RESCUE MISSION
EXCLUSIVE Barnsley chief eager to take over a Scottish club
BARNSLEY chief Paul Conway last night unveiled plans to hold takeover talks with distressed, cash-strapped clubs in the Scottish Premiership.
Part of the wealthy international consortium which owns 80 per cent of the English Championship outfit and Swiss side FC Thun, Tykes co-chairman Conway failed in a bid to buy
Partick Thistle last year. Frustrated by SFA regulations on dual ownership, the American businessman eventually lost out to a community-ownership bid fronted by Colin Weir prior to the lottery winner’s death last December.
However, with the SFA now willing to compromise over dual ownership in a bid to attract investment to Scottish clubs stricken by the coronavirus shutdown, Conway has already made tentative approaches to two clubs in the top flight of the SPFL.
Speaking to Sportsmail from Florida last night, he said: ‘We want to take this opportunity in
the current environment to say to clubs in Scotland: “We are open for business”. We are hearing there might be more flexibility with regard to dual ownership, which might be a good thing during this difficult period for clubs. ‘We can move fast for the right opportunity in the Scottish league and we are open to creative deals. We would look to bring the same methods we employ with our other clubs, such as Barnsley and the Swiss (FC Thun), which is a young team, data-led, balancing a budget sensibly. We would look to run a club as a proper business. ‘To that end, we have told the SFA and the league to get the word out that we are open to conversations with Scottish clubs.’ Hearts have already issued an ultimatum to staff urging acceptance of 50-per-cent wage cuts.
And Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack has warned of a £5million hit for the Pittodrie side if football’s lockdown is extended indefinitely. Admitting the plight of Scottish clubs offers a potential opportunity to expand his footballing empire, Conway said: ‘We have already reached out to a couple of clubs offering assistance. We are awaiting a response on that and, for that reason, I won’t name any names. ‘But it’s a market we feel we can be helpful in.’ Conway’s lengthy pursuit of Partick Thistle ended in anti-climax after a combination of red tape and resistance from shareholders saw Weir’s Three Black Cats Ltd provide the financial muscle for community-ownership group Thistle For Ever to win control of the Firhill club. Conway said: ‘The issue then was a lack of SFA flexibility with regard to dual ownership, and then there was a side issue with the owners trying to sell real estate around the stadium that we weren’t interested in. ‘But we think we can make a Scottish club younger, more competitive and self-sustaining. If the right opportunity comes up, we would be happy to do so.’
Despite sitting bottom of the Championship when Covid-19 curtailed the league season, Conway believes the Yorkshire side are wellequipped to survive the financial meltdown afflicting football clubs across the planet. Already looking at a deal for Oostende in the Belgian league, he added: ‘We have the youngest team in the EFL on long-term contracts. We are going to be fine. Some other clubs are not going to be fine because they are losing £20million a year in the Championship and that is not sustainable. The good thing for Scotland is the TV deal is not so significant. If the league have to refund money to broadcasters, it’s not going to be as cataclysmic as it would be in England.’ Meanwhile, Hearts players will take part in a tele-summit with PFA Scotland today as they prepare a joint response to owner Ann Budge’s threat of pay cuts.