Blyth Spartans takeover at 'advanced stage' as owner confirms imminent exit
Blyth Spartans owner Irfan Liaquat has revealed a takeover deal for the Northern Premier League club is at an advanced stage. The Tyneside-based businessman initially announced a deal to take over the Croft Park club in February this year before officially taking charge from former chairman Tony Platten three months later.
The latter of those announcements came just 24 hours before Spartans were relegated for only the second time in their history and they have failed to arrest the decline upon their return to the Northern Premier League. The appointment of former Newcastle United and Aston Villa winger Nolberto Solano as the club’s new manager proved to be disastrous and he had parted company with Spartans by the end of the first month of the new season.
Still feeling the effects of a dismal pre-season and a poor summer recruitment drive, Spartans slipped to the bottom of the Northern Premier League Premier Division table with a run of three consecutive defeats under new manager David Stockdale. Supporters group Blyth’s Green Army led a boycott of the recent FA Trophy defeat against Stockton Town as they showed their unhappiness and anger over the running of the club - and Liaquat referenced the protests as a reason behind his decision.
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In a statement released on Wednesday morning, he said: “I am writing to inform you that, after careful consideration and in light of the “current situation” with the ongoing boycotts, and protests, I have decided to sell the Football Club with immediate effect. I would also like to announce I am in advance stages with a potential sale to a strong party who have the means, and capacity to take the club forward. We will keep you updated with the sale progression accordingly.
“I took over a “distressed asset” in May this year, (two days before relegation) in a desperate attempt to save the club which was clearly in a very difficult situation both financially, and with stability, having avoided relegation over the past few seasons before we took over that you are all aware of (thanks to COVID restrictions).
“Despite Tony Platten writing off a £700,000 directors loan which he accumulated over a 25 year period, the Club needed ongoing financial support, with the skill set to stabilise, improve, and grow. This was an exciting and extremely challenging project that I had agreed to take on with my team.
“The boycotts and protests are not only damaging the reputation of a long standing and historic football club, but equally having a strong financial impact towards the sustainability and the future of the club. We lost some key members from our team due to unfortunate circumstances, but we stood strong and pushed for the better of the Club, its future, and it’s amazing fan base."
Liaquat went on to detail the investment he claims he has placed into the club, revealing he will write off any loans before a takeover deal is completed. He said: “Furthermore, I have personally injected a cash sum of Circa £63,000 via director loans to date as an investment, and took on additional costs totalling over £100,000 towards the sustainability and growth of the Football Club as I had initially committed. And for the avoidance of doubt, I will be writing off all the loans before the Club is handed over to any new owners.
“Lastly I would like to request you continue to support this amazing Football Club, and keep backing the players. There is over 30 games to go, and a few wins with strong support will get us out of the relegation zone. “You have a very enthusiastic first team manager who is continually improving the team, and will also drive them with passion and dedication to get the results we need. This is your Club, and the club needs you now more than ever.”
Spartans are back in action on Saturday when they face Gainsborough Trinity at Croft Park.