BARROW AFC have revealed its new owner is a consortium made up of local businessmen and club’s supporters.

Interim chairman Paul Hornby has managed to get the new model in place just four weeks after previous owner Paul Casson ended his four-year reign at Holker Street.

As Hornby had previously promised, the Bluebirds will not be under the sole ownership of an individual, but instead will be under the charge of a locally-based consortium, which is due to be confirmed by the National League next month.

Hornby, who runs J F Hornby in Ulverston, is part of that consortium himself and will remain as chairman for the remainder of the current season, after which the club will assess the position.

In a statement, Hornby said: “It was just over a month ago that I took up the role of interim chairman, with the task of finding a new owner/owners for the club.

“We are currently going through the formalities with the FA and the National League, but I’m pleased to report its mission complete and we now have our new investors on board.

"When Sid Blain and I met the National League, they informed us they are looking to confirm the change of ownership at their December meeting.”

There are three other businessmen, alongside Hornby, who will now take over the running of the club.

One of those is Tony Shearer, who was born in Barrow and attended Barrow Grammar School and his financial skills will surely prove vital in the months ahead.

Shearer recently retired as chief executive officer at Foodbuy, one of the world’s largest food service companies, and he resides in South Carolina, USA.

Another of the new owners is Mark Hetherington, who like Shearer was born and raised in Barrow and still spends most of his time in the town.

He currently owns and runs two global recruitment companies and is very passionate about football, with the statement saying he is “looking forward to giving back to the community.”

The third new name at the club is Kristian Wilkes, who is the owner of Process Pipework Services in Ulverston, with his skills coming in construction and project management.

In a significant step for the club, the Bluebirds Trust, whose chairman is Steve Herbert, will be taking up a 10 per cent stake and give Barrow supporters a voice in the new regime.

The new investors will all join current board members Sid Blain, Russell Dodd and Jamie Reid in due course.

Hornby said to the supporters: “Thank you for your patience during the changeover - the support and kind words have been appreciated and will hopefully continue on the journey ahead.

“I would just ask that we all get behind Ian and the team now.

"They are working hard to end this run of results so let’s get a good crowd against Wrexham and give them a lift.”