Ron Martin (businessman)

Ronald Martin (born 1953) is a British businessman, Chief Executive of Martin Dawn PLC, a United Kingdom based property development company. He is also the current chairman of Southend United Football Club.

Ron Martin
Born	Ronald Martin 1953
Nationality	British
Occupation	Chief Executive of Martin Dawn PLC and Chairman of Southend United FC

Martin Dawn PLC and Delancey Estates, together forming South Eastern Leisure (SEL), took control of Southend United in November 1998,[1] from former chairman Vic Jobson, who at the time owned a 55% issued share capital of the business.[2] John Main took over Vic Jobson as Southend United chairman, and later in 2000 majority ownership of the club was gained by Ron Martin.

Sports career

Ron Martin was a member of Great Britain's Olympic Bobsleigh team in 1980.[3]

Southend United

Martin's development company Martin Dawn PLC took control of Southend United in late 1998.[4] Martin bought out the charges over Roots Hall from Lloyds Banking Group in 1998 for £4m, clearing the club's debts.[5]

Financial troubles

In November 2009, Ron Martin avoided Southend United going into administration by agreeing to settle a £2.1million tax bill by 6 November.[6] Ron 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 has been an ongoing saga for over a decade.

References

1. "Southend soap opera may have sad ending". The Independent. 5 October 2000. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
2. Newsquest - Home
3. Vittles, Jack (27 May 2018). "The League One owners guide: Club chiefs and their net worth". BristolLive. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
4. Ron set for full control of Southend (From Echo)
5. "Archive news from the Echo". www.echo-news.co.uk. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
6. "The Times & The Sunday Times". www.thetimes.co.uk. Retrieved 5 September 2019.