AFTER a week of turmoil in which the managing director and then the chairman resigned, millionaire's son Karl Oyston emerged from the shadows as the "Saviour" of Blackpool Football Club and vowed: "I'll do it my way."

The publicity-shy farmer spoke exclusively to the Citizen about HOW his jailed father Owen had handed him control of the club, WHY managing director Gill Bridge had to leave Bloomfield Road and WHY his mother had stepped aside as chairman.

Karl said his mother had quit to give him a level playing field and let him run the club his way after his father had promised he would not seek to take over again when he got out of prison.

Owen Oyston is currently nearly half-way through a six-year sentence for rape, but is expected to be freed on licence within a few months.

Vicki's resignation is no surprise, coming weeks after she turned her back on the club following an ugly "Oystons Out" demonstration by fans at the ground.

The biggest shock, however, is the departure from Bloomfield Road of Gill Bridge, Owen's most trusted lieutenant, and seen by many as the business brain of the club.

It is believed Oyston senior was extremely upset by Gill Bridge's departure and told his son he would reappoint her to a senior position in his publishing empire when he leaves prison.

But, said Karl: "My father told me he was asking me to take full control of Blackpool Football Club and I had to run it as I saw fit."

Oyston junior, who will take Gill's title of managing director, added: "There can be only one boss. I want to do things my way. We have done a deal with Gill and she is happy.

"I want the club to be more positive. There will be investment and we will be bringing in new players.

"When we have drawn up our plans we shall keep the fans informed - and our plans will include a new stadium for them."

Although unenthusiastic, Karl refused to rule out completely plans to move the stadium to Whyndyke Farm which hit the rocks last year in a financial squabble, but confirmed he was looking at plans to redevelop Bloomfield Road as well as investigating other possible sites.

"The first feasible plan we come up with is the one we will go with," he said.

Meanwhile, Gill Bridge refused to be drawn on reports that she'd had a running battle with Karl Oyston and that he had been conducting transfer deals without her knowledge; thus fuelling speculation that there was a confidentiality clause in the termination contract from her £30,000-a-year job.

At her home in Ansdell after clearing her desk at Bloomfield Road where she had been in charge for five years, Gill said she was looking forward to being a full-time mum to her and husband Gary's 18-month-old daughter Georgia.

Gill, 31, said she had not ruled out a return to a senior post in business and added: "I leave with a great deal of sadness, but I have decided it will be to the benefit of the club and myself for me to move on.

"It will be better for the club to have a single hand at the helm and one who has his own vision for the future.

"I thank all the dedicated people at the club who have helped me tremendously and I wish Blackpool FC every success for the future.

"It can always rely on my undying support even if it will now be from the terraces rather than the directors' box."

Soon after Gill's resignation was announced, manager Nigel Worthington said he would consider staying with the club next season. He had previously refused to sign a new deal following a much-publicised row with Gill Bridge.

He accused her of wrecking a player loan deal with Birmingham City by asking City manager Trevor Francis to fund part of the loan.

Worthington said he was ready to get round the table with Karl Oyston, but added: "I wish Gill every success for the future.

"Like every working relationship we had our ups and downs, but at the end of the day we are still friends.

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