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Steelers boss snubs offers to buy club
SHEFFIELD Steelers' owner Bob Phillips says he has taken the club off the market and also signed a new player coach.
The Welshman says ex NHL centre Ben Simon will take over the coaching reins from Dave Matsos. While the player has yet to sign a contract, Phillips said Simon was a "100 per cent certainty" to join up.
The news comes after a consortium's attempts to buy Steelers hit a stumbling block.
The Star understands that the group of businessman including former sponsor John Booth has declined to pay the full 200,000 amount that Phillips has asked for.
In fact, they have pitched in with a considerably lower cash offer, which may be why Phillips is now clearly planning ahead to start next season as the incumbent owner.
We also understand that former owner Norton Lea is either considering an offer or has made one to regain the club.
Phillips told The Star: "The people interested in buying the club have run a mile. People want things for free, we cannot have that.
"We are battered and bruised because people have tried to run us out of town. But we are still here, still working hard.
"Last week we were on the ropes when the bank seemed to pull the plug, but now we are back on line. The club is off the market, although people can come and talk to me at any time."
Phillips said he was awaiting the paperwork to confirm Simon's recruitment. "Ben is a solid guy who has done his due diligence and homework on us. We have spoken to his three agents, two in the US and one in Latvia and all are aware of the hullabaloo that has been going on over here. But he is looking for a challenge - and I have told him we want a good job doing over here."
Simon, an American, graced the NHL with 81 games with the Columbus Blue Jackets and Atlanta Thrashers and has had a good career in the AHL, his last club was Toronto Marlies. If he commits on paper, he may face a job to keep some skaters who do not want to work with Phillips, who has seen two of his Steeler companies go bust in the last five years.
It is thought Steve Munn may consider using a two-week get-out clause in his contract and new boy Jerramie Domish is seeking possible employment elsewhere.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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