Southend United has rejected claims made on TalkSport that the club could go under at any time.

Controversial host Alan Brazil said on yesterday’s breakfast show he had been to a gentlemen’s dinner and spoken to someone “high up” at the club.

Brazil, a former Manchester United and Ipswich striker who played for Scotland, added the source had told him the club was badly in trouble and could go under at any stage.

The claim comes as the club prepares to appear in the High Court next Wednesday to answer a winding-up petition from HM Revenue and Customs concerning unpaid National Insurance.

Neither Blues boss Ron Martin nor chief executive Geoffrey King were available for comment yesterday as they were both in meetings.

However, David Scriven, the club’s media manager, claimed the popular radio show had sensationalised something which fans were well aware of.

He said: “Southend United FC has had a winding-up petition issued against them by HMRC since July and this information has been in the public domain since that time.

“The petition was adjourned until Wednesday at which time the club will attend a further hearing at the High Court.

“Whilst TalkSport’s commentary on this is rather sensationalist, this has been known for some time.”