STEPHEN VAUGHAN today revealed he was close to finding a buyer for crisis club Chester City.
The former Blues owner has been in talks to sell his family’s stake in the struggling outfit.
Vaughan, who has been disqualified from acting as a company director for 11 years following an alleged VAT fraud during his time at Widnes Vikings Rugby League Club, has passed his shares in Chester City to his son, Stephen, who now officially owns the football club.
Vaughan said: “I attended a meeting on Friday with club managing director, Bob Gray, and a representative of a sports management company, to discuss the possibility of a potential takeover of Stephen Vaughan Junior’s ownership of the football club.
“The person we met said his company was part of a consortium that could meet my asking price which we suggested could be paid in installments to help the club’s cashflow problems.
“The company we spoke to are now carrying out due-dilligence on the football club and I am now hoping we can expect a completion of a deal before the new year.”
Chester, who are currently rock-bottom of the Blue Square League Premier Division table, after starting the season with a 25 points deduction, have suffered a miserable campaign to date.
Blues boss, Jim Harvey, has faced the unenviable task of trying to work with a squad of unpaid players in the face of a transfer embargo and dwindling home attendances due to Blues fans boycotting games in protest of the Vaughan family’s ownership of the club.
Chester will be without striker Nick Chadwick who faces a one match ban, and defenders Neil Ashton and Rhys Meynell are sidelined with injuries, but goalkeeper, John Danby, is expected to retain his place against his former club.
Vaughan added: “I have always said in the past that I would listen to anyone whose bid would benefit Chester City Football Club.
“I feel it’s important for the people who have Chester City at heart to know what is happening.
“I was happy to meet and speak to the latest person who has shown an interest to buy the club because they were prepared to meet my asking price.
“In the past I have had to deal with a lot of time-wasters and people who were just in the business of attracting some publicity.
“Friday’s meeting produced the first person that was really serious in buying the club. I’m now hoping we can take the matter to the next stage and see the sale happen.
“There isn’t much due-dilligence in the old company because it has only been trading from a shelf company for the past six months.”
Meanwhile, Chester are now hoping they can claim three vital league points from their Boxing Day match at Kidderminster Harriers.
The Blues travel to Aggborough on Saturday after seeing last weekend’s scheduled league match at Rushden and Diamonds postponed due to a frozen pitch.