Southend United's owners - South Eastern Leisure UK Limited - have launched a broadside at former Blues chairman John Main.

The club's joint venture company, formed by property developers Martin Dawn plc and Delancey Estates, yesterday (Wednesday) claimed the Third Division side is in better shape following Main's departure six months ago.

"Substantial improvements in the running and financial management of the club have been made since changes to the board were implemented," said SEL.

"Following David Webb's return to Roots Hall, progress has been made on the pitch and the club's supporter base has improved, which is reflected in recent attendances.

"The prospect for financial solvency, without a dependency culture, is now a realistic prospect.

"We made a pre-requisite that our support of the club would only continue with financially responsible stewardship and this has now been achieved."

Southend's last set of accounts, for the year ending July 1999, revealed Blues had lost £2.3 million. And another massive £1.6m deficit is forecast for the financial term ending 2000.

However, SEL are confident the Shrimpers' losses will be as low as £200,000 by the end of 2001.

Last August, Southend's owners removed Main from Blues' board of directors, claiming he had failed to control the football club's crippling financial situation.

He was also sacked for his criticism of Delancey, whose financial support has kept the cash-strapped club afloat.

Main, a popular figure during his 21-month reign at Roots Hall, published a 35-page report last week in an effort to clear his name.

However, SEL still claim they are better off without their former figurehead, who was branded "the people's chairman" by many Southend fans.

"The club is destined to be bigger than one person or one shareholder," added SEL in their statement.

"We want to relocate Southend United in a new, modern stadium, with its finances in good order.

"And we do not doubt the size of the task, which involves making difficult decisions and hard endeavours. But what we can promise is that we will have assisted the club by actions not words, which others could only dream about!"

Finally, SEL also confirmed that Blues had not been charged rent, under the terms of their lease agreement for Roots Hall and the Shrimpers' Boots and Laces training ground.

SEL have frozen more than £1 million of debt, plus interest at 20 per cent, accumulated during two years' tenancy on the sites, although it will have to be paid eventually.

"We have not made any request for the payments of rent or interests under the advances that have been made," revealed SEL. "This has been part of our continued support to build a successful football club.

By Bernie Friend

Reporter's e-mail: bernie.friend@notes.newsquest.co.uk

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