By Local consortium ‘remains hopeful’ of concluding deal for Scunthorpe United takeover
The local consortium looking to take over Scunthorpe United “remains hopeful” a deal can be concluded.
Film producer Ian Sharp, who is heading the group alongside former Iron director Simon Elliott, took to Twitter this morning to reassure fans that they are still working on a deal.
A club statement on 1 December confirmed a takeover had been agreed upon with the consortium but, since then, the goalposts appear to have changed.
Independent Scunthorpe United website Iron Bru reported that the previous agreement only covered the club and Glanford Park, with subsequent offers for the training pitch and car park rejected after due diligence was undertaken for the whole site.
There have also been revelations in the past couple of weeks surrounding current owner Peter Swann’s gambling issues and rumours that an unpaid tax bill has led to the National League imposing a transfer embargo on the club.
With fears growing that the Iron could be on the brink of administration, BBC Humberside’s Ollie Turner posted on Twitter yesterday that corporate restructuring specialist Begbies Traynor has been “engaged to help with its sale”.
But he added that the group in question has “also denied that it’s been solicited to place the club into administration”.
Those reports have led to Sharp providing United fans with an update on Twitter as to where his consortium stands in its bid to take over the club this morning.
“On behalf of myself, Simon Elliott and the Scunthorpe consortium, we thank all the SUFC fans and wider football fans who have supported us during the potential sale of our beloved club,” he said.
“We want to reassure you all that we are still here and remain extremely motivated after tabling what we believe are strong offers to secure a deal as quickly as possible.
“As local people, we only want what’s best for the club and its future, plus understanding its vital importance to our town. We remain hopeful that a deal can still be concluded. UTI.”
While Sharp’s statement will be welcomed by Iron fans, who largely feel they have been left in the dark in recent weeks, it appears something will have to give soon to help save the club from administration.
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