Hamilton Accies chief executive Colin McGowan has confirmed he has controlling interest in the New Douglas Park club - and its sale will be on his terms.
Long-time owner Ronnie MacDonald - who has spent the last 18 years in charge - has relinquished his controlling interest and McGowan has taken the mantle.
The 66-year-old is tasked with making the final decision over whether the seventh-placed Championship club will be bought out by interested parties, of which there are three.
McGowan told Lanarkshire Live: "We have the same football team, the same football club, the same community. Every single thing is identical, apart from the fact that Ronnie has relinquished his interest in the club.
"Other than that, there is no change in the directors room. I am not going to be deciding who is midfield and defence, or who's playing up front.
"The ball is in my court with what happens with the sale. Ronnie MacDonald is a close friend of mine and it's important to me.
"We have one of the longest serving board of directors in Scottish football. Ronnie is away, but I'm quite sure the board will still ask him questions now and again. I don't think all that much will change.
"I've got controlling interest and there's interest about. That is absolutely true. There's three different interested parties in buying the club. But talk is cheap. They need to be right custodians.
"They need to go through a rigorous check before I even consider it."
Questions have been asked of McGowan's interest in football at Hamilton. McGowan's social charter, Blameless, provides help for alcoholism and addiction, and has offices based at New Douglas Park.
The Accies CEO was previously a director at Raith Rovers, where things turned sour.
Supporters protested against his occupation and McGowan said he 'would not stay forever' if abuse and no offers to buy him out came forward, amid Stark's Park potentially being demolished for housing.
When asked of those concerns from fans, he said: "We have 500-loyal supporters and they are great. The community is behind us here like you wouldn't believe. Hamilton as a town is behind this football club, big time.
"Ronnie was one of the football people. He is my close friend and I would take advice from him anyhow.
"If you're the smartest man in the room, you're in the wrong one. I would always take the advice of my closest friends, of which he is one."
McGowan was keen to stress his thanks to supports and the town, adding: "I want to thank the community of Hamilton from the bottom of my heart.
"It's heartwarming the amount of support this football club has received. It's unprecedented.
"Every single event we are doing is busy. I've got letters and thank you cards, lots of beautiful stuff is being sent and said.
"My walls and drawers are full with thank you cards because of what we are doing in the community."
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