Focus on the battle for control of Burnley FC

TYCOON Ray Ingleby intends to run Burnley Football Club from his base in New York.

Mr Ingleby is one of three parties interested in buying Burnley Football Club.

The multi-millionaire had previously told the Burnley board of his long-term desire to return to his Lancashire home.

But in a statement sent to Clarets chairman Frank Teasdale on Monday afternoon, but not released until yesterday afternoon, Mr Ingleby stressed his immediate future is in New York.

He stressed: "At no time have I ever expressed an intention to return full time to the UK. I am chairman of a company quoted on the US stock market and my plans for the foreseeable future are to continue in that position.

"Should talks with Burnley Football Club come to fruition, this would not result in my return to England."

Both Teasdale and Ingleby were keen to stress that no approaches had been made to personnel at other clubs.

Earlier this month the Lancashire Evening Telegraph revealed that Ingleby had identified Bury boss Stan Ternent as the man to lead his Turf Moor revolution - should Chris Waddle's troubled start to his managerial career continue.

Mr Teasdale also issued a statement promising an extraordinary general meeting to discuss the board's handling of shares in the club would be called as soon as possible.

Frank Teasdale's statement:

FOLLOWING recent rumours circulating regarding Burnley Football Club, I find it necessary to remove any doubts created by the so-called "exclusive stories" recently published by the media and broadcast via various radio stations.

In the light of these, Mr Ingleby - commonly referred to as 'The American Tycoon', has also issued a statement, which is self explanatory. Can I wipe the rumour slate clean:

1. I have not sold my shares and I am still Chairman and a Director of Burnley Football Club.

2. Discussions are taking place with various individuals with regard to investment in the club. These must be of a confidential nature and details of these meetings etc, cannot be dealt with via the Press.

3. We have not had discussions with anyone ne regarding the replacement of our manager Chris Waddle and speculation on this point can only damage our relationship with the manager and indeed with any supposed club that the media have decided are involved.

4. EGM - as promised at the AGM in December we intend to call an EGM as soon as possible to discuss the release of unissued shares, and the questions this may pose with existing shareholders.

5. Contrary to publicised sightings, Mr Ingleby did not attend our game with Watford, nor is he in this country at the present time.

I feel that the media coverage we have received over the past week or so was based on rumour, speculation and in my opinion mischievous journalism. These articles it is said, are based surprise, surprise on sources close to the club.

From the accuracy of the information to date I would respectfully suggest that their contact is less than reliable.

The cry of course will be that the shareholders, fans etc, have a right to know - a right to know what?

I cannot and will not comment on stories I know nothing about and I will not discuss confidential matters raised between the club and other interested parties until the true facts can be released. In the meantime as always, the Board will continue to act in the best interests of Burnley Football Club.

Raymon Ingleby's statement:

IN the interests of Burnley Football Club, I feel I should at this time comment upon continued media conjecture in connection with the discussions taking place between myself and the Chairman of the club.

Whilst it is true that I have expressed a genuine interest in acquiring a stake in the club with a view to injecting the necessary capital to assist in returning the team to its rightful place. Certain press stories are wholly inaccurate. I have met with the Board and am continuing to speak both personally and through my UK representative Mr David Parry to the Chairman.

However, no time schedule has been placed on discussions nor has any approach either in writing or verbally been made to anyone connected with any other football club.

I would like to underline the fact that no manager of a football club in the English leagues or any other league has been approached in any way. I would particularly like to add that at no time have I ever expressed an intention to return full time to the UK. I am Chairman of a company quoted on the US stock market and my plans for the foreseeable future are to continue in that position. Should talks with Burnley Football Club come to fruition, this would not result in my return to England.

For the benefit of all at Burnley Football Club, including the management team, the board, the players and the supporters, I trust that no further speculation will be printed and that if negotiations result in my becoming involved that future statements in the press will come from within the club.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.