Southend win reprieve

Southend United have been given 14 days to sort out their financial  affairs after appearing in the High Court to answer a winding up petition from HM Revenue and Customs over unpaid tax debts of £200,000.   The Shrimpers should receive a cash boost after the sale of Nicky Bailey by Charlton to Middlesbrough.   They wisely inserted a selling on clause in the contract and although Bailey is not too popular with Southend supporters, at least they will see some financial retu

Southend United have been given 14 days to sort out their financial  affairs after appearing in the High Court to answer a winding up petition from HM Revenue and Customs over unpaid tax debts of £200,000.   The Shrimpers should receive a cash boost after the sale of Nicky Bailey by Charlton to Middlesbrough.   They wisely inserted a selling on clause in the contract and although Bailey is not too popular with Southend supporters, at least they will see some financial return.


However, Southend are not out of trouble yet.  The depth of the crisis is shown by the fact that they had laid off four call-centre staff.   The club faces another winding up petition in the High Court over an undisclosed sum owed to loan company Charterhouse.   The supporters’ organisation, the Shrimpers’ Trust, has demanded repayment of a £60,000 loan.