As the Echo reports a major retailers interest in the Fossets Farm development, the fact is there seems to be no new movement towards a starting date for the builders to move in.

Shrimpers supremo Ron Martin still continues not to comment on Fossetts Farm

The Blues faithful is getting used to 'Southend United chairman Ron Martin would not comment', on any queries about the development of Fossetts Farm

And now we have the local paper reporting a possibilty of Marks and Spencers moving in when, and if, the new stadium complex gets built.

Let's face it, it would be worrying if they weren't!

One expects interest in the future from several retailers just not M&S; John Lewis, Debenhams, Starbucks et al. (Maybe not Tesco's!)

As a spokeswoman for Marks & Spencer told www.echo-news.co.uk: "We're currently looking at a number of options to increase our presence in Southend. However, we cannot release any further details."

A 'number of options'. They have agreed nothing, and certainly won't until the project has a starting date.

Q: Would you be interested in a possible space in a large retail development project being built next to a brand new football stadium.

A: Yes.

And that's that. M&S and several others have already booked in to what will be Europe's largest shopping complex at Stratford City next to the new Olympic Stadium.

Even comments from Southend Council leader Nigel Holdcroft talking to the Echo, a regular source of optimism when the Echo needs a story on this subject, bigging up the M&S interest, focuses on business moving to Southend as a whole not just FF.

More importanly he adds: "The council is concentrating on the Roots Hall site, with the possibility of the use of compulsory purchase orders to get things moving. We have been given no more detailed information. Sainsbury's and the club are continuing to work to get things in place."

As the delays continue and Uncle Ron remains silent the fans concern will continue.