Mostyn: Put up or shut up

Mostyn's offer to buy the club was the only formal bid received by administrator Gerald Krasner and was subsequently accepted, in principle.

But as the finer details of the deal have continued to come under scrutiny, rumours suggest other parties are still interested in acquiring the club.

Informed sources close to the Daily Echo claim a mystery Midlands-based multi-millionaire is still monitoring developments with a keen eye.

However, during a meeting yesterday with AFC Bournemouth supporters' trust vice-chairman Derek Timoney, Mostyn made it clear he would still be prepared to walk away should a better offer come in.

Mostyn, who is heading a consortium involving Steve Sly, international businessman Marc Jackson and other mystery investors, agreed to meet the trust after they urged him to break his silence.

A full transcript of the meeting between Mostyn, Sly and Timoney was sent to the Daily Echo last night and will be published on the supporters' trust website today.

In the article, Timoney says: "Both Jeff and Steve were adamant that if anyone came in, even now, with an offer that would benefit the football club, they would stand aside and issued a challenge to any interested parties to put up or shut up. After all, it is on record that the bid they made was the only bid on the table and that bid has been accepted by the legally appointed administrators.

"Jeff made it perfectly clear that irrespective of any demands he may or may not have made in negotiations with numerous interested parties, anybody could have completely bypassed his personal desires by making an offer direct to the administrator during the open bidding process. It is difficult, therefore, to conclude that he was in any position to block any other bids."

Timoney says Mostyn confirmed he had met with the Midlands-based multi-millionaire and has not ruled out further meetings.

"But at present, he along with Steve are continuing in their efforts to secure the club and its future as you would expect in the circumstances that their bid has been accepted by the administrator."

Timoney also claims he "touched a nerve" when he asked Mostyn about rumours claiming he would only relinquish control if somebody were to pay him what he has invested to date.

"Jeff made it quite clear that the only monies he would receive would be the debentures and administration funding plus anything that (another) investor was to offer.

"What was made very clear to me was the fact that the amount invested by Jeff and Steve has been verified by others and sworn under oath as part of the statement of affairs at the High Court."