An All Cash Business

For nearly two years Carlisle United have been in discussions with a Billionaire investor.

Under the secrecy of non-disclosure agreements details of the individual were scant. Huge claims were made, offers considered and rejected. The 'billionaire'? A Syrian former pizza shop owner living in Canada.

Yahya Kirdi had previously tried to buy Liverpool in 2010, claiming to represent a group of Middle East investors. Fans dubbed it "the joke bid" with plans to rebuild the Anfield stadium with a solarium(!) whilst he also claimed to have placed a £162million order for passenger aircraft that the manufacturer named confirmed did not exist.

Claims Kirdi was a former international footballer were dismissed, and his spokesman expressed surprise when official documents were sent to him detailing Kirdi as the former owner of a small - failed - pizza takeaway in Canada.

The bid for Liverpool was withdrawn a few months after it became public. Five years later Kirdi started negotiations with Carlisle. He also appears to have tried to buy other clubs around Europe without success.

Carlisle have now turned to the owner of Edinburgh Woolen Mill for temporary funding after declaring Kirdi's plans as unrealistic on both squad budgeting and the development of Brunton Park.

Meanwhile over at National South side Chelmsford City, a long standing takeover has suddenly collapsed. Jade Global Group (JGG) were announced more than 12 months ago as ready to take over the club, passing a club shareholder vote last July.

JGG owner Kevin Allen resigned at the end of January, being replaced by a Michael Mescal, aged 62 according to documents filed at Companies House.

A Michael Mescal was convicted in an Italian court in July 2000 for drug smuggling, aged 46. Whether it is the same person is open to debate, but the press reports at the time hint the pair to be of a similar age. A separate entry on Companies House for a Michael Mescal, also born in May 1954, set up a construction company in January.

For Chelmsford themselves, their Chairman and Legal Counsel have resigned from their Board positions and the club now faces an EGM in the next few weeks to agree a way forward with 'short term financial pressure' on the club.