PARENTS of concerned Southend United academy players are still waiting to find out if their children can play for the Shrimpers this season.

Blues have already confirmed they will be fielding an under 19 team in the months ahead.

But below that it remains unclear if the club will be continuing with their younger age-groups.

And parents have now contacted the Echo to express their disgust.

One, who did not want to be named, said: “The academy season finished in May, with real hope that there may be a resolution to the financial situation for the club.

“However, when the season ended, there was zero communication from the club regarding academy players' futures going forward and since then there has been one WhatsApp message saying that parents/players will be updated when Southend know more.

“It is now August.

“Over three months on and still there has been no communication.”

However, parents know the coaches are not at fault and have also been kept in the dark.

“I don't blame the academy staff for the lack of information,” added the parent.

“Many have not been paid on time for months and clearly backroom staff are not involved in the bigger discussions.

“But I do hold the club and Ron Martin responsible for the damage being done to players' mental health, aspirations, and love of the game.

“The club's silence is deafening.”

Ron Martin has not responded to the Echo’s request for a comment about the future of the academy.

And the youngsters remain in the dark about their future.

“The silence is not only challenging but extremely demoralising,” added another parent.

“Now out of contract, academy players have been left in limbo, not knowing if they should apply to other clubs, drop down to lower leagues or hold on in the hope that the academy may resume again.

“Parents too are in the same position - wanting to support their child but at the same time not knowing the best way forward.

“This lack of communication is truly unacceptable.

“The club have a duty of care to all its young players.

“Many of the older players have been with the academy since under sevens or under eights.

“That's seven years of commitment gone over night.”

And the parent has also noticed how the club’s commitment to youth has been mentioned in plans for a new stadium at Fossetts Farm.

"The irony is that the Fossetts Farm planning application has clear plans for an academy, with training grounds and facilities in the offing,” said the parent.

“This is fantastic.

“We have seen many players come through the academy structure over the years, most recently Henry Sandat.

“Having an under 19s team is great in the short term but long term, the club's success is not sustainable if it does not have the emerging talent to feed into it.

“Ron Martin please sort this.

“The future of the club is in your hands.”

Having spent two seasons in the National League, the Shrimpers have now lost funding from the EFL to support their academy.

It is understood to cost in the region of £600,000 to run each season.

The academy had seen Blues fielding teams from the under seven age-groups up to under 16, with around 150 youngsters contracted to the club.