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Southend United have confirmed their tax bill of close to 2 million pounds has now been settled. The Shrimpers were due back in the high court on Wednesday due to a winding-up petition issued by the HMRC but a club statement has revealed the outstanding money has now been paid. The statement said: "Ahead of the HMRC hearing on March 1, the club can confirm the monies owed to HMRC, under the petition, have been paid in full. The statement added: "Funds as working capital have also been injected to help Southend United over the coming months. Whilst this news is very welcoming this continuous ongoing financial instability and years of uncertainty will not fill supporters with much confidence going forward and no doubt the Ron Martin Out campaign will still be as loud as ever. Great news for the supporters and community but many will wait with bated breath as to when this charade happens all over again.

Tomorrow (March 1st) Southend United the Essex club founded in 1906 faces one of the biggest days in its 117-year existence. The club who owes £1.4 million to HMRC will be in court to face the winding-up petition. Under the ownership of Ron Martin, the club has suffered various winding-up orders for unpaid tax bills, numerous transfer embargos and staff and players going unpaid. The Shrimpers players have now been paid their January salaries albeit 28 days late and remarkably during that time they have won five of their six league outings to remain sixth in the National League table. It is understood that some staff at Roots Hall are still waiting for their wages, with some of them having not been paid since the end of November! Youth players and coaches have also gone on strike following non-payment, which led to games being postponed in this dire situation for the club. There has been countless fan protests and pitch invasions but all to no avail. No one knows what tomorrow will hold but it's a sad state of affairs that such an historical club, its fan base and the local community could face the prospect of going out of existence.

Watch our recent Proper Football Live Special event where we interviewed the co-authors of the newly released book ‘Angels With Dirty Faces' by Gary 'Boatsy’ Clarke and Paul Lowe, The book is about the two of them growing up in Nottingham and follows their journeys from a tough background to the trials and tribulations of following their beloved Nottingham Forest to now playing an important role in the success of nonleague club Carlton Town and giving back to the local community. The book which has testimonials from Talksports Johney Owen and contributions from Carlton Town Chairman Mick Garton was officially launched at the Nottinghamshire club on Sunday. Watch the interview here; You can buy the inspirational book by getting in contact with Gary ‘Boatsy’ Clarke in the following ways; https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100004984725408 https://twitter.com/GBoatsy?t=YIL3m_3Ie8K3xzFgikwthQ&s=09 https://instagram.com/gboatsyclarke?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= Or through Amazon; Check this out! https://amzn.eu/d/g9vJdOg Please subscribe to our YouTube channel; https://m.youtube.com/@ProperFootball

Legendary football commentator John Motson has sadly passed away aged 77. Motty, the sheepskin coat-wearing icon voiced over 2,000 games including 29 FA Cup finals and 10 World Cups. An iconic moment in his career came in the season he covered the memorable FA Cup replay between Hereford United and Newcastle United. Non-league Hereford won 2-1 with Ronnie Radford scoring a winner that remains in folklore. 'Oh what a goal!' RIP Motty. ⚽❤️

