The administrators tasked with finding Torquay United’s best buyer made an announcement last night that they had a preferred bidder, but they did not disclose who that bidder was.
A statement that read, “Following on from the announcement last Friday that Scott Kippax, Neil Vinnicombe, and Simon Haskew of Begbies Traynor have been appointed as joint administrators of the club, extensive work and discussions have been taking place behind the scenes over the past few days,” was posted on the club’s website on Tuesday night, leaving room for social media speculation.
“TUFC has selected a preferred bidder from among the firm proposals that it received. The club’s long-term future may now be secured, but the chosen bidder will stay unknown for the time being. This news is the most recent and possibly most important to date in that regard.
The Torquay United Supporters’ Trust, Neil Warnock, a former Premiership manager, and a consortium fronted by billionaire Michael Westcott are among the three groups that may have submitted proposals to take the club forward. Fans are eager for more information than that.
It is thought that two other proposals were considered; however, the bidders have not made their identities public. There have been rumours that one of the offers was made by the current director, Mel Hayman, and her father, Ian Hayman.
The issue is that the favoured bidder’s anonymity will ignite a firestorm of controversy following years of little to no information regarding boardroom affairs emerging under former owner Clarke Osborne and his chief executive officer George Edwards.
“We would like to place on record our thanks to all bidding parties, the Club’s staff, the National League, Sport England, Lloyds Bank, Club’s creditors and most of all our beloved supporters for their hard work, assistance, generosity and patience during the past two months,” the brief statement continued. “We will continue to provide supporters with further updates as and when possible.”
