Receiver Michael Stevenson called time at 5 p.m. yesterday for offers to take over debt-ridden Bristol Rugby Football Club.

Two bids had been received by then, one headed by John Burke, chief executive of Bristol & West plc, and the other led by former Bristol player Nick de Scossa.

The bid from Burke is for the rugby club to move completely to Bristol City Football Club's Ashton Gate ground while de Scossa wants to remain at the Memorial Stadium which has been Bristol's home since 1921.

Burke and City's executive chairman Scott Davidson outlined their proposals at a meeting with the players at Clifton Rugby Club, where the players have been training. They emerged an hour later confident that their bid would be successful.

"We had a very encouraging meeting with the players, there is a remarkably good spirit amongst them considering what they have been through, and we generally have them supporting our proposition," said Burke.