Shaun's out (From Dorset Echo)

Shaun's out

9:59am Wednesday 11th November 2009 in Sport By Derek Bish

WEYMOUTH Football Club’s future could be settled today after the first firm offer to buy the Terras out of administration was made.

Chris Ryan’s consortium, which is being advised by property developer Steve Beasant, no longer includes current Weymouth director Shaun Hennessy but has formally approached proposed administrators Benedict Mackenzie LLP about taking over.

Two other parties have expressed a “serious interest”, one that is Dorset-based and another from ex-Cambridge United chairman George Rolls – who told Echosport that it could be too late to make his own offer, but has had discussions with Beasant about becoming part of the Ryan consortium.

“Obviously I’ve been involved in running a big non-League club for two years,” said Rolls, who backed the Ryan consortium’s bid. “Steve Beasant asked me to go and see him on Monday and I was down there for most of the day but didn’t get to look through all the books.

“I’m sure they will get the club today, I’d be surprised if they didn’t.”

That bid from town financier Ryan, which is being advised by property developer Beasant, will no longer include the man with the biggest connection to the Terras after Hennessy decided to step aside.

“I’m too busy to put in the work required,” said the current board member. “With the time it’s taken up in the last two weeks I have to put time and work into running my business.”

Speaking about Rolls, Hennessy added: “He is a proven successful football chairman and he did absolute wonders at Cambridge United, getting them to the play-offs twice and to a point where they were almost breaking even – that doesn’t happen very often in football.”

Rolls contributed to the Terras Saviour 100 scheme, but his late involvement in talks on the club’s future means that he may be out of time to make his own bid, or even form part of Ryan’s consortium before an offer is accepted.

However, advisor Beasant said he would be keen to make someone like Rolls a part of Weymouth Football Club.

“He comes with football knowledge, which is an area we want to expand on,” said Beasant.

If a deal were to be struck today then an agreement would have to be made between the buyer and the proposed administrator.

The club would then be placed into administration and bought out of it almost immediately to avoid the administrator incurring any losses.

And Benedict Mackenzie LLP’s spokesman hopes any deal can be concluded quickly.

“I’m hoping things really pick up speed between today and Saturday,” he said. “I hope it is done and dusted by the end of the week.”

* Weymouth boss Ian Hutchinson felt there were “plenty of positives” to take from last night’s 4-0 friendly win at Bridport.

The Terras claimed victory at St Mary’s Field thanks to goals from Matt Groves, Josh Llewellyn, Chris Allen and Jake Reid.

And former Bees’ manager Hutchinson was pleased with what he saw. He said: “Bridport gave us a good game and were well up for it. I was a bit disappointed with our first-half display but conditions weren’t the best.

“However, the extra quality showed in the second half and there were plenty of positives. We kept a clean sheet and it was good to get a few goals.”

* Weymouth have signed 19-year-old Jamie McGuinness from Rushden and Diamonds.

The right-sided defender and midfielder joins the Wessex Stadium outfit on a month’s loan.

Manager Hutchinson said: “I’m obviously delighted to have Jamie on board. He will be a great acquisition to boost our rather threadbare squad.

“He comes with a very good reputation and has League and Conference experience.”