[Archived] Rovers Sold ??

[den]

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.

The biggest problem though, is that relegated teams inevitably lost half of their team. Rebuilding can take longer than the parachute payments last.

[Paul]

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.

Oh dear ..... two in a morning. cognisant - "having knowledge or understanding of" not quite the right word in the context.

nicko, by your trade you must have a good understanding of these matters, certainly an insight. Generally football fans welcome whoever is prepared to splash the cash on new players and hang the consequences. Some of us, it seems a small but growing band, are very worried about the future of OUR club and the game in general. A little thought and a calculator will quickly show nothing has changed....it's just costing a hell of a lot more. You, yourself, stated some very average players are changing hands for daft money. This is not good for the game, only the players and their agents. I fully agree with you regarding Rovers, we have to be the best run club in the PL and probably the country, so why risk throwing this away? The future is bright, but joining the stampede to spend money on players who six months ago were worth half the amount will not work. None of these clubs are truely improving their squads, the players just don't exist.

Santa Cruz being a prime example. 33 gaols in 8 seasons for £4.5m!!!!! Now I trust Sparky to get this right but it seems a hell of a gamble. In comparison £8m or more on Bellamy might have been a better bet........goal-scorer, crowd-pleaser, bums on seats, capable of winning a game on his own.........

I really wish some media commentators would look a little further than selling papers (not aimed at you nicko) and start writing some considered, objectively critical items on this subject.

[philipl]

Remember whoever buys has to pass the tests Jack set in his Will which whilst it probably looked forwards to a new Jack Walker probably also made sure nobody could asset strip what he built up.

That is why I think drog is over doing it in the misery stakes.

The reason why I said Rovers would probably drop to a yoyo level before they drop out of Prem contention is yes they would lose a great chunk of their team but they would have the cash to build something far too good for the fizzy pop but not good enough to survive in the Prem.

I have been very consistent in saying Rovers are probably best off staying in Trust ownership and Nicko is effectively echoing that in his most recent post here. The Rovers' Trust ownership does give the club competitive advantage even if (because?) it denies us the dubious ability of being able to splash £25m over 4 years on the volcanic Mr Bellamy.

[thenodrog]

I fully agree with you regarding Rovers, we have to be the best run club in the PL and probably the country, so why risk throwing this away?

And yet we can still not turn a profit nor a decent return on capital.

[Rainmaker]

Didn't Rovers have an operation profit not so long ago?

[stuwilky]

Didn't Rovers have an operation profit not so long ago?

Its a fiddle though, it excluded player trading!

[Paul]

And yet we can still not turn a profit nor a decent return on capital.

Which is why I remain highly sceptical about foreign investment in the FAPL clubs. People like JW have been doing this for years and can't make money. What is it the Johnny-come-latelies see that those with all the experience and local knowledge cannot? I just don't believe all this Far East market, branding stuff. The only profits in the FAPL are the ones that are stripped out of TV revenues.

....and if it is so valuable why aren't the Trustees holding on for a better return on their now considerable investment. If there is money to be made we should be employing someone to make sure Rovers earn that money in our current set up, not under some bunch of investors.

The owners who really know the game are getting out while the money is good.

[Fife Rover]

I dont know why you guys are all getting in such a stew. In the long term when the bubble has well and truly burst (not just for Rovers but for the entire EPL and every one connected to it) The burnt out shells of the clubs will still be there, and we can all start again from the ground level (1888 and all that!). It will be like a breath of clear, clean sweet smelling air.

The PEOPLE'S GAME will be back and big money gone to F****!!!!

[Cortez]

It's worrying when an individual who is supposed to be a financial wizard has, apparantly, massively over estimated the clubs' value club by almost 20%! Doesn't fill one with much confidence for the future. I accept that until the finer details have been examined it's not possible to come to an exact amount but 10 million is miles out.

[modes98]

I do agree it's very strange but i'd rather he saved that extra cash and we got it to spend on players, etc.

[92er]

There is a very good article in the LT today-and as everybody knows, I don't know how to do links.

Author and business and sports expert David Conn explains the advantages and disadvantages of foreign takeovers

[92er]

There is a very good article in the LT today-and as everybody knows, I don't know how to do links.

Author and business and sports expert David Conn explains the advantages and disadvantages of foreign takeovers

Den has very kindly sent me info as to how to do links-many thanks; any incompetence from now on will be either down to my having lost the print out, or my inability to follow instrcutions.

