Southend United handed winding-up order from HM Revenue and Customs

Southend United have received a fresh winding-up order from HM Revenue and Customs over financial difficulties stretching back a decade.

The League One club faces a fresh High Court showdown with tax officials almost two years to the day since a judge threw out a bid on the basis that the owner had cleared debts.

During 10 years of financial instability, Southend were dealt around 10 winding up attempts by the taxman. Fans had hoped the club's financial outlook had improved since the club were last hit with a court summons in 2015.

In a new petition, the Gazette official public record website recorded that a new bid by HMRC, "claiming to be Creditors of the Company", will be heard at the High Court on Feb 6.

"Any persons intending to appear on the hearing of the Petition (whether to support or oppose it) must give notice of intention to do so to the Petitioners or to their Solicitor in accordance with Rule 7.14 by 1600 hours on 5 February 2019," the petition added.

Southend have been beset by financial threats since 2010, when chairman Ron Martin remortgaged his home to stop the football club going bust. Mr Martin, a property developer, borrowed £750,000 against his £1.6 million five-bedroom home, in Benfleet Road, Benfleet, to help clear a £338,000 tax debt, according to reports in the Southend Echo.