Focus on the tycoon plotting to take over Burnley FC

THE American company owned by prospective Burnley Football Club chief Ray Ingleby is worth a massive one billion dollars.

New York-based Caribiner International Inc is one of the American business success stories of this year.

Ingleby's company is flourishing after taking over a number of smaller companies across the world.

And now Ingleby has told the Burnley board of his interest in buying the club.

Holidaying in Florida, the 33-year-old is eagerly waiting a response from the Turf Moor board.

Ingleby left England in the 1980s but still has family living in the Fylde area and once built a "Dynasty-style house" in St Annes.

He originally set up his own company Ingleby Communications Corporation of New York.

In July 1992, he pulled off a £4.3 million deal by selling new shares in a wholly owned division of that company, Ingleby Enterprises Corporation.

He used the money from that deal to buy Caribiner, where he is the chairman and chief executive and a darling of the New York stock exchange.

That company is one of the world leaders in events organisation and business commincations.

Clients include some of the world's largest companies including the Disney Corporation and Porsche. And Caribiner recently acquired Visual Action Holdings, the largest providers of audiovisual rental equipment in Britain.

A company spokesman in New York said: "He had his own small company in the States and started buying other smaller companies."

In 1996 Caribiner's revenue nearly doubled to a sum of $148.3 million.

And that more than doubled last year to $342 million.

Burnley chairman Frank Teasdale, who is willing to step down if serious money is offered for the club, was today unavailable for comment.

Meanwhile, Burnley midfielder Nigel Gleghorn has extended his loan spell with Second Division relegation rivals Brentford.

Gleghorn, who joined Brentford on a temporary basis towards the end of November, could have returned to Turf Moor, where he is still under contract.

But Brentford boss Micky Adams was keen to keep him at Griffin Park and a second month's loan was agreed between the clubs and the player.

Gleghorn is available on a free transfer should Brentford decide to try to make the move permanent. The London club are locked at the foot of the table with Burnley at the moment, their position worsening following last night's defeat at Gillingham.

And Chris Waddle must take his team to the Priestfield Stadium on Saturday knowing that he needs to find a victory from somewhere to encourage genuine hopes of survival.

Gillingham, who had been looking over their shoulders at the teams near the bottom following a disastrous couple of months, are now starting to think in terms of a possible play-off spot in the wake of last night's win.

Burnley Supporters' Club prices for the trip to Gillingham are: £16 members, £18 non-members, £14 concessions.

Pick-up times are Colne 6-45am, Nelson 7am, Burnley 7-15am, Rawtenstall 7-30am.

Bookings can be made by calling Viscount Central (daytime) on 01282-439371, or Dave Spencer (after 5pm) on 01282-435176.

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