While United's depleted squad of players and coaches (one was Billy Barr, the other the vehicle they were travelling in) made their way down to York for their 43rd game of a long and arduous season, a bizarre "press conference" took place inside the the ground which was attended by one lawyer representing discredited owner Michael Knighton and a handful of media representatives. The fact that the legal represenative was a Mr J Glass simply raised the irony levels to unprecedented heights. In 1999 a Mr J Glass saved Carlisle United from disaster, fans will now be wondering whether another Mr J Glass has now read out the last rites. Mr Glass, dressed for a funeral, although it wasn't clear who's, read out a statement which claimed John Courtenay had not yet "produced the necessary evidence" that he could afford it. However an unspecified "major concession" had been made to Mr Courtenay only minutes earlier. Courtenay's response later in the day flatly denied this assertion. "It is incorrect for Mr Knighton to allege that this is the main reason that the deal has taken so long to get to this stage," he said. "The funds necessary to complete the transaction are in place. I gave Michael Knighton a letter from my bank saying I was a triple-A rated customer. Other than pay him, what more could I do?" Courtenay denied he had been talking to other clubs such as Swindon Town, Bury or AFC Bournemouth. However he claimed the real reason for the delay was lack of documentation from Knighton. "Unfortunately, I still await important due diligence documentation which is vital for the purpose of completing the purchase," he said. Virtually the same claims and counter claims were made when Brooks Mileson's latest attempt to buy the club failed last autumn. Many fans have now given up hope of a takeover and are planning a day of protests on Saturday when United host already promoted Plymouth Argyle. An outright boycott has not yet been called, but has not been ruled out and many supporters may make up their minds individually to stay away. Foran cheque cancelled as cash crisis engulfs Brunton The financial health of the club was again called into question today when it emerged that a cheque for approximately £30,000 which was to be paid to Shelbourne FC as an instalment towards the purchase of striker Richie Foran bounced. Mark Knighton says he was forced into cancelling it after John Courtenay's failure to clear an outstanding PFA loan totalling some £40,000. Courtenay had given a banker's draft for the required amount to Roddy Collins but the ex-manager said it wasn't handed over as Mark Knighton could not guarantee that any new players would be paid if they were signed by Collins. Shelbourne chairman Oliver Byrne is said to be "furious" that the cheque was stopped. The deal for Foran was completed in late August and was reported to be worth a total sum of £100,000 to the Irish club but it is not clear how much of that has been paid to date. It is thought the amount may not be fully paid until Foran is transferred. Picture from News & Star www.newsandstar.co.uk |
