SOUTHEND United supporter groups have called on Ron Martin to outline how financial obligations will be met on time until a sale or investment process is resolved.

Blues players and first team management were paid their May salaries after a successful application to unfreeze the club's account.

However, other back of house staff have yet to be paid as of yesterday (June 5), some of whom are still waiting to be paid March or April salaries.

A further hearing yesterday saw all restrictions on the bank account ordered to be lifted which a club spokesman said will "enable the business to continue to function pending the takeover".

In a statement released yesterday, the club insisted the petition debt and sums due to staff "must and will" be paid before July 12.

This is when the winding up petition, issued by HM Revenue and Customs over a £275,000 tax debt, will be back before the court.

Supporter groups have welcomed the statement, however they say staff pay must must be "adressed as a matter of urgency".

"The long-term objective of new ownership or investment in the football club is
clear, but our concerns about the immediate term persist," said a statement issued by the group.

"Yesterday's club statement informs us that the unfreezing of the club's bank account 'will enable the business to continue to function pending the takeover', but we once again call upon the current owner to outline how financial obligations will be met on time
until a sale or investment process is resolved.

"The detailed acknowledgement of recent events within the club statement is appreciated, and we hope that continued dialogue, where appropriate, will be maintained throughout the next month. Communication between the club and supporters must improve and we hope that yesterday's conciliatory, contrite and informative statement is a sign of things to come."