The Glimmer of Hope We've All Been Waiting For...

Southend United's proposed 16,000 capacity Stadium at Fossetts Farm.

Over recent months, Blues director Ron Martin has always remained very quiet over United's proposal for a new stadium on the Fossett's Farm site, but all along he has stated that the deal was 'far from dead' but Martin, who is an honest man, didn't ever want to give the supporters a promise that on the long-run he may not able to fulful.

But Martin, and Delancey's - Southend's controlling shareholder - negotiations have noe become clear.
Just over a year the plans for the Fossett's Farm site were delayed by the reluctancy of Lansbury to give up some adjoining land, and the latter had plans to build a B&Q warehouse on the site.

Although Lansbury's B&Q plans still stand, talks between the two parties (Lansbury and Delancey) have determined that the development will have no impact on United's plans for a 16,000 capacity all-seater stadium on the site adjacent to Blues current training ground, just off Sutton Road and Eastern Avenue.

However, it has no become vital to Southend United that the B&Q plans are approval by Southend Borough Council, otherwise the Lansbury agreement could completely fall through. On approval of the B&Q plans, South Eastern Leisure (SEL) - of whom Delancey are also the major stakeholder - the current owners of Roots Hall will extend the lease on United's current home, which is due to expire in four months time, by another three years to come into line with the time in which the Shrimpers would hope to move into their new home.

Should all go to plan, and of course everthing is far from settled, then Southend United would be hoping to be playing in their new Stadium in time for the 2006/07 season - so ironically United's centenary campaign.

All we can say is....watch this space!

Mark Wallis
www.thelittlegazette.com