Southend United's major-shareholder Ron Martin has confirmed that the position of his chief executive Peter Storrie will be left in the hands of Blues chairman John Main.

Former West Ham supremo Storrie, whose one-year contract expires in July, has been linked with a behind the scenes power struggle at Roots Hall in recent weeks and has also come underfire for his whopping £120,000 a season salary.

However, Martin told Southend fans last night that Storrie's future would be decided by his immediate superior - Main - once the dust had settled on another bitterly disappointing Third Division campaign.

"Peter's situation will be reviewed at the end of the season," Martin told Blues supporters at a specially arranged meeting held at Roots Hall's Shrimpers bar on Thursday.

"John hired Peter and he will make the decision regarding the renewal of his contract, but I can't see any reason why he will not still be the chief executive of this football club next term."

Martin, did admit however, that there had been a strain in relationships between the chairman and his number two at the Roots Hall helm.

"John was disappointed that Peter has not produced some of the levels of commercial income expected, but that's not entirely Peter's fault because the club hasn't performed on the pitch," he added.

Martin also backed his chairman and said he would be staying at the club, ending rumours that Main was preparing to jump ship.

"Over the past year we've put a strong management team in place which can take this club forward and I don't see that changing," he said.

Martin also revealed that the Shrimpers would be looking for a £400,000 shirt sponsorship deal for the new season, which would boost the Seasiders' empty coffers considerably, with the club currently losing £120,000 a month.

He then went on to explain that Blues had received no shirt money for the past two season, with Progressive Printing, a company owned by Southend director Bill Kelleway, having paid an old VAT debt to get their names emblazoned across the Seasiders' chests.

Main, who was also in attendance, said Southend still intended to sell a portion of the major-shareholders' 76 per cent stake in the club to fans at some stage in the future, but wasn't keen on the idea of supporter representation on the board.

And when asked about future transfer funds to invest in the team, Martin pointed out the benefits of the club's future enhancement deals, if they are given planning permission to build a new £12million stadium, leisure facilities and a hotel.

"Thirty per cent of the enhancement value of these developments will go back to the club to invest in players and get us back into the First Division," he said.

Martin also confirmed that Blues held the freehold on the flats at Priory Court behind the South Stand, which would soon be sold off, and he also denied stories that the family of former chairman Vic Jobson were attempting to launch a bid to regain control of the club.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.