Ron Martin has been conspicuous by his silence since joining Southend United as major shareholder 14 months ago. Now he finally speaks his mind in an exclusive interview with BERNIE FRIEND

Ron Martin - chairman of Southend United's major shareholder Martin Dawn plc - has finally broken his 14-month silence to voice his views on the Blues.

The property developer got involved with the Roots Hall outfit in November 1998, buying a 76 per cent stake in the Shrimpers, but has so far remained quiet, observing the Third Division club's affairs from afar.

However, following the Seasiders' continuing troubles both on and off the pitch, the 45-year-old has finally decided to come out into the open today by giving us this exclusive interview.

"I don't want our fans to think that Southend United's major shareholder is just sitting back and doing nothing while their club continues to slide down the league table," said Martin, from his business base in Billericay.

"And I felt now was the time to let the supporters know that our struggles haven't gone unnoticed and everything will be done to get us back on track, which I'm sure will be evident by the end of the season."

Martin also revealed why he has chosen to lurk behind the scenes and stay hidden in the shadows.

"I've stayed in the background deliberately as I'm very busy with my property ventures," added Martin.

"I'd love to be involved with the running of the football club, but I'm tied up with our other business interests.

"John Main is the club's chairman and he deals with the day to day running of the club, which he is doing very well, building bridges within the local community and raising the profile of Southend United.

"But I have been bitten by the soccer bug. I was never a massive football fan before we got involved with Blues, but now I love it and attend as many matches as I can home and away."

On the team: Why don't Blues players put in the same efforts as I did in my career?

Martin revealed he is bitterly disappointed by the team's struggles at the lower end of the Third Division table, and brought the commitment of Blues' players into question.

"I'm very concerned about the way things have fallen away on the field, although I still have every confidence in our manager Alan Little," he said.

"It troubles me that the players at Roots Hall, who have undoubted ability, as was evident during our recent 2-1 win over Swansea City, don't display their full potential and commitment 100 per cent of the time."

Martin said he felt some of Blues' players have been guilty of lacking the passion and graft required to fire Southend into the Second Division.

"I've watched a lot of our games and I don't always observe the required will to win from our players, which is the least you expect for the high wages they are paid," he continued.

"I can't understand this lack of passion, because any sportsman should always want to win at whatever event or game they are competing in."

Martin readily admits he has never been a great footballer, but has reached high standards as an athlete on the track and field circuit for England and as part of the 1980 Olympic bobsleigh team.

"I always wanted to win and would get an adrenalin rush before taking part in any sport and that is what I expect from our players," he said.

"The players should have the same enthusiasm and appetite for all of their fixtures, not just the big games.

"More of our lads should take a good look at our striker Martin Carruthers and veteran defender Rob Newman, who can be seen to be leaving the pitch exhausted because they have given their all in their performances."

On the planning application: Ground plans to be handed to the council this month

With Roots Hall sold and Blues needing to find a new home in little more than three-years time, Martin promised the club's planning application will finally be submitted this month.

Southend's owners have already failed to meet at least a handful of deadlines for the proposed £20million stadium, which they hope to build in Eastern Avenue.

In fact, Southend's vice-chairman Geoffrey King promised the Shrimpers' shareholders that the plans would be officially unveiled by the end of January, but, with supporters growing ever restless, the blueprints have failed to materialise yet again.

"The planning application will be submitted to Southend council this month," Martin promised.

"I admit it has taken us longer to progress to the planning stage than we had First envisaged, but building a new stadium is a delicate and detailed project which has to be prepared in the right way.

"We want to build the ground at our Boots and Laces training ground location, but we are having problems with an ancient 14-acre bronze age burial ground which enters on to our planned site.

"We are currently engaged in negotiations with English Heritage who obviously want to ensure this historic area remains undamaged before we can continue with our plans.

"But let me assure everyone that the football club and council are singing from the same song sheet and the future looks bright.

"We don't just see the relocation of Southend United as a regeneration of the football club, but of Southend as a town, because this team is a great flagship for the area and a focal point of the community."

On Peter Storrie: Storrie doing a fine job

Southend United's chief executive Peter Storrie has come under increasing flak from Blues supporters this season, but Martin stuck by his man.

Storrie has been targeted following his decision to increase match day ticket prices at Roots Hall and revelations regarding his £120,000 a year salary.

"Peter's not always going to make people happy because his role here means he has a lot of harsh decisions to make for the good of the club," said Martin.

"He was brought here because of his reputation with his former club West Ham and came highly recommended by people I know personally.

"Peter's main task at Roots Hall revolves around our profits and losses and he is here to help us stabilise our current financial situation.

"I believe he will bring extra revenue into this club and is already close to netting us a lucrative shirt sponsorship deal for next season with a local business.

"Peter implements policies at Roots Hall, which are guided by John Main and decided upon at board level.

"But one thing I would like to make clear to our fans is that he will never become chairman of this football club, which is a rumour that has been doing the rounds."

On finances: Debts in control

With Blues expecting trading losses of nearly £2 million this year, Martin also found time to speak about the financial crisis at Southend.

The Shrimpers have been forced to sell their Roots Hall ground for £4million to clear debts incurred by the club's previous regime, but Martin believes things will get better for the Seasiders.

"We've sunk millions of pounds into this club and are here for the duration, nobody's going to be running away as we've gone too far down the road to turn back now," he said.

"But what we do need to repair is our financial situation as we are currently underwriting six-figure cheques every month to keep this club alive - money which could be used to improve effectiveness within the club and playing staff.

"A large chunk of this cash-loss has been forced upon us paying litigations we have inherited from the past, but these historic debts should be paid up by June, which will improve our status.

"This is a battle we are determined to win and all we are interested in is Southend United's longevity.

"We want to get this club back into the First Division playing in a new stadium - which is the key to a successful and financially secure future for Southend United."

Out of the shadows - major-shareholder Ron Martin is finally saying his piece on the Blues

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.