Former teammates of Michael Fialka, the man purportedly at the centre of the Pinnacle Group’s bid to buy Southampton Football Club, have expressed shock over his potential takeover.

Property company boss Fialka, 32, appeared on Sky Sports on Thursday night and informed reporters that he was hopeful the bid would be accepted. He confirmed that outstanding players' wages, in the region of £500,000, have been settled.

The Barnet resident is described as “one of the longest-serving players at London Lions”, (one of the leading Jewish football teams). A fitness enthusiast, Fialka had an unsuccessful spell as player-manager of the Lions' reserve team. He left the club after being dropped as a player by the Sunday Maccabi Lions B team, and has since stopped playing.

Basil Wein, Lions’ registration secretary, said: “Mickey’s all right. He’s a character. If he pulls it off, good luck to him.”

An unnamed source said: “I’m honestly shocked. It’s more shocking than Michael Jackson’s death. He’s one of the best talkers you’ll ever meet.

“I imagine he’s a front man with someone else’s money as he doesn’t have the trappings of a wealthy individual. He must be working with some very wealthy people.”

Another commented: “He’s a really nice guy with a strong and determined character.”