STANLEY chairman Eric Whalley says he expects Dave O’Neill’s takeover of the club to happen soon.
The chairman, at the helm since 1995 and who has put millions of pounds into the Reds, has said he will stand down at the end of the season and sell some of his 56 per cent shares in the club.
Stanley’s general manager O’Neill has put in a bid and, although it has been something of a long-running saga, it is expected to all be signed next week.
However Hong Kong businessman Ilyas Khan, who was born in Accrington and owns 15 per cent shares in the club, had called for a meeting of all the directors, shareholders and fans before the takeover happens.
But the chairman said: "Dave O’Neill’s takeover is going through and I am led to believe it will be in the next week.
"I will stay as chairman until the end of the season but then step down if it all goes through.
"It needs to be sorted out though so John (Coleman) knows what budget he can work with next year.
"The budget I did last year - based on crowds of 1,800 - has totally gone to the dogs. That’s not saying the club is heavily in debt though. We have debts like any other club but it is a manageable debt."
The chairman admits he does just want a takeover to happen now as he has had a lot of promises of money for the club over the years which have never come off.
"One man came in, who was local, and said he wanted to invest in the club as he had won the lottery. That never happened.
"And another came in and said he had £500,000. He borrowed £30 each off me and Dave and we never saw him again! You wouldn’t believe the stories over the years."
