DORCHESTER Town owner Eddie Mitchell has today played down rumours he is preparing a package to take over Dorset neighbours AFC Bournemouth.

Mr Mitchell, who has also invited the Magpies' shareholders to tackle him about issues concerning the club at a meeting this month, was believed to be heading up a five-strong consortium in the bid for the Dean Court outfit.

The property developer watched his relegation-threatened Magpies crash 4-0 at the hands of Bishop's Stortford last night He said this morning: "I'm not going to deny that I would be interested in Bournemouth Football Club but at this moment in time I'm concentrating all my efforts into Dorchester Town Football Club.

"I'm spending a lot of time on Dorchester and that is where my loyalty lies because I want to make the club a success. I'm happy with what I'm doing and I have no big plans to rush off anywhere else."

Administrator Gerald Krasner confirmed that current Bournemouth chairman Jeff Mostyn and two other undisclosed parties had already registered an interest in the Cherries, who went into administration last Thursday.

Mr Krasner also stated he was looking for bids in excess of £3 million and has just eight weeks to put together a proposal for the club's creditors.

Mitchell's appeal to Magpies fans

EDDIE Mitchell is inviting shareholders to tackle him about Dorchester Town Football Club at a meeting this month.

The property developer became the club's majority shareholder last June and is encouraging fellow shareholders to see how his money is being put to use.

The club's owner scotched talk of moving to another site and revealed he is seeking legal action against the ground's next-door-neighbour - Tesco.

He also denied there was a rift with seven directors who resigned en masse. And he put the ball in the supporters' court by urging more people to turn up at matches to bring in much-needed gate money that he claimed would transform the club's fortunes on and off the pitch.

Mr Mitchell said shareholders were invited to attend the club's annual general meeting on Thursday, February 28.

He vowed he was doing all he could to make the club succeed and that included incorporating the name of a major sponsor into the stadium name - a move that has sparked criticism from some supporters.

He said: "It was an advertising coup - we got quite a bit of money for that."

He added: "I've worked as hard as I can for the club and put a lot of money in because I'm trying to do the best I can.

"If I hadn't come in, the club would have been in a worse situation than it is now."

He said he paid £78,000 for 51 per cent of the shares and had put a further £100,000 into the club. He continues to contribute £5,000 a week and says he is making it a top priority to get the club on a sound financial footing so that he can reduce his own input.

But lack of facilities at the ground was hampering that aim.

Mr Mitchell said the directors who stepped down recently had been putting large sums of money into the club every year and that some wanted to retire.

They were maintaining support, he said, and there was no rift.

He said: "If I could wave a magic wand I would want to stay on the same site because it's a brilliant location, but have we the facilities we need - like a restaurant and gym and a skittle alley - to bring in more money?

"If we want to put on a bigger event we have to hire a marquee. When this stadium was built they gave it a great body but no heart.

"That's what it needs."

He said he was preparing to take Tesco to court, alleging that the company's lorries had caused £80,000 worth of damage to surfaces and landscaping around the stadium.

He also claimed the company owed money on an advertising board.

He said: "The frustrating thing is we're next to the richest retailer in the country and on land belonging to the richest landowner - the Duchy of Cornwall - and we struggle to make ends meet."

A spokesman for Tesco said: "We are surprised by these accusations as we are unaware of any outstanding problems and, to date, Mr Mitchell has not been in contact with us to raise any issues or discuss his concerns."

Mr Mitchell said the biggest boost for the team would be an extra 200 people attending home games to take it back to a regular 600-plus fans.