THE solicitor advising a consortium of businessmen which hoped to buy Southend United if the club went into administration has denied he was motivated by a grievance against the Blues.

Alan Gershlick, 63, of Jefferies Solicitors, Southend, was advising the Blue Knights consortium on how to buy the club and all its debts for £1, had it gone into administration following an application to the High Court by the taxman.

However, he faced criticism from bosses at Southend United in a defence statement prepared ahead of Monday’s High Court hearing, which claimed there was a conflict of interests in his role with the consortium.

Referring to information on club debts raised by customs, the document states: “This evidence is based on information provided by Alan Gershlick, a solicitor and former director of Southend United, who left when he fell out with the chairman over invoices rendered to the company by his firm.

“His dispute with the football club during the 1980s continued over a number of years.”

It went on to criticise the Blue Knights, saying: “Mr Gershlick’s clients appear to be interested in buying the football club and so have an obvious conflict of interest.”

The club also brushed off the consortium’s bid to buy Southend United, adding: “Whether such ‘Knights’ would materialise appears wholly uncertain. Moreover, there is no explanation as to why the company would be valued at £1, given its interest in the retail park development with Sainsbury’s.”

Mr Gershlick said his former role with the club was nothing to do with his involvement with the consortium, which is run by former Southend United chairman Mark Rubin, 59.

He said: “They are putting two and two together and coming up with 85.”

He said he was a shareholder in the club and committed supporter and his only motivation had been to help secure the club’s future when it appeared it may be wound up and later put into administration.

He said now administration had been avoided the consortium’s plan was on ice.

Revenue and Customs withdrew its application after the club agreed to clear a £338,000 tax bill.