Martin: 'Your club is only indebted to its parent company, i.e. me."
Well, what did you expect him to do, say he's really, really sorry and resign?
And as he says, this is a man who doesn't 'simply roll over', however horrible an image that gives us all.
According to Ron's law we only owed £60,000, some VAT and, I quote', "this together with the sum due from February's PAYE (£47,000) gave an additional very recent debt including some further surcharges £89,000."
Oh that's all right then.
Hang on, doesn't PAYE mean we actually haven't paid the wages, is this, at last, an actual confirmation.
"HMRC also sought to claim an amount that will not become payable until April 22nd in view of some wages being paid late."
Hallelujah! (I love the 'some')
Hang on, there's more, in the same sentence.
"An officer from HMRC inspects the club's books once a month and assessed the payments in advance."
Tim Burton took on the wrong project, 'Ron in Roots Hall' would give Johnny Depp a role to equal the Mad Hatter.
Anyway, just to show he's got a real sense of irony the man ain't finished yet.
"My message to supporters of the club is that I have a clear line of sight to deliver our mutual objectives and that is a new stadium with increased income, capital investment and the abilty to maintain a position in the Championship by fulfilling Southend United's potential. I accept it's been a difficult season so far but - hey - it could be worse.....Crystal Palace and Portsmouth. Remember you club does not have an overdraft and is only indebted to its parent company, i.e. me."
Oh how I split my sides, as I'm sure the poor sods made redundant down at Pompey yesterday would. (While Storrie stayed, we really do live in a football Wonderland!)
Why didn't you throw in Cardiff Ron, let's piss off the Welsh while we're at it!
If what you read in the press yesterday Mr. Chairman made you feel you were in a different place, what I read tonight on the official site makes me feel I'm on a different planet.
If you want to read the whole article, and I recommend a large malt by your side when you do, it's all here:
www.southendunited.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10444~1990970,00.html