Shrewsbury Town: Roland Wycherley seeks continued fans' patience

Outgoing Shrewsbury Town owner Roland Wycherley has called for the continued patience of the Salop fans as his long-drawn-out sale of the League Two club progresses.

The identity of the four-man American consortium seeking to buy the Shropshire club has now been revealed - Scott Davidson, Will Dotson, Craig Graham and former Liverpool, Tottenham and Blackburn goalkeeper Brad Friedel.

Wycherley says all four have passed the due diligence and financial tests set by the English Football League and the independent football regulator.

But, based on his own 30-year experience of running the club, 85-year-old Wycherley warned that time and patience will still be important once they have completed a takeover - which has so far taken six months and should be settled this side of Christmas.

In an open letter to Shrewsbury fans, Wycherley said: "Let me be honest with you. No-one knows for certain what a buyer will do once they've taken control of a club.

"We've done all we can to satisfy ourselves about their background, their intentions, and their ability to run the club successfully.

"But nobody can predict the future with 100% certainty. That's the reality of any change of ownership. But I truly believe new investment and ownership is what Shrewsbury Town urgently needs."

Wycherley confirmed that the sale process has been ongoing for most of this year.

"The process has gone on longer than any of us wanted," he said. "Our initial letter of intent was exchanged on 16 March.

"Regulatory checks, finances, legal work - none of it can be rushed if we want to get it right.

"Having passed the relevant tests, we are now in the final stages.

"I cannot promise a date, but we're pushing for completion as quickly as we possibly can.

"The consortium seeking to acquire the football club comprises Scott Davidson, Will Dotson, Craig Graham and Brad Friedel.

"The consortium had expressed a wish to remain private until the acquisition had received formal approval from the relevant bodies.

"In the running of any business, there has to be a contingency in place to monitor and react swiftly to any changes. A competitive budget has always been provided, and we will continue to do so for this season and next season if required."

And addressing the fans, Wycherley added: "I have been at this football club for 30 years. I have seen the best of times and the worst of times, and I know exactly how you are feeling.

"Keep doing what you have always done: back this football club and the 11 new signings we made over the summer. Give them time to gel.

"Let's remind ourselves that seven of our first 10 games will have been played away from home.

"Give the process the time and space it needs to work.

"When new owners come in, your welcome will be the first and most important message they get about what this club means."

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