SOUTHEND United supporters are to protest against under-fire chairman Ron Martin following this afternoon’s match with Yeovil Town at Roots Hall.

Blues have been placed under a transfer embargo after missing a payment to HMRC while shirt sponsors PG Site Services released a critical statement on Friday confirming they were to withdraw their support of the club.

And Shrimpers fans are now planning to show their fury by staging a sit in after today’s match.

A statement from the Save Our Southend group said: “We struggle to see how much longer this horrendous cycle of issues can continue and how SUFC’s patient fans can continue to be walked all over.

"We have to do something.

“Let us take that first step by inviting all fans to a 15 minute sit in protest after today’s home match against Yeovil.

“Kevin Maher, his backroom staff and his players are not to blame for any of this and they deserve 100 per cent support from the stand from the first minute of the game until the moment they leave the pitch afterwards.

“Once the final player has called us and left the pitch we then stay in our seats and make our displeasure at the ownership clear for 15 minutes.”

The Shrimpers Trust are also backing the sit-in.

“The Shrimpers Trust support the 15 minute protest after the game and will be joining this too,” the Trust posted on Twitter.

“We encourage all supporters who are able, to do the same.

“Please get behind the team during the game.”

Blues find themselves in the National League after two relegations in the past three seasons.

And the Save Our Southend group remain angry with how the club is being run.

"Save Our Southend is disgusted and dismayed, yet again, at the shocking state that Southend United finds itself in and at the utter ineptitude of Ron Martin in running the club properly," the group's statement added.

"The issues have really piled up today and we now have a truly unenviable list.

"Months upon months of staff being treated disgustingly and continually being paid late during a cost of living crisis.

"Yet another unpaid tax bill, risking the wrath of HMRC and a winding up order.

"Yet another transfer embargo as a result.

"The increasing loss of non-matchday revenue generating facilities and the reduction of capacity/ambition at a new stadium which doesn't look to benefit the club as much as we'd hope.

"The embarrassing and public cutting of ties with the club by the main sponsor, who appear to be making accusations of financial dishonesty.

"We continue to judge Ron Martin to be an unfit and improper owner.

"He has proven time and again over the years that he does not have the financial means to take the club forward.

"SUFC will also be unable to rebuild the reputation and bridges that he has destroyed while he is still here.

"We therefore call on him in the strongest possible terms, again, to seek a buyer for the football club as soon as possible."