Southend United: Council votes to help 'secure future' of football club

Southend United has been ordered to find a buyer and clear its debts by 4 October

A council has voted to consider investing if it could help to save the local football club.

A motion was put forward asking Southend-on-Sea City Council "to provide whatever reasonable support" is possible to assist the club's sale.

Southend United faces being wound up unless it finds a new owner by 4 October.

The National League docked the club 10 points in August for failing to clear debts to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

Labour councillor Matt Dent, who put forward the original motion, said the 10-point loss "puts the club in a difficult position in spite of a positive start to the season".

In August, owner Ron Martin said the sale of the club to an unnamed Australian buyer should be finalised in September.

The Shrimpers are working to clear a £275,000 debt owed to HMRC.

Deputy Mayor Cllr Ron Woodley of the Residents First party added an amendment resolving "to call a special council if council investment would make the difference to saving the club, to consider an offer."

Both the amendment and the original motion received full support from the council.

'Strength of feeling'

Mr Dent told the BBC: "The strength of feeling expressed at the council tonight should leave no one in any doubt that we stand behind Southend United and the fans who have given so much to keep it going."

He added: "I hope that the Council's cabinet will turn the words expressed tonight into real and practical support to get a deal over the line which sets Southend United back on the road to the stability and success that it deserves."

His motion had called on the council to work to assist the sale of the club, and to reaffirm its support for Southend United as an important community asset.

It encouraged the council to "reach out" to other local authorities which have helped to "secure a future for their local football clubs" and learn from their experience, such as Hartlepool and Frome.