A PROPOSED deal to take St Mirren into fan ownership faces late opposition after a Middle Eastern consortium with visions of developing the club in a manner similar to Manchester City submitted a rival bid. A combined offer made by the St Mirren Independent Supporters Association (SMISA) and former director Gordon Scott for a majority shareholding in the Paisley club had previously been accepted in principle by the selling consortium but required 1000 subscribers to agree to pay £12 a month to fund the takeover. That target was reached on Thursday night, seemingly paving the way for Scott and a new board of directors to take charge next month once due diligence and other formalities had been completed.

Now it has emerged they face late competition from a Qatar-based consortium who have offered a sum of £1.3 million up front for a 76% shareholding in the club, a figure around £300,000 more than the deal tabled by Scott and SMISA.

The Qataris’ representative met members of the selling consortium – comprising chairman Stewart Gilmour, three other directors, and the widow of another – last Monday and a day later, as Gilmour took to Twitter to praise SMISA and Scott for moving forward with a bid that “keeps the club in local hands”, the selling consortium’s lawyers were outlining their conditions to the Qatari group who would go on to provide proof of funding before the week was out.

The Sunday Herald understands the potential buyers see great potential in St Mirren and believe the club - with an influx of new players backed by Qatari sponsorship - could be pushing for promotion and then European football within the next few years. They are also keen to be a part of Renfrewshire Council’s plans to create a £15m regional sports village in the town. It is thought, however, that while their offer remains on the table, some concerns over warranties may prove a sticking point.

That would seem to leave the fan-led bid in the driving seat and, if they can lodge a £100,000 security in the coming days, they would be granted exclusivity for a month to complete the deal. Responding to news of a rival offer, George Adam MSP, the SMISA chairman, said: “I’m just concentrating on getting this bid over the line. We know we have the support of the chairman and the other selling directors, and everything is looking good for our bid to take the club into fan ownership. We’ve hit our target of 1000 subscribers and we still want more to sign up as we’re in this for the long game. It’s important St Mirren remains in the hands of those who have the club’s best interests at heart.”

Following a deal struck several years ago, Scott is one of several St Mirren shareholders legally bound to off-load their personal stake in the club to the selling consortium should they accept a deal with another buyer. That transfer of shares would increase the sellers’ stake from around 52% to over 75%, the point at which any owner can make special resolutions to alter parts of the business without interference.

Gilmour could not be reached for comment but in a newspaper interview on Thursday he lent his backing to the SMISA/Scott bid. He said: “We’ve agreed a deal and I don’t see any obstacles in the way. By next month St Mirren will be under new ownership. The lawyers just need to exchange documents, with the plan for everything to be completed on July 15.

“We’re just delighted to have come to an agreement which sees the football club stay in the hands of Paisley people. Gordon Scott had combined with supporters and there will be fresh impetus at St Mirren and that can only be good thing. We believe they’ll take the club forward and after 18 years we can walk away knowing it’s in good hands. That’s all any of us on the board have wanted.”