MYSTERY surrounds a business set up in the name of Southampton Football Company Ltd, which has an ex-professional player as its only director.

Rumours abound that the business, which was only incorporated earlier this month, some seven days after Southampton Leisure Holdings PLC went into administration, could be a springboard to launch a bid for the club.

It’s only registered director is Rufus Brevett, who is a former QPR and West Ham defender, who owns all 100 of the company's registered share capital, valued at a total of £100.

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The SFC Ltd name potentially is mere coincidence but Brevett, now 39, has previously been linked with groups aiming to take over League 1 clubs Swindon and Tranmere – a fact that’s fuelled the speculation.

The Daily Echo yesterday visited the company’s registered address at 2 Old Bath Street, Newbury – a plush building on a thriving street on the edge of the town – and is the home of accountancy firm Ross Brooke.

Among other accountancy business, Ross Brooke advise companies on potential mergers and acquisitions.

They say they can “identify potential targets for M&A, screen targets for suitability, prepare a negotiating strategy, raise the necessary capital, develop an integration plan, optimise the tax and financial position of the combined enterprise.”

In the summer of 2007, Brevett, was appointed Swindon’s sporting director to provide a link between then boss Paul Sturrock and the board.

Around that time, Best Holdings SGPS, a Portuguese investment company, announced they were taking control of Swindon only to pull out few months later.

The Daily Echo has attempted to contact Mr Brevett but has so far been unable to speak to him.

See today's edition of the Echo for the full story.

Daily Echo: See today's paper for more on this story