Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
MONEY TALKS
Airdrie-minded businessmen get the nod for club bid
The consortium aiming to rescue the crisis- hit Diamonds is expected to be named preferred bidder for the majority stake in club.
Airdrie legend Bobby Watson and Sir Alex Ferguson’s brother Martin are the figureheads for the group, which is now set to begin the due diligence process.
Hamilton Accies chief executive Colin McGowan, who has been acting as majority shareholder Tom Wotherspoon’s broker, confirmed he is now in discussions with a representative of the consortium.
The group will be the second preferred bidder to be named for Wotherspoon’s stake, after Bellshill-based businessman Seref Zengin of the ZL Group.
Ho w e v e r, Z L G ro u p representative David Irvine told the Advertiser that Zengin had withdrawn his interest.
He said “it was not a decision taken lightly” and Zengin had “listened to feedback” before notifying the relevant parties on Monday.
Accies supremo McGowan would not be drawn on the future for the Ballantyne family at the club, but told the Advertiser: “Everything is for the consortium to decide.
“They will pick their own board, their own chairman, their own Director of Football, everything.”
He continued: “Both myself and Tom (Wotherspoon) want the best for Airdrieonians and something that will make the fans happy. We have said from the outset we were looking to do the best deal we could for the fans.”
It emerged last week that Excelsior Stadium Ltd, the owners of New Broomfield, are part of the consortium aiming to rescue the club. They stand alongside Watson, Ferguson, and Stuart Shields of BSB Structural - and a host of other businessmen.
The Airdrie Supporters’ Trust - who previously confirmed they were “actively involved” with the consortium - expect updates soon.
A Trust statement read: “A member of the consortium received a telephone call from Colin McGowan seeking to find a pragmatic solution that is in the best interest for Airdrieonians.
“Based on these discussions, we hope to confirm in the next week that the consortium will have preferred bidder status and will commence due diligence.
“We have thanked Mr McGowan for his proactive attempts at finding a resolution and look forward to consolidating matters over the coming weeks with a view to concluding in January 2018.”