Plans for Southend United's new multi-million pound stadium should finally be presented to the town's council chiefs within the next few weeks, Blues chairman John Main revealed today.

The Shrimpers' major shareholder, Billericay-based property developers Martin Dawn plc, are set to lodge a planning application with Southend council for a 15,000 all-seater arena before the end of this month.

"The plans have been drawn up and are almost ready to be handed over to the council," revealed Main.

"I can't say too much at this stage about the infrastructure of the stadium, but I can promise all of our fans that it is a very exciting project."

Southend have to move to a new ground within the next four years or face the prospect of becoming homeless, following the £4 million sale and leaseback of their current Roots Hall base to clear crippling debts.

However, Main remains confident that Blues will be given the green light to start building an alternative venue at their training ground site in Eastern Avenue early in the new millennium.

"Negotiations between the football club and the council have been very positive, which is encouraging," said the chairman.

"The council have been very supportive and we hope that the planning application passes through successfully.

"If it does we can look forward to moving into a new state-of-the-art home within the next few years."

Designed by the company who have rebuilt Premier League Chelsea's Stamford Bridge home, Main promised that Southend's modern new stadium would be a ground the people of the town can be proud of.

"If all goes well, Southend United will have one of the best stadiums outside of the top flight," he added.

"I've seen the plans for the new ground and although I can't reveal too much at this time, I can assure all of our supporters that they are an impressive sight.

"We want to get this club back into the First Division and we need to be playing at a ground which has the facilities to help us stay there - which this stadium will."

In the pipeline - Shrimpers chairman John Main aims to submit plans for Roots Hall's replacement within the next few weeks

Fact file

The proposed stadium will cater for 15,000 spectators, but will have room to extend the capacity to 25,000 seated fans if needed.

The Shrimpers' present Roots Hall ground - opened in 1955 - holds 12,306 following its transformation into an all-seater stadium.

In the days of terracing a record attendance of 31,090 watched an FA Cup tie between Blues and Liverpool at the Victoria Avenue-based ground in January 1979.

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