Martin: 'There is absolutely no way a ground share is going to happen'
The trouble with Uncle Ron is the more he tells us the more you believe he's not telling us.
Anyway, Friday evening he released a further statement on the official site to follow the one he'd released a few hours before.
The man has suddenly become Stephen King, and some would say just as horrific.
This latest outburst was, according to Ron, the answer to a supporters 'angry' e-mail that 'Roots Hall has been sold down the river'. Something he must be used to by now.
The Southend supremo replied: 'If I had not made it clear, (he hadn't), then over my dead body, (dont shoot me!), the Club will not be leaving Roots Hall until the new stadium is built. The arrangement is locked into an agreement with Southend Borough Council and the Sainsbury's store, which we are to build, will be constructed well after the stadium is underway and cannot be occupied until we have moved and are playing football at the new ground."
Then, and you have to give Ron credit for sheer cheek, he goes on to feign surprise at why Blues fans don't know what's going on, as well as denigrating the original e-mailer.
Chairman Ron continued: "I have I have no doubt the person who wrote the e-mail, having spoken to him, means well but I was flabergasted that anyone could think I might leave the club exposed in that way. (Really?) He said there were rumpouurs of ground sharing.....there is absolutely no way that's going to happen. The plans and programme are being carefully through a partnership with Sainsbury's to deliver the Club's new stadium and their new store with as little disruption to Southend United's operation as possible. I hope that puts supporters' minds at rest."
I hope it does.
For Ron Martin's full statement, go here:
www.southendunited.co.uk/page/Blogs/0,,10444~1964478,00.html