The publication of the UK government's long-awaited white paper, proposing reforms to shake up football, is expected later this month. Expected proposals include the introduction of an independent football regulator in England. That was among 10 recommendations made by a fan-led review on how to improve football governance. The review, chaired by former Sports Minister Tracey Crouch, said a regulator was necessary for the long-term financial stability of the men's professional game. It comes after several high-profile crises in the sport, such as the failed European Super League and the collapse of Bury FC. Expected proposals include the introduction of an independent football regulator in England - a move the EFL has endorsed. Rick Parry, the EFL's chief executive, has repeatedly called for an end to "evil" parachute payments given to clubs relegated from the Premier League, which he says only serve to increase the desperation of clubs to reach the top flight. It has also led to, he estimates, total losses of between £300m-£400m in the Championship. But Parry accepts there are other issues within the game that need addressing. In the week of a sell-out EFL Cup final between Newcastle United and Manchester United at Wembley, Parry knows the expansion of the Champions League from 2024 will squeeze the calendar even more, placing his organisation's flagship competition at risk. "Last year we had a record TV audience of four million for the Carabao Cup final," said Parry. "Attendances are up near record levels. "If you ask the fans of Newcastle and Manchester United whether it matters, they would probably say it does. "But of course, we recognise there are challenges with the calendar. Are we prepared to have constructive dialogue, given those challenges? Yes, of course. We are prepared to consider pretty much every possibility. "The calendar, development of young players and redistribution all need to be looked at together." Parry also discussed National League demands for three promotion places. Since 2004 the National League has had two spots to the EFL. Unlike what has happened between the Premier League and Championship, no side that has gone up since then has come straight back down the following year. "We are having a lot of discussion about three up, three down," added Parry. "We absolutely recognise the need to look downwards as well as up. We have to be consistent in our approach. "We haven't put proposals to our clubs yet, but do we envisage that being part of the package we put forward? Yes, 100%." EFL TRYING TO AVOID ANOTHER BURY. While a football regulator has been viewed as someone who can step in to challenge issues at the top end of the game - such as the threat of a potential European Super League and disputes over club ownership - Parry feels the welfare of the football pyramid is paramount. It is three and a half years since Bury were expelled from the EFL after financial troubles and failed takeovers. Several clubs have also had difficulties since then: Macclesfield went out of business - before being reformed at the bottom of the non-league pyramid by former Premier League player Robbie Savage Derby went into administration and were almost bought out by US businessman Chris Kirchner, who is facing 20 years in prison after being charged with fraud by the FBI last week Wigan had to be rescued from a perilous financial position after being put into administration by its Hong Kong-based owner who never actually saw the club play a game "We don't want another Bury and we are working day and night to ensure it doesn't happen," said Parry. "But you could say the next one will be the government's responsibility. "Given the outcry we had at the time, you have to assume they get that the pyramid matters, otherwise they wouldn't be doing this. We think any rational regulator looking at the current system has to say it is broken. "The dependence on owner funding is bad. Craig Hemmings (son of long-time Preston owner Trevor who died in 2021) wrote to supporters on behalf of the Preston ownership. "Preston are a really well-run, sensible club. They are not chasing the dream and not over-spending. But he pointed out their annual budget is £24m and. of that, the Hemmings family provides £12m every year. Who replaces the Hemmings family? Who comes to Preston and says 'starting point £12m-a-year'? "There is the possibility for broadening ownership and fan ownership if you don't have to start with a massive subsidy. "Any rational regulator trying to produce solvency, looking at the pyramid, will come up with a solution." We can only hope this football fan-led review and its recommendations are implemented because the future of OUR game is at stake.

Join Gary Harris for a Proper Football Live Special event on Thursday 16th Feb at 6 pm where he will be interviewing the co-authors of the new soon-to-be-released book ‘Angels With Dirty Faces' by Gary 'Boatsy’ Clarke and Paul Lowe. The book is about the two of them growing up in Nottingham and follows their journeys from a tough background and the trials and tribulations of following their beloved Nottingham Forest to now playing an important role in the success of nonleague club Carlton Town and giving back to the local community. The book which has testimonials from Talksports Johney Owen and contributions from Carlton Town Chairman Mick Garton will officially be launched at the Nottinghamshire club on Sunday 19th February at 2 pm with any welcome to come along. ⚽👊🏻 Make sure to tune in and get involved with your comments and views. Watch on our Facebook page or our YouTube channel here; 👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼 https://youtube.com/channel/UCtr7oTe3DH-Ymo4uxM6xULA Or Twitter here; 👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼 https://twitter.com/ProperFootball8?t=voFqeo4B83kwlQKtJAx5gA&s=09 Email us @ getinvolved@properfootball.co.uk Full details here; 👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼 https://fb.me/e/4UMMp8tUB

