Pic: Pete Burns
SOUTHPORT'S new owners James Treadwell and Adrian Shandley say they have injected a six-figure sum ‘directly into the club' as they look to bounce back from relegation.
The Sandgrounders dropped out of Non-League's top tier after finishing 12 points adrift of safety following a poor campaign.
Unrest off the pitch has followed with chairman Charlie Clapham and vice-chairman Sam Shrouder standing down while boss Andy Preece was told to re-apply for the manager's job once a new board was formed.
Port's new owners now want to look to the future and Treadwell, who runs a Southport-based accountancy firm, and financial advisor Shandley say they will also welcome further investment.
Some Southport fans have been left angered after multi-millionaire local businessman Phil Hodgkinson went public, claiming his recent takeover offer was completely ignored.
A joint statement from the new owners said: “Our ideal is to see a football club which has the fans best interests at heart, and a sustainable football club which isn't over reliant on one individual or sponsor.
“We welcome interest from other potential investors who have the interests of the club at heart and any approaches will, of course, be considered on their merits.
“We are fully aware of the fact that we are taking over at the club after what has been a difficult period, and a disappointing season to say the least. The last month has been exceptionally difficult for the club but now is the time to draw a line under that and look to the future.
“We are injecting a six-figure sum into the club from our own funds, and due to the support and cooperation of the outgoing directors this money will be going directly into the club.
“Purchasing a shareholding in a football club is not generally a good financial decision, in fact it can be quite the opposite. We are investing in Southport FC more on a philanthropic basis primarily as long-term supporters of the team.
“Our investment in the club will hopefully take the club forward up the football Pyramid and project a positive image of both Southport FC and our proud continually developing seaside resort.
“Our immediate priority must be to appoint the best candidate as manager and we will move quickly to do this once sufficient time has been allowed for applications to arrive.”
