[Archived] Rovers Sold ??

[FourLaneBlue]

The lower the price for Rovers the better it is for the future of the club. The Trust can't be thinking in the best interests of the club if what is being reported is true and they are after as much cash as possible. Obviously the more that is spent on buying the club means less for strengthening the team. There is a difference between the highest bid and the best bid for the club itself.

[1864roverite]

I think the figures speculated are pure speculation at best and I also agree with FLB. I just cannot see Rovers value at 67m when you think that Villa went for approx 55m.

I can see that the less appears in the media then the more there is likely going on with the takeover behind closed doors.

[RevidgeBlue]

I think the figures speculated are pure speculation at best and I also agree with FLB. I just cannot see Rovers value at 67m when you think that Villa went for approx 55m.

I can see that the less appears in the media then the more there is likely going on with the takeover behind closed doors.

My recollection is that Villa went for about 43m - prior to the new TV deal of course.

If what Nicko is currently reporting is true, it's a VERY strange way of going about things.

I mean surely you usually dip your toe in on the low side and then put in a more realistic bid when it's knocked back. Not go over the top initially then withdraw your bid and offer less after it's been accepted!

[stuwilky]

My recollection is that Villa went for about 43m - prior to the new TV deal of course.

If what Nicko is currently reporting is true, it's a VERY strange way of going about things.

I mean surely you usually dip your toe in on the low side and then put in a more realistic bid when it's knocked back. Not go over the top initially then withdraw your bid and offer less after it's been accepted!

Have we ever accepted a bid?

Villa went for £63m didnt they?

[1864roverite]

hence the word S P E C U L A T I O N. I dont think I have seen a Rovers quote on how much they think the club is valued at unless I have missed something. That figure only appeared in the press if I am not mistaken.

[RevidgeBlue]

Have we ever accepted a bid?

Villa went for £63m didnt they?

Obviously no formal bids have been lodged, I was talking generally, but you know what I mean. The impression was given that this American consortium were initially prepared to pay one price, now it's claimed it's another sort of price entirely.

Doesn't exactly inspire confidence to put it mildly.

[stuwilky]

We can all make up numbers though cant we. There may well be no substance at all to the original numbers touted (pick a figure springs to mind) - I found it very hard to believe at the time due to the obvious comparisons with West Ham and Aston Villa.

[trueblue]

I loved the line in Nicko's report in the People... "However, New Jersey based exile Willams discovered he may have been bidding against himself"

Priceless !!

[Paul]

This story isn't new, I read in one of the online papers, probably the LET with a link from here, that Williams felt he had over bid by £10m at least 2 if not 3 weeks ago. I think this is just a re-hash of the same story. As for the £67m figure, I think that came from the Williams bid and not the club. One can understand the trustees holding out for the £67m unless there is good reason to reduce the bid. Once Williams has made his offer turning round and changing hjs mind because he thinks no one else is in the race is hardly going to please the trustees.

[Tris]

Doesn't exactly inspire confidence to put it mildly.

As many of us have been pointing out since the day this joke "bid" became public knowledge.

The initial blaze of publicity (which one has to assume was self-generated by those behind the "bid") was a load of b*llox.

If this bunch of incompetents get any further we're in real trouble. Can you imagine when they start bidding for players?? Let's bid 25% over the odds, with money we need for something else. Because we've not even done the most basic sums.

I'm aware that this is an Alan Nixon story, so potentially it's no more than fiction. However, "Nicko" has been consitently positive about this bunch of idiots from New Jersey, so one has to assume the story is filed with the right intentions.

Even if the net result is to highlight how important it is for Rovers to steer well clear of any mickey mouse bandwagon jumpers trying to cash in on the TV deal.

As fans, we need to make it known that the status quo - with the unique safeguards which Jack Walker cemented into place - is the best option for Blackburn Rovers. There is no buyer on this earth who can have the same best interests at heart.

[RevidgeBlue]

Careful what you wish for Tris, what if the Walker Trustees decide these guys have borrowed enough of other people's money to make it worth their while selling up? I'm sure they have a duty to the family as well.

