RAY Ingleby is to consult his lawyers about "outrageous public statements" made by Clarets director Bernard Rothwell.

And the New York tycoon's right hand man, David Parry, has challenged Rothwell to a public debate on takeover issues.

Ingleby was furious at remarks made at a recent fans' forum.

Rothwell told Clarets fans that Ingleby's first offer for Burnley Football Club was just £1 million.

And the director claimed that all board members had been offered "large sums of money to break ranks".

Parry described Rothwell's stance as "plummeting fresh depths" in the drawn-out takeover wrangle.

He said: "It was outrageous. I would have liked to have thought that this has been a clean fight.

"We will be sending a copy of the tape to our lawyers.

"We have done everything above board. I can sleep at nights.

"Although we have been beavering away during the summer, we have done it silently."

Parry also reacted to claims that Peter Shackleton's camp had offered four times the Ingleby bid.

He added: "Where is Shackleton's money? He was offering to pay £150 for each of the unissued shares.

"Our latest bid was valued on the same basis. "Our first bid was based at around £120 a share and we came back with an offer of £140 for unissued shares.

"We feel that Bernard Rothwell has spoken out of turn.

"It is interesting that a board member is so desperate that he has to make false accusations. It is a sad state.

"They are trying to show Ray Ingleby and the people behind him in a bad light.

"I am happy to sit in a head to head with him and challenge him to tell the truth."

Parry denied that approaches had been made to buy all board members' individual shares.

He said: "Rothwell said that each individual director has been offered vast sums of money to break ranks.

"We have never approached any of them with a view to offering any more than than the £140 on general offer. "It is true to say life presidencies were offered, in view of their past efforts. That would be standard practice."

Burnley Supporters' Club travel details: Bury, August 4, leave Colne 5.45pm, Nelson 6pm, Burnley 6.15pm, Rawtenstall 6.30. Cost £4.

Chesterfield, August 15: leave Colne 10.45am, Nelson 11am, Burnley 11.15am, Rawtenstall 11.30am. Members £7.50, non-members £8.50, concessions £6.50.

Bookings to Viscount Central on 01282 439371 or Shaun Borman on 0797 0726893.

The supporters' club is also running a trip to combine Burnley's game at Colchester on Friday, October 9 with England's international against Bulgaria at Wembley the following day.

Cost for transport, accommodation and Wembley tickets is £80. Details from Shaun Borman on 0797 0726893.

Membership subs of £3 are due. Contact Shaun Borman or Dave Spencer on 01282 435176.

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