Blackpool Supporters’ Trust’s bid to buy the Sky Bet League One club may not be dead in the water after owner Owen Oyston revealed he was “seriously considering” their proposal.
Having set a deadline of July 21 for a response to their £16million leveraged buyout, BST had initially received no reply from the Oyston family over their plan to take control of the club and leave the current owners with several assets connected to Bloomfield Road.
But Oyston has now broken that silence by confirming he is mulling over BST’s offer.
An email sent to the trust and The Blackpool Gazette read: “Mr Owen Oyston has asked me to send you a note to advise he has not snubbed your offer as stated in The Gazette and is seriously considering it with his professional advisors.
“He cannot work within the deadline imposed upon him but will reply in due course when he has had the full advice from the professionals.”
BST’s bid was born out of fans’ frustration at the Oyston family’s handling of the club in recent years, with relegations, spats with supporters and squads assembled on the cheap leading to widespread dismay.
The trust confirmed on Tuesday that their proposal would not be taken off the table and reiterated that they would explore other avenues if their first proposal was rebuffed.
“We’re happy to extend the time,” BST secretary Kevin Boroduwicz told Press Association Sport.
“We will always be interested in owning the club – either by ourselves or in contention with others.
“It is our intention to own part of the club but the Oystons need to work with us.
“We’ve got quite a few things to do – we will be looking at consortia, different approaches – this will likely not be the last of the interest we show in the club. We care too much about the club.”
The Seasiders begin their first campaign under new boss Neil McDonald in 16 days, but chairman Karl Oyston will still be banned when the season starts following his foul-mouthed text-message exchange with a supporter last year.
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