Friday 29 June 2012 17:40, UK
Keith Ryder has completed his takeover of Port Vale, subject to ratification from the Football League and Football Association.
Lancashire businessman Ryder and the club's administrators Begbies-Traynor have confirmed that contracts to complete the club's sale have been signed. Ryder, pleased the contacts had been signed ahead of the proposed deadline of June 30, told the club's official website: "This is set to be an exciting new era for Port Vale Football Club and it's a challenge which I'm already relishing. "The process of buying the club was never something we could rush, but we always stated publicly that we wanted to sign by the end of June and we have done that. "We've submitted all of the necessary documentation to the Football League and we will now wait for the deal to be ratified. "I'm now looking forward to starting the journey in earnest and hope that all of the club's supporters will join me as we try and return Port Vale to better times."