Takeovers Galore

The number of football clubs struggling financially seems to grow by the day. Macclesfield boss John Askey admitted at the weekend that their FA Cup win at Walsall, and the subsequent prize money, would pay off an outstanding VAT bill - "The FA Cup has saved the club numerous times," Askey told the BBC.

Over at Torquay, the on/off takeover by Gaming International may be back on. Dragging on since March, when the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding, the latest development is that the local Council now seem prepared to discuss the freehold sale of the club's Plainmoor ground leading to Gaming International reaching agreement with the club to exchange their loan for existing shares in the club if a sale to another owner isn't completed.

Other parties are reportedly interest in the club with the Board telling a Fans Forum that there are two firm offers on the table, neither of which involves the redevelopment of Plainmoor. The club's Supporters Trust have been, again, ruled out of making a bid with most supporters acknowledging it simply doesn't have the financial clout to recover the situation.

Meanwhile, a step lower in National South, Gosport Borough have confirmed takeover talks with a local consortium after staving off their second winding up petition of the season. The consortium is led by Danny Thompson, a former player turned businessman, with the club having spent most of 2016 in financial turmoil.