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Updated: Blues boss in fraud probe

8:10am Friday 2nd March 2007

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POLICE swooped on the home and offices of Southend United chairman Ron Martin in connection with a major fraud investigation.

Around 40 officers raided the football club's Roots Hall ground, in Victoria Avenue, at about 7am and searched the offices of Mr Martin's property development company, Martin Dawn.

Police also searched his luxury home in Benfleet Road, Benfleet, and took documents.

The operation was part of a nationwide investigation which has seen the arrest of a former councillor for Tewkesbury Borough Council, in Gloucestershire. Sean Connors, 46, of Brockworth, Gloucestershire, was arrested on suspicion of corruption and money laundering.

As well as the raids on Roots Hall and Mr Martin's home, there were two raids in Gloucestershire, one near Warwick, and one in Measham, Leicestershire.

Police spent most of the day at Roots Hall, gathering documents connected with Mr Martin's property business, which he runs from the football club premises.

Mr Martin was not available for comment but a statement from Southend United said: "Gloucester Police have requested assistance into inquiries they are conducting in Gloucestershire.

"They have not advised as to the nature of those inquiries, but every assistance is being given to them."

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James Burton, Benfleet says...
3:37pm Fri 2 Mar 07

If found Guilty this will be a massive blow for Southend United Football Club. What Ron Martin has done for our club has been amazing.

And for that i support him through out this case.

Come on Southend! We need points on the pitch. We also need to succeed off the pitch. Without Ron Martin Southend wont get the new stadium we so badly need. I could seriously see us slipping back into the dark days of league 2 and dare i say it: The conference.

Come on Ron the whole of Southend is supporting you and your club.

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Ash, says...
3:54pm Fri 2 Mar 07

James, surely it's the players and mainly Steve Tilson who have got the club where they are in the league table.

If Martin is found guilty then he deserves whatever punishment he gets.

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liz jones, benfleet says...
3:59pm Fri 2 Mar 07

Ash wrote:
James, surely it's the players and mainly Steve Tilson who have got the club where they are in the league table. If Martin is found guilty then he deserves whatever punishment he gets.
Could not agree with you more Ash. Well done to you for saying so.

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Jane, Leigh says...
4:30pm Fri 2 Mar 07

Before you all start becoming nasty about about mr martin lets wait and see what the outcome of this is. He has done nothing but brought southend football club right up, and i am sure than there is no way that he will be found guilty in any way at all. To those of you being negative, stop saying all these things. Also, you can be nice, not dodgy and make and achieve much..so get your facts right. He has achieved so much for southend, lets start being supportive rather than always ready to dig the knife in.

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James Burton, Benfleet says...
4:45pm Fri 2 Mar 07

But its Ron Martin who brought in Tilson in. Its Ron Martin who has made our dream of a new stadium a reality. Its Ron Martin who has funded buying bigger and better players.

We owe alot to Ron Martin.

And dont get me wrong. Im not critisising. Ron has my full support.

UTB.

Southend 'til I die.

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Ken Williams, Chelmsford says...
5:23pm Fri 2 Mar 07

Think you have to wait for the outcome of this investigation.
But, obviously it could cause major problems for Southend, both on and off the pitch.
Will be a shame if any outcome does prove detrimental to the club.

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BluesFan, Westcliff says...
10:33pm Fri 2 Mar 07

If Ron Martin has done so much for the club, why did we only acquire one new player in the transfer window (and ship out a load of others) when we were bottom of the league, in desperate need of reinforcements in several areas, and with one of the smallest squads? That was criminal, even if nothing else has been. Also, why do we badly need a new stadium when we can't fill the one we already have? Wake up and look at the economics - they just don't stack up.

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James Burton, Benfleet says...
9:33am Sat 3 Mar 07

Ok Ok. It's been well documented that all the staff at Southend United Football Club tried to bring in more than just one player. Plus they are attempting to delv into the current Loan market. Another thing is Tilly isn't an idiot. He isnt going to buy second rate/ league 1 players. They just wont cut it in this league, all you have to do is look at players like Guttridge and Che. Both very good lower league players that found the step up hard. So to say their not trying; shows a lack of understanding.

Also i find it hard to understand how you can say we dont fill the stadium. The only reason we dont get capacity every game is that the away fans dont use all their tickets. The home section is always full.

All the best.

UTB.

Southend 'til I die.

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BluesFan, Westcliff says...
11:08am Sat 3 Mar 07

How many sell-outs have we had in the home end this season? Two. Hull (so that you could get tickets for the Man U game) and the Man U game. The home end is otherwise never full. Look at the hard facts: they speak for themselves.

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tom martin, benfleet says...
2:45pm Thu 22 Mar 07

Ash wrote:
James, surely it's the players and mainly Steve Tilson who have got the club where they are in the league table. If Martin is found guilty then he deserves whatever punishment he gets.
my dad is ron martin, but it doesnt matter who my dad is, he is no the one being charged it is sean conner. next time get it right.

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