The article in today's Echo that the Club has banned the paper from speaking to its employees is not correct.

The Club has not banned the Echo from covering Southend United it has simply reduced its level of co-operation with the newspaper.

We can confirm that The Echo are welcome at our game on Friday evening with Charlton Athletic and presume they are to attend as normal.

Our playing staff has a number of commitments, none more important than ensuring the team remains in League One next season, which are of utmost importance.

Continued conjecture about off the field matters is unproductive and the entire Club is fed up with negative press trying to undermine its interests.