SOUTHEND United fans have given a cautious welcome to Government plans to give supporters more say over how their clubs are run.

As part of their election manifesto, the Labour government is preparing a raft of measures that they think would avoid clubs getting into financial difficulties.

These include requiring clubs to provide a stake of up to 25 per cent to fans and create a clause that would allow fans time to put together a takeover of their club if it was up for sale or went into administration.

The move has been a response to the large number of clubs facing serious financial problems, such as Portsmouth and Crystal Palace, both of which have gone into administration, as well as bigger clubs like Manchester United which have huge debts.

Southend have not reached this stage, but have recently survived two winding-up orders over unpaid debts of more than £400,000.

Ed Beavan, co-editor of Shrimpers fanzine All At Sea said: “I’d cautiously welcome more control for fans. There are plenty of success stories in the lower divisions but this would all count for nothing if it wasn’t properly regulated.

“Clubs have become very adept at finding loopholes for this sort of thing in the past, and without total adherence from FIFA and the Premier League, this won’t work.

“The game is rotten to the core from the very highest levels and things need to change up high, not just for clubs like Southend.”

Southend United spokesman Dave Scriven said the Govern-ment plans look “interesting” and Blues already try to give fans a big say over club affairs.

He said: “Southend United prides itself on being at the heart of the local community reflected by its recent winning of the Football League’s Community Club of the Year award.

“We also encourage supporter engagement through our monthly liaison meetings with the Shrimpers Trust and have held fans forums with all supporters in past.

“A representative from the Shrimpers Trust will shortly join the football board following an invitation from the chairman, again giving fans a greater involvement with the club.”

Mr Scriven also said the club liaises with fans when considering season ticket pricing and developing the Founders Club package for the new stadium.

Other measures planned by Labour include changing the structure of the Football Association’s ruling committee to remove “vested interests” from the board, and give the FA more powers over club takeovers.