'No Reds deal before the spring'

16 December 2004

Paul Buttivant planned to talk with Alex Hamilton this week

ONE of the businessmen interested in buying Wrexham FC says no talks will be held with club owner Alex Hamilton until the New Year.

And Middlesex business consultant Paul Buttivant says it is unlikely that a final deal will be signed before early spring.

Mr Buttivant, who runs business consultancy firm Du'Barry Holdings, said: "Other parties may be interested but we have taken a step back for the moment. I am dictated to by my backers, the financiers, who want to keep a low profile and do the deal the way they want to do it.

"I was ready to talk to Hamilton on Tuesday this week, but there was concern about our interest being made public and the decision was made to hold talks later. It might be after Christmas, but it is more likely to be in the New Year.

Determined

"But this does not mean we have lost interest - quite the opposite in fact. I am determined to clinch this deal, but my backers are not willing to get involved in any auction.

"There may be other parties who are willing to do a deal sooner and if so good luck to them, but I have a price in mind and will talk to Hamilton in due course about a deal. Other parties may even agree a deal in principle but that isn't written in blood. We are seriously interested and we will deal the way we feel is right. What other parties do is up to them.

"The talks won't be straightforward and the deal could be complicated by various issues. There is a question of due diligence. There are question marks over the ownership of some of the assets, for example. We need to have a good look at that before we agree to anything.

"Any deal will take months I would say. Perhaps late February or early March - maybe even in April."

Mr Buttivant has been open about may aspects of his bid, including that he will set up a private trust to allow the community to play a role In the long-term future of the club.

And he says he will relocate his family to the area so he can take a hands-on role in the day-to-day running of the club.

"We are not property developers who want to make a quick profit and run back to the south of England," Mr Buttivant insists.

Mr Buttivant's consortium is one of at least three interested in buying the club.

Surrey businessman Andy Smith says he has a group wishing to buy the club.

And the Wrexham Supporters' Trust say they have been talking to another group who are keen to buy.