Southend Council gave unanimous approval for the latest revisions to a proposed new stadium at Fossetts Farm and the redevelopment of Roots Hall

Blues chairman Ron Martin was praised by councillors for defying the recession and pressing ahead with plans for Southend United's new stadium.

Among the proposals for the new 22,000-seater stadium are a Casino and a Morrisons supermarket.

Lib Dem group leader Graham Longley said: "This has been a long time coming. We have actually been waiting 20 years for a new stadium for Southend United. The first proposals by the then-chairman, Vic Jobson, were actually turned down by the council in 1989 by a very small vote, but at long last we have got there."

Labour group leader David Norman said he could remember the days before Roots Hall, when Southend United played at the old greyhound stadium, in Grainger Road.

He added: "There is a lot of sentimental attachment to Roots Hall, but the new proposals for Fossetts Farm will provide a 21st-century stadium for a team of the future in Southend. I would hope there will be a plaque or something similar at the new stadium to record that this was where Roots Hall used to be."

The only voice of concern at the full council meeting came from Ron Woodley (Ind, Thorpe) who had fears about the inclusion of the casino and possible "anti social behaviour and drink related concerns." Oh dear!

Well done the club, and as long as there's no breeding blue tits to be moved it looks like work on the new ground will begin in the summer.