Former Watford owner offers to buy Oldham Athletic, who are on the verge of administration over unpaid bills to HMRC and overdue rent on Boundary Park.
The interested businessman is reported to be the controversial Laurence Bassini, who you could say doesn’t have a great track record.
Delusional fantasist Laurence Bassini, former bankrupt & banned from football for three years for dishonesty, confirms interest in buying League Two Oldham Athletic. I’d rather be wanked off by Edward Scissorhands than have my club run by Bassini #OAFC https://t.co/LnoGFPrwlv
— PriceOfFootball (@KieranMaguire) March 4, 2020
The news on Bassini is not all that great news however as he has been bankrupt twice but also was given a three year ban ‘from being involved in a position of authority with any EFL club in 2013.’
He ended up being found guilty of misconduct and dishonesty over financial dealings with Vicarage Road.
Despite these talks, Oldham chairman Abdallah Lemsagam has told Sky Sports News that no deal has yet been agreed and that he also plans to pay outstanding debts to avoid Friday’s deadline.
Lemsagam confirms he has settled the outstanding tax bill with HMRC and paid most of the staff their wages, and plans to pay the £570,000 owed to the former owners as well as any outstanding player wages by Friday.
Lemsagam took control of the club in January 2018 and has faced multiple financial issues, not least the ongoing dispute with the former owners, who still retain possession of the stadium.
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As mentioned, Bassini is keen on getting back into the world of football, since he believed he had bought Bolton Wanderers last summer.
He went to court to try to prove he had formally agreed a deal, but lost a legal challenge and the Trotters ended up being taken over by the Football Ventures consortium instead.
Any Bassini deal for Oldham will be subject to EFL approval, and they confirmed in court last year that at no stage did the 49-year-old pass their ownership test while trying to purchase Bolton.
Oldham are currently 17th in the League Two table, 19 points clear of relegation but 15 short of the play-offs with just nine wins from their 36 games so far this season.
Fans gave their reaction to reports Former Watford owner Laurence Bassini offers to buy Oldham…
Bassini now claiming he wants to buy Oldham isn’t even the worst thing about it. The worst part is that the @EFL will allow him to go for it, even after what happened with us. It’s embarrassing how useless/spineless they are. Fit & proper test revamp my arse. #bwfc #oafc
— Will Jones (@Wi1lJ) March 4, 2020
If Laurence Bassini takes over oldham I'm going watching Non League fuck having that lunatic as an owner
— Jordan Reid (@jmr5791) March 5, 2020
Shouldn’t worry too much about the @efl doing the fit and proper test, in fact don’t worry too much about the efl doing anything at all, #charlatans
— boddies5 (@boddies5) March 4, 2020
Didn’t Bassini recently take out a CVA because he didn’t have the funds to meet his legal costs from his attempted takeover of BWFC. This is a potential landmine for the EFL.
— Richard Atherton ??????? (@rmabolton) March 5, 2020
As a Watford fan, and for the sake of Oldham, I hope he fails !
Should never be allowed to get anywhere near a football club again !
Best Wishes— Neil Walker (@neilpwalker) March 4, 2020
You are kidding me? How would he ever pass the fit and proper person test?!? Feel for Oldham if he gets it
— david clark (@djlc78) March 4, 2020
I had too much contact with Bassini when he was at Watford. Lots of empty promises. At the moment he would probably pass the fit and proper test if he has no current convictions. However, previously it's taken him a long time to produce proof of funds.
— Steve Temple (@sptemple) March 5, 2020
Thoughts and prayers with Oldham Athletic at this difficult time
— Paul Fleming (@MrPJFleming) March 4, 2020
Really hope @OfficialOAFC sort things out and find a new owner, but for the love of god i hope it is not Laurence Bassini. This would be a disaster waiting to happen. Good luck to you guys #bwfc #oafc
— anthony dryburgh (@antdry84) March 4, 2020
He shouldn’t be able to, except perhaps running us needs less funds than needed for Bolton. Let’s hope the @EFL step in and stop this madness
— Ric Jeffery (@dancingdickie) March 4, 2020
Do any Oldham fans want Bassinis number? Bury fan here.. spoke to him a few times after he was seen sniffing around Gigg Lane. The guys of his nut, I wouldn’t let him wash my car. Stay well clear. Up the shakers x
— DCCC (@danchadchad) March 4, 2020
He couldn't take control of a kettle let alone a football club
— Anthony (@AnthonyL80) March 4, 2020
God Help Oldham ?
— Martin (@Lentonski) March 4, 2020
DONT LET THIS HAPPEN
— Steve Fletcher (@sfletcher69) March 4, 2020
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