David Conn apparently writes a weekly sports column in the Guardian on Wedesdays and wrote " The beautiful game? Searching for the soul of Football".

Conn contrasts Abromovich who "has put a few droplets ( of his fortune ) into loans at Chelsea, which he doesn't ever expect to be repaid" with the Glazers takeover of MU and Hicks and Gillett's takeover of Liverpool, both of which were highly leveraged. In both cases huge amounts of money have been borrowed by the clubs-MU would have been very much healthier if they had not been taken over. In Liverpool's case, the new owners have not put in their own money-apparently Hicks has made that clear recently and the club is spending either money that has been borrowed, or money they would have had to spend anyway.

" Liverpool sought a takeover because they need rich men to guarantee more borrowings-another £200,000,000-plus to build a new stadium. MU did not want a takeover but they were on the Stock Market and the Glazers went and bought them anyway."

"At the Rovers the Trustees are prepared to sell so they no longer have to financially support the club, but they are not in difficulties.

"The chairman JW who speaks so well about the duties and responsibilities attached to running a major football club has said the right people mus be found.

"That does not mean people who have a background in Blackburn or who are fans of the club, but those who when they say they are" investing" or "making money available" do not mean they are saddling the club with debt.

" Daniel Williams, the most public of those who have come forward so far, has said he is backed by US funds with billions at their disposal-but Rovers will need to be clearer about whether any of that money will be actually spent on Rovers, or just used to borrow the money to buy the club.

"JW and the Trustees will also want to understand how any buyers are looking to profit from the club, before signing its future away.

[thenodrog]

I dont know why you guys are all getting in such a stew. In the long term when the bubble has well and truly burst (not just for Rovers but for the entire EPL and every one connected to it) The burnt out shells of the clubs will still be there, and we can all start again from the ground level (1888 and all that!). It will be like a breath of clear, clean sweet smelling air.

The PEOPLE'S GAME will be back and big money gone to F****!!!!

Yes and back to a level playing field pre Jack Walker Fife we'll find our own level as a perrenial yo-yo club..... between the 2nd and 3rd Divisions!

[Fife Rover]

Yes and back to a level playing field pre Jack Walker Fife we'll find our own level as a perrenial yo-yo club..... between the 2nd and 3rd Divisions!

Much better that than the fate that lies ahead for us all if we continue as at present Theno.

[trueblue]

Much better that than the fate that lies ahead for us all if we continue as at present Theno.

Aye.. we'd have to be earning the same wages as the players to be able to afford to go to a football match !!

[RevidgeBlue]

Yes and back to a level playing field pre Jack Walker Fife we'll find our own level as a perrenial yo-yo club..... between the 2nd and 3rd Divisions!

Blimey you two, turn it in, what day should we expect plagues, pestillence and swarms of locusts?

Wednesday or Thursday of this week?

[USABlue]

Yes and back to a level playing field pre Jack Walker Fife we'll find our own level as a perrenial yo-yo club..... between the 2nd and 3rd Divisions!

THAT was the ONLY Rovers I ever knew. I was fine with it.

[RevidgeBlue]

THAT was the ONLY Rovers I ever knew. I was fine with it.

Despite the ramblings of those grumpy old so and so's USA, it's a lot better in the top flight imo.

Point of order though, it was the OLD second and third divisions we used to oscillate between which would be divisions one and two now.

[daren]

on a pedantic note that I can't resist, for some reason, it would now be the Championship and League 1.

Sorry!

[stowell]

I dont know why you guys are all getting in such a stew. In the long term when the bubble has well and truly burst (not just for Rovers but for the entire EPL and every one connected to it) The burnt out shells of the clubs will still be there, and we can all start again from the ground level (1888 and all that!). It will be like a breath of clear, clean sweet smelling air.

The PEOPLE'S GAME will be back and big money gone to F****!!!!

You dirty Commie

[bluebruce]

I dont know why you guys are all getting in such a stew. In the long term when the bubble has well and truly burst (not just for Rovers but for the entire EPL and every one connected to it) The burnt out shells of the clubs will still be there, and we can all start again from the ground level (1888 and all that!). It will be like a breath of clear, clean sweet smelling air.

The PEOPLE'S GAME will be back and big money gone to F****!!!!

