WITH just days to go until a high court judge decides the fate of Southend United, senior councillors believe a deal to save the club is nail-bitingly close to completion.

The Blues face a winding up order on Wednesday over a £275,000 HMRC debt but speculation is mounting a consortium is poised to buy the Roots Hall club, which has £2.5 million of total debt, to save it from administrators.

Australian businessman Justin Rees is leading a consortium working to takeover the club, and held "positive" talks with Ron Martin on Sunday as he flew in from Holland to meet the Blues chairman.

Tony Cox, leader of Southend Council remained tight-lipped about the deal but indicated in a brief statement that a deal could be close.

He said: “I and the Conservative administration have been working tirelessly around the clock over the past week to get a resolution to the situation.”

Other councillors are hopeful of a deal. Matt Dent, Labour councillor for Kursaal Ward, said: “As things stand at the moment I don’t have any details specifically around how close we are but from everything I’ve heard we are getting right up to it and its seems likely that a deal will be reached.

“The important thing is to get it done as soon as possible and get agreements in place to pay off the debt ahead the next court hearing but the mood is optimistic. People in the know seem to think we will get there which is a fantastic relief and for everyone who cares about Southend United.”

Martin Terry, Independent councillor for Thorpe ward added: “As a season ticket holder for decades I’m absolutely delighted. The fans have got behind the club. Kevin Maher is working miracles. In fact Kevin Maher has done a lot to prove why the club should remain. He’s very popular. The team is fantastic. I’m over the moon with it. It’s going to happen. It’s self-evident the club is enormously important to the town and our community and long may it continue.”

Veteran fan James Schooley has travelled the length and breadth of the country over the last 27 years. He said: “Anything involving Ron Martin, I’m not going to celebrate until the ink’s dry and the shares are transferred and we have confirmation.

“There’s been some rumblings and speculation around an announcement was coming soon. It suggest to me that it’s close but it seems like it’s not quite there yet so I think positive but cautious at the minute.