Another transfer window has come and gone and another obscene amount of money has been spent. A total of £815m was spent in the January window and if you add that to the summer window of £1.9bn it brings the total transfer figure to an astronomical amount of £2.715bn! A big chunk of that money will have gone out of our game to line the pockets of the agents, clubs and players and out of the UK in some instances. But, how much of it will go back to the grassroots clubs? The place where many of the players who now reap the rewards begun their journey, the place where they were helped to develop by coaches working for a pittance or just giving up their free time. Absolutely nothing! Instead, grassroots clubs are struggling due to rising prices on top of the local councils putting pitch fees up, sponsors have dried up and cash reserves are lower than ever and parents are even struggling to pay the subs in this cost-of-living crisis The situation is getting worse all the time and it absolutely stinks that those sitting at the top of the pyramid are lining their pockets and not giving a second thought to the level of the game who ultimately are the beginning of the supply chain. Why can't there be a levy on these transfers? Even just 1% would go a long way to help out! They are biting off the hand that feeds them and we hope their complete disregard for the heart and soul of football comes back to bite them! SOMETHING HAS TO CHANGE!

What a landmark day for the fans of beleaguered Scunthorpe United. The Lincolnshire club who were on the verge of going out of existence with an HMRC winding-up order hanging over them along with the news from earlier in the week of an interested consortium pulling out of a potential takeover, things were looking very bleak, adding to the fact they were sitting rock bottom of the National League and without an away win for 25 months the trip to Halifax Town on Wednesday evening could not have filled the supporters with any optimism. [Recent protest at Glandford Park] But whilst the team bus was en route to The Shay news broke that the club had been taken over by former Ilkeston Town owner David Hilton and that he had been appointed as the new chairman and owner of Scunthorpe United with immediate effect. Buoyed by the good news, the Iron promptly went and won 1-0 to give them their first victory on the road since 26 December 2021. [Iron supporters celebrate away victory] The victory moved the Lincolnshire side, who were relegated from the EFL after 72 years last season, off the foot of the table and to within five points of safety. New owner David Hilton said in a statement on the club's website: "The first job I've got to do over the next 48 hours is settle the winding-up petition with the HMRC, which will help us get out of the transfer embargo we're under, so we can bring some bodies in and strengthen the squad. "Any remaining debts will be eradicated in due course and we'll be looking to put the football club on a sustainable model as quickly as possible while remaining competitive in whichever division we're in. "I can also add, if there is to be any development in and around Glanford Park, it will be purely for the benefit of the football club and to help it move forward, not for personal gain. [David Hilton] "It's all been done very quickly, so there's a lot I need to digest but I fully intend to interact with supporters. I just need a little bit of time for the dust to settle so I can understand the business fully. "I would like to thank everybody for the support that's been shown to me since the news started to come out, and I'm proud to be your chairman. I will give my all to help get this club back where it belongs." David Hilton's takeover of the club has ended Peter Swann's 10-year spell as owner of the Glanford Park side. [Peter Swann] Swann had been looking to sell the club for some time and anger at his ownership saw some fans invade the pitch during the home defeat by Woking earlier this month. Former Hartlepool and Barnet defender Nelson has won two and drawn one of his eight games in charge and is hopeful he has done enough to get the job permanently. "I haven't spoken to anyone yet. I was solely focused on the football side of it," [what it meant to Michael Nelson and staff after the final whistle] "I think I have developed the team and the group as individuals. Yes, I would like the job permanently but it is not my decision at the end of the day." Victory at home to Bromley on Saturday would help further Nelson's cause and also give Scunthorpe successive league wins for the first time in almost two years. We wish Scunthorpe United and their supporters all the best and hope for a stable future ahead!

