JIM Gannon looks to have given up on being re-installed as Stockport County’s manager after betting was suspended on him becoming the new Hibernian boss.
Bookmaker Victor Chandler closed the book on Monday after punters staked more than £1,000 in little over an hour on Gannon taking over at the Edinburgh-based club.
It had been thought that Gannon and his back-room team - including assistant Peter Ward and fitness coach Ben Cooper - had been in contact with at least two of the consortiums vying for control of the club about the prospect of returning to the Edgeley Park hot seat.
But that would now appear in doubt, as discussions about the future of the club drag on.
Dave Jenkins, a spokesman for bookmakers Victor Chandler, said: "We had a lot of money placed on Jim on Monday and we were forced to close the book.
"We had about 20 different clients placing bets of more than £50 backing him to get the job, which is a significant sum to get in just an hour.
"He started at 14/1, and punters were still backing him at 8/1, then 6/1, all the way to odds-on, and when it gets to that point we have got to take it down.
"It was starting to look like someone knew something we didn’t.
"It would make sense, considering Jim’s Irish connection, but it will depend on whether he is prepared to move up to Edinburgh."
He added: "We have to be quite careful when we place odds on Jim Gannon when he is linked with a new club.
"He's a young and up-and-coming manager, he’s currently out of work and we know that a number of different clubs have got feelers out for him.
"We have opened betting back up again now, and it has been quiet so far, but I suppose we'll just have to wait and see."
Meanwhile, the sale of Stockport County was described as ‘imminent’ yesterday (Tuesday) by the club’s administrators Leonard Curtis.
It is thought that three consortiums are now in the running to buy the club after a bid backed by the Stockport County Supporters’ Trust was withdrawn last week.
Tweet
Showing comments 1 to 4 and replies | View All
Phil Stokes (03/06/2009 at 21:12)
Dave Braithwaite (05/06/2009 at 10:13)
How difficult is it to make a decision on three bids for the club, the bottom line is always HOW MUCH.
Or is there a more sinister conspiracy to see Stockport County die?
If we are to beleive the talk that County were £300k in the red and thats all it was, why all this delay.
When the trust first took over they needed a "rainy day fund" of £350k, they asked for help and they got the money from the fans and sponsors, so where was the rallying cry this time? Nowhere!
Pixels sales, where did that go to?
The longer this saga goes on the lest interest there will be from the fans, season ticket sales will evaporate but Leonard Curtis will still get their cut, oh yes.
So whoever is actually in charge of this situation PULL YOUR FINGERS OUT and QUICKLY.
Stockport County's fate is of no concern to them and it shows by their continual "decision to made in hours" statements issued every week for the last few weeks, are they waiting until Jim Gannon is appointed elsewhere before they finally put this to bed.
Dave Braithwaite - Glossop
Phil Stokes (06/06/2009 at 09:24)
Christopher Arnfield (06/06/2009 at 11:47)
Burnley could have been County had Brendan Elwood not got cold feet at the real prospect of us going up to the Premiership, and sacking Megson when we were 5th in the table.
Well meant as all the efforts have been, it is imperative that someone with cash takes over at County.
What has always disappointed me over the years, is twofold.
Firstly, that in an area that is probably one of the most affluent in the country, nobody can be found to take the club forward.
Secondly, that people in Stockport support a team in Manchester. Not Man Utd before you all say it, but Man City. I hate to see Stopfordians parading about in Man City shirts when we are in Stockport, not Manchester. Forget United, their fans are from all over the world, but remember the City fans when we drubbed them on more than one occasion. Not much friendliness there! Was there?
There are 3 consortiums involved and it looks like a decision is imminent. I am glad that the Fans have withdrawn their offer.
Lets get back on track with a proper business model, with real leaders who know what they are doing.