GATESHEAD appear to have been sold to a supporter-led buy-out - although there was another twist in the tale on Wednesday.

The club's Indian owner Dr Ranjan Varghese is believed to have sold the club for £25,000 after less than a year at the helm.

Southern-based Gateshead supporter Neil Pinkerton, now the sole director, and former Gateshead general manager Alisha Henry and Gateshead Soul supporters' association chairman Bernard McWilliams have been in London to help deliver the change of ownership.

But it emerged Varghese and football agent Michael di Stefano, who is also a lawyer, who met with National League officials at Wembley.

Doubts surrounding the sale then emerged, even though it was officially registered at Companies House. Gateshead will have a licence to continue to play at their home for the last 46 years, the International Stadium, if successful.

Provided the supporters’ buy out plan is ratified then Gateshead should also remain in the fifth-tier of English football, where they pressed for a play-off place for much of the season.