THE KIMURA Group no longer believe they are the 'right people to lead' buying Southend United.

However they remain interested in joining other interested parties in purchasing the Shrimpers.

Kimura have been frontrunners to takeover at Roots Hall for most of the summer.

And they have now provided their first public update. 

A statement sent to the Echo confirmed: "To clarify the current position of Kimura Group, we have reviewed all the available information, and the dialogue that we have had privately with Ron Martin and team, as well as what is now in the public domain.

"We still believe that this is a very attractive asset, and we would like to clarify that we are interested in joining with other interested parties if they deem it appropriate to move forward, but we do not believe that we are the right people to lead this at this time."

Blues remain deep in crisis on and off the pitch and the National League must soon decide whether or not to let Kevin Maher's side start the season.

The Shrimpers were back in the High Court last week and were given until August 23 to pay off a £275,000 debt to HMRC.

Staff at Roots Hall have gone three months without being paid while a few have not received their salaries for four.

Blues currently have 14 contracted players and have not been able to add to their squad since September due to a transfer embargo.

Players stopped training together for a week while waiting for their wages while pre-season friendlies at Canvey Island and Billericay Town had to be called off due to a lack of players. 

Water has been cut off at the club's Boots & Laces training groud due to an unpaid bill while the squad are still without medical cover as that department have also not received their wages.

Fans protested for 14 hours outside the house of Ron Martin on Saturday and are set to demonstrate again this weekend.