FRESH fears have been cast over Southend United’s move from Roots Hall after Sainsbury’s would not confirm it will build a store on the football ground.

The club needs the supermarket chain to buy its ground so it can move to a new, 22,000-seater stadium at Fossetts Farm, Southend.

But Sainsbury’s – which has failed to renew its option to buy another property, which is key to the development – looks set to drop plans for 40 stores around the country.

Sainsbury’s last week insisted its plans for Southend remained in place, but has now admitted it is reviewing “a number of supermarket sites” after a drop in sales.

Southend Council leader Ron Woodley has called a meeting with Blues chairman Ron Martin next week, in a bid to break seven years of deadlock.

He said: “It would be a shame, after all these years, if it didn’t happen.

“The fans want it, I’m sure Ron Martin wants it, the council wants it and we will do as much as we can to facilitate the new stadium plan.

“We are still positive, but until I get the situation from Ron, I can’t take it further.”

Prospects College plans to sell its old site in Fairfax Drive, Westcliff, which Sainsbury’s would need as an entrance for a new supermarket.

But the company has failed to renew an option to buy the site.

A Sainsbury’s spokesman said: “We’re reviewing our plans across a number of supermarket sites.

“Once we are in a position to do so, we will update people on our future plans.”

Southend United were unavailable for comment, but fans fear the consequences of failing to move to a new stadium could be disastrous.

Ken Jarvis, 61, of Caversham Avenue, Shoebury, who runs the Shrimperzone fan forum, said: “This has been expected for quite a while and, coupled with the complete lack of any communication from the football club chairman, people have felt this is the likely outcome.

“Ron Martin was very good at telling us the good things that will happen, but when it’s something we have concerns over, nothing is mentioned.

“The fans have put two and two together and got four.

“It’s a big disappointment because we were told it was the only way forward for the plans.

“It’s a worrying time.”