STAGS chief executive Stephen Booth revealed on Monday that the long drawn out sale saga at Field Mill may soon be over.
To 600 sceptical fans at the SFU public meeting, he said: "I believe I am close to an agreement."
It was his first statement on the takeover situation since 9th May, when the man brought to Field Mill to broker a sale said on the club's website that he 'anticipated a formal response within the next 72 hours' to a sale proposal put forward that morning.
And mayor and club chairman Tony Egginton insisted on Monday: "We are extremely close to clinching that deal."
After the public meeting when pressed by Chad, the chief executive refused to be drawn on what timeframe he meant by 'close' – or who the potential new owner of the Stags could be.
A month ago it was reported that Glapwell chairman Colin Hancock was in negotiations to buy the club, one of four interested parties also including the hated John Batchelor, a local group of businessmen and an overseas party.
However, Booth did hit back at suggestions that the club was in financial difficulty and over the state it would be in when sold.
He told the meeting: "The club when it is sold for £1 will be left with net assets equal to a share capital of £311,000.
"There will be no debt associated with the club. It currently has money . . . Mansfield Town FC is nowhere near administration. It is not on the brink of administration."
His comments came after Mansfield solicitor Danny Phillips revealed at the public meeting details of a failed takeover bid launched by himself and former club sponsor Andy Sutton in April.
Booth also said the long-awaited season ticket sales details would be announced within 48 hours.
And he urged fans and businesses to stop any boycott of tickets and sponsorship, insisting that income from these would be used only to run the club on a day-to-day basis – and not go to Keith Haslam ahead of any sale of the club.
The chief executive added: "It is important to remember that we employ something like 160 people."
It was also revealed that both he and Egginton now had to sign off cheques for running the club. They said this was why fans should not be boycotting income streams to Field Mill.
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The mayor added that Mansfield District Council had no interest in buying Field Mill. And he supported the club's chief executive, saying: "Stephen Booth is doing a tremendous job on our behalf. He is working tirelessly to try to end the Haslam era."
Egginton also told the fans that the club had formally applied for a place in the Pontins League next season for its reserve team – and that it would continue its youth development.
He added: "Keith Haslam realises his chapter at Mansfield Town Football Club is at an end. We have to ensure we are prepared for that and to move forward.
"We are not in bad shape financially. The new Mansfield Town will start with a clear balance sheet.
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"I have respect for you, ardent fans who have suffered for some time. I am pleased you have united, it is the only way forward.
"And what bigger issue is there than the Football League status of our club? We have just got to bounce straight back."
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