Fleetwood Town, the English Football League club, is facing uncertainty after its owner Andy Pilley was sentenced to 13 years in prison for ripping off small businesses and charities. Pilley, 53, who has invested £30million in the club, was convicted of crimes that a judge described as a 'sordid tale of squalid lies, greed and fraud'. Despite his conviction, Pilley still owns Fleetwood Town, but EFL rules require him to divest his shares after the 'disqualifying event' of his lengthy prison sentence. The club says it is in a 'continued dialogue' with the EFL about a change of ownership. Andy Pilley is a huge part of the Fleetwood Town story after 20 years of investment and service. He remains a hugely popular person in the town and local area, not only due to his investments into the football club but also local charities and the wider community. Fleetwood Town fans still sing his name, even though the club are onto their third manager of the season, former Liverpool and Blackpool player Charlie Adam. The club is currently 23rd in League One, seven points from safety. Pilley oversaw six promotions at Fleetwood, taking the club from the 10th tier to the third in a decade. The group of energy companies Pilley founded in 2002, BES Utilities, is still deeply intertwined with the club. Its logo is on the team's shirts and the company headquarters is based in the stadium. The BES Utilities group includes BES Commercial Electricity Ltd and Business Energy Solutions, both of which are based in the Parkside Stand at Fleetwood Town Football Club. The sentencing remarks in the criminal case against Pilley made clear the BES companies were deeply involved in his frauds. Pilley addressed the fans' forum late last year with a brief audio message recorded from prison, thanking fans for their support during the trial and asking them to continue their support for the club in the years to come.