Southend United co-owner Ron Martin says he expects full support from the Government for the club's plans to move to a new home.

Speaking at the club's annual meeting last night, Mr Martin said the Secretary of State was in support of the club's similar plans to build a 16,000 all-seater stadium, at Fossetts Farm, in Eastern Avenue, Southend, in 2001.

He said: "They linked it with the regeneration of Southend and we would expect that support again."

The Third Division club is prepared to hear from the Secretary of State within days and hope the response will help them progress with the plans for the new stadium at the 80-acre site.

Published Friday, January 31, 2003

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