SOUTHEND United chairman Ron Martin insists he is selling an “opportunity” at the Shrimpers as he insisted he would never let the club die.

The Blues owner has put the club up for sale but will continue to own the new stadium at Fossetts Farm should it be built or the current Roots Hall ground if they do not move before a sale goes through.

Any new owner therefore appears to be short of assets - but Mr Martin does not believe that is the case.

Speaking to supporters’ groups, Mr Martin assured them he is selling his shares in the club and an “opportunity”.

Mr Martin added it was not unusual in football but clearly the hope is that whoever buys the club is willing and able to cover the club’s losses until it becomes “self sufficient”.

Mr Martin said the three-sided stadium will cost around £42 million to build but indicated that he would sell it for less than half of that.”

He has been in charge of the Shrimpers for the past 25 years but has been heavily criticised during that time.

Staff and players have been paid late on regular occasions throughout the current campaign, with staff at Roots Hall still waiting for their December salaries.

When quizzed on the matter, Mr Martin said it would be paid when season ticket money, expected to total in the region of £650,000 to £700,000, starts to come in. He also stated the club budgets for 60 per cent of the season ticket money to come in by April 9.

The Blues have been subject to a transfer embargo since September due to money owed to HMRC.

Mr Martin emphasised that escaping the transfer ban was also down to money coming in from season cards. He stressed an informal agreement has been reached with HMRC regarding sums due to them and there are currently no other football creditors in arrears.

It is expected that the embargo will be lifted once the debt due to HMRC is cleared in around four weeks’ time once the club’s cashflow has been boosted by season card sales.

Mr Martin also insisted he would continue to fund the club until he leaves. He said he had put several tens of thousands of pounds in the past week and won’t let the club die despite rising costs.

And the owner assured fans that rent charged at the new stadium would be appropriate to the club’s division and the market rate.

Supporters’ groups had previously urged fans to delay renewing season cards but now believe it is up to individual fans to make up their own minds.