A former diamond dealer has emerged as a potential saviour for crisis-club Crawley Town.

Hertfordshire-based businessman John Goodwin, 61, has revealed to The Argus that he wants to buy the club from owners Chas and Azwar Majeed.

Crawley officially went into administration yesterday following a season of financial problems and off-field turmoil.

The Conference side has been handed over to Leeds insolvency firm Begbies Traynor and the day to day running will now be handled by accountant Rob Sadler.

It means Crawley will start next season with a ten-point deduction, the punishment for any club going into administration.

Goodwin has registered his interest with the administrator.

He recently sold his jewellery business and is about to move from his Hertfordshire home to south London.

He stepped down as chairman of Bishop's Stortford last month after seven years at the Conference south club.

He helped them clear debts of almost £300,000 and build a new stadium.

He has also been chairman of Essex League club Romford and his friends include former Crawley manager Billy Smith.

Goodwin said: "I would certainly be interested in buying the club.

"I have had several approaches from other clubs in the last two or three months but I'm looking for something more substantial.

"I relish the challenge of finding clubs that need to create income streams and make their business successful.

"Crawley is a potential Football League club, there is no doubt about it. It has lovely facilities, the backing of the council and a very good support base.

"They need someone who knows the football business to come in and run it properly.

"I know the business and I know how to make football clubs successful.

"I would want 51 per cent until I turned it around and the other 49 per cent I would make available to anyone who wanted to invest."

The Majeeds, who own bars and clubs across Sussex, have also been ordered to pay about £60,000 to former staff by employment tribunals and been fined £3,000 by the Conference for exceeding their playing budget.

Supporters fear they are using administration as a way to clear the debts and would then be reluctant to sell.

Goodwin tried to contact them in March when Crawley's money problems were first revealed.

He was told they were not interested in his potential investment.

He said: "From what I've heard the Majeeds are not football people and in that case they will struggle to make the club successful, in fact they will run it into the ground.

"I enjoy making football clubs successful but also know the game and what you can and can't do.

"You cannot gamble with the club because you have not just got the interest of a few workers to consider, you have thousands of fans and local people involved."

Goodwin says his track record at Bishop's Stortford proves he can sort out Crawley's financial mess.

He said: "When I went there in 1999, they had no ground and only had £23 in the bank.

"When I left, the club was debt free, owed no money and had a nice new ground."