In the summer of 2003, the sale of the club appeared imminent on numerous occasions. Initially a deal was agreed between Doyle and Sean Lewis, a California based businessman. This led to the departure of manager Glyn Hodges on 5 July with former Stoke boss Gudjon Thordarson given the job as part of the deal. The deal was ultimately rejected by the Football League who refused to ratify it because they did not believe the takeover would clear the club's debts.