Rovers ready to open bid talks
Thursday, 9th November 2000.
HAVERHILL Rovers are to meet a millionaire businessman over a possible £1m takeover bid aimed at taking the Jewson League, Division One, side into the Nationwide Conference.
John King, whose grandfather was born in Haverhill, has a 10-year plan to turn the Suffolk club into a top non-League side.
Rovers chairman Terry McGerty and the rest of the club committee were due to start talks with the Lincolnshire entrepreneur on today.
King's immediate aim is promotion to the Dr Martens League, Eastern Division, by 2003.
McGerty said King had attended Saturday's match at Swaffham when he met the Haverhill committee.
"I have not had the opportunity to meet him yet," said McGerty. "He seems very serious about the situation. We really need to speak to him face to face. At the moment it sounds an excellent opportunity, but it is early days."
Rovers were one of 31 clubs to reply to King's advert in the Non-League Paper to take over a club. He is believed to have got the bug while working behind the scenes at Dr Martens League side Grantham Town, where he is a friend of the chairman.
"One of our coaches replied to the advert just on the off-chance," said McGerty. "He (King) seems to have a proven track record. We could have a bit more news when we get the chance to talk to him."
King, who lives in Grantham, still has relatives in the Haverhill area and is believed to be looking for a second house in the town.
McGerty said the committee would then make a decision on Monday.
One of King's plans is believed to include building a new stadium at Puddlebrook in the town and selling the present ground at Hamlet Croft for housing.
"You have got to be impressed," said McGerty. "It is not something you can ignore at all. He wants to take over with immediate effect. I think we would like to get this sorted before Christmas. I would like to move things along pretty rapidly. We will see what's best for the club and what the majority want to do."
King, who reportedly runs a property and marketing business, has clearly recognised the growing catchment area in Haverhillm which has attracted thousands of people from London, Hertfordshire and Essex over the last ten years.
Paul Goodman's side are presently struggling in the bottom five and promotion
However with money available for playes, Haverhill could progress to the Premier Division next year before making a bid to move up to the Dr Martens League in the 2002/03 season.
The club was formed more than 100 years ago, but almost folded in 1994 due to financial problems.
John King, whose grandfather was born in Haverhill, has a 10-year plan to turn the Suffolk club into a top non-League side.
Rovers chairman Terry McGerty and the rest of the club committee were due to start talks with the Lincolnshire entrepreneur on today.
King's immediate aim is promotion to the Dr Martens League, Eastern Division, by 2003.
McGerty said King had attended Saturday's match at Swaffham when he met the Haverhill committee.
"I have not had the opportunity to meet him yet," said McGerty. "He seems very serious about the situation. We really need to speak to him face to face. At the moment it sounds an excellent opportunity, but it is early days."
Rovers were one of 31 clubs to reply to King's advert in the Non-League Paper to take over a club. He is believed to have got the bug while working behind the scenes at Dr Martens League side Grantham Town, where he is a friend of the chairman.
"One of our coaches replied to the advert just on the off-chance," said McGerty. "He (King) seems to have a proven track record. We could have a bit more news when we get the chance to talk to him."
King, who lives in Grantham, still has relatives in the Haverhill area and is believed to be looking for a second house in the town.
McGerty said the committee would then make a decision on Monday.
One of King's plans is believed to include building a new stadium at Puddlebrook in the town and selling the present ground at Hamlet Croft for housing.
"You have got to be impressed," said McGerty. "It is not something you can ignore at all. He wants to take over with immediate effect. I think we would like to get this sorted before Christmas. I would like to move things along pretty rapidly. We will see what's best for the club and what the majority want to do."
King, who reportedly runs a property and marketing business, has clearly recognised the growing catchment area in Haverhillm which has attracted thousands of people from London, Hertfordshire and Essex over the last ten years.
Paul Goodman's side are presently struggling in the bottom five and promotion
However with money available for playes, Haverhill could progress to the Premier Division next year before making a bid to move up to the Dr Martens League in the 2002/03 season.
The club was formed more than 100 years ago, but almost folded in 1994 due to financial problems.
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