PROTESTING fans marched on the Galpharm Stadium to call for Huddersfield Town owner Ken Davy to quit.
But their demonstration came as the man they hoped would take over announced he had scrapped his bid to buy the club.
A group of about 50 people walked from fans’ boozer Turnbridge Working Men’s Club brandishing “Davy Out” banners on Saturday afternoon.
That number swelled to around 100 as they arrived at the ground before Town’s 1-1 draw with Oldham Athletic.
The fans – angry that Davy, 66, rejected a bid for the club from former Hull City chairman Adam Pearson – chanted: “We want Davy out” and “There’s only one Adam Pearson.”
There were further chants during the game.
Marcus Middleton, one of the protest organisers, said: “Davy has taken us as far as he can go. It’s time to say ‘thank you, but you’re time’s up.’
“We need a fresh injection of enthusiasm and cash to take us forward.”
Fellow protestor Richard Miles added: “It seems for the first time there’s a genuine fan with the interests of the club at heart who wants to push the club forward.
“We have felt increasingly rudderless and Davy has been increasingly distant from the fans.
“A lot of people don’t think there’s anything fundamentally wrong, and that the club is just going through some bad form, but there are a lot of issues that need addressing.”
Supporter Darren Marsden added: “We are starting to regress as a club and we now find ourselves in a position where a genuine Town fan with a proven track record wants to take us on.”
But the protestors were bound to be disappointed after the news that Pearson had abandoned his attempts to by the club.
He said he had been given a clear message he was not wanted.
“I have given it great thought this week because it has been made abundantly clear that I am not welcome at Huddersfield Town,” he said.
“So, it is with great regret that I must withdraw my offer and move on.
“It is disappointing that I have not been able to invest in my hometown club, but that is Mr Davy's prerogative.
“Hopefully, someone can make the club stronger and take it forward, but, unfortunately, that person will not now be me.”
Mr Pearson had a formal bid rejected by Mr Davy earlier this month.
The Town owner suggested instead they form a partnership, but Mr Pearson wanted more than the 40 per cent shareholding on offer.
A deadline for Pearson to accept Davy’s offer passed on Thursday without further negotiation.
Batley-born Pearson, 42, said his original bid remained on the table, but has now changed his mind.
Some fans outside the ground on Saturday offered support to Davy.
Margaret Smith, a supporter of 30 years, said: “Some people seem to have short memories.
“They weren’t protesting when Ken Davy rescued this club from possible extinction.
“He should be given time to turn things round.”
Director and Club Secretary, Ann Hough, said: “We knew there was going to be a small protest and we worked closely with the organisers, the police and stewards.
“ As expected, a number of people gathered outside the stadium before the game and we allowed them to voice their opinions.”
