Tideswell: no need to panic about Keith Ryder delay
Keith Ryder delay: influential Port Vale columnist and a member of the Port Vale Supporters Club’s committee, Martin Tideswell says that while the recent delay in waiting for the Keith Ryder takeover to be completed is “frustrating” there is no need for fans to “see demons” or panic.
In recent days, there has been speculation that the deal has stalled or worse as there has been no comment from Port Vale FC, administrators Begsbie-Traynor, the Football League or Ryder himself.
The road to Ryder
9 March: Vale enter administration
4 April: Keith Ryder is named as the club’s preferred bidder
27 April: The club’s creditors approve Ryder’s bid
30 May: Football League ask for more documents before the deal can be formalised
22 June: The deal is expected to be officially confirmed
However, in a message posted to Facebook, Tideswell comments: “Just in case anyone’s panicking or seeing demons where there are none… The Supporters Club (SC) knows nothing. We are awaiting confirmation of Keith Ryder’s takeover – just like everyone else. Until this is completed there is very little we can say. We can’t properly announce the Sproson Day or anything else for that matter. Our hands are tied.
“The date I was personally given weeks ago was June 22. It was the date that it was ‘hoped’ the deal would be going through. That really is as much as we know. This matter is in the hands of solicitors acting on behalf of the administrators/Keith Ryder and the Football League. Yes it is frustrating. But it is nothing we didn’t expect. We’ve waited this long. A few more days won’t kill us.
“As always the SC will be straight with the fans as and when we have owt to say…”