Boss behind bid to buy Banks's Stadium named

The mystery bidder who has put in a multi-million offer for the freehold of Walsall FC's Banks's Stadium can today be revealed as businessman Geoff Dance.

Lifelong Saddlers fan Mr Dance, who was born and bred in Walsall, is managing director of Stratford-upon-Avon based PMD Magnetics.

The 62-year-old said if he and the company took over the freehold of the site – thought to be worth around £5 million – it "would see the ownership of the Banks's Stadium in the hands of a family business with deep Black Country roots".

Meanwhile, Labour leader Tim Oliver has invited all of Walsall's 60 councillors to a behind-closed doors meeting with football club bosses, including owner Jeff Bonser, on June 21.

Pressure has been mounting on Walsall Council to take over the freehold, with leader Mike Bird repeatedly ruling it out as the authority struggles to make cash cuts.