{ the news }
 
An independent supporters' website dedicated to Mansfield Town FC
Archived News from August 2007

STAGS ARE FOR SALE, INSISTS HOWARTH
29th August 2007 8:51


The Stags ARE for sale, insists football club
CHAD website, 28 Aug 2007
By Tim Morriss
THE man handling bids for Mansfield Town Football Club stressed yesterday that the club is definitely up for sale.
Fans, frustrated at the protracted takeover moves for the Stags, have begun to voice their scepticism that chief executive Keith Haslam does want to sell the club.

And there are worries that off-the-field uncertainty is affecting the playing side of the club — reflected in dwindling attendances and three straight defeats.

But yesterday Mike Howarth, apppointed by Mr Haslam to handle the bids, told Chad: "Mr Haslam has gone on record as saying the club is up for sale . . . I would expect the club to change hands.

"But these things take time and are very complicated. It is impossible at this stage to say to whom and when a sale might take place."

Mr Howarth stressed that any negotiations with prospective buyers would remain confidential.

And yesterday Mr Haslam declined to comment on the situation.
However, Stags' chairman James Derry has confirmed that he is heading one local consortium which has made an offer for the football club.

And Mr Derry — keen for any decision to be made quickly so that 'the club can move forward' — is due to meet Mr Haslam and Mr Howarth later this week when he has been told 'some documentation will be forthcoming'.

It is thought that two other offers have been received for the football club, one from a London-based group and another
from a local interest.

However, fans are frustrated at the length of time the proposed sale of the Stags is taking — one bid from an Australian interest was rejected in June.

Now pressure group Stags Fans For Change has called a meeting for tonight at the Ram Inn, Littleworth, Mans-field, at 7pm to discuss what action the fans might take at Saturday's home match with Stockport.

A spokesman said: "We invite all Stags' fans who have had enough of Keith Haslam's tenure at the club and want to make themselves heard. We want to hear from other Stags fans to see what else we should be doing, even if you disagree with some of our previous actions."

 

Latest | August 2007