[Archived] Rovers Sold ??

[bubblerrovers]

I take it the deal must of hit a stumbling block as been no news for nearly a month?? NICKO?? anyone??

[nicko]

When you find out the scale of what is planned you will realise why some things take time.

The more I hear about this Dan Williams project the more I like it.

[rovers1993]

thaksin skipped paying taxes for over many billions worth when he sold the major thai phone network gsm... speaking as a thai person he is good for thailand but i dont like him

man city is in bad hands and i wouldnt like to be in the fans state right now.

when will the latest news about the takeover be in the press nicko? any projected time it might finish?

[roversmum]

When you find out the scale of what is planned you will realise why some things take time.

The more I hear about this Dan Williams project the more I like it.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO does that mean the new Roversmum Riverside stand will be built at last?

[Claytons Left Boot]

When you find out the scale of what is planned you will realise why some things take time.

A nice, new, big and shiny club shop.

Redeveloped Riverside stand.

Lap dancing club under the Blackburn End.

[nicko]

Takeovers are not usually my field, so I can't judge time-scales too well.

Give me a transfer deadline and I can get my head round that.

There are so many aspects that have to fall into place to get to the place where you want to be. Remember the guy Dan Williams is a businessman in his own right, so he has to make a few bob in his 'day job' as well.

However I believe this has a chance of happening. And soon.

There is no point in a story on it because it is just moving onwards towards the conclusion it has to reach...and that is agreeing the figure for the club to be bought.

Sometimes the last inch can be the longest. Is that a Chinese proverb? If not, it should be.

All will become very clear shortly.

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

When you find out the scale of what is planned you will realise why some things take time.

The more I hear about this Dan Williams project the more I like it.

Care to tell us all what you really know nicko?

The building of a new Riverside stand and thus the completion of Ewood would be in the hopes of most fans.

[nicko]

It would be wrong to go into details now. It is very delicate.

However there will be a story to tell when it's all over - and many more to follow hopefully.

Please stick with it.

[roverich]

The building of a new Riverside stand and thus the completion of Ewood would be in the hopes of most fans.

And based on the seasons average attendances for a number of years previously, a total waste of money! Rovers would be mad to pour money into enlarging the stadium until attendances increase and there is demand for more seats. As for improving the stadium (and not just changing what the riverside looks like), nothing really needs doing - it's very good and offers the same facilities compared to many others in the premiership.

[bluebruce]

It would be wrong to go into details now. It is very delicate.

However there will be a story to tell when it's all over - and many more to follow hopefully.

Please stick with it.

Understandable, but does this mean you won't be able to reveal any of those details until it is all over?

[roversmum]

And based on the seasons average attendances for a number of years previously, a total waste of money! Rovers would be mad to pour money into enlarging the stadium until attendances increase and there is demand for more seats. As for improving the stadium (and not just changing what the riverside looks like), nothing really needs doing - it's very good and offers the same facilities compared to many others in the premiership.

Doesn't need enlarging; just rebuilding in a more appropriate way. With decent facilities for the disabled and perhaps families.................... At least it would make the stadium look properly finished instead of three good stands and a bus station.......

[stuwilky]

Doesn't need enlarging; just rebuilding in a more appropriate way. With decent facilities for the disabled and perhaps families.................... At least it would make the stadium look properly finished instead of three good stands and a bus station.......

Dont we already have a purpose built family stand in the Blackburn End.

As it stands I cannot see any economic reason for spending £10m+ on the Riverside, I think 99% of Rovers fans would prefer that money being spent on the team.

[roversmum]

Stu there is already money being wasted on keeping the darn thing safe and I was told last year that serious money will soon have to be spent on it. So why not get it sorted sooner rather than later; surely costs can only escalate the longer it is left? I don't actually know what the family stand offers - I'd rather have any small kids of mine less close to the heavens but then I don't take heights easily! You cannot deny, however, that disabled 'facilities' need addressing urgently - most of the poor souls who are given pitch side positions in their wheelchairs can't see much especially when they are swathed in winter clothing.....

We are in a fairly good position player wise but there will be things to address on that front by next season so let's get the ground finished - as Jack would have wanted.

[stuwilky]

Stu there is already money being wasted on keeping the darn thing safe

Whilst I am sure money is spent on that stand - in relation to all other clubs in the league we spend very little on stadium facilities - £409,000 in the last accounts (according to D&T) only 2 clubs, Bolton and Spurs, spending less.

You cannot deny, however, that disabled 'facilities' need addressing urgently - most of the poor souls who are given pitch side positions in their wheelchairs can't see much especially when they are swathed in winter clothing.....

I can only go from what I am told, and clearly you know far more about the facilities than I do.

However, A full rebuild of the Riverside is not necessary at this time, possibly some remodelling would better meet the needs - but regardless of the current facilities - I still cannot find a reason to spend upwards on £10m on a stand which at this point in time isnt needed.

We are in a fairly good position player wise but there will be things to address on that front by next season so let's get the ground finished - as Jack would have wanted.

Its not going to happen in the short term.

