Spirit of Shankly give 'cautious welcome' to prospective owners

Carl Markham,Pa
Wednesday 06 October 2010 11:56 BST
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News of Liverpool's sale to another American businessman has been greeted with "cautious optimism" by fans' group Spirit of Shankly (SoS).

SoS have organised a number of protests and direct action over the ownership issue but stressed today their anger is directed at Tom Hicks and George Gillett and that they are not anti-American.

"It is not about who you are or where you come from, it is about being the right owner for the club, spokesman Jay McKenna told Press Association Sport.

"I think there is cautious optimism and hopefully the football club will finally get rid of Hicks and Gillett.

"After three troublesome years supporters will want to see the back of them quickly."

New England Sports Ventures have agreed a £300million deal which will pay off all the acquisition debt, although their attempted takeover is being blocked by Hicks and Gillett who feel the NESV offer under-values the club.

The group own Boston Red Sox baseball franchise but despite their good record with them, McKenna called for the Americans to engage with fans in outlining their vision for the future at Anfield.

"I would like to know a bit more about the supposed sale process and who will be in charge of the club," he added.

"We would like them to engage with supporters.

"They need to be saying the right things - but Hicks and Gillett said all the right things and failed to deliver.

"Supporters will be watching quite keenly and we would like them (NESV) to come out and alleviate concerns.

"We deserve to know what is going on. We have fought long and hard to get rid of Hicks and Gillett and we don't want more of the same.

"So we wait with baited breath. We hope these people are the right owners to take over Liverpool Football Club."

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