We'll have to get on with things as best we can and get behind the new regime at that point.

P.S. Don't know if the interest will eventually come to fruition, but from a couple of other sources apart than "nicko" it does exist, it isn't made up.

[Tris]

Careful what you wish for Tris, what if the Walker Trustees decide these guys have borrowed enough of other people's money to make it worth their while selling up? I'm sure they have a duty to the family as well.

We'll have to get on with things as best we can and get behind the new regime at that point.

P.S. Don't know if the interest will eventually come to fruition, but from a couple of other sources apart than "nicko" it does exist, it isn't made up.

Duty to the family or not, it appears that the Walker Trustees have a duty to Jack Walker's wishes (and perhaps legally to his final will and testament). Otherwise the albatross that is (for them) our footy club would have been dumped long ago.

Those millions of £££ would have been far better spent buying new planes for flybe, but Jack's instructions means we're watching Benni Mac rather than Benny Burgess. Because the trustees have to look after Blackburn Rovers. It's an extraordinary situation and the trustees must hate it.

As for "Nicko" - my reference was only to this latest twist about the idiots from NJ suddenly realising they are "bidding against themselves". I'm sure it isn't made up - and that is precisely what worries me. Those idiots couldn't run a bath with three taps - keep them well away from Blackburn Rovers.

[RevidgeBlue]

Duty to the family or not, it appears that the Walker Trustees have a duty to Jack Walker's wishes (and perhaps legally to his final will and testament). Otherwise the albatross that is (for them) our footy club would have been dumped long ago.

Those millions of £££ would have been far better spent buying new planes for flybe, but Jack's instructions means we're watching Benni Mac rather than Benny Burgess. Because the trustees have to look after Blackburn Rovers. It's an extraordinary situation and the trustees must hate it.

On the other hand it might only be the recent TV money which has suddenly made Blackburn Rovers Football Club worth selling given prospective purchasers are apparently talking the sort of telephone numbers being bandied around now.

In a commercial sense you can't blame the Trustees for wanting shut..

[Tris]

In a commercial sense you can't blame the Trustees for wanting shut..

Exactly why I said they prob would have preferred to be spending money on flybe aeroplanes for the last 7 years rather than sponsoring empty seats in the Darwen End @ £££ millions per season.

You can't blame them for wanting shut in this (or any other) commercial environment. The key is what Jack's will allows them to do. Our only hope as fans is that selling out to cowboys from New Jersey isn't allowed.

[nicko]

A couple of points on the takeover story.

The original offer was pushed up from a figure set in March which was due to increase over time depending on the team's final position. I know this to be true. I have seen some things I probably shouldn't have.

So the price went up by some amount because of the success in the final weeks of the campaign. That is fair enough.

The £67 million figure I quoted in the Sunday People last month included buying the club, sorting out any debt, etc, etc.

Dan Williams confirmed these figures in a later interview.

Now the Williams/Nuttall group think that they have offered more for the club than it may be worth. They also want to use cash for players rather than merely giving it away. I used the phrase 'bidding against themelves' because I believe they were told there were other bidders at that level - and by the looks of it there are not.

I would have thought fans would like to see new money go on players rather than to the present owners. I must have been wrong.

To call people who have been trying to buy the club 'cowboys' is way over the top. There has been sniping from the start, which is odd. They were described as 'dodgy.' Unfortunately there is jealousy in all walks of life and this clouds judgement.

Rovers have been looking for new money for over two years. After some were kicked out for good reasons they have run with this since March. So they - who know better than anyone else - take the group seriously and think this may be worthwhile.

The bottom line is that you can stay as you are or change and take a chance or a leap of faith.

I can't say these people will be good or bad in the long run, but as bidders go they are obviously respectable or the owners and the board would have kicked them out long ago.

[Fife Rover]

A couple of points on the takeover story.

The original offer was pushed up from a figure set in March which was due to increase over time depending on the team's final position. I know this to be true. I have seen some things I probably shouldn't have.

So the price went up by some amount because of the success in the final weeks of the campaign. That is fair enough.

