Director admits Swedish bid was turned down but '˜deal can be done' for £10m

A bid of £10m could yet be enough to secure ownership of Chesterfield FC, despite an offer being rejected last month.
Chesterfield's new boss Gary Caldwell, centre, flanked by company director Ashley Carson, left, and Chris Turner, rightChesterfield's new boss Gary Caldwell, centre, flanked by company director Ashley Carson, left, and Chris Turner, right
Chesterfield's new boss Gary Caldwell, centre, flanked by company director Ashley Carson, left, and Chris Turner, right

Rumours of a bid from a Swedish consortium surfaced this week when a supporter based in Stockholm revealed that a group of businessmen, involved at firms like Volvo and Scania, made a bid in January.

The anonymous consortium are said to have visited Chesterfield FC at various times although not as a group.

Their interest apparently ended with the rejection.

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Company secretary Ashley Carson told the Derbyshire Times at the club’s February AGM that they had received no ‘firm offers’ for the club.

But on Wednesday the man running the club for owner Dave Allen admitted there had been a bid, but it had not met requirements to begin talks.

“Anyone interested in making a serious bid for the majority shareholding should submit the offer in writing through legal representatives,” he said.

“There is also a requirement for proof of funds for a minimum of £10m, to be lodged with Shorts Accountants, before any negotiations.

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“There has been no offer received so far which has met those requirements. A speculative offer from overseas was received in January, but there was no structure to the deal and no proposal to purchase the 83 per cent shareholding, so for those reasons alone, the offer was rejected.

“I have spoken to Dave Allen about the situation and he maintains that he will not sell his shareholding to anyone unless the offer meets his valuation and is in the best interests of the football club.

“I speak to Dave on a daily basis and keep him informed of any developments. I firmly believe that a deal can be done in the region of £10m.”

Carson has previously revealed to the Derbyshire Times that Allen had valued the club at £15m and that was his starting point for negotiations.

The club’s owner quit as chairman at a stormy AGM back in November, but has still met the shortfall in finances.