One of the main reasons we started Proper Football was to give a platform for fans who follow teams from all levels of the game to have a say and give their opinions, so if you would like to write a blog, an opinion piece or an article on a football matter be it non-league or about the wider game and have it published on our website then please feel free to get in touch with us on one of our social media platforms or send us an email to getinvolved@properfootball.co.uk Have your say! 👊🏻⚽

Today proper football caught up with gav for a chinwag about casuals, football. & Music. Thanks for joining us at Proper Football. Let's start with you telling us a bit about yourself. It's a pleasure, names Gav, aka the Casual Sniper, Dad, Grandad, ineligible bachelor (laughs) sober alcoholic who's loving life again without the booze. Who's your team and how did you first start supporting them? Pompey, basically it became the thing to do & place to be seen as a teenager. When and why did you first get into Casual culture? Same time as I got hooked on Pompey, you had to look half decent Ya know!! In your opinion who/where did casual start? No comment really, it's still alive and kicking, that's all that matters. Favourite piece of terrace attire? Lois cords. Least favourite trend you've witnessed on the terraces? Can't say there was one back in the day, now it's that whole wearing all black thing. Is there anything you would love to own but just can't get your hands on it. Yeah, well not exactly own but a woman who loves the whole casual scene.... a man can dream. There's a lot of newer independent clothing labels popping up all the time. Anything that struck you that stands out from the rest? Think it would be unfair to pinpoint one, complete kudos to all those who truly are "keeping it casual". I see you're into your Scooters. Did you ever consider yourself a Mod? Nope, never, always a casual. Britain has seen many subcultures come and go, in your opinion what is it about the Casual movement that keeps it still going? I think with the casual scene there's no steadfast rules, no uniform, you're the casual you want to be. In our opinion the music has always been an important part of Terrace Culture. What would be your favourite tunes for a match day? Back in the day in the "Barn" at Pompey it was always the Jam belting out. Do you have a favourite album/single of all time? The Liberty of Norton Folgate, love a bit of old London. Single. Ian Browns El Mundo Pequeno, Proper chill out tune. Favourite band/artist? Ian Brown (he hates the establishment just like me) Any bands/artist that you feel are part of Terrace Culture? Open to each Casuals interpretation. Any up-and-coming bands you can recommend? Too busy listening to my old stuff. Did you get into the dance music scene in the late 80's/ early 90's? Yup, 89 was the best summer of my life, was basically nocturnal & raved my arse off. That era of illegal raves will never be seen again... legendary times for all those who luckily lived it. On to a bit about the football... sum up your team's season so far. Pompey as a team to follow and I parted years ago, long story. I'm still Pompey, it's in my blood but the club itself has become timid compared to the great terrace days of old, Ruined! Do you still attend games regularly? Yes, but not Pompey. Which club traditionally are your biggest rivals? Scummers A lot of fans have been drawn towards lower/non-league football recently. Anyone else you follow? AFC Portchester, I'm addicted to the old school terrace experience. Any views on this year's World Cup in Qatar? I've watched it and enjoyed it, but it didn't have that world cup summer buzz for me. Sum up Modern football in one sentence. EATING ITSELF. Follow Gav on Instagram here https://instagram.com/thecasualsniper_?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Scunthorpe United supporters invaded the pitch on 70 minutes at yesterday's National League game against Woking to protest about the dire situation at the club. Scunthorpe United were in the championship in 2010 and as recently as 2017 were on the verge of gaining promotion back to the 2nd tier. Their demise since then sees them sit rock bottom of the 5th tier and on the brink of going into administration and possible liquidation after being served a winding up petition by the HMRC last week. The Irons have been losing money for the last decade believed to be in the region of £27m and current owner Peter Swan is in the process of suing bookmakers after running up millions of pounds of debts and has put the club up for sale. There are interested consortiums but as of yet no deal has been agreed and any hope of a takeover have stalled. The clock is ticking faster than ever before and time is running out for the Lincolnshire club who were formed in 1899, 124 year's ago, we can only hope a solution is found and soon before we lose another part of our history.