SOUTHEND United chairman Ron Martin hopes to deliver an early Christmas present to the League One high-flyers' fans.

Addressing a sponsors' dinner, Mr Martin said he was pushing ahead with plans to build the Shrimpers a new stadium at Fossetts Farm by becoming the sole major shareholder in the club.

Mr Martin confirmed he was still in negotiations with his joint partner in the Blues, London property developers Delancey Estates, aimed at purchasing their 50 per cent shareholding in the club.

Mr Martin has been trying to move the Shrimpers from their Roots Hall home to a new base in Eastern Avenue for seven years.

The Blues do not own the earmarked land at Fossetts Farm, but have a purchase option which lasts another two years, should plans for a proposed 16,000 capacity all-seater stadium on the site be approved.

Published Monday, November 21, 2005