Former Liverpool striker David Fairclough believes the High Court's ruling against owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks is great news for the Barclays Premier League side and will allow the club to start planning for a brighter future under the ownership of New England Sports Ventures.
Hicks and Gillett had asked the judge to delay the hearing of an application by creditors Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) for mandatory orders paving the way for a possible sale this week.
But the plea was rejected by Mr Justice Floyd.
At RBS's request, the judge imposed injunctions on the two men requiring them to restore the original constitutions of the companies and managing directors, and refused the Americans the right to appeal.
The ruling paves the way for Liverpool chairman Martin Broughton to allow NESV to complete their £300million takeover of the club.
Fairclough told Sky Sports News: "I think it is good news and Liverpool can now look forward.
"We think this is the first major step in allowing the club to move forward. They (NESV) appear to be progressive owners so hopefully it is all good news.
"Hopefully this is day one of the way forward and certainly there will be smiles on the faces of Liverpool fans as it gives a clear route to go forward."
Fairclough also believes that Reds fans need not worry about the club being taken over by another set of American owners, saying that the animosity felt towards Hicks and Gillett should not cloud their judgement of John Henry and NESV.
He continued: "They are respected business people in American sport and they are well appreciated and have won many plaudits. I am sure their reputation goes before them.
"I dont think a handful of individuals should taint a whole country. The reputation of John Henry has been discussed over the last couple of weeks and they seem to be upstanding business people. There is no reason to think one group of Americans is any worse than another."
Part of the current owners' argument had been that the decision to accept NESV's bid had been taken without proper consideration of other available bids.
But Fairclough said: "They (Hicks and Gillett) have always had this inflated value of the club but I am sure the current board have considered every detail, they have not made this decision on a whim. I am sure it has been closely looked at.
"It will be interesting to see how they see the club moving forward."
Hicks and Gillett had asked the judge to delay the hearing of an application by creditors Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) for mandatory orders paving the way for a possible sale this week.
But the plea was rejected by Mr Justice Floyd.
At RBS's request, the judge imposed injunctions on the two men requiring them to restore the original constitutions of the companies and managing directors, and refused the Americans the right to appeal.
The ruling paves the way for Liverpool chairman Martin Broughton to allow NESV to complete their £300million takeover of the club.
Fairclough told Sky Sports News: "I think it is good news and Liverpool can now look forward.
"We think this is the first major step in allowing the club to move forward. They (NESV) appear to be progressive owners so hopefully it is all good news.
"Hopefully this is day one of the way forward and certainly there will be smiles on the faces of Liverpool fans as it gives a clear route to go forward."
Fairclough also believes that Reds fans need not worry about the club being taken over by another set of American owners, saying that the animosity felt towards Hicks and Gillett should not cloud their judgement of John Henry and NESV.
He continued: "They are respected business people in American sport and they are well appreciated and have won many plaudits. I am sure their reputation goes before them.
"I dont think a handful of individuals should taint a whole country. The reputation of John Henry has been discussed over the last couple of weeks and they seem to be upstanding business people. There is no reason to think one group of Americans is any worse than another."
Part of the current owners' argument had been that the decision to accept NESV's bid had been taken without proper consideration of other available bids.
But Fairclough said: "They (Hicks and Gillett) have always had this inflated value of the club but I am sure the current board have considered every detail, they have not made this decision on a whim. I am sure it has been closely looked at.
"It will be interesting to see how they see the club moving forward."
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