EXCLUSIVE: John Ryan talks about Doncaster Rovers takeover
John Ryan, who is hoping to formally complete the purchase of Doncaster Rovers, along with One Direction's Louis Tomlinson has spoken exclusively to ITV Calendar about the takeover.
Ryan, who had a previous spell at the club's helm for 15 years, ending in November, says the two of them can bring a "healthy future" for the club and likened Tomlinson to a younger version of himself:
Rovers have twice been forced to postpone official announcements of the takeover due to complex negotiations over Tomlinson's image rights.
But Ryan, who ended his 15-year association with the South Yorkshire club in November, said that protracted talks should be formally concluded on Thursday.
Ryan says although Tomlinson will not be able to be at the club in person as much as he likes, the singer is as "keen as mustard about the future and wants to be kept in touch with everything going on at the club:
The club and Tomlinson had been hoping to make a formal announcement last Wednesday after a press conference planned for the previous Friday at Wembley had been postponed.
Tomlinson's management team own his image rights and are entitled to money made from use of the singer's name or image.
They believe that interest in the club will increase if Tomlinson's joint takeover goes ahead and it is understood they want a share of any extra revenue made through merchandise and extra ticket sales.
Ryan hopes to be able to eventually hand over complete ownership of the club to Tomlinson and says the sky is the limit for their partnership:
Doncaster-born Tomlinson, 22, is currently on a world tour with One Direction, which has dates in Denmark and France scheduled for this week.
The club confirmed at the end of last month that they were in talks with Tomlinson's representatives about a possible takeover.
Tomlinson is a lifelong fan of the club, relegated to Sky Bet League One last season, and is also registered as a player for Rovers, appearing for the club's reserve team in February.