Southend United Football Club has this evening issued the following statement:

Supporters are aware that, following the payment of £2.15m to HMRC in November last year and on analysis of the sums (primarily including interest and surcharges), the Club disputed the amount paid by circa £200,000.

This became the subject of further, we believe wholly unnecessary, action by HMRC with them serving a Petition around Christmas and the Club submitting an Appeal to the Tribunals Service with a cross claim.

This issue will hopefully be settled in the Club's favour - in the short term - and in the meantime, the Club continues to make payments on the dates as they fall due.