Ron Martin (businessman)


Ronald "Ron" Martin 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.
Martin Dawn PLC and Delancey Estates, together forming South Eastern Leisure, took control of Southend United in November 1998, from former chairman Vic Jobson, who at the time owned a 55% issued share capital of the business. 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.

Southend United

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

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.
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.
On 9 October 2019 no less than 9 charges over assets relating to some of Mr Martins companies that have been financially supporting the club were discharged leading to speculation that a takeover or major investment from an unknown source could be imminent.