A consortium being led by an Australian businessman has reached an agreement to become the new custodians of Southend United after months of uncertainty over the future of the much-loved club.

Here are the key dates of the saga surrounding crisis-hit Southend United as the club's sale has finally been confirmed in principle and the HMRC debt has been paid.

March

March 17 - Southend United chairman Ron Martin announces plans to sell the club amid financial struggles which saw players go unpaid and an HMRC winding up petition which was later settled

April

April 6 - The club confirms all staff salaries for periods prior to March were paid, but full-time office staff at Roots Hall were yet to receive their March pay packets. Fans urged to buy season cards

April 14 - PG Site Services announce they are to stop sponsoring Southend United due to a "breakdown of relationship with the current owner RM and his conduct"

May

May 4 - Southend United are served their 18th HMRC winding-up petition

May 17 -  Blues are given until July 12 to pay up HMRC debt. It is revealed three other companies had joined the petition. PG Site Services and Engie Power were both named but the third company involved was not known at the time

May 24 - Echo confirms group of Southend businessmen – which included Simon Jackson and Kristofer Tremains from Kimura Capital and members from Integral Sports Management – were in advanced talks with Ron Martin

May 26 - It is revealed Kimura made contact with Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and his production company, Seven Bucks Productions, who were interested in making a documentary on the National League club should the takeover be confirmed. Ray Winstone, a co-founder of ISM, could also be part of the bid

May 31 - Blues secure a court order unfreezing a bank account to allow it to pay players and accountants

June

End of June - Players and backroom staff go unpaid

July

July 5 - Midex Pro announce they will not be renewing their sponsorship with Southend United due to "current situation with the club’s owners"

July 11 -  Water supply cut off at the club’s Boots & Laces training ground due to an unpaid bill

July 12 - High Court gives Southend United another 42 days to complete sale

July 14 - Pre-season friendly against Billericay Town is cancelled 24 hours before scheduled kick-off

July 17 - Ron Martin revealed he would sell his entire shareholding at the Shrimpers for just £1 - but it will cost £4.5million to buy Roots Hall

July 20 - The Kimura Group no longer believe they are the "right people to lead" buying Southend United

July 26 - Southend United given clearance to start National League 

July 30 -  More than 160 fans volunteer to clean and paint Roots Hall to help it gain a new safety certificate

July 31 - Ron Martin tells fans protesting outside his home that no one had met his terms for sale yet

August

August 15 - It is confirmed former Blues chief executive Tara Brady tried to buy the club in July but his plans were "not of sufficient interest"

August 21 - Parents of concerned Southend United academy players wait to find out if their children can play for the Shrimpers this season

August 23 - Southend United given final adjournment at High Court to pay off tax bill. Ron Martin is told: "If this was not a football with the attachment of its fans I would be winding you up today". Martin tells the judge "Australian chap" Justin Rees is leading consortium to buy the Blues and he is confident the club will be sold by the end of September.

August 24 - Mr Martin tells TalkSPORT he is unsure if club will be sold by the court's deadline

September

September 7 - Southend Council confirm they could buy Roots Hall for Martin's £4.5million asking price if it would aid the club's survival

September 19 - Southend United was due to appear at Basildon Magistrates' Court in a civil matter over a disputed energy bill from Npower Business Services (part of E.ON) - this was postponed to October 3

September 20 - Justin Rees reveals the consortium submitted two bids over the past week, neither of which had been accepted. He adds it seems "unlikely that any deal can be agreed prior to the 4th of October court appearance date".

October

October 1 and 2 - Confidence and rumours grow that a deal to buy Southend United is nearing completion

Today, October 3, the sale of Southend United has finally been confirmed in principle and a petition debt to HMRC has been paid in full.