Local Saints bid sidelined, but there could be a role for legend Matt

A GUERNSEY-BASED businessman might have missed a chance to buy Southampton Football Club.

The team's local paper, the Daily Echo, reported yesterday that the battle to buy the Saints was now a two-horse race, with formal bids received by the club's administrators.

One of the bids is believed to have come from the Pinnacle Group, which has the backing of Saints legend Matt Le Tissier (pictured), while the other is understood to have come from a consortium led by Southampton and London businessmen.

The news appears to rule out the possibility of Guernsey-based property developer Quinten Hubbard taking over the club.

Mr Hubbard was in Southampton last week to discuss buying the financially stricken club, but it now seems likely that his bid has failed. When contacted yesterday he was unable to comment.

Former England star Le Tissier, who was known to Saints fans as Le God after being credited with repeatedly saving Southampton from relegation from the Premiership, has been in discussion with the Pinnacle Group and is rumoured to be in line for a role within the organisation should its bid be successful.