BLACKPOOL ARE SET TO ROCK AGAIN...
THE Blackpool Supporters Trust believe a bright new era for the club is just around the corner – and are hoping new owners can revitalise the famous old club.
In midweek, the Seasiders were put into receivership by the High Court, which forces unpopular owner Owen Oyston to pay ex-director Valeri Belokon £25m he is owed.
Oyston, 85, was ordered to buy Belokon out for £31.27m in November 2017 after a long-running dispute, but still owes the Latvian businessman the bulk of the money.
With receivers set to take the reins at Bloomfield Road, it effectively means Oyston, who took charge in 1988, has lost control of the club and would-be new owners can make offers to buy it.
Supporters have long despised Oyston, with many boycotting home games to hit him in the pocket. But now there is optimism that there will finally be a change of leadership.
Blackpool Supporters Trust secretary Steve Rowland said: “The initial feeling is this must be the beginning of the end for Oyston, though we understand he’s going to try to appeal the court decision.
“The receivers aren’t in yet and we are advising fans to keep firm with the boycott for now. Once the receiver is in and the board have been replaced, then we will be advising fans to go back on a match-tomatch basis. Everyone is dying to get back.”
As for new owners, Rowland said: “Our position hasn’t changed. We would like Valeri Belokon to be involved in some way or other. He would like to be involved but not as the principal shareholder. Ideally, someone based in the UK and who has Blackpool in their blood would take the lead.
Sensible
“There are a couple of people who would be willing to do that if we can get it over the line. Like all fans, we want people who love the club, who will invest sensibly in it and have due regard for the fans and the community.”
One negative that Blackpool could face a 12-point deduction from the EFL for becoming subject to an insolvency event. The BST are hoping for leniency, but Rowland added: “If it was the price we had to pay, most fans would swallow hard but be happy the situation was at an end.”
The trust are due to hold a meeting, which will be open to all fans and include the presence of one of the receivers, next Saturday (Village Hotel, 11am).