Southend United boss David Webb has spoken out for the first time about his concern for Blues' future, which is linked to the Third Division club's ambitious stadium plans.

Council chiefs are expected to make a final decision on the Shrimpers' application for a brand new £12.5million ground at Fossetts Farm within the next two months.

And Webb today (Friday) urged the town to get behind Blues' stadium bid for the sake of the football club's survival.

"I'm still very sceptical about what will happen to the club if the stadium doesn't come off," admitted the Blues chief.

"Everybody seems more concerned about us winning promotion this season. But what people need to realise is that climbing out of the Third Division is a spit in the wind compared to getting our new ground.

"A new stadium is the key to Southend's survival, which should be everybody's first concern."

Blues have less than two years left on their current lease at Roots Hall, which was sold for £4m in March 1999.

And the Shrimpers' owners, South Eastern Leisure, who brought Webb back to Southend last September, want to relocate the football club in a 16,000-all seater arena near Eastern Avenue on the outskirts of town.

But the club's proposal has so far been hampered by objections from residents living in the area and the council's fears over traffic congestion and other leisure facilities linked to the site.

The Save Our Southend action group, Blues fans who back the club's stadium proposal, are meeting in the Roots Hall Shrimpers Bar at 2pm tomorrow (Saturday).

By Bernie Friend

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

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