Broughton predicts bright future for Liverpool

13 October 2010 14:30

Liverpool chairman Martin Broughton is convinced the club now has "a great future" following a momentous day in the High Court.

Mr Justice Floyd rejected a plea from owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett to delay the hearing of an application by creditors Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) for mandatory orders paving the way for a possible sale this week.

In an overwhelming victory for RBS and Liverpool, the American duo were also refused the right to appeal, suggesting the club could be under new ownership before the weekend.

Broughton now has permission to sell Liverpool without interference from Hicks and Gillett, with the fight a straight one between New England Sports Ventures (NESV) and Singapore billionaire Peter Lim.

NESV are the preferred bidder with a £300million offer, however, Lim yesterday threw a spanner in the works by improving his bid to £320million and offering £40million for new players.

Speaking outside the High Court to Sky Sports News, Broughton said: "The board will be properly reconstituted by eight o'clock this evening, that was the judge's order, and proceed with the sale process.

"This will clear the way for a sale, but I'm not going to prejudge the board meeting. It would be inappropriate to prejudge what the board is going to say.

"But the club's going to have a great future. We will re-establish the right basis for the club. The acquisition debt that has been plaguing us will be gone, we have a great future. We will get the right owners for the fans."

A statement on Liverpool's website underlined the club's position as it read: "We are delighted the court has clarified the issue of board composition and has removed the uncertainty around the sale process.

"We will now be consulting with our lawyers and planning for a board meeting Wednesday night. A further statement will be made in due course."

Source: PA