Telegraph | Sport | Petchey at centre of Leeds deal
By Mihir Bose and John Ley (Filed: 18/03/2004)
Jack Petchey, a multi-millionaire businessman who made his money through property deals, has emerged as the financier behind the consortium seeking to buy Leeds United.
The former West Ham director, who at one time owned Watford before selling it back to Elton John, now has shares in Aston Villa and was once approached about buying the club.
Now The Telegraph can reveal that Petchey's consortium are close to a deal which would put them in control at Elland Road, possibly by tomorrow.
Until now the speculation was that Geoffrey Richmond, the former owner of Bradford City, was behind the consortium, though he had always insisted he was involved only as an advisor.
While there has been contact between former Chelsea chairman Ken Bates and the consortium, there is no financial link.
By Mihir Bose and John Ley (Filed: 18/03/2004)
Jack Petchey, a multi-millionaire businessman who made his money through property deals, has emerged as the financier behind the consortium seeking to buy Leeds United.
The former West Ham director, who at one time owned Watford before selling it back to Elton John, now has shares in Aston Villa and was once approached about buying the club.
Now The Telegraph can reveal that Petchey's consortium are close to a deal which would put them in control at Elland Road, possibly by tomorrow.
Until now the speculation was that Geoffrey Richmond, the former owner of Bradford City, was behind the consortium, though he had always insisted he was involved only as an advisor.
While there has been contact between former Chelsea chairman Ken Bates and the consortium, there is no financial link.