Southend United's major shareholder Ron Martin today attempted to ease the fears of Blues fans worried about the future of their football club.

The cash-strapped Third Division side's supporters are unhappy with plans to remove Southend chairman John Main from the Roots Hall hot seat.

However, Mr Martin, chief executive and chairman of Blues' owners Martin Dawn plc, has moved to assure the club's fans that their club is in safe hands.

"John has rebuilt so many broken bridges during his time at Roots Hall, but this is how it should be at all football clubs, not just ours," he said.

"Southend is a community club and the good work we have carried out will continue."

Mr Martin also tried to explain why Blues' financiers Delancey Estates, who settled a £400,000 winding up order against the club last week, want Mr Main out.

"John has unquestionably alienated the club's principle banker by writing terse personal letters to both Delancey's chairman Jamie Ritblat and his deputy Colin Wagman," he added.

"Delancey are serious business people and could have overlooked his personal comments, but not without results."

Mr Martin said that Blues had lost £2.2million between 1998 and 1999, finishing 18th in the Third Division.

However, he also revealed further losses of £1.6m this year - more than twice the estimated shortfall - with the club only slightly improving its end of season position by two places.

"John wasn't wholly responsible for the performances both on and off the pitch," Mr Martin said.

"But success stems from the top and we must all take responsibility. During August of last year, John gave a very good presentation to the venture company's board.

"He gave an impressive talk about the good work being done at the club within the community and on our youth development scheme. However, there are no guarantees in football and we shouldn't lose sight that the players' wages totalled £1.5m.

"This is a huge amount for a Third Division club, especially when John had hoped the losses could have been contained to around £750,000, and the not the £1.6m."

Delancey weren't prepared to keep spending money at the same rate however.

"At the end of the day John is an enthusiastic person and, like all of us, only wants success for Southend United," added Mr Martin.

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