Leeds deadline approaches-2 groups in frame.

By Andy Baggott
February 25 2004

another deadline approaching, their appears to be just two groups left in the bidding. Despite the sheik and Ugandan Michael Ezra expressing an interest, the trail seems to have gone cold, if not quite dead.

With The first consortium, believed to include at least one member of the Richmond family, broke cover a few weeks ago, and talks are at an advanced stage with the club. They were hoping to have the deal agreed and signed before this Friday, and by the time of the Liverpool game, the club would have new owners. However, the second consortium made themselves known 2 weeks ago, and have frantically being trying to raise enough money to make a viable bid. This group includes Trevor Cherry as an advisor, and includes a clutch of local business men, and more importantly, Leeds fans. They are holding a meeting today to try and establish if everything is in place. They are also trying to get an accurate measure of the clubs debts before making a formal offer. With the deadline approaching, they may have left it a little late to make their move, with Leeds hoping that the last extension would be the last. If, as is hoped, the 2nd group make an offer tomorrow, Trevor Birch is expected to try to extend the deadline by a further week to give the board a chance to asses the consortiums offer.