Barnsley chief Paul Conway eyes takeover talks with cash-strapped Scottish clubs

‘We are open for business’: Barnsley chief Paul Conway eyes takeover talks with cash-strapped Scottish clubs rocked by coronavirus shutdown

  • Paul Conway unsuccessfully tried to buy Championship club Partick last year
  • He was halted by SFA rules stopping dual ownership – they could now be relaxed 
  • Conway’s consortium owns 80 per cent of Barnsley and Swiss side FC Thun 
  • Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?

Barnsley chief Paul Conway has unveiled plans to hold takeover talks with cash-strapped clubs in the Scottish Premiership.

Part of the wealthy international consortium which owns 80 per cent of English Championship Barnsley and Swiss side FC Thun, Tykes co-chairman Conway failed in a bid to buy Championship Partick Thistle last year.

Frustrated by SFA regulations on dual ownership the American businessman eventually lost out to a community ownership bid fronted by Colin Weir prior to the lottery winner’s death in December.

Barnsley’s Paul Conway (left) wants to talk to cash-strapped clubs in the Scottish Premiership

With the SFA prepared to compromise over dual ownership to attract investment to stricken Scottish clubs hit by the coronavirus shutdown, however, Conway has now made tentative approaches to two clubs in the top flight of the SPFL.

Speaking to Sportsmail from Florida he said: ‘We want to take this opportunity in the current environment to say to clubs in Scotland, ‘we are open for business.’

‘We are hearing there might be more flexibility with regard to dual ownership, which might be a good thing during this difficult period for clubs.

‘We can move fast for the right opportunity in the Scottish league and we are open to creative deals.’

‘We would look to bring the same methods we employ with our other clubs such as Barnsley – which is a young team, data-led, balancing a budget sensibly. We would look to run a club as a proper business.

‘To that end we have told the SFA and the league to feel free to get the word out that we are open to conversations with Scottish clubs.’

Hearts have already issued an ultimatum to staff urging the acceptance of 50 per cent wage cuts. Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack has also warned of a £5million hit for the Pittodrie club if football’s lock-down is extended indefinitely.

Admitting the plight of Scottish clubs offers a potential opportunity to expand his footballing empire, however, Conway admitted: ‘We have already reached out to a couple of clubs that we know offering any assistance that they might need. We are awaiting a response on that and for that reason I won’t name any names.

‘But we are open for business and it’s a market we feel we can be helpful in.’

Conway has already had dealings with Hearts over compensation for Daniel Stendel.

A lengthy pursuit of Partick Thistle also ended in anti-climax after red tape and resistence from shareholders ended in Colin Weir’ Three Black Cats Ltd providing the financial muscle for community ownership group Thistle For Ever to win control of the Firhill club.

‘We spent a lot of time on Partick Thistle and it was disappointing it didn’t come off,’ Conway admits.

‘I was in Glasgow four times and I had a vision for the club.

‘Unfortunately since then their backer has passed away and the club has passed to fan ownership.

‘The issue then was that a lack of SFA flexibility with regard to dual ownership and then there was a side issue with the owners trying to sell real estate around the stadium that we really weren’t interested in.

‘But we are already in England and think we can make a Scottish club younger, more competitive and self sustaining. If the right opportunity comes up we would be happy to do so.’

Conway's consortium owns 80 per cent of Championship side Barnsley and Swiss side Thun

Conway’s consortium owns 80 per cent of Championship side Barnsley and Swiss side Thun

Despite sitting bottom of the English Championship when Covid-19 curtailed the league season, Conway believes the Yorkshire side are well-equipped to survive the financial meltdown afflicting football clubs across the planet. 

Already looking at a deal for Oostende in the Belgian league he adds: ‘If we can stay in the league, we have the youngest team in the EFL on long-term contracts. We don’t need to sell in the summer and we are going to be fine.

‘Some other clubs are not going to be fine because they are losing £20million a year in the Championship and that is not sustainable.

‘The good thing for Scotland is that the TV deal is not so significant. If the league have to refund money to broadcasters – and it’s not clear they will – it’s not going to be quite as cataclysmic as it would be in England.’

 

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