After the announcement that the administrators trying to find a new owner for the Torquay United have settled on a preferred bidder, it has now been confirmed that the consortium led by Michael Westcott and backed by Torquay United Supporters Club (TUST) has not been given preferred status.
Instead, it is believed that the preferred bidder is an as-yet unnamed party or parties - with a possible bid led by current director Mel Hayman and her father Ian Hayman also not at the top of the administrators' list.
Talking this evening, TUST chairman Nick Brodrick said: "While we are disappointed that we will not be able to deliver the exciting vision we have for the future of the club, we have always made it clear that we would welcome an alternative bid if it offers a positive outcome. If they are going to come out of the blue and save Torquay United Football Club then we are all for it."
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Torquay went into administration last Friday and Scott Kippax, Neil Vinnicombe and Simon Haskew of Begbies Traynor were given the role of choosing between bidders.
A statement about the club falling into administration six weeks after former owner Clarke Osbore signalled his intention to do just that, read: "Extensive work and discussions have been taking place behind the scenes over the past few days.
"Out of the firm bids received by TUFC, one party has now been identified as the preferred bidder.“Although the preferred bidder will remain confidential at this stage, this news is the latest, and perhaps most significant yet, towards securing the club’s long-term future.”
Fans were desperate for more news than that, with possibly three parties having put in bids to take the club forward - including a consortium led by businessman Westcott, which was backed by TUST and former Premiership and Torquay manager Neil Warnock But now it has been confirmed that the Westcott/TUST is not the favoured one, fans will be even more desperate to know who is getting the administrators' nod.
Some fans on social media have already speculated about the involvement of Hayman and chief executive officer George Edwards, who have both been working for free since the exit of Osborne. However, much of that speculation is about how the club needs a clean break rather than move forward with former directors still in place. No news is expected from the administrators now until further talks with their preferred bidders have taken place.
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