Readers will recall how Council taxpayers in Knowsley were cheated out of millions of pounds by the Liverpool academy land deal, reported on the 3/9/ 2003. Now following a major investigation the Kirkby Times can reveal the loss to the community is far greater than was previously reported.

Using delegated powers, the now Council leader Ron Round approved the sale of 54½ acres of land to Liverpool FC for the sum of £1.09m, without going out to public tender. This took place between 2nd September / 22October 1996.

Before the ink was dry on the contract Liverpool FC sold 9 acres of the land to Whitbread Leisure for £ 2million, to build the David Lloyd Centre

This gave Liverpool FC 45 acres of land for nothing. Land values in Knowsley are currently £1 million per acre. At a conservative estimate the council taxpayers appear to have lost a minimum of £30million

The Council and Whitbread lied through their teeth on the 29/9/ 97,when they approved the planning application for the David Lloyd, it included a 60 bedroom Hotel, Travel Inn, and public house creating 90 fulltime jobs. These never materialised, nor did the community facilities also promised by Council and Whitbread.

The deal was made in secret between Chief Executive Henshaw, and Liverpool FC season ticket holder Ex leader Keight, who kept most of the councillors in the dark, till the last minute then forced it through the council with the political whip.

Currently Henshaw is masterminding Liverpool FCs new stadium move into Stanley Park, residents should be warned of the kind of tactics and false promises inflicted on the Kirkby Community. It is clear the only interests served were those of the football club, and Mr Henshaws ego.

The Kirkby Times believes there are now substantial grounds for a Police investigation into the Liverpool Academy land deals that have left the community considerably short changed.