THE supporters groups of Southend United have launched a 'Go Fund Me' page to help raise funds for the cash-strapped club.

Several members of the Shrimpers office staff remain unpaid for October, along with the club’s youth team who now opted to boycott matches and training together at Boots & Laces until they are paid.

Blues also remain under a transfer embargo after a winding up petition issued by HMRC was adjourned last week.

And supporters are now doing what they can to help.

A joint statement from the supporters groups said: "We can’t quite believe that we are having to do this, but here we are.

"Due to Ron Martin’s and his “group companies’” total ineptitude and failure to fund Southend United FC adequately, we are raising some money in an attempt to support our club’s amazing staff, players and management through these tough times.

"They are the heart and soul of SUFC and they, along with Tom Lawrence, continue to work hard in the face of the adversity behind the scenes.

 

"The critical underfunding of the football club has resulted in numerous members of staff receiving their salaries late or, as of now, not at all.

"This is completely unacceptable conduct for any business at any time, let alone approaching Christmas and during a profound economic and cost of living crisis.


"Unfortunately, we seem to have moved beyond simple incompetence when it comes to Ron Martin’s performance as steward of SUFC and are now entering the territory of moral bankruptcy and absence of basic human empathy."

The statement was approved and signed by: Save Our Southend, The Shrimpers Trust , Shrimperzone.com, Blues on Tour, The Custard Splat Podcast, All At Sea Fanzine, Proud Shrimpers, The Blue Voice and SUFC Exiles

The fundraising page can be viewed here and fans are hoping to raise £10,000.

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