News: Richmond Cites Slurs As Leeds Deal Nears - SoccerAge
Former Bradford City chairman Geoffrey Richmond revealed on Wednesday that the consortium negotiating to take over Leeds United are "just 48 hours away" from completing the deal.
Richmond also expressed his concern about "a slur campaign" that he believes could undermine the Yorkshire-based consortium's bid for the troubled club.
In recent weeks, Richmond has been acting as an unpaid advisor to the group, who are set to finalise the deal reportedly worth around £22 million.
He fears the resurfacing of stories relating to his appearance in the High Court last May on tax-evasion charges may prove detrimental to the bid.
There have been suggestions that Richmond still owes the Inland Revenue £2.3 million following the sale of his Ronsons lighters business 10 years ago.
Speaking "just 48 hours ahead of a completion meeting", Richmond said: "All I want to do is help the consortium succeed in their takeover of Leeds United because the alternative is not very appetising.
"It seems to be if the consortium fails in its bid, then the only realistic alternative will be for the club to go into administration and then possibly liquidation.
"It would result in the loss of hundreds of jobs and would leave the very future of Leeds United as a football club very much at stake.
"But it's my belief there has been a slur campaign, which the consortium, at the time, did think was strange.
"But the negative coverage the consortium has attracted in certain sections of the media has been consistent with that.
"I'm an unpaid advisor to the consortium, not a leading member, nor an investor and I have already said I will not be a director of the club going forward.
"I have been doing what I can to help and I believe I have been of assistance."
Consortium representative Gerald Krasner confirmed Richmond's involvement, saying: "He has been very helpful to us by giving us some football advice and he has saved us some money."
Krasner also confirmed that the meeting would involve lawyers, and could eventually entail the signing of more than 100 documents if the deal gets the go-ahead.
He added: "We are getting nearer and we are aiming to do it as quickly as possible. We seem to be kicking out the remaining points very quickly."
Graham Lister
Former Bradford City chairman Geoffrey Richmond revealed on Wednesday that the consortium negotiating to take over Leeds United are "just 48 hours away" from completing the deal.
Richmond also expressed his concern about "a slur campaign" that he believes could undermine the Yorkshire-based consortium's bid for the troubled club.
In recent weeks, Richmond has been acting as an unpaid advisor to the group, who are set to finalise the deal reportedly worth around £22 million.
He fears the resurfacing of stories relating to his appearance in the High Court last May on tax-evasion charges may prove detrimental to the bid.
There have been suggestions that Richmond still owes the Inland Revenue £2.3 million following the sale of his Ronsons lighters business 10 years ago.
Speaking "just 48 hours ahead of a completion meeting", Richmond said: "All I want to do is help the consortium succeed in their takeover of Leeds United because the alternative is not very appetising.
"It seems to be if the consortium fails in its bid, then the only realistic alternative will be for the club to go into administration and then possibly liquidation.
"It would result in the loss of hundreds of jobs and would leave the very future of Leeds United as a football club very much at stake.
"But it's my belief there has been a slur campaign, which the consortium, at the time, did think was strange.
"But the negative coverage the consortium has attracted in certain sections of the media has been consistent with that.
"I'm an unpaid advisor to the consortium, not a leading member, nor an investor and I have already said I will not be a director of the club going forward.
"I have been doing what I can to help and I believe I have been of assistance."
Consortium representative Gerald Krasner confirmed Richmond's involvement, saying: "He has been very helpful to us by giving us some football advice and he has saved us some money."
Krasner also confirmed that the meeting would involve lawyers, and could eventually entail the signing of more than 100 documents if the deal gets the go-ahead.
He added: "We are getting nearer and we are aiming to do it as quickly as possible. We seem to be kicking out the remaining points very quickly."
Graham Lister