Courtenay said he was "100 per cent convinced" that Michael Knighton would sell him the club and that the delay was only going to be for a few days while the legal issues were ironed out. The news means it is almost certain that Courtenay will not be installed as the new owner before Saturday's home clash with Exeter City. Courtenay says he and Knighton will hold a press conference at which Knighton will sign the final documents to prove the authenticity of the deal. "It is all legal technicalities. I don't have any problems at this stage," said Courtenay today. "Nothing at all has changed. It is just frustrating to be slowed down because there are things we want to be doing with the team. You expect to have a few delays and by Friday, if we are not in a position to sign, we will be in a position to say the date of the press conference to transfer it. The plan is to do it publicly and people can see it physically being done." The takeover saga has dragged on for nearly three years and supporters will not be surprised to see yet another delay after countless others in the recent past. In November 2000 a group of directors of United, led by then chairman Albert Doweck, saw their hopes of doing a deal with Mr Knighton crushed when he rejected their final offer shortly after a deadline they had imposed on him had lapsed. Four attempts by locally-based millionaire businessman Brooks Mileson have all ended in failure even though the two men have shaken hands on a price on at least one occasion. Other bidders have included author Paul Harrison, Norwegian tycoon Atle Brynestad, Scottish businessman Andrew Lapping, touring car owner John Batchelor and local builder Fred Story. Roddy Collins's brother Steve, the former boxing world champion, had preliminary discussions with Knighton last October but they came to nothing. The supporters' trust (CCUIST) had also made plans to launch a bid and held talks with Knighton late last year. They now hope to cut a deal with Courtenay whereby they would purchase new shares in the club and get a seat on the new board of directors. Fax miss chance to close gap Rock-bottom Halifax Town missed the chance to cut the gap on the rest of the Third Division last night when they were held 1-1 at home by fellow strugglers York City. A Graham Mitchell own goal gave the Minstermen a point after Ian Fitzpatrick had fired the Shaymen ahead in the first half. The result means Halifax are on 26 points, five points adrift of second-bottom Torquay. York join Leyton Orient and United on 32 points from 30 games. Carlisle remain ahead of the pack because of their superior goals difference. The Cumbrians have lost just one of their last seven games. In other games last night Swansea gave their survival hopes a boost by defeating Kidderminster 2-1 to move 10 points above Halifax. Improving Bristol Rovers were beaten 1-0 at home by play-off chasing Hartlepool United whilst Lincoln are still in a bit of trouble after crashing 4-1 at home to Mansfield Town. Macclesfield pulled off a valuable draw at high-flying Scunthorpe United and are now two points above the Cumbrians having played two extra games. |
