Administrator David Elliott today confirmed the new bid, saying: "Mr Courtenay feels confident he will be able to make an announcement fairly soon, but it will be him who makes the announcement. He has been with the administrators and I am expecting something from him. There are a number of parties interested in moving the club forward." Courtenay earlier asked fans on the internet to put the lid on rampant speculation and rumour that had been doing the rounds in the past week. "Could I ask that for the next four days you only post what you know to be fact or request information you require as it is affecting negotiations which are at a delicate stage," he told fans on CUFC Online's message board this week. It is still not entirely clear if Courtenay is attempting to do a deal with Michael Knighton or with the administrators themselves. David Elliott told Courtenay last week that he would pass any bid made on to the creditors. If a bid to buy the business is made which is beneficial to the creditors, administrators are legally required to reveal the details at the meeting. Courtenay has maintained that neither he nor Mileson would be looking to negotiate with the majority owner following long and drawn out attempts to broker a deal with him over the past three years. The club has been in administration since June 6 and BKR Haines Watts sent a 110-page set of proposals last week to the club's creditors, who are owed over £2.5 million in total. The Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) set out in the document proposes to pay off creditors over 8 months with the help of a £2 million loan. However it also requires gates of 3,000 next season if the total debt is to be repaid on time. Fans have voted over 90% to boycott home games unless Michael Knighton is removed as owner. The creditors meeting has been arranged for Friday August 2 at Brunton Park, starting at 10 am. Knighton refused to comment on the latest developments. McCutch could be in the hutch after Foran injury scare Kilmarnock striker Gary McCutcheon is a target for United boss Billy Barr following his brace of goals that enabled the Cumbrians to ease past Penrith 3-0 in a friendly on Tuesday evening. With Richie Foran a slight injury worry with a hamstring strain, Barr will be keen to add to his forward line, which has been decimated with the release of Ian Stevens, who has since joined Shrewsbury. Administrators propose to start the season with a squad of just 20 players. To meet that target, they need to sign four more. McCutcheon is also a target for several other clubs so Barr faces a fight, especially with restrictions on wages and the PFA still owed over £25,000 by United. If Foran misses the big kick-off, Barr may have to throw in untested Brian Wake, who has yet to make his first-team debut. The 20-year-old Killie winger McCutcheon will be expected to line up at Workington on Saturday in United's next friendly. The new season gets under way on August 10 when the Cumbrians entertain Hartlepool United at Brunton Park. Cumbrians face tough Rotherham hurdle Out-of-luck United must travel once again in the First Round of the Worthington Cup. They will go to Millmoor on Tuesday September 10 (7.45pm kick-off) to take on First Division Rotherham United. Last season they were drawn away at First Division Stockport County and were defeated 3-0 at the same stage. County were subsequently relegated. Tickets are available priced at £16 for adults and £8 for concessions from Rotherham's ticket office on 01709 309440. This represents a £2 saving on the matchday prices. Picture from News & Star |
