Blyth Spartans takeover talks begin with club up for sale

A mural outside Blyth Spartans' Croft Park home

Blyth Spartans chairman Irfan Liaquat is selling the club, with discussions with a potential buyer already under way.

Spartans are bottom of the seventh-tier Northern Premier League Premier Division with nine points from 12 games, having been relegated from National League North last season.

Fans boycotted the FA Trophy defeat against Stockton in the last match at Croft Park in protest at Liaquat’s running of the club.

In an open letter on the club website, he wrote: "In light of the current situation I have decided to sell the club with immediate effect. I am in (advanced talks over) a potential sale to a strong party who have the means and capacity to take the club forward."

Newcastle-based businessman Liaquat agreed a deal for Spartans in February promising "good times ahead", who celebrated their 125th anniversary last month, however the takeover was only completed in April, two days before the club’s second ever relegation was confirmed by a 5-1 home defeat against Brackley Town.

Liaquat installed former Newcastle winger Nolberto Solano as manager in May but the Peruvian’s reign ended after Spartans failed to win any of their opening five matches this season, with former Brighton & Hove Albion, Birmingham City and Sheffield Wednesday keeper David Stockdale taking over after initially being placed in interim charge.

In his statement, Liaquat said: "I took over a distressed asset in a desperate attempt to save the club, which was clearly in a very difficult situation both financially, and with stability, having avoided relegation over the past few seasons.

"This was an exciting and extremely challenging project. We set out a five-year plan and hit the reset button almost immediately upon arrival."

Croft Park, home of Blyth Spartans, where they will host Gainsborough Trinity on Saturday

Liaquat said he had injected £63,000 via director loans and increased the playing budget, despite relegation, and built a squad of 22 having inherited just two players from the previous campaign.

He added: "For the avoidance of doubt, I will be writing off all the loans before the club is handed over to any new owners.

"The boycotts and protests are not only damaging the reputation of a long standing and historic football club, but equally having a strong financial impact towards the sustainability and the future of the club.

"I would like to request you continue to support this amazing club, and keep backing the players. There are over 30 games to go, and a few wins with strong support will get us out of the relegation zone.

"This is your club, and the club needs you now more than ever."