The Oyston family has a "serious decision to make" after League Championship side Blackpool Supporters’ Trust "lodged a bid to buy them out," according to Jack Gaughan of the London DAILY MAIL. In a letter hand delivered at Bloomfield Road on Tuesday, BST outlined its plans to "take over the Seasiders in a deal" worth just north of £16M ($24.7M). A series of documents sent to Blackpool "gave a direct proposal to bring an end to the problems engulfing a chaotic club which is dying on its knees and was an embarrassment to the Championship last season." BST is "offering to relinquish a number of assets, including land behind the stadium" bought for £6.5M, while writing off almost £3M ($4.6M) in outstanding loans handed to Oyston-owned businesses by the club's parent company, Segesta Ltd. Such is the "desperation to rid themselves of the Oystons," the supporters are also proposing to gift them nearly £5M ($7.7M) from club accounts -- in turn setting a deadline for reply of July 21. It is expected that Owner Owen Oyston and his son, Chair Karl Oyston, will "reject the initial bid." It is understood that the family values the club at upwards of £50M ($77.3M), while Blackpool claims to have "rejected a mystery offer in May." BST said that the Oystons' reputation has "sunk so low that they 'have lost the goodwill and the confidence of the supporters and indeed the people of the Fylde Coast.'" BST has "forged links" with club President Valeri Belokon, who has "conducted a bitter public feud with the Oystons over the last year and ultimately wants to take control." BST said, "We understand he is progressing his own legal claims against the current owners but such actions are entirely separate from BST’s bid." Should BST be successful, Blackpool would become the "fifth fan-owned Football League club" (DAILY MAIL, 7/7).
