Barnsley Chronicle today reports that Barnsley are the subject of a takeover bid by ex Swindon Town owner Jed McCrory.
It is no secret that current Reds chief Patrick Cryne is now acting as the club’s custodian following ploughing millions of his own fortune in over the past decade to keep it afloat and is happy to sell to the right man.
Last year Cryne dismissed interest from Middle East, Turkish and Spanish consortiums who were unable to show proof of funding but there now seems a real chance McCrory’s Seeback 87 group could offer Cryne £5m for his shares in the club and then, according to the Chronicle, hand funds to manager Danny Wilson before the January transfer window closes in seven days time.
McCrory who made his fortune in the electronics business originally moved into football ownership with the purchase of non-league Banbury United in July 2006. At the time he talked about a five year plan to lead the Oxfordshire outfit into the Football League, but he left just six months later to take over, and effectively save Swindon Town from extinction.
McCrory then relinquished all control of the County Ground side last month when his friend and director of football Lee Power took over.
According to the Chronicle a source close to McCrory told them:
“Jed is excited about the prospect of getting involved at Barnsley Football Club and hopes a deal can be done.”
McCrory is also believed to be a big fan of Wilson as the Reds boss scored for his beloved Luton Town in their 1988 League Cup Final win over Arsenal.
However in a twist to the story this morning, Andy Giddings of BBC Radio Sheffield tweeted:
“A senior #barnsleyfc source has told @BBCSheffield that "no sale of the club is imminent" after reports claiming they are set for a takeover.”
So watch this space…..