A CONSORTIUM is on the brink of discovering if Kendal Town FC's management committee has accepted their bid to invest in the club.


Now, after weeks of speculation, The Gazette can reveal three prominent members of the investment syndicate who are hoping to work with the Mintcakes in the future.


Their offer, which includes an instant £50,000 cash injection, is under 'consultation' until Monday, January 18, after a meeting was held between club officials and the potential investors last week.

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In a statement issued on Kendal Town's website, Chairman George Gudgeon said that he would also be putting together his own business plan for the club and a recommendation will be put to the management committee.


Stephen Turner, from Preston, is the 41-year-old managing director of 4 Pro Limited - a company which 'specialises in the identification and development of youth football talent', according to his LinkedIn page.


4 Pro Limited was created by former Queen's Park Rangers, Wolves, Preston North End and Sheffield United defender Matt Hill and, according to its website, 'provides football education to selected players of high potential'.


Mr Turner, a father-of-two, is also managing director of Group55 Ltd, a multi-award winning business that specialises in the design, manufacture and distribution of pet products. 


His business trades across 45 different countries and a documentary was made about the company by HSBC in order to 'inspire entrepreneurial spirit'.


According to an online search, Mr Turner scooped the 2015 BIBA Micro Business of the Year Award, the 2014 FSB WorldPay North West Business of the Year Award and the 2014 PetQuip Exporter of the Year.


Another member of the consortium is John Stanworth - the man credited with helping to kick-start the career of Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff and James Anderson, two iconic English cricketers.


Mr Stanworth, 55, originally from Oldham, spent 30 years at Lancashire County Cricket Club, rising to Academy Director before leaving Old Trafford in March, 2015.


He is now working with the British Olympic Association, helping to 'prepare and lead our nation’s finest competitors at the summer, winter and youth Olympic Games' and 'inspire athletes in the pursuit of excellence', according to a statement on the Association's website.


The final member of the consortium that The Gazette is revealing at this stage is former Kendal Town fitness coach and current Head of Youth Recruitment at Fleetwood Town Football Club, Michael O'Neill.


The 33-year-old, who lives in Preston, spent 18 months at the Pye Motors Stadium under the management of Lee Ashcroft but left in October 2010.


He also worked with Liverpool Football Club as an academy coach and scout between 2004 and 2013 before leaving to become Head of Academy Recruitment at Blackpool Football Club, where he remained for one year and seven months.


Mr O'Neill's role involved 'developing a scouting network' that spans the entirety of the North West, according to his online profile on LinkedIn.


He is currently also a director alongside Mr Turner at 4 Pro Limited as well as being managing director at Total Soccer Centres, which has 'progressed 26 children into academy football', which is stated on the company's website.


None of the consortium's members wished to speak to The Gazette at this stage, having agreed to remain silent during Kendal Town's two week consultation period.


Although the club's management committee are due to deliberate until Monday, January 18, it is not yet clear when a decision over the potential investment will be announced or when members will be addressed on the issue.


Kendal Town are at home to Scarborough Athletic on Saturday, January 16 - kick-off is at 3pm.


The visitors are currently languishing in eighteenth place in the Evo-Stik North league, while Kendal are fifteenth.


The Mintcakes won their last outing, beating Radcliffe Borough 3-2, but bad weather has forced several matches to be cancelled in recent weeks.


An updated fixture list was published on Kendal Town FC's website, and reads:
Wednesday, January 20, Northwich Victoria v Kendal Town. 
Tuesday, February 2, Burscough v Kendal Town
Tuesday, February 9, Lancaster City v Kendal Town
Saturday, February 20, Kendal Town v Prescot Cables