JAMES Duddridge believes there is 'still a very real risk' Southend United will not start the National League season.

The Shrimpers face a battle on and off the pitch to get the go ahead to remain in the fifth tier of English football.

Duddridge, the Conservative MP for Rochford and Southend East, is doing what he can to help find the club a new owner.

But he fears Blues will not be in action when the campaign kicks off at the start of August.

He told the Echo: “I am working directly with two sets of buyers, both of whom are credible.

"I am doing this and speaking to the club owner multiple times a day.

"There is still a very real risk that the club will not start the season.

"Anna Firth is working with the National League in this regard and, as you would expect, is doing a fab job."

And Duddridge also reiterated his main goal was to ensure the Shrimpers do survive.

"The club is bigger than any one person or consortium, and my sole interest is our club’s survival," he stressed.

"At this late stage linking the deal to a new stadium or property development in Fossetts is flawed.

"Ron Martin accepts this.

"The club needs to be signed over cleanly with Roots Hall included, with a clear break from the current owner.

"It also needs to be sold at a clear public price to allow all bidders to come to it.

"It is, alas, a lot more complicated than that.

"However, if a buyer and seller can agree on a headline figure and the football debts are cleared, we can start the season.”