HALIFAX-BASED Darrell Littlewood is hoping to become the new owner of Scarborough FC this week.

"I am a football enthusiast and a realist and one of the first things I shall be doing is arranging a fans forum, so that people can get to know me and I can get to know their feelings and what they think should be happening at the club.

"I think it is very important because things have happened in the past which have hurt them and we want to go forward and make progress here."

Littlewood runs successful companies in the West Riding, including Outsource Credit Management and is a business partner and close friend of current owner Brooks Mileson, who has made him aware of the size of the job he has on his hands.

"Brooks is a good friend and he has saved this club".

If the deal goes ahead, he will have partners but the other men will take more of a back seat and it will be Darrell Littlewood who will be the new driving force at the club.

"They prefer not to be in the limelight but are very interested parties - and by no means sleeping partners in this deal."

Updated: 11:51 Monday, April 16, 2001