Ridley’s Return?
By Adam Summers

Tuesday 16th January 2007

WEYMOUTH chairman Martyn Harrison is mulling over a rescue package that has been put to him by Ian Ridley.

According to the hotelier, he was initially given a deadline of 6pm last night to make a decision on the proposal but the pair spoke on the telephone last night and talks are still ongoing.

Harrison took over the club from Ridley in 2004 and they have been at loggerheads ever since. But it seems that they might now be ready to forget their differences, in order to strike a deal to save the club.
Speaking exclusively to Echosport last night, Ridley made this statement: "I was willing to speak to Martyn because the important thing at this time of crisis is the football club and not our personal history.

"The club is in such a serious state and a lot more needs to come out about that. There is a great deal to be considered before anyone can get involved."

Ridley refused to go into detail about his rescue package but Harrison also confirmed that the two of them are in talks.

He said: "Yes we are still in talks and I have got some more meetings to have before I can make a final judgement." Meanwhile, Gary Borthwick has returned to the club voluntarily in a coaching capacity.

The ex-Weymouth caretaker manager is currently help­ing chief executive Gary Calder take training.

Calder said: "The club has had a lot of experience with Gary. He knows a lot of local talent and he has been very helpful over the last week."

Harrison added: "Gary is giving his services to the club free of charge. We have had other offers from people to do things for us as well and Gary is typi­cal of the people who have been com­ing to me over the last week. It is important that we get these type of people on board and make the best of things."

Several academy players trained with the Terras yesterday including Josh Burton, Richard Marshallsay, Sanchez Janz-Baker, Lewis Ironside and Callum Crawley.

The dub is still desperately trying to put together a side for Saturday's trip to Halifax Town in Nationwide Conference National. Some of those who have been transfer-listed by the club were also in attendance while oth­ers were talking over possible deals with other clubs.

It has been rumoured that Richard Logan held talks with Exeter City yes­terday, Chukki Eribenne was at Gravesend & Northfleet, and Nick Crittenden and Tony James were at Stevenage Borough.

Echosport also reported yesterday that Ben Smith was considering two offers and that there may be a third in the pipeline. The two confirmed offers he has received are believed to be from Hereford United and Cheltenham Town.

Last night Calder said: "Nothing more has happened but there is a lot going on."

Ian Hutchinson, Adam Wilde and Simon Browne have also been linked with possible returns to the Wessex Stadium.

When asked to comment on Hutchinson, Calder added: "You never say never do you?

"Everything is a possibility with peo­ple like Hutch because he is the type of person you need around you at times like this. If you cut him in half he would be claret and blue wouldn't he? But there are others as well we will be talking to."