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Dean Holdsworth has high hopes Wanderers will find a new owner before much longer.
Holdsworth looked on as the Whites secured an FA Cup fourth round meeting with Leeds United last night, with goals from Gary Madine, Dean Moxey and Darren Pratley securing a 3-2 win against non-league Eastleigh, and insisted there was reason for optimism for the future despite the doomsday headlines that have surrounded the club of late.
The former striker, who is heading up one of the consortia looking to buy the club from Eddie Davies, was asked in a radio interview on BBC Five Live if he felt new ownership could be found before Wanderers go back to the High Court on February 22 over a £2.2million tax bill.
“Yes – I think they will,” he said. “I think it’s a fabulous football club and there are a number of reasons to stay positive.
“There are many people working behind the scenes to keep the club alive and I do believe it will stay that way, which will be tremendous for the fans.
“The football team have got their duty to do on the pitch as well.”
Holdsworth’s Sports Shield consortium are one of four realistic buyers the club confirmed to the courtroom on Monday.
The club has 33 days before returning to the capital but are confident they will be able to strike a deal with HMRC on their next visit after selling car park land to the Emerson Group, who own Middlebrook Retail Park.
Staff and player wages are also covered for this month but the training ground at Euxton is an asset the club is looking to cash in on and further player sales have not been ruled out.
Mark Davies, however, has indicated he wants to remain at Wanderers beyond the transfer window. The midfielder was restored to the line-up last night for the first time since his abandoned move to Sheffield Wednesday.
On the pitch, times have been hard and Neil Lennon’s side sit bottom of the Championship, seven points from safety, ahead of this weekend’s crunch home game against MK Dons.
“Times are definitely tough at the moment,” Holdsworth agreed, “particularly on the football side of things, and it’s very well documented behind the scenes as well.”
Meanwhile a government report on supporter ownership and fan engagement has recommended supporters get a greater say in football.
The report says clubs must meet with fans’ groups at least twice a year and tells the FA to consider “greater supporter representation on FA Council”.
Wanderers fans have recently galvanised to create a Supporters’ Trust, which is looking to give its 4,000-strong membership a voice in the new ownership structure, whatever that may be.
“All too often, crucial club decisions have been taken over the heads of fans, with the real financial and strategic position of clubs shrouded in mystery,” said Kevin Miles, chief executive of the Football Supporters’ Federation.
“We welcome the recommendations in this report that supporters’ representatives should be entitled to regular structured engagement with clubs, and that supporter representation within the FA should be strengthened.
“Fans aren't only concerned with facilities and team performance; we also care deeply about the ownership, governance and strategic direction of the clubs we support.”
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Holdsworth looked on as the Whites secured an FA Cup fourth round meeting with Leeds United last night, with goals from Gary Madine, Dean Moxey and Darren Pratley securing a 3-2 win against non-league Eastleigh, and insisted there was reason for optimism for the future despite the doomsday headlines that have surrounded the club of late.
The former striker, who is heading up one of the consortia looking to buy the club from Eddie Davies, was asked in a radio interview on BBC Five Live if he felt new ownership could be found before Wanderers go back to the High Court on February 22 over a £2.2million tax bill.
“Yes – I think they will,” he said. “I think it’s a fabulous football club and there are a number of reasons to stay positive.
“There are many people working behind the scenes to keep the club alive and I do believe it will stay that way, which will be tremendous for the fans.
“The football team have got their duty to do on the pitch as well.”
Holdsworth’s Sports Shield consortium are one of four realistic buyers the club confirmed to the courtroom on Monday.
The club has 33 days before returning to the capital but are confident they will be able to strike a deal with HMRC on their next visit after selling car park land to the Emerson Group, who own Middlebrook Retail Park.
Staff and player wages are also covered for this month but the training ground at Euxton is an asset the club is looking to cash in on and further player sales have not been ruled out.
Mark Davies, however, has indicated he wants to remain at Wanderers beyond the transfer window. The midfielder was restored to the line-up last night for the first time since his abandoned move to Sheffield Wednesday.
On the pitch, times have been hard and Neil Lennon’s side sit bottom of the Championship, seven points from safety, ahead of this weekend’s crunch home game against MK Dons.
“Times are definitely tough at the moment,” Holdsworth agreed, “particularly on the football side of things, and it’s very well documented behind the scenes as well.”
Meanwhile a government report on supporter ownership and fan engagement has recommended supporters get a greater say in football.
The report says clubs must meet with fans’ groups at least twice a year and tells the FA to consider “greater supporter representation on FA Council”.
Wanderers fans have recently galvanised to create a Supporters’ Trust, which is looking to give its 4,000-strong membership a voice in the new ownership structure, whatever that may be.
“All too often, crucial club decisions have been taken over the heads of fans, with the real financial and strategic position of clubs shrouded in mystery,” said Kevin Miles, chief executive of the Football Supporters’ Federation.
“We welcome the recommendations in this report that supporters’ representatives should be entitled to regular structured engagement with clubs, and that supporter representation within the FA should be strengthened.
“Fans aren't only concerned with facilities and team performance; we also care deeply about the ownership, governance and strategic direction of the clubs we support.”
Source
