A LETTER from frustrated Southend United fan Colin Hunt.

Dear Echo

Who could blame any Southend United fan for feeling stranded and helpless while watching THEIR club fall deeper and deeper into trouble, both in the Football League and financially?

I say 'THEIR' club because that's what it is.

Southend United football club, the club formed BY the fans in 1906 and through the hard work and dedication of the supporters, realising the dream of owning their own stadium.

After 50 years of renting three different stadia, they built their own ground - Roots Hall, a 30,000-capacity stadium, paid for and mostly built by the SUFC supporters club.

An amazing feat and well known throughout football, at last the club had security.

Move forward to today and the club own NOTHING and after 22 years of tenure, Mr Martin has pushed the club's debt to c£20m.

The club is at rock bottom and you could say 'the only way is up', but looking at the lower semi-professional leagues, there is plenty of room for a club such as Southend United.

It is time for Mr Martin to hit the reset button.

Gone is any sort of trust that the supporters had in Mr Martin.

Gone are the grandiose development schemes and the 'revenue streams' that were going to ‘make the club the envy of others’.

Looking at the present plans and arrangements for housing, it is obvious to all that futures will be secured - but not of the football club.

So, as I have said, it's time for a 'reset'……....a reset of priorities.

This is a fantastic opportunity for Mr Martin to be remembered - as those hard-working supporters of old are still remembered.

Southend United football club MUST become the number one priority from now on.

Moving the club to a ground they will not own, is NOT securing the club's future - it is merely moving the club sideways.

The club need to own their own ground.

Proposing a new 'three sided' stadium, that is not moving forward, that is moving backwards.

The dream would be to re-develop Roots Hall of course, It is the home of the Blues.

Mr Martin, has said many times that he cares about the club, well now is the time to show that, because I’m afraid to most, they see a Football Club being shunted further down the line and into the cold.

Colin Hunt.