...This might be a little more useful than said link and headline:
THE council has confirmed it is ready to act if the proposed takeover of Plymouth Argyle collapses.
Lead administrator Brendan Guilfoyle last night insisted acting Pilgrims chairman Peter Ridsdale’s purchase of the club remained on track.
But supporters groups have joined forces with Devon businessman James Brent to form a Rescue Plan in case the £5million-plus deal fails.
They held a second meeting in the city yesterday to discuss the package, which would need the city to buy back the freehold to Argyle’s Home Park stadium.
Plymouth City Council said in a statement that it wished the current deal “every success”.
But it added: “In the unfortunate event that the preferred bid falls away, we are willing to work with others that have plans to support the rescue of the club and explore any options that are developed. We would not rule anything in or out at this stage.”
The statement added: "Plymouth City Council believes that the future of the club needs to be resolved through the administration process, which has identified a preferred bidder.
"We have always stated that we wish that proposal every success and hope that it will bring about a solution that guarantees the long-term survival of the football club and the continuation of professional football within the city.
"We are very clear that we do not wish to undermine the administration and preferred bidder process."
Mr Guilfoyle has already entered a legally-binding sale and purchase agreement with Mr Ridsdale and secretive offshore developers Bishop International Limited.
It will see the Gibraltar-based firm – whose owners are concealed behind nominees – buy Argyle’s ground and other land assets, then sell the club itself to Mr Ridsdale for £1.
But the cash for the deal is not yet in an escrow account, and will not be handed over until the Football League has given the green light.
The governing body – which has the power to block any takeover – must be sure that Truro City Football Club owner Kevin Heaney, the only confirmed member of the Bishop International consortium, will have no influence over Argyle’s finances.
He has been unavailable for comment but met Mr Guilfoyle in Truro on Thursday as the Football League continue to push for full disclosure of the deal’s mystery financiers.
Mr Guilfoyle admitted he still had "no visibility" of those behind the deal, other than its nominees.
“We’re talking regularly and moving things forward all the time,” he said.
But he added: “I have been losing sleep. There is no deal without Football League approval.”
The agreement, understood to expire on August 5, prohibits Mr Guilfoyle from speaking to other bidders.
But he has now provided Rescue Plan members with financial information in case help is needed.
“I’ve always taken [Mr Brent’s] involvement very seriously,” Mr Guilfoyle added. “But hopefully we’ll pursue the better offer to a successful completion.”
Mr Brent tabled a bid for the Greens through his Akkeron Group in March - but always insisted he would not stand in the way of another, credible offer.
He described yesterday’s meeting as “constructive”, but said: “Ultimately, the best solution for the club in my view is Plan A – if it is funded and has the support of the Football League.”
Asked how long a Rescue Plan could take to complete, Mr Brent added: “My non-football experience of administrations is that from the date of all parties reaching agreement on the purchase to closing a transaction has been between two and three weeks.”
Argyle Fans’ Trust chair Chris Webb emphasised the talks were not aimed at rivalling the current bid.
“We are simply seeking to make sure that every possible base is being covered should the preferred bidders not complete,” he said.
“It was a very positive meeting. The determination from all parties remains in place and their commitment has been reaffirmed.”
