THE Shrimpers Trust insist they are planning for every eventuality for Southend United this week.

Blues face another crunch few days in their fight to survive.

And, in an email sent out to all their members this evening, the Trust has revealed plans already in place including looking starting a phoenix club if needed and working on a submission to make Roots Hall an asset of community value. 

The email, sent out ahead of Wednesday's winding up petition, explained: "As difficult as it is, we have to be ready for all possibilities over the next few days.

"Whilst we hope for the best, it could be the case that COSU walk away, collapsing the deal between the Council and the Martins, the deal could collapse of its own accord if the Martins move the goalposts again, the club could be placed in administration or it could be liquidated following the Winding-Up Petition served by Stewarts Law, which is set to be heard on Wednesday.

"We have put a lot of effort into being prepared for whatever happens.

"Our priority, as it has always been, is to save the current club and its heritage status within the community.

"If the club is placed into administration, we will work with the appointed administrator and attempt to plot a path out with interested parties as a matter of urgency."

But the Trust have also explored other avenues.

"We have also established contact with the relevant authorities should Southend United FC be wound-up on Wednesday and are cognisant of the relevant regulations if we need to establish a phoenix club," added the email.

"This would be a last resort and would involve an intense period of work to ensure participation in the 2024/25 season, but the groundwork has been put in place."

And work has also been done with regards to the future of Roots Hall.

"Finally, we have worked on a submission to list Roots Hall Stadium as an Asset of Community Value," said the Trust.

"We believe the application is ready to submit although, to avoid any complications it could cause to ongoing negotiations, we have held off to this point.

"We will confirm the submission and provide further details in due course.