REPRESENTATIVES from Southend United supporter groups are to liaise with the club’s chief executive Tom Lawrence next week to discuss where best to spend the money they have raised.

A ‘Go Fund Me’ page has now generated close to £20,000 for the cash-strapped Shrimpers.

And a statement from the group has now confirmed the next step.

The statement said: “We continue to be impressed by the level of donations via our GoFundMe page which is now nearing £20,000 inside four days of fundraising.

“There was a requirement for the initiative to be set up quickly to address the urgent situation at the football club but we are now in a position to set out how the funds will be made available to those who need it.

“The groups have appointed a distribution committee comprised of Clare Campbell (Save our Southend), Simon Dodd (Shrimpers Trust) and John Crickson (Shrimperzone).

“The distribution committee will liaise with Tom Lawrence over the areas of greatest need with regard to outstanding staff salaries and, when the group reaches agreement will transfer those monies in the form of a conditional donation.”

However, the groups also know the future still looks bleak for Blues.

The statement added: “Until such time as the bridging finance is in place, we believe Southend United FC will remain in a precarious financial position.

“The problem is not going to go way and we will be imminently exploring methods for continuing to raise essential funds over the next few months.”

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