Positive vibes can help Halesowen Town beat drop

Directors hope the long-term future of the club has been secured after its absentee owners agreed to a sale.

Tammy Lynch, the wife of the club’s banned former chief Steve Lynch, has agreed a deal which should see control of the Yeltz pass to chairman Karen Brookes by the end of the month.

An as yet unnamed investor – who is said to have a long-running association with the club – is understood to have helped Brookes raise around £50,000 to secure the purchase.

Hill has been boosted by the news. His side are currently second from bottom in the division, which only one team will drop out of this term, above rock-bottom Sutton Coldfield Town on goal difference alone.

They travel to Marine – who are a place and three points better off – tomorrow (3pm).

“We’d be lying if we said that (off-field matters) don’t affect you,” said Hill

“The speculation, all of the negativity and the uncertainty beforehand, it was affecting us.

“It is great news. We found out about it last Friday before the Rushall game so it was great timing.

“Our confidence is high going into tomorrow’s game after beating Rushall 2-0 last weekend.

“That win had been a long time coming and it was nice to give the home faithful something to shout about.

“Confidence breeds results and I’d like to think we’re in a better place now.”

Formed in 1873, the Yeltz are one of the most famous names in Midlands non-league football.

In recent years, though, the club has become synonymous with off-field problems, almost going out of business in 2011 after the disastrous reigns of Morell Maison and the Ingram brothers.

Lynch purchased the club from the Ingrams in May 2011 but then received a two-year ban from all football activity last summer, after breaking the FA’s rules concerning dual ownership.

Tammy Lynch then took over as Halesowen owner after the ban came into force but has rarely been seen at The Grove.

The Yeltz were docked points this week for fielding an ineligible player earlier in the season and moved to the bottom of the table.

Sutton Coldfield – managed by ex-Hednesford Town chief Neil Tooth – were then penalised for the same reason as well and are now at the foot of the division.

Halesowen will be hoping to open a gap with a win in Merseyside and the Royals slipping up against league leaders Altrincham.

“We know the importance of the game – it is a really tough game,” added Hill. “Marine are down there with us but, on their day, they are a very good side. It’s a big game and we’ve got a battle to stay up. Sutton have showed their intentions by signing Josh Green from Stourbridge and then Karl Hawley from Stafford Rangers. We’re all fighting to stay in this division.”