Ten days before the club was due to close an announcement was made by administrator Matthew Dunham that the then Mayor of Barnsley, Peter Doyle was in line to complete a takeover of the club. This was confirmed on 3 December but ratification by the league was not confirmed for some months. Many fans however were unhappy with Doyle's motives in running the club, as he was seen as a surprise buyer. Fans staged walkouts during games to protest and ultimately followed in the steps of former Wimbledon fans by creating a breakaway club, "AFC Barnsley", though they folded towards the end of the 2005–06 season due to the salvation of the main club.