Daily Post

WST 'optimistic' over new bidder's plans for Dragons

Mark Currie
By Mark Currie, Daily Post

06/12/04

Wrexham Supporters' TrustWREXHAM Supporters' Trust has given a cautious welcome to the news that Alex Hamilton is prepared to sell all his interests in the troubled League One club.

Following meetings with the Cheshire-based property developer on Thursday, prospective buyer Andrew Smith and two colleagues visited the Racecourse and also contacted Trust representatives.

But although Hamilton is optimistic that a deal can be done, the detailed negotiations will have to be thrashed out with Steve Williams, the court-appointed administrator who is now running the day-to-day business at the Racecourse.

WST board member Rob Griffiths said no meeting had yet been arranged with Smith, a principal in a property-related consultancy based in Addlestone, Surrey.

"We've spoken to Mr Smith on the phone on a couple of occasions and, although he is playing his cards close to his chest, what he has said in general terms is promising," added Griffiths.

"He says he has the interests of the club at heart and wants to bring it back to the fans but he has not elaborated further.

"Over the next few days we'll know if there's any real mileage in this interest and we'll be looking to arrange a meeting with Mr Smith in order to hear about his ideas for the club.

"If we don't feel he's the right person to take over the club we'll say so, but if we believe he is he will receive all the support and backing we can give him.

"The shorter the period of administration the better it will be for the club."

Last night Hamilton said he had received a second "serious" inquiry from people with a footballing background but described Smith as the front-runner.

However, Hamilton laughed off a suggestion that his ongoing legal battle with former business partner and ex-Racecourse chairman Mark Guterman would prove an obstacle to the sale of his interests.

The two men are locked in a financial battle but Hamilton claimed that any proceeds from the sale of the club and the Racecourse ground would be held on account until their dispute was resolved.

Dave Bennett, one of the two Racecourse directors who put the club into administration, confirmed the Surrey-based interest had been indirectly helped by Wrexham captain Darren Ferguson but added the midfield player did not personally know Smith or his associates.

Ferguson's twin brother Mark, a highly-rated financial analyst who works in the City of London, is understood to have been the intermediary who first highlighted the extent of Wrexham's problems to business colleagues.