GEORGE Rolls and the Weymouth FC board have rejected a second takeover offer from Ian Ferguson’s consortium.

The club’s main sponsor met with Rolls last week but has once again been unable to agree terms that would tempt the ex-chairman to convince his wife Amanda to part with her majority shareholding.

Rolls, who is still at the forefront of the day-to-day running of the club despite having no official position, broke the news to Echosport yesterday afternoon.

He said: “Unfortunately, I was unable to get hold of Ian Ferguson but I have left a message on his telephone thanking him kindly for the offer for the majority shareholding of Weymouth FC but at this present time my family does not feel it is the right offer.

“However, we hope Ian Ferguson continues his long support for the football club with sponsorship for forthcoming seasons and I am sure someone will be in touch with him soon in regards to that matter.”

In response, Ferguson added: “I am disappointed that George Rolls has been unable to accept our offer at this time. I believe the offer to be in the best interests of Weymouth FC and at the same time returning to him any financial outlay he has made.

“I feel that any deal has to be structured and have a bias towards leaving and giving as much resources to the ongoing future of the football club rather than giving a soft landing for the outgoing ‘chairman’.

“We sincerely hope that Weymouth FC has a future.”

Ferguson had an initial bid of £25,000 turned down at the beginning of March but a confidentiality agreement bet-ween both parties made at last week’s meeting has prohibited any details of this latest offer from being released to the public.

A statement from Wey-mouth’s board of directors at the time suggested Ferguson’s first bid would “not secure even the club’s short-term future”.

The Weyline Taxis owner then claimed that Rolls had described the sum as “insulting”.

Meanwhile, it appears the Terras’ hierarchy could be ready to appoint a new chairman.

Since Rolls’ exit, Lithuanian businessman Pranas Preidzius has taken on the role on a temporary basis.

Rolls said: “We are hopeful of naming a successor shortly. It’s just a matter of that person agreeing to become chairman.”

On the pitch, it is still unclear whether the playing staff will strike ahead of this Saturday’s crunch clash against Chesham United at the Bob Lucas Stadium.

Several players threatened the action after last weekend’s 4-2 defeat against Hednesford Town, claiming they were still owed outstanding wages.

Rolls has since said his family “will not be loaning the club any more money to pay its way”, which has added to the uncertainty, and it appears the situation has yet to be resolved.

Assistant-manager Brendon King said: “Whatever happens Martyn Rogers and I will get a side out on Saturday whether they get paid or not.”

* Duncan Stewart has submitted a tribute to fellow ex-director Keith Puttock, who sadly passed away on Saturday.

It reads: “Sadly a very dear and lovely man passed away at the weekend after a very courageous battle with cancer. He was always the life and soul of the party and brought a lot of joy to many people.

“He helped and guided a lot of young people and had good and kind words for everyone. God bless you Keith, you will be missed.”