FOOTBALL chief Ron Martin has been praised by councillors for defying the recession and pressing ahead with plans for Southend United’s new stadium.

Southend Council gave a unanimous seal of approval for the latest revisions to the club’s proposals for the new stadium at Fossetts Farm, and the redevelopment of Roots Hall.

Among the proposals for the new 22,000-seater stadium at Fossetts Farm are a casino and a Morrisons supermarket.

Lib Dem group leader Graham Longley said: “This has been a long time coming. We have actually been waiting 20 years for a new stadium for Southend United.

“The first proposals by the then-chairman, Vic Jobson, were actually turned down by the council in 1989 by a very small vote, but at long last we have got there.”

Mr Longley paid tribute to current club chairman Ron Martin for his persistence in putting the proposals together.

He added: “With the economic climate as it is, I believe with anyone else this would have collapsed at Christmas or a few months ago, but he has gone on and now we can all look forward to seeing a stadium and a football club which we can be proud of.”

Labour group leader David Norman said he could remember the days before Roots Hall, when Southend United played at the old greyhound stadium, in Grainger Road.

He added: “There is a lot of sentimental attachment to Roots Hall, but the new proposals for Fossetts Farm will provide a 21st-century stadium for a team of the future in Southend.

“I would hope there will be a plaque or something similar at the new stadium to record that this was where Roots Hall used to be.”

The proposals were discussed at a full council meeting, in which the only voice of concern came from Ron Woodley (Ind, Thorpe) who had fears about the inclusion of the casino and possible antisocial behaviour and drink-driving related offences which could arise.

He said: “I am concerned about the impact which a casino could have at this site, rather than in the town centre or on the seafront, where there is adequate public transport.”