Southend United chairman Ron Martin hits back at PFA and says football won't be back to normal until 2021

The Shrimpers have not played since beating Bristol Rovers in early March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

And Martin – who also hit back at the PFA’s criticism of him - believes Blues will not be playing in front of any crowds until next year.

“I don’t see normality coming back to football until Q1 21,” said Martin.

“I can’t see crowds being allowed to gather and maybe it’s time the PFA woke up to that.

“It’s a different world now.

“They and maybe others as well think football will be back to normal in a short period of time but it won’t be.”

As a result, Martin has placed six of the Shrimpers squad on furlough leave.

And he was shocked by the way the PFA reacted to his request.

“I’m surprised by what the PFA have said,” Martin told TalkSport.

“The furlough letter makes it very clear and it’s covered by our lawyers.

“Everyone else accepted it and everyone has been paid in full, including the six players.

“They were paid up to the furlough date in full and they’ve been paid proportionate of the furlough money.”

The players in question are among the highest earners in the Blues’ squad.

And Martin confirmed they had now all agreed to be placed on furlough.

“They hadn’t accepted being furloughed at the time but yesterday they all did,” said Martin.

“By last night I had six letters in from them all confirming they are being furloughed.”

Fifty-nine staff members at the Shrimpers are also on furlough.

But Martin remains frustrated by the actions of the PFA who accused him of ‘consistently letting the players down’.

“It’s unfair,” said Martin.

“The PFA have to protect the players but I have a good relationship with the players.

“I don’t speak to them frequently but I do get text messages from them and I always respond.

“I have to tread a careful line between the manager and me as chairman but the relationship for 20 years has always been good.”

And Martin also feels the PFA do not understand the seriousness of the current situation.

“The PFA are finding this period difficult and I don’t think they’re truly understanding the gravity of the situation and the impact it will have on football,” said Martin.

“For the PFA to say I’ve been unfair is outrageous.

“I’ve been hugely supportive of footballers, look at Nile Ranger for instance.

“Maybe I shouldn’t have been as supportive of him but I supported him and many, many others over the years.”

But Martin would also prefer the PFA to contact him directly with any future grievances.

“The PFA should be man enough to pick up the phone and talk to me,” said Martin.

“If they’ve got beef they should talk to me not just go off on one into the press and criticise me in a way which is fundamentally untrue.”

But, despite Blues suffering financial difficulties before coronavirus led to the League being suspended, Martin remains adamant the club is facing a bright future.

“Southend will survive and Southend will come through this strongly,” said Martin.

“We have a very competent future and things are looking great for us.”

However, Martin is also fully aware of how football may be forced to change.

“Many of the companies who support football clubs will also be having a tough time,” said Martin.

“The sponsorship will not be readily available in the lower leagues and I think that will impact on salaries throughout, maybe even in the Premier League.”