Ron Martin (businessman)
Encyclopedia
Ron Martin is the current chairman of Southend United Football Club
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His development company "Martin Dawn PLC" and "Delancery Estates" together forming "South Eastern Leisure (SEL)" took control of Southend United in November 1998, from former chairman Vic Jobson owning a 55% issued share captial. John Main took over Vic Jobson as Southend United chairman and then Ron Martin himself in July 2000.
On 25 September 2007, Martin was arrested on suspicion of corruption and money laundering, along with Gloucester County councillor Sean Connors. The operation involved 100 officers in total, 75 of whom work for Gloucestershire Police. Martin had his house and offices at Roots Hall raided by police. Martin's development company "Martin Dawn" was one of a few developers at the time looking to build 360 homes in Leckhampton Lane, Tewkesbury
, Gloucestershire
. Sean Conners was arrested on suspicion of corruption and money laundering, which was believed to be related to his position on Tewkesbury Borough Council's planning committee.
Martin claimed his innocence to any kind of fraud by writing into local Southend newspaper The Echo saying:
"that from 7 a.m. on 1 March 2007, and throughout the last 12 months, all my dealings, conversations and, indeed, interviews with the police have been conducted in a very courteous and polite way...It all stems from Mr Connors attending, as a guest, the Cheltenham versus Southend United match in 2005...Councillors are unable to accept hospitality without declaring their interest ...one crucial point which has been uppermost in my mind throughout the past 12 months is had Sean Connors been in any position to assist me, then I would certainly not have sponsored his local football team."
Sean Conners later cheated his local authority out of £
2,000 and was sentenced by a judge to do 200 hours of community work.
On 7 May 2006, Martin confirmed the approved planning permission to build a new ground, Fossetts Farm Stadium
.
In November 2009, Martin avoided Southend United going into administration by agreeing to settle a £2.1million tax bill by 6 November. This was confirmed on the Southend United website on 7 November, avoiding administration and a 10-point reduction in the league, which at the time would have moved them from 10th to 22nd.
Southend United have been saved from administration twice. Martin has blamed the size of their debts on their relegation from the Championship in 2007 and their proposed move away from their current home at Roots Hall
.
During the days in between the court hearings the club reject a proposed take over by a local consortium consisting of local businessman, offering to pay off any debt by buying the club for £
1.
Southend United F.C.
Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had...
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His development company "Martin Dawn PLC" and "Delancery Estates" together forming "South Eastern Leisure (SEL)" took control of Southend United in November 1998, from former chairman Vic Jobson owning a 55% issued share captial. John Main took over Vic Jobson as Southend United chairman and then Ron Martin himself in July 2000.
Fraud probe
On 25 September 2007, Martin was arrested on suspicion of corruption and money laundering, along with Gloucester County councillor Sean Connors. The operation involved 100 officers in total, 75 of whom work for Gloucestershire Police. Martin had his house and offices at Roots Hall raided by police. Martin's development company "Martin Dawn" was one of a few developers at the time looking to build 360 homes in Leckhampton Lane, Tewkesbury
Tewkesbury
Tewkesbury is a town in Gloucestershire, England. It stands at the confluence of the River Severn and the River Avon, and also minor tributaries the Swilgate and Carrant Brook...
, Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire is a county in South West England. The county comprises part of the Cotswold Hills, part of the flat fertile valley of the River Severn, and the entire Forest of Dean....
. Sean Conners was arrested on suspicion of corruption and money laundering, which was believed to be related to his position on Tewkesbury Borough Council's planning committee.
Martin claimed his innocence to any kind of fraud by writing into local Southend newspaper The Echo saying:
"that from 7 a.m. on 1 March 2007, and throughout the last 12 months, all my dealings, conversations and, indeed, interviews with the police have been conducted in a very courteous and polite way...It all stems from Mr Connors attending, as a guest, the Cheltenham versus Southend United match in 2005...Councillors are unable to accept hospitality without declaring their interest ...one crucial point which has been uppermost in my mind throughout the past 12 months is had Sean Connors been in any position to assist me, then I would certainly not have sponsored his local football team."
Sean Conners later cheated his local authority out of £
Pound sterling
The pound sterling , commonly called the pound, is the official currency of the United Kingdom, its Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, British Antarctic Territory and Tristan da Cunha. It is subdivided into 100 pence...
2,000 and was sentenced by a judge to do 200 hours of community work.
New football ground
On 7 May 2006, Martin confirmed the approved planning permission to build a new ground, Fossetts Farm Stadium
Fossetts Farm Stadium
Fossetts Farm Stadium is the provisional name for a stadium proposed to be built in Southend-on-Sea as a new home for Southend United F.C. to replace Roots Hall Stadium. The name may change if sponsorship for the stadium is secured...
.
Avoiding administration
In November 2009, Martin avoided Southend United going into administration by agreeing to settle a £2.1million tax bill by 6 November. This was confirmed on the Southend United website on 7 November, avoiding administration and a 10-point reduction in the league, which at the time would have moved them from 10th to 22nd.
Southend United have been saved from administration twice. Martin has blamed the size of their debts on their relegation from the Championship in 2007 and their proposed move away from their current home at Roots Hall
Roots Hall
Roots Hall is a multi-use sports stadium in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England, primarily used for football games and is the home of the Football League Two club Southend United. With a capacity of 12,392 Roots Hall is the largest football stadium in Essex, and is the current venue for the final of...
.
During the days in between the court hearings the club reject a proposed take over by a local consortium consisting of local businessman, offering to pay off any debt by buying the club for £
Pound sterling
The pound sterling , commonly called the pound, is the official currency of the United Kingdom, its Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, British Antarctic Territory and Tristan da Cunha. It is subdivided into 100 pence...
1.