees, the leader of the Council and the leader of the opposition; we do not take this decision lightly."

The council remain in talks with the Martin family.

The Echo understands more meetings have been arranged and those involved hope a way forward can still be agreed."