ANNA Firth has continued her fight alongside the Shrimpers Trust to save Southend United.

The Southend West MP and representatives from the Shrimpers Trust today held a meeting with the Rt. Hon. Stuart Andrew MP who is the Minister of State for Sport, to discuss the rapidly deteriorating situation at Roots Hall.

The lengthy meeting, which took place in the Minister’s Departmental office was used by the Shrimpers Trust to highlight various issues surrounding the club and the potential steps that the club must take to safeguard its bleak future and what role the Government could play.

After a productive meeting, the Minister told the local MP that he had the deepest sympathy for the current situation Blues were unfortunately in and pledged to continue to engage with the Shrimpers Trust and Ms Firth as the situation develops.

Ms Firth said: “I am thrilled to have been able to secure this meeting on the very first day of the new Parliamentary term and would like to thank Minister Andrew and his team for their cooperation in organising it.

"This meeting between the Shrimpers Trust and the Minister was productive and wide-ranging.

"Discussions included the possibility of applying for a Community Ownership Grant from the Department of Housing Levelling-Up and Communities, as well as a very frank sharing of information regarding the club’s problems by the Shrimpers Trust.

"I fully appreciate the strength of feeling surrounding the club, especially now that the season has started and as we approach another huge week for the Southend United both off and on the pitch.”

Paul FitzGerald, chairman of the Shrimpers Trust, added: "The Shrimpers Trust were pleased to be invited to meet with Anna Firth MP & Sports Minister, Stuart Andrew in Westminster today.

"We discussed what steps Government is taking to ensure only suitable owners and directors run football clubs.

"Our club is on the brink of extinction and we are continuing to explore every possible solution to save our football club.”

Blues are back in the High Court on October 4 and have until then to clear a £250,000 HMRC debt.

In the last court appearance, on August 23, Jude Prentis warned chairman Ron Martin Southend United would have been wound up if it was not a football club.

He also confirmed October 4 was the club's final deadline.