Matthew Le Tissier confirms involvement in potential bid for Southampton FC

The midfielder, right, told the Daily Echo he is involved with a potential bid to save the club from extinction. But he was unable to say anything further at this stage.

The Echo can now confirm that the potential bid is being managed by Tony Lynam of Pinnacle Property Consultants Limited, who is working on behalf of clients, believed to be local property developers, wishing to explore the option of buying the club.

In a statement issued to the Daily Echo, Lynam, a friend of Le Tissier’s, confirmed: “Whilst at this stage it would be totally inappropriate to make any details known about my clients, I can confirm that I have met with the administrators and we are currently engaged in the due diligence process.

“This is not a short process, but my colleagues and advisers have worked throughout the long weekend to make as much progress as possible in the short time available to us.

“These are confidential matters and until such time that a formal bid has been made, and a deal agreed, no further comments can nor will be made.

“Clearly we are aware of Matt Le Tissier’s public support, and we will be pleased to have Matt working with us should this deal complete.

“In the meantime, I think it is everyone’s best interest to respect the privacy of our clients, and the hard work being done by the administrator with other interest parties.

“I do understand the local interest which surrounds the club’s current position, but I believe our time will be best served in trying to make a deal happen rather than answer enquiries.”

Pinnacle Property Consultants Limited is a local financial sector company who say they have ‘a particular emphasis on acquisition of distressed property in the leisure sector and close working relationships with the UK’s biggest Administrators and Receivers.’

Le Tissier’s backing for the possible bid, one of three serious parties in discussions with Southampton Leisure Holdings administrator Mark Fry, would add a massive boost of credibility.

Fry told the Echo he had not had direct conversations with Le Tissier.

It is understood that the Sky Sports pundit is not involved directly with negotiations but waiting in the background ready to play a part in a new regime if any bid proves successful.

It goes almost without saying that Le Tissier is held in the very highest regard by Saints supporters with a reputation and popularity almost unparallelled in the city.

His friend and former business associate Mike Osman – who says Le Tissier always told him he would have been an accountant if he hadn’t been a footballer – summed up the feelings of many Saints fans.

The well-known local entertainer: “I would be absolutely delighted if Matt got involved in some way.

“He saved us year after year after year when we were in the Premiership and it would be great if he could save help save the club again.

“The one question I would ask is ‘how could he get involved?’ He seems to have the perfect lifestyle at the moment.”

Le Tissier played for Eastleigh FC in 2003 when Paul Doswell, a director of Southamptonbased property developers Drew Smith Homes, was the Spitfires manager. But Doswell last night told the Echo he did not know the identity of the group interested in working with Le Tissier.