SOUTHEND United Football Club have been granted six weeks to pay off nearly £500,000 in debt.

The club owe £493,000 to Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs and have been under a transfer embargo as a result of the ongoing case at High Court.

The case was previously heard in July but adjourned until today.

During the remote hearing, Insolvency and Companies Court Judge Sebastian Prentis allowed the club a further 42 days to deal with returns and full settlement, to be next heard on October 28 this year.

During the hearing it was revealed the club owes a total of £493,991 to HMRC.

Blues fans have previously spoken of their worry for the club in the run up to the hearing, following the relegation from League One and most recent 4-0 defeat to Harrogate Town.