Halesowen takeover bid approved

Pre-season preparations can finally kick-off at troubled Halesowen Town after the Football Association approved the Ingram brothers' takeover bid.

Delays in FA approval of Graham and Godfrey Ingram's offer led to the cancellation of two Yeltz friendlies last week.

But the club, once banned from the FA Cup and Trophy, is now able to play under the title of Halesowen Town FC once more.

Fans today welcomed the news.

Chairman of supporters group, the Yeltz Trust, Gary Willetts said: "We still have some concerns over the future of the club, after everything we've been through, but this is a good start."

Speaking today after the decision was announced, Graham Ingram told of how, after weeks of hard work, he had finally managed to get the last few documents through to the FA at the end of last week.

He added: "We are very pleased. It has been a frustrating situation and a lot of people have been concerned about what has been going on, but we can look to the future of the club now."

The club still faced a turbulent few days as FA judgement is pending on the future of manager Matt Clarke, who was recently charged by the FA in connection with an alleged betting scam.

Ingram added: "We have stuck by him but both we and he are expecting him to be banned, so we have got some plans on standby."