The £67 million figure I quoted in the Sunday People last month included buying the club, sorting out any debt, etc, etc.

Dan Williams confirmed these figures in a later interview.

Now the Williams/Nuttall group think that they have offered more for the club than it may be worth. They also want to use cash for players rather than merely giving it away. I used the phrase 'bidding against themelves' because I believe they were told there were other bidders at that level - and by the looks of it there are not.

I would have thought fans would like to see new money go on players rather than to the present owners. I must have been wrong.

To call people who have been trying to buy the club 'cowboys' is way over the top. There has been sniping from the start, which is odd. They were described as 'dodgy.' Unfortunately there is jealousy in all walks of life and this clouds judgement.

Rovers have been looking for new money for over two years. After some were kicked out for good reasons they have run with this since March. So they - who know better than anyone else - take the group seriously and think this may be worthwhile.

The bottom line is that you can stay as you are or change and take a chance or a leap of faith.

I can't say these people will be good or bad in the long run, but as bidders go they are obviously respectable or the owners and the board would have kicked them out long ago.

I think most of us fully understand the position is as you say Nicko. But there are a number of people on this board, who are against the idea. Some out of fear of the unknown, others from a conviction that we are better off staying as we are, and a few that are just bloody-minded. Unfortunately staying as we are is not really an option, as the longer it takes for the Walker family to get their money out of Rovers, the more frustrated they are going to get and that cannot be good for Rovers.

[thenodrog]

A couple of points on the takeover story.

The original offer was pushed up from a figure set in March which was due to increase over time depending on the team's final position. I know this to be true. I have seen some things I probably shouldn't have.

So the price went up by some amount because of the success in the final weeks of the campaign. That is fair enough.

The £67 million figure I quoted in the Sunday People last month included buying the club, sorting out any debt, etc, etc.

Dan Williams confirmed these figures in a later interview.

Now the Williams/Nuttall group think that they have offered more for the club than it may be worth. They also want to use cash for players rather than merely giving it away. I used the phrase 'bidding against themelves' because I believe they were told there were other bidders at that level - and by the looks of it there are not.

I would have thought fans would like to see new money go on players rather than to the present owners. I must have been wrong.

To call people who have been trying to buy the club 'cowboys' is way over the top. There has been sniping from the start, which is odd. They were described as 'dodgy.' Unfortunately there is jealousy in all walks of life and this clouds judgement.

Rovers have been looking for new money for over two years. After some were kicked out for good reasons they have run with this since March. So they - who know better than anyone else - take the group seriously and think this may be worthwhile.

The bottom line is that you can stay as you are or change and take a chance or a leap of faith.

I can't say these people will be good or bad in the long run, but as bidders go they are obviously respectable or the owners and the board would have kicked them out long ago.

Whatever whatever Alan ........ Point is that all this TV money is just a crock of gold at the rainbows end! You must surely know that? When all the bright spark foreign investors in the Prem (This country contains some of the worlds richest men but I note the likes of Walkers, Sugar, Branson or any British power brokers, apart from Ashley maybe, are certainly not looking to profit from this apparently easy money cos they know that there wont be any..... ) finally realise that they are over a barrell and being held to ransom by the greed of players and agents they will asset strip to cut their losses as best they can and high tail of back to Uncle Sam to lick their wounds.

I realise that the finances in football are now frightening off even the Walkers of this world and that they will naturally do the best that they can for themselves and at the present time that appears to be to cut and run. We on the other hand will be plundered and left to do a Forest / Leeds. I have said until I am blue in the face that when the Fantasy Island position that Jack Walker alone elevated us up to BRFC will ultimately find it's own level in English football. We cannot defy gravity for ever and until our natural fan base and resources improve dramatically it will not be in the top division(s).

[nicko]

If a club is run properly at first-team and youth level then it should not drop.

There is madness in the game at the moment and people throwing money away as soon as they get it.

You can actually stay in a good position by standing still these days. So many others are going backwards.

I find it hard to work out why anyone would want to buy a football club - including the Nuttall group - because there is no obvious profit margin.

