The long drawn-out Southend United shares saga looks set to reach a positive conclusion as early as tomorrow.

Chairman Vic Jobson, as first revealed on This Is Essex and the Evening Echo three weeks ago, is negotiating to sell his major shareholding to Billericay property developer Martin Dawn.

Today, John Main, who is tipped to be the new Blues supremo when Martin Dawn takes over, confirmed the deal was progressing fast.

He said: "We are in talks which I am pleased to say are in an advanced stage - the contracts should be signed any day now.

"We need things to reach a speedy conclusion to end this period of uncertainty.

"There are so many things happening both on and off the field that the sooner it's all resolved the better and we can start building towards a bright future."

Main underlined his determination to back troubled boss Alvin Martin and encourage the crowds back to Roots Hall.

He said: "This will be a new beginning and we want the whole town behind us."

"I know the manager is having a hard time at the moment, but I've got every confidence that he will come through it. He is a dedicated and passionate man who speaks from the heart.

"He desperately wants success and so do our supporters.

"Hopefully when this take-over goes through we can help lift some of the doom and gloom hanging over the club at the moment and get some positive vibes going.

"I can assure our fans that Martin Dawn are not coming into this club just for the ride.

"We want success as much as they do and are determined to get it. There's no future in Southend United staying in the Third Division and we want to get out as quickly as possible."

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