9 Apr 2010Stockport County takeover blocked by league

Football Clubs News | Football Finance News

The Football League has rejected former Manchester City player Jim Melrose's latest attempt to buy troubled League One club Stockport County.

At a meeting in Preston, the league's board elected to block Melrose and his consortium's move for the side, citing worries about his "business plan and ownership structure".

In a statement, the organisation urged other parties to declare their interest "as a matter of urgency", saying: "The League will now continue to work with the administrator to help secure the club's long-term future."

Melrose first struck a deal with Stockport County in June last year but was rebuffed by the Football League in December. The team have been in administration for around a year, with then-manager Jim Gannon sacked in an effort to save costs.

The club share their Edgeley Park home with rugby union side Sale Sharks. The ground's ownership was transferred into the hands of Sale owner Brian Kennedy's holding company in 2003.

Written by Terry Mitchell

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