Athlone Town takeover moves closer but no deal signed yet
It appears that a takeover agreement involving Athlone Town AFC is very close to being finalised.
But despite reports in the national media suggesting that the takeover has been completed, an agreement has yet to be signed..
"It's quite a complicated situation. There is no agreement in place yet and nothing has been signed," said a club source.
It's understood that the prospective new owners are strongly linked to English Championship club Plymouth Argyle and also have ties with clubs in Italy and Belgium.
Athlone Town's previous arrangement with Valeo Futbol Partnership – which saw the US-based company provide financial backing – came to an end towards the end of last year.
Athlone Town have been seeking new investors for a number of months and the imminent takeover, when it is completed, will see a new group take charge of club affairs.
The Irish Independent has reported that a group called Tiger 11, headed by Zack Goldman, will be "the key party in the takeover which would bring Athlone Town into a stable that already includes Italian side Cesena FC and Belgian second-tier outfit Patro Eisden".
There is doubt over whether a press conference planned for the Athlone Town Stadium tomorrow (Thursday) will take place. Details of the press conference have been circulated to members of Soccer Writers' Ireland, but it remains to be seen if the press conference will go ahead, given that an agreement has yet to be signed.
Athlone Town are currently without a men's manager, with Dário Castelo from Portugal having departed the role by mutual consent earlier this month, and it's believed that the prospective new owners have a candidate in mind to take over.
Athlone have endured a very disappointing start to their First Division campaign, only winning two of their first 12 games. The oldest club still participating in the League of Ireland, Athlone last competed in the Premier Division in 2014.
The Athlone Town women's team are the defending Women's Premier Division champions, having won the title for the first time last season. And having played six league games this season, Colin Fortune's charges are currently top of the table.