Storm clouds over Latics

CLUB chairman Simon Corney

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

Fans troubled by businessman’s controversial past
CONTROVERSIAL businessman Stephen Vaughan has publicly declared his intention to front a consortium to buy Oldham Athletic - and claims talks are at a “very advanced stage”.

Mr Vaughan (51), told the Chronicle talks have been going on for months.

He said he wants to complete a takeover before the new season.

“The owners of Oldham have made it clear that they are looking to sell and it is a club in the North that we want,” said Mr Vaughan, who intends to take a personal 30 per cent shareholding - the maximum he would be allowed, since he is banned from being a company director until 2020.

When contacted, club chairman Simon Corney — currently in New York — said he didn’t want to comment.

The proposed buyout has outraged some fans.

Four years ago, Mr Vaughan became the first person to fail the FA’s “fit and proper person test” as the owner of Chester, which was expelled from the Conference and wound up in 2010 as a result of unpaid tax.