FORMER Cherries chief Peter Phillips has scotched suggestions he could be set to return to Dean Court as one of the club's owners.

Phillips, who spent four years as chairman, was rumoured to be part of a prospective consortium, which could bid to take over the ailing club.

It was thought he could be planning to join forces with current owners Jeff Mostyn and Steve Sly to form a new company to rescue the club, should it fall into administration.

Other names linked to the consortium included current company secretary Peter Schofield, team manager Kevin Bond and his father John Bond.

But in an interview with the Vitalfootball website, Phillips said: "I haven't a clue who is involved in the consortium (or consortia), but I'm definitely not one of them. I know as much about what is going on at present as most other supporters.

"I haven't spoken to either Jeff or Steve for several weeks and I haven't set foot in the AFCB boardroom for a year or more. Frankly, it's stressful enough just watching the team at the moment."

Meanwhile, Cherries chairman Mostyn yesterday confirmed the club had successfully lodged a further notice of intention to appoint an administrator at the county court in Bristol.

A statement on the club website added: "The chairman emphasised that this will allow the club a further period of time in which to bring our current negotiations to what we all hope will be a satisfactory conclusion in terms of securing the future of the football club. The club remains outside of administration and it is not a foregone conclusion that it will go down that route."

It is understood the extension would only have been granted providing Cherries could show they had a realistic chance of finding a solution to the club's financial problems. The latest notice will expire on February 4.