ANOTHER Southend United fan has his say.
I absolutely love Southend United as a club.
For those who already know me this will be a worn-out story, but I was brought to a Southend game for the first time in 2008 by my father and grandfather.
I don't remember too much, other than Hal Robson-Kanu scored and I was totally hooked.
My uncle wanted to take me to Spurs, and how rosy things are in North London compared to the absolute debacle at Southend United.
Would I have it any other way though? Absolutely not.
I've had some great times watching our club, including: Our playoff battle vs Doncaster Rovers in 2008, the FA Cup clash with Chelsea in 2009, the revival under Sturrock leading to the JPT final in 2013 and our first ever Wembley appearance, play-offs with Phil Brown the following season, Lenny's goal at Dagenham in 2015, promotion on our return to Wembley in 2015, the 3-1 giant-killing of Sheffield United at home in 2016, the 2016-17 promotion charge, Chris Powell's return to the Hall as manager and King Kev's return to save Southend from relegation.
This is only a small snapshot of what our club can be proud of.
Through all this I've met some great people, they are friends and fellow supporters for life.
It's a real shame that I have to say the magic has gone when it comes to Southend.
I still enjoy seeing the same faces at the Hall, but I cannot get excited for too long anymore.
I'm sure others understand me when I say I'm always waiting for the next load of embarrassing news from my once proud club.
It was embarrassing enough that the East Black kiosk was running out of supply by half time on Saturday.
Fans reported the same shortages all around Roots Hall.
Soon we'll be bringing our own packed lunches, in true Sunday League style.
To compound this further, it's revealed post-match that even more people are going unpaid.
This time it's our youth squads. They're only the future of our club I suppose, they're only our next Dan Bentley, Jack Payne, Dru Yearwood, Nathan Bishop, Charlie Kelman, Elvis Bwomono, Andeng-Ndi, I could go on.
If we are to ignore the non-payment of a growing number of employees, how can we look past the mounting debts owed to external suppliers?
We're not only harming those inside the club, but also the businesses we deal with outside of SUFC.
This is bad enough on its own.
Until the ownership of this club changes, our reputation will forever be in the mud.
I have a lot of respect for the likes of Tom Lawrence and Stan Collymore who are doing their best to steer SUFC into a positive direction, but their efforts are constantly undone by the ownership.
How long until other clubs in this league start questioning why we're still allowed to play?
You could possibly argue that the only reason we're competing is because we're not paying our taxes or non-playing staff on time.
When will the National League and EFL say enough?
As others have said before, in any other part of life if you cannot afford something, you have to sell it.
Why should this be any different for a football club?
When the club's own supporters are now raising money to pay wages, the owner is simply not fit for purpose.
Ron Martin must put the club up for sale as soon as possible.
Enough playing with people's lives, hopes and dreams.
At this point, I don't think we'll make it beyond the next court hearing, my confidence in the ownership is that low.
We can make all the progress we want on the pitch, but without solving the issues off the pitch, this club will never reclaim its greatness.
I just want a Southend United to be proud of again, is that too much to ask?
Harrison Lane
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