Ron Martin (businessman)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ron Martin
Born
Ronald Martin

17 January 1953
NationalityBritish
OccupationCEO of Martin Dawn PLC
chairman of Southend United

Ronald Martin (born 17 January 1953) is a British businessman, chief executive of Martin Dawn PLC, an Essex, United Kingdom-based property development company. Since 2000, he has been the chairman of Southend United Football Club.

Sports career[]

Some reports[1][2] say Martin was a member of the Great Britain 1980 Winter Olympics bobsleigh team - a claim Martin made in a local newspaper interview in February 2000.[3] In 2009, the East London and West Essex Guardian reported that in the 1970s he "was on-standby to join the Great Britain bobsleigh team. The call never came".[4]

Southend United[]

Martin Dawn PLC and Delancey Estates, together forming South Eastern Leisure (SEL), took control of Southend United in November 1998, buying the club and its centrally located Roots Hall ground for £4m from then chairman Vic Jobson, who at the time owned 55% of the issued share capital of the club.[5] Jobson had previously sold part of the ground's South Bank for housing, and SEL's plan was to continue the redevelopment and move the club to a proposed 16,000-seat stadium in a leisure redevelopment in the northern part of Southend.[5]

John Main replaced Jobson as Southend United chairman,[6] but was uneasy about the club having to pay £400,000 annual rent to its new owners, and about Ron Martin's motives ("How can he argue for the club, particularly against SEL, if he jointly owns SEL and his main interest is in making money from the property deal?").[5] Two years later, in September 2000, Main was ousted as a condition of a £1.5m investment by Delancy Estates,[7][8] and replaced by Martin.[5]

In September 2001 it was claimed that Southend United could remain at Roots Hall after a deal was proposed between property developers Lansbury and Delancey.[9] Negotiations continued into 2002,[10] with a deal announced in December 2002, allowing the club to remain at Roots Hall for three years while plans for Fossetts Farm were developed.[11]

In March 2006, Martin bought out Delancy's shareholding in Southend United,[12] and planned a new Council submission about a combined 17,000-seat stadium, retail and leisure development at Fossett's Farm.[13] On 3 August 2006 local media reported that work was to start in 2007 on a £25 million 22,000 super-stadium. Martin stated that "plans are at an advanced stage now"[14] and added that they would be submitted in late September 2006 after which there will be a 16-week public consultation. The new ground has been designed by Populous,[15] formerly known as HOK Sport.

In January 2007, Southend Borough Council gave planning permission for a new 22,000-seater stadium at the proposed Fossetts Farm site, with Rochford District Council following suit 24 hours later. On 6 March 2008, permission to develop Fossetts Farm was given by the government.[16] However, it took a further 12 years before firm plans emerged for the development; in April 2020, a deal was agreed between Southend United, the borough council and social housing provider Citizen Housing.[17]

Main article: Fossetts Farm Stadium

Financial troubles[]

During the 2009–10 season, Southend faced two winding-up orders from HM Revenue and Customs over unpaid tax bills.[18][19] In February 2010 Southend players were not paid, the Professional Footballers Association had to pay the players, and the club were placed under a transfer embargo until they paid the money back.[20] In March 2010 Southend were given a 35-day extension to pay the unpaid bill or face administration,[21] and further seven day extension in April 2010.[22] On 20 April 2010 the bill was paid,[23] and in August 2010 all actions against Southend United were dropped and an agreement was reached with HMRC.[24]

Later financial difficulties resulted in non-payment of players' and other employees' wages in December 2019, after which players consulted with the PFA.[25] Martin paid £140,000 after seven senior players did not receive their December 2019 wages on time, and met with all players to reassure them it would not happen again.[26] The winding-up petition was dismissed after debts were cleared,[27] but continued financial constraints prevented the club signing any new players during the January 2020 transfer window.[28] On 2 March, Martin confirmed Southend was under an EFL transfer embargo due to an unpaid tax bill,[29] while February's wages to players were not paid on time, resulting in further PFA involvement.[30] On 9 March, Southend was charged with misconduct by the EFL for failing to pay players on time, and for fielding an ineligible player[31] (on 2 June, Southend received a suspended three-point penalty and were fined £7,500 for these offences).[32] On 11 March, a further HMRC winding-up petition was adjourned to 29 April;[33] it was then adjourned three more times,[34][35] eventually to 28 October 2020,[36] when the club finally settled tax debts of £493,931 with HMRC; as a result, a winding-up petition was dismissed by the High Court.[37] Meanwhile, on 2 April 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom, Southend put "several staff and some players" on furlough (temporary leave) under the UK Government's emergency job retention scheme. Martin said "It enables the club to best manage its finances during this time of limited income",[38] but the move was criticised by the PFA who said the club had "consistently" let players down over wages.[39]

In April 2021, former Southend player Stan Collymore wrote to Martin offering to buy the club from him,[40] and held talks concerning the potential appointment of a Collymore associate as the club's CEO.[41]

Relegation from Football League[]

Under Martin's chairmanship Southend suffered a second successive relegation on 1 May 2021, dropping out of the Football League after 101 years.[42] Supporters demonstrated and called for his resignation, but he said: "the future will be great again".[43] He also suggested League Two relegation was "unfair" as the National League had suspended relegation for the COVID-19-affected season, and submitted proposals for EFL consideration.[44]

Fraud investigation[]

In 2007, Martin's home and offices were searched[45] and he was later arrested[46] during a fraud investigation concerning a planning application unrelated to his football club interests.[47] He helped with police enquiries and was not charged with any offences.[48]

References[]