Chelsea, Man U and Liverpool are running their clubs ar ridiculous levels of debt. Arsenal have had to take a back seat and put their top four status at riusk as a result.

Tottenham are a well-run club because they invest in young talent with sell-on values.

But after that there are five or six clubs who have a right to contest the top half and stay there.

There is no doubt Rovers are way above where they should be in terms of finance and crowd size.

And there is no reason to think they will crash because the bottom half of the Premier is full of sides who want to spend to improve quickly and find it impossible.

Look at Sunderland as an example. They have a huge crowd and a charismatic manager plus bundles of cash.

Who have they signed so far?

The transfer market is at its craziest ever. Lots of clubs with cash and vacancies and a handful of good players to sign.

The horizon is brighter than you think whether it is under the current regime or a new one.

[Paul]

(This country contains some of the worlds richest men but I note the likes of Walkers, Sugar, Branson or any British power brokers, apart from Ashley maybe, are certainly not looking to profit from this apparently easy money cos they know that there wont be any..... )

That, I feel, is the most perceptive statement I have seen on the whole issue of foreign investment in theFAPL.

[thenodrog]

If a club is run properly at first-team and youth level then it should not drop.

There is madness in the game at the moment and people throwing money away as soon as they get it.

You can actually stay in a good position by standing still these days. So many others are going backwards.

I find it hard to work out why anyone would want to buy a football club - including the Nuttall group - because there is no obvious profit margin.

Chelsea, Man U and Liverpool are running their clubs ar ridiculous levels of debt. Arsenal have had to take a back seat and put their top four status at riusk as a result.

Tottenham are a well-run club because they invest in young talent with sell-on values.

But after that there are five or six clubs who have a right to contest the top half and stay there.

There is no doubt Rovers are way above where they should be in terms of finance and crowd size.

And there is no reason to think they will crash because the bottom half of the Premier is full of sides who want to spend to improve quickly and find it impossible.

Look at Sunderland as an example. They have a huge crowd and a charismatic manager plus bundles of cash.

Who have they signed so far?

The transfer market is at its craziest ever. Lots of clubs with cash and vacancies and a handful of good players to sign.

The horizon is brighter than you think whether it is under the current regime or a new one.

I'm still worried about the horizon's horizon though.

[thenodrog]

That, I feel, is the most perceptive statement I have seen on the whole issue of foreign investment in theFAPL.

Thanks Paul

...... Saves me looking up 'cognisant' too!

[AggyBlue]

My thoughts too. The Walkers wouldn't want rid if there was obvious easy money to be had.

[thenodrog]

There is no doubt Rovers are way above where they should be in terms of finance and crowd size. And there is no reason to think they will crash because the bottom half of the Premier is full of sides who want to spend to improve quickly and find it impossible.

Yeah but it's like making love after too much to drink..... one slip and we're in the **it! I cannot see a way back for us next time down. Hughes and his team are key and should be looked after and comparatively rewarded at all costs. btw I've already made suggestions on this subject.

[philipl]

I love watching drog wallowing in his own misery.

The realistic immediate scenario if Rovers drop a level is becoming a yoyo club. The parachute payments are so massive from the Prem that clubs receiving them have a massive advantage in getting back.

Look at last season- two relegated clubs straight back and a third beaten finalists in the Play-offs.

[thenodrog]

I love watching drog wallowing in his own misery.

The realistic immediate scenario if Rovers drop a level is becoming a yoyo club. The parachute payments are so massive from the Prem that clubs receiving them have a massive advantage in getting back.

Look at last season- two relegated clubs straight back and a third beaten finalists in the Play-offs.

Yeak OK clever clogs. The yanks by such a time older and wiser as to the ways of the English Prem League might just decide to take take a stop loss by siphoning off the parachute payments, selling off any players of value, any properties e.g. Ewood and Brockhall before cutting and running. It'd certainly be an option under strong consideration.

REM their SOLE motivations are PROFIT / RETURN ON INVESTMENT and most definitely NOT the long term fortunes of BRFC! If you think anything else you are addled and deluding yourself.