Orrrrr, we could be the only club that doesn't overspend like mad and continues to buy sensibly but enough to keep us in the clear, and end up being the only club that actually has money in the kitty when the bubble busts, instead of being saddled with debt.

Speaking of which, the most interesting part of that LT article to me was the bit about Manure's interest on the loans the Glazier's took out. A whopping 62 million a year. Just the interest. On a 660 million loan. That clearly can't ever be paid off. United don't spin 62 million PROFIT a year. So they're not even keeping level with the interest, which means the debt is rising. They just spent what is it, in the region of 50 million on players? With another 20 million or more to come on Tevez. My guess would be that this year they've gone further into debt. They're also setting themselves a dangerous precedent by spending so much- look at how it has affected Chelsea. Aside from dreams of Rovers glory, and England winning the World Cup, my one burning desire in football is to see United go under. I never believed it was possible, but after reading that article, who knows? If I have to wait 50 years I'll still be delighted to see it.

Santa Cruz being a prime example. 33 gaols in 8 seasons for £4.5m!!!!!

33 gaols?!? What a brutal tyrant!

[thenodrog]

Orrrrr, we could be the only club that doesn't overspend like mad and continues to buy sensibly but enough to keep us in the clear, and end up being the only club that actually has money in the kitty when the bubble busts, instead of being saddled with debt.

Speaking of which, the most interesting part of that LT article to me was the bit about Manure's interest on the loans the Glazier's took out. A whopping 62 million a year. Just the interest. On a 660 million loan. That clearly can't ever be paid off. United don't spin 62 million PROFIT a year. So they're not even keeping level with the interest, which means the debt is rising. They just spent what is it, in the region of 50 million on players? With another 20 million or more to come on Tevez. My guess would be that this year they've gone further into debt. They're also setting themselves a dangerous precedent by spending so much- look at how it has affected Chelsea. Aside from dreams of Rovers glory, and England winning the World Cup, my one burning desire in football is to see United go under. I never believed it was possible, but after reading that article, who knows? If I have to wait 50 years I'll still be delighted to see it.

33 gaols?!? What a brutal tyrant!

They should move lock stock and barrell to Spain. Real Madrid get into ludicrous debt every so often anf a combination of the banks and the city council clear it for them. Ken Bates would love it there!

[92er]

Orrrrr, we could be the only club that doesn't overspend like mad and continues to buy sensibly but enough to keep us in the clear, and end up being the only club that actually has money in the kitty when the bubble busts, instead of being saddled with debt.

Speaking of which, the most interesting part of that LT article to me was the bit about Manure's interest on the loans the Glazier's took out. A whopping 62 million a year. Just the interest. On a 660 million loan. That clearly can't ever be paid off. United don't spin 62 million PROFIT a year. So they're not even keeping level with the interest, which means the debt is rising. They just spent what is it, in the region of 50 million on players? With another 20 million or more to come on Tevez. My guess would be that this year they've gone further into debt. They're also setting themselves a dangerous precedent by spending so much- look at how it has affected Chelsea. Aside from dreams of Rovers glory, and England winning the World Cup, my one burning desire in football is to see United go under. I never believed it was possible, but after reading that article, who knows? If I have to wait 50 years I'll still be delighted to see it.

33 gaols?!? What a brutal tyrant!

I didn't quote the interest part as I think I have read that the Glazers have re-negotiated the rates and I wasn't sure if the quote referred to the old deal or the current deal.

I thought the more interesting point was the fundamental question of why anyone would want to buy us, and what they hope to get out of it.

[Guest Kamy100]

According to this morning's Lancashire Telegraph the takeover is highly unlikely to happen before the end of the transfer window. Andy Neild says that there are a number of interested parties including the Williams camp, but no one has made a firm offer and no due diligence has been done which apparently takes at least a month.

[thenodrog]

According to this morning's Lancashire Telegraph the takeover is highly unlikely to happen before the end of the transfer window. Andy Neild says that there are a number of interested parties including the Williams camp, but no one has made a firm offer and no due diligence has been done which apparently takes at least a month.

That makes perfect sense Kamy. If the deal cannot be conducted before then I would imagine that all concerned parties would have issued firm 'no sale' instructions to JW and Co. Any bidders would want to know exactly what they were buying I guess.

This could be backed up by a recent rumour around here that WHU had offered 14m for McCarthy two weeks ago which had been flatly rebuffed immediately.... if kosher it would also explain why WHU had not been back with another bid.