  1. ^ Tallentire, Mark (22 August 2010). "Southend's new manager fighting against tide to keep Shrimpers afloat". Guardian. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  2. ^ Vittles, Jack (10 December 2017). "League One owners guide: A detailed look at the club chiefs and their net worth". Bristol Post. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  3. ^ "Martin ... has reached high standards as an athlete on the track and field circuit for England and as part of the 1980 Olympic bobsleigh team." "Soccer: 'I'm not sitting back' - Martin". Gazette & News. 8 February 2000. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  4. ^ "Head to Head: Southend Utd v Leyton Orient". East London and West Essex Guardian. 3 September 2009. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Conn, David (22 September 2000). "Southend soap opera may have sad ending". Independent. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  6. ^ "Soccer: New Southend chairman reassures fans". Gazette & Standard. 24 November 1998. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  7. ^ "Southend, Mansfield, Carlisle". When Saturday Comes. December 2000. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  8. ^ "Soccer (Southend crisis): Backers spell out why Main must go..." Gazette & Standard. 26 July 2000. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  9. ^ "£41m college plans 'safe'". This Is Essex. 2 October 2001. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  10. ^ "Soccer: Martin vows new plans for stadium". Gazette & Standard. 23 January 2002. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  11. ^ "Southend: Deal welcomed by Blues boss". Gazette & Standard. 5 December 2002. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  12. ^ "Ron's Blues buy-up". This Is Essex. 6 March 2006. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  13. ^ "New soccer stadium will hold 17,000". This Is Essex. 7 March 2006. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  14. ^ "£25million superstadium: Work to start next year". This Is Essex. 3 August 2006. Retrieved 3 August 2006.[permanent dead link]
  15. ^ "Southend United Stadium". Populous. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  16. ^ "Tower blocks to be focal point of new Fossetts Farm development – Evening Echo p.30 Sept 2015". Retrieved 24 November 2016.
  17. ^ "Southend United: Deal struck for long-awaited new stadium". BBC. BBC. 3 April 2020. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  18. ^ "Southend avoid winding up order but now face administration". The Guardian. 27 October 2009. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
  19. ^ "Southend winding-up hearing adjourned for 28 days". BBC Sport. 10 February 2010. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
  20. ^ Phillips, Chris (10 March 2010). "Ron Martin explains PFA loan to cover wages at Southend United". Echo. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
  21. ^ "Southend United get High Court extension to repay debts". BBC Sport. 10 March 2010. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
  22. ^ "Southend United given a further week to pay off £400,000 tax bill". The Guardian. 14 April 2010. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
  23. ^ "Shrimpers settle tax debt". Sky Sports. 20 April 2010. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
  24. ^ "Southend United stave off administration". BBC Sport. 2 August 2010. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
  25. ^ "Southend United players to meet with PFA over unpaid wages". BBC Sport. BBC. 9 January 2020. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  26. ^ "Southend United: Chairman Ron Martin personally meets £140k wages shortfall". BBC Sport. BBC. 10 January 2020. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
  27. ^ "Southend United: HMRC winding-up petition dismissed in insolvency court". BBC Sport. BBC. 22 January 2020. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
  28. ^ "Sol Campbell: Southend United boss 'disappointed' at lack of January signings". BBC Sport. BBC. 12 February 2020. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  29. ^ "Southend United: Chairman Ron Martin confirms club under transfer embargo". BBC Sport. BBC. 2 March 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  30. ^ "Southend United: PFA in touch with club over unpaid wages". BBC sport. BBC. 3 March 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  31. ^ "Southend & Macclesfield given EFL charge for failing to pay players". BBC Sport. BBC. 9 March 2020. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  32. ^ "Southend United given suspended points deduction for late payment of wages". BBC Sport. BBC. 2 June 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  33. ^ "Southend United: Winding-up petition adjourned until 29 April". BBC Sport. BBC. 11 March 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  34. ^ "Southend United: Winding-up petition adjourned until 22 July". BBC Sport. 29 April 2020. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
  35. ^ "Southend United winding-up petition adjourned for third time until 16 September". BBC Sport. 22 July 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  36. ^ "Southend United winding-up petition adjourned for fourth time until 28 October". BBC Sport. 16 September 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  37. ^ "Southend United pay up £493,991 tax bill as winding-up petition dismissed". BBC Sport. 28 October 2020. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  38. ^ "Southend United: 'Some players' furloughed due to coronavirus financial effects". BBC Sport. BBC. 2 April 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  39. ^ "Southend United: PFA 'extremely disappointed' by handling of furloughing players". BBC Sport. 22 April 2020. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  40. ^ Phillips, Chris (22 April 2021). "Stan Collymore's message to Southend United chairman Ron Martin". Southend Echo. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  41. ^ Phillips, Chris (28 April 2021). "Stan Collymore organises for potential chief executive to meet with Southend United chairman Ron Martin". Southend Echo. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  42. ^ "Barrow 1-2 Southend United". BBC Sport. 1 May 2021. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  43. ^ "Southend United: Town faces 'losing heartbeat' if club is relegated". BBC News. 24 April 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  44. ^ Phillips, Chris (7 May 2021). "Southend United chairman Ron Martin feels it is unfair teams have been relegated from League Two". Southend Echo. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  45. ^ Giles, David (2 March 2007). "Updated: Blues boss in fraud probe". Basildon, Canvey, Southend Echo. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  46. ^ Giles, David (23 October 2007). "Updated: Blues boss arrested". Basildon, Canvey, Southend Echo. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  47. ^ "Football chairman in fraud probe". BBC News. 22 October 2007. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  48. ^ Smith, Laura (18 December 2008). "Blues' boss released without charge". Basildon, Canvey, Southend Echo. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
Retrieved from ""