Southend United supporters rally to protest against club chairman Ron Martin

Angry Southend United supporters vented their frustration and desperation over the unrest at the club by protesting against chairman Ron Martin en masse on Saturday.

Southend fans took to the streets in the Benfleet area near Martin’s home, gathering in the hundreds as they protested against the club’s chief.

There has been an increasing series of unfortunate and disastrous events leading to the Southend fan base deciding they had no choice but to make a poignant and physical statement as the club waits to find out if they will be allowed to take part next time to the National League. season.

On Wednesday, Southend was given a further 42 days to complete a sale after their latest debt claim for unpaid taxes was postponed for a second time.

They are due back in court on August 23 and Martin has set out his commitment to find a new owner, but supporters are fed up and want immediate change.

Devoted fans were still protesting against club president Ron Martin eleven hours after the demonstration began

Frustrated fans began their protest in the morning, carrying homemade placards and expressing their feelings throughout the day.

There were no reports of violence as the crowd grew in the sun clamoring for more to be done as their beloved club continues to suffer extreme hardship.

Images showed Martin leaving his residence in the morning escorted by security, with some fans trying to confront him but being taken away.

It is alleged that the Southend chairman came out in the early hours of the morning and spoke to some members of the public.

The commitment of heartbroken Southend supporters was evident in the protest that continued past 6.30pm, 11 hours after it started.

The scale of Southend’s problems demonstrates the demise of a club that won promotion to the Championship 18 years earlier.

They have a tax debt of £275,000 to pay and the club’s staff have not been paid for three months, with some not receiving their wages before that.

Supporters held up homemade banners and ‘Martin Out’ signs in a demonstration of defiance

Club president Ron Martin has recently indicated once again that he wants to sell the club as soon as possible

The water has apparently been shut off on the training ground and players have no medical coverage as salaries are not paid.

Southend is also under a transfer embargo that came into effect in September and has just 14 signed first-team players in their ranks.

Relegation from League One in the 2019–20 season was followed by another successive drop from League Two next season.

Their most recent campaign saw the club finish 21st in the National League and supporters face an agonizing wait to find out if their club will survive next season.