Inverness Caledonian Thistle Supporters Trust chairman believes Alan Savage named as the preferred bidder to buy club and take it out of administration is positive news
Inverness Caledonian Thistle Supporters Trust chairman George Moodie believes it is hugely positive news Alan Savage has been named as the preferred bidder to take over Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
Administrators BDO revealed yesterday that the Orion Group founder’s £800,000 bid to take over the financially League One club had been accepted.
The joint-administrators confirmed that a deal had been struck that would see Alan Savage take control, subject to a positive vote on a company voluntary arrangement.
It is now hoped that a deal can be completed which will result in Inverness Caledonian Thistle coming out of administration which it was placed into in October.
Savage has been supporting the club financially while it has been operating during the administration process.
Moodie says Savage being named as the preferred bidder is encouraging news the club will exit administration and can look forward to the future with optimism.
He said: “It is hugely positive news. Alan Savage has shown great commitment to keeping the club afloat this season. To hear he is BDO’S preferred bidder and hopefully take the club out of administration before the end of the season is something all supporters hopefully will get behind.
“The future was looking bleak at one point and even in the last month or so it wasn’t looking good.
“Coming from the last few weeks to get to this stage is hugely positive.”
The future of the club was put in real doubt last month when the original deadline set by BDO saw no offers made which put the club at significant risk.
Moodie admitted real fears about the club’s future, but is now reassured after yesterday’s announcement and there will still be an SPFL club in Inverness.
He said: “There is a lot of relief, a lot of people have given up a lot to make this happen.
“Alan will take the club forward, but a huge commitment has been made by a lot of people to make sure Inverness Caledonian Thistle remains a football club.
“The alternative did not bear thinking about. Going out of existence would have been a travesty not just for football, but for Inverness and the Highland area.
“It is good news and relief and the next couple of weeks if we can cement our position in the league, there is a lot to celebrate.”
Moodie also said he is confident that the Supporters Trust and fans can work closely with Savage to ensuring the club can have a bright and successful future to look forward to.
He said: “Alan has been hugely supportive and recognises the true value of supporters to a football club.
“He has welcomed us back into the fold. We have worked together on a number of ideas and initiatives.
“We have Bar 94 as a real destination to go before and after games, the link up with Kell and the players after matches in the bar has been exceptionally well received.
“The true value of a being an Inverness supporter is closer than it ever was before.
“That might not have happened without Alan’s involvement and the rest of the team at the Caledonian Stadium. To hear it is him that will be the owner of the club going forward, he has a rich history with the club and somebody who is local, is all very positive.
“We have only had a small flavour of what that could look like. When Alan is free from full control of administrators then that opens up different avenues for the club to explore. The Supporters Trust look forward to helping that any way we can. Ensuring supporters have a voice at the highest level within the club. Whereas before we did not have.”
Inverness Caledonian Thistle are set to take on Kelty Hearts at the Caledonian Stadium on Saturday and Moodie hopes Thursday’s news can have a positive impact on attendance at the match.
He said: “It would be great to see a big crowd on Saturday.
“The club, staff players and management deserve it and to get a win on Saturday and have the supporters for Kel and the boys would be superb and round off a fantastic week.”