THE New York-based tycoon bidding for Burnley Football Club is anxious to hear from the Turf Moor board.

Multi-millionaire Ray Ingleby, the chairman of a huge public company called Caribiner, has notified the board of directors of his intentions to plough money into the club.

And he expects a reply this week.

David Parry, Mr Ingleby's UK representative, said: "I have been asked by the board not to say anything publicly and to leave it between ourselves.

"This has been going on for some time.

"But it is a genuine interest with serious money.

"It is not just to buy somebody's shares to make a fast buck.

"It is his first and only offer to a club."

Mr Ingleby was born and bred in Lancashire and went to school at Kirkham Grammar School before moving away from the area in his late 20s.

His company is a world leader in events organisation and corporate hospitality.

And he has already rejected approaches from other football clubs for investment.

Mr Ingleby is currently on holiday in Florida and was unavailable for comment.

Mr Parry, who has looked after Mr Ingleby's interests in England for several years, would not reveal the size of investment offered.

He added: "I do not know if the board have been told any figures."

Club chairman Frank Teasdale told the annual general meeting on Boxing Day that he would step down if "serious money" was offered. He also said: "We have chatted to people but money has not been mentioned.

"Their credibility has not been verified."

It was revealed at the same meeting that a Manchester company, Apax Partners and Company Securities, had also offered £1 million for 51 per cent of the issued shares.

Meanwhile, Burnley slipped to bottom of Division Two after their game at Oldham was called off because of a waterlogged pitch.

Carlisle took advantage of Chris Waddle's side's inactivity with a 2-0 win at Wigan to lift themselves from the foot of the table.

Travelling supporters were angry that the decision to postpone was not made until one hour before the scheduled 1pm kick-off.

But both Waddle and Oldham boss were adamant the Boundary Park pitch was not fit for play.

Waddle said: "The pitch was not playable. You couldn't kick the ball 10 yards.

"Overall I think it was the right decision."

Referee Bill Burns, of Scarborough, inspected the pitch at 12 noon, before supporters had been allowed inside the ground.

Oldham groundstaff had worked during the morning, after heavy overnight rain had stopped, to try and salvage the game.

Mr Burns said: "We gave it every opportunity and 12 o'clock was the latest we could make a decision. "The weather wasn't too kind and it had been raining heavily for some time.

"There was standing water and not just around the centre circle - it was the full length of the pitch and wasn't visible from the stands.

"It was hazardous and a danger to the players. Spectators wouldn't have got a fair game of football."

Boundary Clarets are running a coach to Gillingham on Saturday. Departure times: Duke Barr 7-05am, Turf Moor 7-10am, Padiham 7-20am, Accrington 7-30am. Prices: £13 members, £15 non-members, £11 juniors. For bookings telephone 01282-832100 (daytime), 01282-705425 (evenings).

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