Board consider bid from consortium

The club's chief executive Martin Elliott received the proposal at the start of the week and passed it on to the other members of the board for their perusal before last evening's meeting.

A condition of the deal is that the Blue Square South-winning partnership of boss King and assistant manager Justin Skinner are reinstated in their old positions at the club.

It is believed that other than Sean Trendall, who this week was in France, all other board members met to consider the proposal.

A club spokesman said, "We will give the proposal the courtesy of discussing and examining it.

"It will need to be discussed. There may well be some further questions that need answering."

The spokesman said some details such as the full make-up of the consortium had not been received by the board.

He said, "We asked for the full members of the consortium. We have as yet not received a full list.

"We need to know everybody who is involved before we can make the right decision. It's only right and proper that we know of everybody involved. Once we have all the facts we can quicken the process."

But Sport Express understands that the full list of names will have been made known to the board in time for the meeting.

The spokesman denied reports that the consortium had put forward a proposal to purchase the shares of managing director Martin Elliott, adding, "There is no mention at all of any figures to purchase the shares."

But a source close to the consortium said, "We put a package to the board and will await their response.

"After submitting our business plan the board will contact us with view to starting further negotiations, including financial issues.

"If the board think everything is right and in order, the issue of purchasing shares will be considered.

"But the financial side of things has not yet been discussed."

King was replaced as manager less than a week after Lewes were crowned champions.

Senior directors told the Sussex Express they had to make a change as they could no longer continue to fund the playing budget as well as make further ground improvements (A grading) necessary for the Blue Square Premier.

He was replaced by outgoing Brighton & Hove Albion commercial manager Kevin Keehan, who was the preferred choice of a 'sponsorship consortium' that pledged to provide a wealth of business acumen '“ although no confirmed investment '“ for the troubled club.

A previous incarnation of the consortium that was last night being considered by the board had a previous offer to purchase the club turned down by the directors. But it is understood the group is now stronger in numbers and has come up with a properly considered business plan for the future of the club.

The consortium has also pledged to provide sufficient cash to enable the club to achieve the A ground grading and also finance a squad strong enough to compete in the Blue Square Premier '“ with King and Skinner back in charge of the team.

It has also been rumoured that a number of the club's existing sponsors were ready to pull out of the club but would return if the consortium's offer was accepted.

King has refused to comment since his departure from the club.

Meanwhile, Keehan was this week continuing his efforts to rebuild the side that was broken up after its championship win. Andy Drury has signed for Stevenage Borough while Leon Legge has joined Jamie Cade at Tonbridge Angels.

Keehan said, "We agreed a fee for him to joing Tonbridge. They made an offer that was acceptable to us.

"Leon had lots of different reasons (to go) really. They made him an offer that suited him. He's got a daughter and it's closer for him.

"I'm still talking to Simon (Wormull) and Anthony (Barness) and things are still positive."

Of Jean-Michel Sigere, he said, "Talks are still ongoing. We need to have another chat with him. He's talking about coming to training and having a look (next month).

Keehan has signed Chamal Fenelon from Havant & Waterlooville. Fenelon has a spell on loan with Horsham last season.

Keehan said, "I have spoken to quite a few people who say he's turned his life around and he's got fantastic ability '“ it's just about getting it out of him. I spoke to the Havant manager and he said the exact same thing. He's one who needs to be encouraged and he's excited about how we want to play."

Keehan confirmed he was in talks with Nigel Brake, Tom Graves, Dan Beck and Scott Harris. He added, "I've had phone calls from one or two other players. Hopefully, we'll have more positive news in the next couple of weeks.

Keehan defended new assistant Terry Graves' footballing CV. He said, "He has been at Lewes before, under Sammy Donnelly and had been at Crawley as first team coach under John Maggs."

It's fair to say life has not been easy for anybody associated with Lewes Football Club in the past few weeks, not least Keehan who has been criticised by many supporters for his choice of players to replace the Blue Square South winning squad.

But Keehan was flegmatic about trying to build a new team whilst knowing the board of directors were considering a proposal that would bring King back to Lewes.

"The board have got to decide on that," he said. "It's not something I can make a decision on or influence.

"But I want to stay at Lewes Football Club."