FORMER Manchester City forward Jim Melrose is closing in on a deal to buy Stockport County after protracted talks with Sale Sharks continued this week.

The consortium - which is headed by Macclesfield-based Melrose - met with Sharks officials on Monday afternoon to iron out the details of an agreement that would see County continue to play their home games at Edgeley Park next season.

On Thursday, Melrose signed a deal with administrators Leonard Curtis to buy the cash-strapped club, and entered into discussions with Edgeley Park landlord Sale Sharks over the weekend.

Those discussions were thought to have been all but concluded on Monday evening, with an official announcement expected by the end of the week.

The takeover ends more than 40 days of uncertainty for the Hatters - while the extent of their financial problems are only just coming to light.


“This is the news we really did need. I just hope this guy results in a positive future for the club, which should start by re-installing Jim Gannon as manager.”
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Mary Gibbons, who was part of a rival bid that collapsed last week, revealed that she was shocked to discover the true state of the finances at Edgeley Park.

"It was looking like we were ready to do a deal but at the last minute, the person we had approached to become the managing director looked at the figures and said there was a lot wrong with them.

"The level of debt at the club is enormous and we would have had to put at least £2m into the football club in the first year just to break even.

"But it was never about the money for us because we knew we would never get it back.

"I am 100 per cent Stockport County and I just want to see the club get back on a level footing.

She added: "I was absolutely devastated when we had to pull out. I have been in tears over the weekend.

"But I wish Jim Melrose all the best, and I would be happy to come on board with him as a sponsor in the future."

JIM MELROSE: FACTFILE

  • Born Glasgow, October 7, 1958.
  • Joins Partick Thistle as a 17-year-old and goes on to make more than 100 appearances for the Glasgow side, scoring 31 goals.
  • After spending five years at Partick, signs for Leicester City, scoring 21 goals in 82 appearances before signing for Coventry City.
  • Sold to Celtic in March 1983 for £100,000 before moving on to Manchester City just over a year later.
  • Scores eight goals in 34 games for City, and has spells at Charlton Athletic, Leeds United and Shrewsbury Town before retiring from football in June 1990.
  • After a football career spanning 15 years, including 399 appearances and 99 goals, returns to Leicester City as the Foxes’ chief scout.
  • Makes a bid to buy Stockport County in June 2009.