Richard Williams fronts bid to take control of Southampton Football Club (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Richard Williams fronts bid to take control of Southampton Football Club

9:23am Saturday 4th July 2009 in

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A Bradford businessman is fronting a dramatic last- minute bid to take control of Southampton Football Club, the Telegraph & Argus can reveal.

Richard Williams is the representative of a consortium of British businessmen who have tabled an offer to buy the club.

The 44-year-old also revealed he would be appointed non-executive chairman of the club if the deal – believed to be for about £12.5 million – is completed successfully.

“I am heading a consortium of businessmen who want to purchase Southampton Football Club and at this stage that is exactly where it is at,” he said.

“We are ready to complete as soon as possible, it is now down to Begbies Traynor. We can’t do anything else now, it is just down to them.”

Asked how much the deal was worth, he only said: “A price has been mentioned.”

Mr Williams confirmed his all-British consortium had joined the race late, but would not say when they signalled their interest with administrator Mark Fry. He is the sole director of the West Yorkshire-based company Gillico Limited, which will be used to facilitate the deal. The company was registered just 15 weeks ago on April 1.

According to reports, no due diligence has been completed and the administrator has not seen proof of funds. However, when asked how his consortium could complete due diligence quickly, Mr Williams said: “There is enough information around for us to make those decisions.”

Speaking from his semi-detached home in Queensbury, he said his consortium was not linked to any other bids for the club.

Rupert Lowe was chairman of Southampton FC until April when the club’s owners went into administration.

e-mail: will.kilner@telegraphandargus.co.uk