Noplaceinfalkirk for the outgoing US President!
Falkirk chairman, Gary Deans, has joked that he would send Donald Trump packing if the outgoing US President launched a £10-million takeover bid for the Bairns.
The League One leaders are preparing to rubber-stamp a six-figure investment from the United States, with Phil and Carrie Rawlins purchasing a 26% shareholding in the club.
Deans is keen to emphasise that the Bairns board did their homework on the duo – who own football consulting company, Sleeping Giant Consulting – and have been in talks since early last year.
They have convinced Deans that they have the best interests of the Bairns at heart, to go with the welcome cash boost.
And while Falkirk are open to further investment, Deans has no intention of just handing over the club to the highest bidder.
He said: “Over the last few months, the individual who has been mentioned most in the context of ‘If he turned up with £10m and wanted to invest’, was Donald Trump.
“Would we want Donald Trump as our majority owner? No. Not even for £10m.
“It’s a jokey aside, but useful in summing up our determination to have the right people involved.
“We have the obligation to do due diligence on behalf of all Falkirk fans and shareholders. We need to make sure the right people are investing for the right reasons, and not let the club fall into the wrong hands.
“There have been lots of examples of that in Scottish, English and international football. That can’t be us.”
Deans, meanwhile, has confirmed that the fresh investment from the Rawlins will land in Falkirk’s bank account this month, and they will take their place on the club’s board of directors.
He continued: “All the details have been worked out. We speak to Phil and Carrie weekly, if not more often than that.
“All the board have that regular contact with them, not just myself.
“They have been very clear from day one when I first spoke to them in March that they don’t want to control the club.
“They want to take an investment in the club which, at this stage, is 26%, and they are buying that at 40p per share.
“They have asked for the option to be able to increase that shareholding because they realise that Falkirk will need more money as we build and move forward.
“They’ll have the right to buy another 19% to take them up to 45%.”