A millionaire tycoon is poised to buy debt-ridden Crawley Town Football Club and hand a 49 per cent share to supporters.

Former diamond dealer John Goodwin believes administrators Begbies Traynor will today fail to reach an agreement with creditors owed half-a-million pounds by the club and be forced to sell.

Begbies Traynor is asking creditors to accept an offer in which they would be paid paid 25 per cent of what they are owed over the next three years.

If at least half agree the club can come out of administration and the controversial Majeed brothers will remain in charge of the Nationwide Conference outfit.

However, it is widely expected that the majority of creditors will reject the proposal at a meeting at Broadfield Stadium this morning.

The Inland Revenue, owed almost a quarter-of-a-million pounds, has already confirmed it will decline the offer, citing the Majeeds' poor record of paying tax bills.

A number of former staff owed money, including sacked managing director Steve Duly and manager Francis Vines, will also vote against the deal.

Mr Goodwin, 61, who has a track record of helping football clubs out of financial difficulties, told The Argus: "I'm advised that the deal will fail and I will be submitting a bid to buy.

"I have had meetings with the supporters' trust in Crawley in recent weeks. I aim to buy 100 per cent of the club but I am very happy for the trust to have an interest in the club.

"We have a verbal agreement that I will make 49 per cent of the shares available to them over the first five years. At the end of five years I believe my work at the club will have been complete and I will give the trust first refusal on buying the remaining 51 per cent, meaning supporters own and run the whole club."

Mr Goodwin recently sold his jewellery business and is about to move from his Hertfordshire home to south London.

He stepped down as chairman of Bishop's Stortford last month after seven years at the Conference South club, helping them clear debts of almost £300,000 and build a new stadium.

Mr Goodwin has also been chairman of Essex League club Romford and his friends include former Crawley manager Billy Smith. He first made inquiries abut investing in Crawley Town several months ago but says he was rebuffed by the Majeeds.

Mr Goodwin said: "The club secretary called me on Friday and said Chas Majeed now wants to talk to me.

"After the way they dealt with me before I have no interest in dealing personally with the Majeeds and have declined.

"The right and proper way is through the administrators. I have submitted my interest with Begbies Traynor.

"It would be inappropriate for me to discuss figures but it will be a serious offer."

Mr Goodwin believes Crawley Town is potentially a Football League club.

He said: "I would need the co-operation of the council but there are many untapped potential sources of income.

"There is no reason why it cannot be successful as a club and business and I would relish the opportunity of using my experience and expertise.

"I know the business and I know how to make football clubs successful."

The Majeeds claim they are owed £850,000 by the club.

Mr Goodwin said: "A lot would have to be worked out and I would need to see far more information about the Majeeds' supposed debt."

The club's supporters' trust is urging creditors to block the proposals hoping it will force Begbies Traynor to sell the club.

The Devils Trust has already put its hat in the ring with a six-figure bid, enough to buy a significant share from Mr Goodwin if he buys the club.

Devils Trust spokesman Antony Weller said: "We are keen to work with John Goodwin. He seems to have the interests of the supporters and the football club at heart."