[nicko]

I believe that the pieces of the jigsaw are almost in place. I hope that doesn't sound too poetic.

There is so much to come out about this that it is best waiting for the full story now rather than bits and pieces that may not make sense to fans.

I hope it is worth the wait. I think it will be.

[roverich]

As far as disabled facilities are concerned, the problem could be rectified very quickly, assuming of course that there is a problem (my experience of disabled fans goes as far as my grandad who merely has difficulties walking any distance so makes sure he gets parked near the stadium on matchday so I couldn't comment on the suitability of our disabled facilities). Would it be possible to just remove a few rows of seats in one part of the stand (any stand really, this surely isn't an issue with the riverside? if it were then I assume there are disabled facilities in other stands so fans that need those facilities should use those stands) and make a platform for wheelchair users, accessible by a lift of course. Would be very cheap to do but from what I've seen it seems other clubs disabled facilities are much the same as our own pitchside areas which brings me back to the same thing I said previously: we have relatively very good (or at least equal) facilities if not the best looking stadium.

[Claytons Left Boot]

I do not think anyone is advocating increasing the capacity via redevelopment of the Riverside. What is required is a new and higher roof together with enhanced facilities (bars/catering/tv's) within.

I agree that it would be more prudent to spend £10m on the team rather than on the Riverside. In the early 70s Burnley channelled funds to ground, rather than team, rebuilding.The result was relgation . However, if it can be done in the main with outside funding ie. grants/sponsorships etc, then why not. Not sure where the £10m figure came from by the way.

Nicko's comments suggest something on a grander scale, perhaps a Burnleyesque scheme with say hotel and retail park but surely there isn't the room at Ewood?

[Alex Rover]

I do not think anyone is advocating increasing the capacity via redevelopment of the Riverside. What is required is a new and higher roof together with enhanced facilities (bars/catering/tv's) within.

I agree that it would be more prudent to spend £10m on the team rather than on the Riverside. In the early 70s Burnley channelled funds to ground, rather than team, rebuilding.The result was relgation . However, if it can be done in the main with outside funding ie. grants/sponsorships etc, then why not. Not sure where the £10m figure came from by the way.

Absolutely spot on and no way would it take £10M, which poster thought it would?

[Ben-2000]

Make the Riverside the same in height as the rest of the stands but not extra (or reduced) capacity... Wheel chair spaces could be provided near the front similar to the disabled area at Old Trafford. Also there were plans for a hotel in times gone by - why not now. Views from the hotel could be above the seats (as a sort of upper tier). I don't think a retail park would be viable as there are already plenty scattered across the town, the nearest being around the ice arena.

If nothing else the roof needs to be extended to cover up us poor souls on rows 1-5!!!

[stuwilky]

Absolutely spot on and no way would it take £10M, which poster thought it would?

I used a £10m figure as an estimate for a rebuild of something similar to what we have with a proper concourse. It may be less, it may be more. Frankly as someone who is not an archirect or construction person it was a nominal figure to illustrate a point.

Regardless of whether is costs £2m or £25m it is money that IMO should be invested in the team.

[John]

Nicko - do you mean the takeover is imminent (i.e. price has been agreed and due dilligence about to take place??).

Your last comment suggests you have heard some news on this recently?

[Ben-2000]

Yeah, come on mate - at least give us a little something to feed off!

[roversmum]

When do you think we will know, Nicko? This is worse than waiting for exam results.......

Re the bus station: If you were a prospective player, walking out of the tunnel to be met by the sight of the bus station does not give a good impression in my view. Whilst the other three stands are classy (though the leg room could be better) inside and out, it makes the stadium look unfinished and cheap. The press take much delight in showing the stand at every opportunity. To the player, it could show a lack of ambition despite all the talk.

My vision of disabled facilities is more than a raised platform. ManUre has a special room which disabled supporters can access for refreshments, it has a big screen on the wall for them to watch the match there if they want. I visualise such a facility but having pitchside windows too so that disabled supporters could watch the match from there in the warm if they wished. This facility would of course give wheelchair access to a raised platform for outside viewing. The room would be sufficiently large to use as a day care centre - I happen to know suitable venues for these centres are extremely difficult to come by at the moment. Manure has tiers of disabled viewing areas some of which have screens set into the walls. Aside from wheelchair users the facilities could meet the needs of visually impaired supporters and ambulant disabled as necessary, even those who are not so disabled but find it difficult to move around the stadium. It is difficult enough for able people to keep warm on some of the coldest matches, wheelchair supporters do not have the ability to move around to keep warm and the shelter is most inadequate - I defy anyone to keep dry during a rainstorm where they have to sit.

[Florida Rover]

He has(given us something to feed off of) and it would seem that things are a bit delicate and t would serve us all at this time not to tell small bits of the tale but rather the entire story once a decison has been made one way or t'other.We all want to know something but it just isn't time yet.Patience again.

[Eddie]

Nicko - do you mean the takeover is imminent (i.e. price has been agreed and due dilligence about to take place??).

Your last comment suggests you have heard some news on this recently?

He's said pretty clearly that they are getting close to the price being agreed, but it hasn't quite been sorted out yet.