Gillett Reportedly Says He Is Open To Selling Share In Liverpool

Gillett Tells Liverpool Fan Club Several Parties Desire His Stake

English Premier League (EPL) club Liverpool co-Owner George Gillett "has admitted for the first time he would be 'open' to selling his stake in the club despite insisting the side's finances are on a sounder footing than their Premier League rivals and denying there is a July deadline for a [US$497M] loan to be repaid," according to Rory Smith of the London TELEGRAPH. Gillett's comments on the state of the club's finances have "enraged supporters already unimpressed" by Gillett and co-Owner Tom Hicks. Gillett "agreed to speak with a representative" from Liverpool fan group Spirit of Shankly, and a Spirit of Shankly statement said that Gillett "admitted several parties are interested in relieving him of his stake in the club." Spirit of Shankly spokesperson Jay McKenna, who met with Gillett, said, "I asked would he, Hicks or both be selling their stakes. He told me he could not speak for Hicks, but said there have been expressions of interest and some negotiation. He could not say who with but admitted he was open to selling." McKenna said that he "explained to Gillett three areas of unhappiness among the fans concerning their ownership," but Gillett insisted that he and Hicks have "done their best to uphold Liverpool's traditions." McKenna: "Gillett told me he had tried to be a true custodian as he promised, saying it had been difficult but they had done what they could" (London TELEGRAPH, 2/3).