Having threatened to send in the baliffs to reclaim the money he is owed by AFC Bournemouth, John Piper has now called the baliffs off following acceptance of a repayment plan.
Speaking in the Bournemouth Evening Echo Cherries Chairman Eddie Mitchell is quoted as saying: "It’s very helpful, but we’ve still got to get the money for those things. We’re going to do our best. To make it two instalments instead of one will help us. We appreciate it and it’s nice of him to agree that, but it doesn’t say that it’s instantly surmountable. We’re working hard to try to raise money – I’ve been on it all day today. That’s what we’re working to do".
John Piper, for his part, is quoted as saying: "I’ve accepted that on the basis that we are not serving the High Court bailiff today. We are holding it over on the basis that the club keeps to its promise, then the matter is concluded. “If they don’t keep to the promise and, for instance the first payment is not received, we would immediately serve the High Court bailiff. Hopefully common sense has prevailed and I hope we haven’t got any more legal fights to get involved in. They have decided to make arrangements to make two payments to finalise the debt in February and I’m prepared to accept. Then we can move on".