INSURANCE bosses have offered a cash settlement to Accrington Stanley after the club's name was used in an advertisement without permission.

Crown Ground chiefs were angry after Pearl Assurance used the club's trademark name in a national newspaper without their consent.

The Peterborough-based finance company has made an offer to Stanley's solicitors after receiving a letter from the club.

The club's bosses have refused to reveal the sum offered and say they are taking further legal advice.

Fans from all over the country contacted the club to complain about a recruitment advert, which showed a scruffily-dressed man and his dog next to the caption "You wouldn't expect Michael Owen to play for Accrington Stanley".

A spokesman for Pearl said today that they had offered a 'good will gesture' to Stanley, but refused to confirm a figure.

The spokesman said: "We received correspondence from the club's solicitors and replied earlier this week.

"It is a good will gesture and we hope it is an amicable solution, but I am not prepared to say what it involves.

"There was no intention to offend anyone with the adverts and we want this cleared up as soon as possible."

Stanley's chairman Eric Whalley wrote to Pearl, whose assets total £17billion, asking what steps would be taken to compensate the club.

He said: "We didn't put a figure on it, but pointed out we made settlements with Fuji and the milk board for using our name in the past.

"Our solicitors have received the gesture of a cash offer and we are taking legal advice about the sum offered."

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