S4A calls for takeover delay

Last updated : 10 August 2016 By Wba-mad Editor

Shareholders for Albion have thrown a potential spanner in the works on the club's on-going takeover. 

Jeremy Peace revealed last week that he had agreed to sell his 88% stake in the club to Chinese entrepreneur Guochuan Lai for figure believed to be around £200m. 

However, the body which represents the minor shareholders has called on the Financial Conduct Authority and the Premier League not to rubber stamp the deal until their assets have been protected. 

Neil Reynolds, who is the chairman of Shareholders for Albion, has written to the FCA and Premier League chairman Richard Scudamore asking for assurances over the remaining shares. 

Reynolds has also penned similar letters to new Albion chairman John Williams, as well as Lai. 

"The people who bought those shares bought them for two reasons," he told the Express and Star. 

“One is the emotional attachment to the Albion, but many of the others are just like Jeremy Peace, they saw it as an investment opportunity as well. That investment opportunity is being denied.

“I’ve spoken to a cross section from the large shareholders with 100 shares or so down to those with only one, some would like to sell, some wouldn’t.

“The overall feeling is one of great disappointment because we’ve been treated unfairly, although some put it much more strongly than that.”

Reynolds added that the remaining shares at the club were valued at the same price paid to Peace, then each share would be worth £15,000. 

“The reason we would like it held up is so proper attention can be given to the plight of the minor shareholders," he added.

"We’re appealing to Mr Lai’s honour and sense of fair play and hope that he can be made aware of how badly we’ve been treated."

Should the deal be postponed until Albion's remaining shareholders have spoken to Guochun Lai and his representatives? Have your say at Baggies Banter