CLARETS: Billions of pounds behind Shackleton takeover deal

The Turf Moor bidder, left, will be revealing more details of his plans for the club to Clarets fans at a special meeting tonight.

His deal has been already accepted in principle by the Burnley board.

A huge asset from Shackleton's backers - which I understand is worth billions of pounds - has been lodged with the club's bankers.

That is currently being checked and more details were provided yesterday.

But the huge financial clout of his backers indicates that there is scope for massive investment to follow the initial £12 million package.

That could amount to as much money available as has ever been invested in a British club - and more than the cash provided by Jack Walker for Blackburn Rovers.

Shackleton said: "All I have up front is the £12 million.

"But that is such small potatoes, they are quite happy for me to get on with it. I can do what I want with it.

"They are looking to get nothing out of the first £12 million.

"The investors will be following the initial money and looking to put more in as long long as the funds are properly utilised and the club show a return on the pitch itself. "But I am dealing with people who are at an unbelievable height in industry.

"Transactions of this size are never completed overnight and, although it may seem an interminable timescale to supporters, the transaction has followed a normal timescale and path of such an investment.

"All matters are at an extremely advanced stage."

Shackleton became involved in the world of high finance while raising funds for the Landau-Forte city technical college in Derby, where he was principal.

That work brought Shackleton in direct contact with high-fliers, like Lord Forte, Martin Landau, Sir Nigel Rudd and Sir Ralph Robins, who all invested in the college

He has also closely been involved with a company run by American industrialist Roger Milliken.

But it is not yet clear whether Shackleton intends to reveal the identity of his backers tonight.

He is, however, expected to come out fighting at the meeting of the Clarets Independent Supporters Association in a bid to match the public relations expertise of rival bidder Ray Ingleby, who was officially rejected last week.

Shackleton added: "I am used to dealing with people who have a lot of money.

"I have had been wined and dined at the House of Lords and invited to meet members of the Royal Family and the Government on more than one occasion. "I have represented the country in the Far East and I have been a consultant for the Department of Trade and Industry.

"In the field in which I operated, I could hardly have been more successful.

"There is a lot of faith in me and the people with whom I work."

Shackleton retired from education two years ago to concentrate his efforts on brokering big money deals, including the Burnley takeover.

He has already lined-up a team of advisers from both financial and football worlds to help tackle his Turf Moor turnaround.

And Shackleton has maintained a network of contacts in the world of football.

"I have been offered the chance to be involved at board level at both a Premiership and a First Division club.

"I told them it would be inappropriate because I would not stop watching Burnley," added the diehard Clarets fan.

But Shackleton faces tough questions about the future of the current board, should his takeover bid prove successful.

He said: "I believe the board have their own strengths and their own weaknesses.

"Sometimes they have not played to their strengths.

"Somehow or other, this club seems to expose weaknesses instead of playing to strengths.

"I would like Frank Teasdale to be on the board.

"I am certainly not intending to sack him or throw anyone off the board.

"All members of the board would be given due consideration.

"At the same time, there is no point in going in just to leave things as they are."

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