Bracknell Town and Sandhurst Town owner Kayne Steinborn-Busse has announced that he has met with potential buyers after putting both clubs up for sale and hope to make an announcement later this month.
Since taking over almost nine years ago, both sides have seen enormous success and now share a ground at the SB Stadium.
Mr Steinborn-Busse announced his intention to sell in May, deciding to 'let go' and 'focus' on life outside of the business after his wife Sophie was diagnosed with cancer.
Releasing a heartfelt statement, the Bracknell businessman revealed that they have 'started meeting with potential buyers' and 'hope to announce new owners at some point later this month.'
It's been a fun-filled 10 years and one hell of a ride,but the time feels right for someone else to take the Football & Education group forward; the platforms have been built,but it now needs fresh guidance to build on our success. I will forever be a fan.https://t.co/qO1uE2aKqK pic.twitter.com/UtKdwrUjNN
— Kayne SB (@KayneSB1) December 2, 2023
The full statement read: "Since I announced back in May, at the end-of-season awards, that this season would be my last as Chairman and owner, I wanted to update you all on the progress we have been making. We have recently appointed Bob Ryan, Accountant, a former player and coach of the club, to undertake a full review of the group in preparation for sale. In recent weeks, we have started to meet with potential buyers. We aim to ensure the new owners share our vision and ambition for the group and both clubs.
"Why have we decided to sell? I have felt for some time now that I have taken both Bracknell Town FC & Sandhurst Town FC as far as I can. Over the last 12 months, mine and Sophie’s lives have been turned upside down. From the very moment Sophie was given the news that she had the dreaded C, our focus and energy has gone into overdrive to ensure she beats this horrible disease. We have had some incredibly dark days and nights. Football, at times, has been a very welcome distraction. The people close to us will know how tough this has been for Sophie from the moment she got her devastating news; we could not entirely focus on the news as it was the same day as the FA Cup first-round match vs Ipswich. We had to put on our big boy pants & put a brave face on it whilst internally we wanted to crawl into a dark hole and digest this horrendous news.
"With every twist and turn over the past 12 months, Football has intertwined with this fight; several weeks ago, we had some more bad news, but yet again, we could not fully deal with it at the time as we had to race from a surgeon’s office to a public consultation with the local community. This moment crystallised both our thoughts somewhat. We knew right then and there that we had to let go and focus on finding someone or a group of people to take this group and clubs forward.
"Some thought I would merely step away and pull the strings from afar, but I cannot do that; over the last few weeks, I have decided this group needs fresh leadership. We have been in talks with several parties interested in acquiring the group. I am committed to staying on for a defined period to help with the transition; however, as per my announcement in May, this is my final season as Chairman and Owner. As we work through the sale process and continue to meet with potential buyers, it is very much business as usual. I will continue to update you all with the progress and hope to announce the new owners at some point later this month."
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