SOUTHEND United legend Adam Barrett is heartbroken by the Shrimpers’ struggles and admits he has never been more worried about the club’s future.

Huge doubts still surround whether or not the cash-strapped Blues will be able to kick off the National League season at the start of August.

And Barrett - who made 354 appearances for his hometown club - is finding the club’s current predicament tough to take.

“To see where it is at the moment is heartbreaking,” said Barrett.

“This club means a hell of a lot to a lot of people and to see it spiralling downwards in the last few years has been so sad.

“You fear for the future, you fear what the next step is and where it goes next as well.

“It’s hard to take it and it’s so hard to see them suffering like this.

“This is the most worrying it’s ever been and it’s not looking in a good place at all.

“I just really hope it can get resolved and the club can start to move forward.”

The Shrimpers currently have just 14 contracted players while staff at the club have not been paid for three months.

Underfire chairman Ron Martin insists he is doing all he can to sell the club but time is quickly running out for Blues.

And a concerned Barrett is feeling the same way as all the club’s supporters.

“I’ve lived in the area pretty much all my life, I watched the club as a kid and was then lucky enough to play for Southend and be captain as well,” said Barrett.

“It’s been a big part of my life and my career and to see Southend where it is now makes me sad, like it does any other supporter.

“You just feel for everyone connected with the club.

“There’s a tremendous fanbase and there are so many loyal people working there too.

“It’s massive for our city, with all the kids in the academy and it affects the whole area.

“It’s so sad to see and very worrying as well.

“The club has a lot of history and this is people’s lives we’re talking about.”

However, financial problems are nothing new for the Shrimpers.

And Barrett endured tough times during his first time with the club.

“It was well documented back in the 2009/10 season we had big problems and it was very, very tough at the time,” said the former centre-back.

“You thought the club had come through that and when I came back for the second time you thought the club was getting going again but to see what’s happened is awful.”

Barrett is now assistant manager at Championship club Millwall.

But he still attends the Shrimpers’ matches whenever it is possible.

“I still go to games as much as I can but obviously it’s difficult with our games,” said Barrett, 43.

“But my dad goes and a lot of family and friends go every week.

“I’ve grown up with the club and it’s the first result I look for.

“A great club like Southend shouldn’t be in this situation and the fanbase is incredible.

“There are people behind the scenes there who are very loyal and they’ve been there a while.

“They work extremely hard in very tough conditions.

“But these people have mortgages to pay and bills to pay and you fear for them.”

Kevin Maher’s job as head coach has also become extremely problematic.

And Barrett has real sympathy for his former Blues team-mate.

“I feel for Kev and he’s done a great job,” said Barrett.

“He wants to succeed for Southend and will want to be given a fair chance to be successful.

“It’s extremely difficult for him but I know he cares about the club and will be do anything he can to help.

“But to be honest it’s bigger than that at the moment.

“The club have got to get themselves sorted above Kev if they are to help him and his staff be successful on the pitch.

“I feel for him and everyone involved with the club.

“I just hope and pray it can be resolved as quickly as possible to give the team the chance to have a competitive season.

“But first and foremost it’s the survival of the football club that’s most important at the moment. “