For it has emerged that controversial businessman and ex-football club owner John Batchelor is ready to launch a quick, solo bid for the Stags - just a few days after Chad.co.uk, reported that he was in talks to join the Derry consortium.
Batchelor, vilified by some fans for taking York City into administration in 2002, is understood to be prepared to step in if the Derry consortium fails to buy out Keith Haslam — as the protracted sale of the football club enters a 17th month.
The Stags owner has agreed a deal with the consortium, which on Thursday looked on course to be taking over at Field Mill after unveiling a new partner — Mansfield businessman and lifelong fan Andy Sutton from club sponsors A. Sutton Pipelines Ltd (ASPL) — as well as a potential investor in Mr Batchelor.
They both came forward to join Mr Derry and Mansfield businessman Steve Hymas after a public appeal for investors two weeks ago — to help the consortium inject £0.5m working capital into the club — following the withdrawal of two backers. Other people have also come forward to donate smaller amounts to the buyout bid.
And at a fans forum on Thursday evening, chief executive Stephen Booth shocked supporters — and the Derry consortium — by declaring: "James Derry and his consortium are now effectively in control . . . in essence the deal is done."
When asked by one supporter if the club had been sold, Mr Booth added: "Yes, but a qualified yes."
The surprise announcement came after a day of negotiations between the Derry consortium, Mr Booth — brought into the club to broker a sale — and Mr Haslam.
But at the forum, exclusively reported first on Chad.co.uk, Mr Derry also warned: "A deal is never done with Keith Haslam until it is signed."
And on Tuesday he told Chad: "We only received written details of the new offer on Saturday morning. It is totally different to the previous offer and needs to be looked at by our lawyers."
The consortium, if eventually successful, is expected to install Mr Hymas, from Hymas Homes, as its chief executive in the short-term with Mr Derry as chairman.
If successful in buying the Stags, it also hopes that fans groups may invest money into the running of the club, in return for a place on the board of directors.
Mr Booth had told the forum at Field Mill that he expected a deal to be completed by the end of this week, but that now seems unlikely.
And following yesterday's surprise news that Mr Batchelor may go it alone, the future of the football club remains uncertain — both on and off the pitch.
Chad understands that the colourful businessman — also known for his motorsport interests and wacky fundraising stunts — is keen to take charge at Field Mill while the club still has a chance of staying in the Football League.
He would want to complete quickly on the deal agreed by the Derry consortium and is thought to have his own management team ready to step in and take over the playing side, too. That could include a former England international in a management trio.
Mr Batchelor, who insisted on Friday that he would be happy to work as part of a team within the Derry consortium, oversaw a great escape for York, stepping in with nine matches left and helping to steer the club away from relegation.
But when asked yesterday about his solo interest, he would only tell Chad: "If other individuals investing in the consortium felt the risk too big to commit to before the end of the season, then I would be prepared to take that risk myself.
"If the other members then wanted to come in, that would be fine.
"Why would I do it? Because it is a lot easier to try to build the club when it is in Division Two and the Football League, than from the Conference.
"If we act now there is still time to save the club from relegation."
On Friday, Chad.co.uk had revealed that Mr Batchelor may join the Derry consortium to develop extra revenue ideas — and in an exclusive interview he said he had unfinished business in football, urging sceptical Stags fans to give him a chance.
He has been in talks with Mr Derry to join the group and met the other two major investors, Mr Hymas and Mr Sutton, for the first time on Saturday before the Grimsby match.
However, the Derry consortium has yet to make a final decision on the make-up of its group and yesterday declined to comment on news that Mr Batchelor could make a solo bid.
Mr Booth also said he could not comment on Mr Batchelor's comments, adding: "Nothing has changed from Thursday as far as I and the club are concerned. The deal is there with James' team and that is what I am looking forward to completing."
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