ANGRY Southend United supporters staged a pre-match protest against chairman Ron Martin this afternoon.

More than 100 angry fans gathered to vent their fury towards the way cMartin has run the club with relegation to the National League looming large.

And lifelong supporter Kerry Fairless was among those in attendance.

“It’s dreadful what’s been happening,” said Fairless.

Echo:

Angry - Southend United's fans protest in the car park at Roots Hall

“It’s 100 years since we came into the Football League and to slip out like this is heartbreaking.

“It’s all off the back of chaos management frankly."

He added: “There’s no sustainability and there’s been an awful recruitment policy too.

“This protest has been organised by fans, there’s no group behind it but people want to be seen to be doing something.

“We obviously can’t be in the ground and we’d like to be able to get behind the players.

“A lot of people are worried about what the future holds for us too.

“The National League is better than many people think and we may well struggle in that.

Echo:

Arriving - Ron Martin was given a hostile reception at Roots Hall 

“But we deserve to be at that level next season because we’re bottom of the table for a reason.”

Experienced Blues midfielders Jason Demetriou and Alan McCormack both went out to talk to the protestors before boss Phil Brown also brought today’s matchday squad out to hear what the fans had to say.

While Essex Police urged fans to avoid attending the demonstration.

Prior to the event, a spokesperson said: "We are aware of conversations on social media around the possibility of a demonstration at Southend United’s football ground today.

"We will work with Southend United Football Club to minimise any possible disruption this may cause and would ask anyone thinking of attending to stay away as the government’s covid restrictions remain in place."

MORE TO FOLLOW