RON Martin has apologised to the Southend United supporters for his poor performance as the club’s chairman over the past 18 months.

Speaking at Blues’ annual meeting, Martin admitted mistakes had been made during a difficult time for the club.

But he again insisted Southend’s future remained bright.

“I’ve not done a great job over the past 18 months but I certainly haven’t become distracted or derailed in my ambition for this football club,” said Martin.

“It was very disappointing to get relegated from League One but we want to get back to where we’ve come from – and the future does still look good for us.

“Things certainly look better than they did 12 months ago and there is enormous potential at this football club.”

To maximise that potential, Martin is determined to move the club to a new stadium at Fossetts Farm.

And he revealed the plans would take a further step forward this summer.

“We are preparing to go out to tender in the first week of May,” said Martin, who insisted he was confident the new ground would not have just three sides.

“The tender report will be with us mid-July and that’s an important time for us and we will determine the programme for building work from there.”

Martin refused to give exact dates for when the stadium build would get under way, admitting he was aware previous assurances had not been met.

However, the club remain in discussions with the shops on Victoria Avenue which must be purchased for the plans to go ahead.

And Martin added talks had been going well.

“We’re making good progress with some of the individuals now,” he stressed.

“Others won’t talk to us at all though, but there are compulsory purchase orders on them which may encourage them to sell but that’s something we would ideally like to avoid having to push through."

FULL STORY IN THURSDAY'S ECHO