Swann: “I have no choice but to walk away”

Peter Swann says he has no choice but to walk away from the club he has heavily invested in, after his latest bid to buy the Northolme was rejected.
Gainsborough Trinity held their annual presentation night at The Blues Club in town. Manager Steve Housham is pictured with Chairman Peter Swann G120519-2aGainsborough Trinity held their annual presentation night at The Blues Club in town. Manager Steve Housham is pictured with Chairman Peter Swann G120519-2a
Gainsborough Trinity held their annual presentation night at The Blues Club in town. Manager Steve Housham is pictured with Chairman Peter Swann G120519-2a

And the Trinity chairman expects to get involved elsewhere in football once his time at Gainsborough comes to an end.

Speaking to the Standard from a holiday abroad, the businessman reiterated his belief that he cannot plough any more money into the club while they don’t own their own home.

He said: “It’s a shame, but I’ve got no choice really, I’ve said it all along.”

“It’s important that everyone understands the situation – I don’t want anything from the ground, I don’t want to sell it, I just want it for the football club.”

“What no one has pointed out, is what’s stopping the Blues Club from selling the ground, if they get into financial difficulties further down the line?”

Swann has made a number of offers for the Northolme, but has seen them all rejected by owners the Blues Club.

His latest offer was simply for the ground and the Club on the Park, but this too was knocked back, prompting first team boss Steve Housham to call for a boycott of the Blues Club facilities.

But it may be too little, too late, as Swann eyes a summer exit from the Conference North outfit – and starts to think about where else he could invest.

“You always think about it,” he said.

“I’ve enjoyed my role as chairman here, I’ve learnt a huge amount and I would love to stay on, but we have to have the ground for that to happen.”

“I can’t think of a Saturday game, or a Tuesday game or a training session I haven’t enjoyed going to, and football is part of my life, so I will be involved in the sport somehow.”

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