By Tom Blackett

SOUTHEND took another step towards salvation this week after owner Ron Martin agreed terms with the consortium bidding to buy the cash-strapped club.
Custodians of Southend United (COSU) – a consortium led by Australian businessman Justin Rees – have been locked in negotiations with Martin for several months.
One major stumbling block has been COSU’s insistence on separating a deal to purchase the club from a housing development at Fossetts Farm, where Martin had previously planned to build a new stadium.
However, a fresh agreement was drawn up ...