Courtenay faxed across a fresh offer on Monday morning which Knighton and his team of lawyers have since been studying. Courtenay warned on Saturday during a stormy phone-in on Radio Cumbria that this offer would be substantially less than the one which he made earlier in the year. Courtenay has reduced his offer because the club have since released over half their playing staff, are facing a cash shortfall of at least £200,000 over the next two seasons because of the collapse of ITV Digital and suffered a sharp reduction in gate money over the closing games once the original Courtenay deal began to falter. The Irishman had made a public call in January for fans to get back to Brunton Park and support the team while his bid was being finalised. This was backed by supporters' trust CCUIST and initially there was a good response, but fans once again turned their backs on the club when Knighton refused to close the deal. The cash-strapped club are facing a huge decrease in season ticket revenues. Fans have already voted in massive numbers to boycott home games next season if Knighton doesn't leave. They are over £2m in debt and creditors are watching the situation closely. They could take court action to recover their money if the position doesn't change soon. Other potential buyers, including locally-based insurance magnate Brooks Mileson are still understood to be interested in acquiring the club, but few if any are thought likely to make any new offers. Most will be hoping to put in a rescue bid if the club falls into the hands of receivers or administrators. Courtenay has also agreed to work with other buyers if the need arises. Season ticket holders targeted Under-fire owner Michael Knighton has made a last desperate bid to win supporters over in a letter sent out to all season ticket holders this week. He makes a plea to supporters to turn their backs on CCUIST and the News & Star and join a fans committee that the club is claiming to be forming. The letter, signed by club secretary Sarah McKnight calls on "all dedicated non confrontational fans to come forward (many have already done so and a committee is being formed as we write) to fight back against these two malignant adversaries". It continues: "We must stop these people who are trying to destroy our football club, we can do this by working together. The current owner has pledged the power of his shareholding to support all non confrontational fans as they try to protect their club and promote its future wellbeing." However the club is forced to admit that the instalment option available to all season ticket holders over the last few years has been withdrawn and fans will now have to pay all the money up front. Few are expected to take up this offer. Picture from News & Star www.newsandstar.co.uk |
