MARK Fry’s bill for being in charge of selling Saints could be close to half a million pounds.

Or, in other words, almost £5,000 A DAY.

The administrator had racked up a bill of £273,008 as long ago as May 27.

That was just 55 days after Fry’s company Begbies Traynor were called in after Southampton Leisure Holdings PLC had gone into voluntary administration.

At that point Fry’s daily bill to Saints was equivalent to £4,963.78 a day or around £340 an hour.

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If the costs have been running at the same rate since then, his estimated bill could end up about £486,450 based on 98 days of administration.

A spokesperson for Begbies told the Daily Echo: “This has been a complex case requiring negotiations with a range of creditors and interested purchasers for the sale of the assets of Southampton Leisure Holdings which include Southampton Football Club.

“The Administrator was invited by the Board of Southampton Leisure Holdings to take on this case and has done so on a risk basis – meaning that we will only get paid on the successful conclusion of SLH’s administration or sale of its assets.

“There are strict regulatory guidelines on how much an Administrator can be paid which is ordinarily from the assets of an entity either on a time cost basis or as a percentage of the value of the assets.”

Fry, meanwhile, believes Liebherr’s purchase represents a “fantastic opportunity to rebuild the club.

“Markus Liebherr was attracted to Southampton by a number of qualities which include the club’s rich sporting heritage, loyal fan base, first class stadium and training facilities and the potential for the Saints to regain their rightful place at the higher echelons of English football.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all Saints’ fans for their support and patience in what have been uncertain times for the club.

“I would also like to wish both Markus and the club well for future success.”