[Archived] Rovers Takeover Thread

[Blackburn Ender]

Because of the Walker millions, Rovers are in a different (better) position than they have been in more than 50 years.

Unlike previous managers, each new Rovers manager has the potential of a superb academy set up to nurture; stable off-field backing and some funds for signings.

Plus, money generated from sales will go back into the team.

I agree you can always get a duff manager, but Williams has done well so far.

Also, the Trust has not withdrawn funding, to my understanding, just doesn't see the need for it right now.

With most of the teams promoted going straight back down again, it must be harder than ever to get relegated from the Premiership.

I'd rather be in this position in 10 years time than being flogged off to the highest bidder because the bottom's fallen out of the housing/leisureware/stock market.

[nicko]

Hello all,

I have been going through all the newspaper stories and things don't add up a few more questions for Nicko:

a) it said earlier Choudery has offered 30-35M they want 40-45Mill then reading back how comes both parties Choudery & C.Ronnie have been quoted 2 different prices what is the thinking behind that? CHOWDERY IS 10M SHORT OF THE FIGURE WANTED...RONNIE HAS YET TO PUT A FIGURE ON IT.

It has been reported that Choudery has wealth in Dubai & America I understand it in the U.K. he is worth 150M so what is his wealth abroad? It was reported in total he is worth half a billion? Is this correct? INVESTMENTS ABROAD, BUT HE SEEMS TO HAVE STRUCK A COUPLE OF BIG DEALS IN ENGLAND RECENTLY.

c)If Choudery is taking on the clubs debt although it won't go into the walker trustees pockets surely in view of this he is actually offering more by taking on the debt which seems very reasonable? CORRECT...AND CORRECT.

d) Looking back through the articles when it first broke it was quoted in the people C.Ronnie was on the verge of a 25M takeover with all this talk of 2 different prices do I then take it if C.Ronnie bids 25M it will be accepted? or will the WT play hard ball and insist on the full price for the club? RONNIE VALUES THE CLUB AT LESS THAN WHAT CHOWDREY IS WILLING TO PAY...HE MAY HAVE A BETTER CHANCE IF HE CAN PROVE HE HAS MORE MONEY BEHIND HIM FOR NEW PLAYERS.

e) Is the reason behind the 2 prices due to the fact C.Ronnie is financially more secure and Choudery could run into problems later and the WT might have to help & bail us out later? to me if the 2 people have have been quoted 2 different prices seems to me the WT want to start an auction to find the highest bidder which seems wrong NO, JUST TWO DIFFERENT WAYS OF TWO DIFFERENT PEOPLE APPROACHING A POTENTIAL TAKEOVER. THE TRUSTEES ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR STARTING AN AUCTION, TO BE FAIR.

f)If the reported fee of 25M from C.Ronnie is accepted will he then have to take on the debt at the club 15-17M? GOOD QUESTION, NO ANSWER TO THAT YET.

g) Do you think after everything that has gone on if C.Ronnie does come in with a bid do you think the WT will play hard ball and still want 40-45M + someone on top of that to take on the debt? THE TRUSTEES CAN ASK WHAT THEY WANT.

h) Is it true the icelandic consortium are part of the C.Ronnie takeover team? THERE IS AN ICELANDIC BANK INVOLVED WITH HIM, PART OF THE CONSORTIUM BUT THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE INVOLVED AND WHO WOULD BE INVOLVED LATER.

Laters all.

[Iceman]

Nicko that doesnt sound right,surely there must be some other hidden agenda's that we dont know of.Chowdery(sp)offered 30 to 35mill,Trustees wants 40 to 45mill...Chowdery is willing to take on the clubs debt as well,which is in the region of 17mill(im guessing or is that right figure)that adds up to if he bid 35 mill plus 17 for the debt thats 52 million in total.

Thats more than the trustees so called 45 mill valuation of the club.So it should be a done deal then,Right?

so it seems that the trustees want 45million in their pockets,plus somebody to take on the 17 million in debts,which mean that they value the club at something close to 60 odd million.

either that,or they dont believe that neither Ronnie or Chowdery has the financial strength to give enough money to splash the cash on new players.Now correct me if im wrong Nicko,but who is handling the sale,rotschilds or the trustees?

does Rotschilds say to the trustess okay,we have a buyer are you happy with this,they say no and they look again,or if their is a suitable buyer,does Rotschilds say you just bought yourself a club,congratualtions and informs the trustees?

[nicko]

Nicko that doesnt sound right,surely there must be some other hidden agenda's that we dont know of.Chowdery(sp)offered 30 to 35mill,Trustees wants 40 to 45mill...Chowdery is willing to take on the clubs debt as well,which is in the region of 17mill(im guessing or is that right figure)that adds up to if he bid 35 mill plus 17 for the debt thats 52 million in total.

Thats more than the trustees so called 45 mill valuation of the club.So it should be a done deal then,Right? THE TRUSTEES HAVE A VALUE FOR THE CLUB - BUT SEEM TO REGARD THE DEBT AS SEPARATE WHICH MEANS ADDITIONAL MONEY HAS TO BE FOUND BY THE BUYER.

so it seems that the trustees want 45million in their pockets,plus somebody to take on the 17 million in debts,which mean that they value the club at something close to 60 odd million. ABOUT RIGHT.

either that,or they dont believe that neither Ronnie or Chowdery has the financial strength to give enough money to splash the cash on new players.Now correct me if im wrong Nicko,but who is handling the sale,rotschilds or the trustees? THE TRUSTEES DON'T KNOW WHAT THE BIDDERS ARE WORTH.

does Rotschilds say to the trustess okay,we have a buyer are you happy with this,they say no and they look again,or if their is a suitable buyer,does Rotschilds say you just bought yourself a club,congratualtions and informs the trustees? ROTHSCHILDS FIND POTENTIAL BUYERS, DISCUSS FIGURES, PASS ON FINANCIAL INFO. BUT THE FINAL WORD IS WITH THE TRUSTEES...IT'S THEIR CLUB.

[Iceman]

Nicko but that to me is what Chowdery has managed to put foward..35 mill,plus the clubs debt is way more than the 45mill the trustees want.it seems to me the trustees want 45 straight,and the buyer to take on the clubs debts...

[nicko]

Nicko but that to me is what Chowdery has managed to put foward..35 mill,plus the clubs debt is way more than the 45mill the trustees want.it seems to me the trustees want 45 straight,and the buyer to take on the clubs debts...

Chowdery has told them what he would pay - and I'm not confirming £35 million - but been told it is around £10 million short.

This is for the ownership of the club.

The debts are something any buyer would inherit and on top of that figure.

[Iceman]

it still doesnt add up to me...10 mill short,but he is willing to take on the club's debt.that to me,means its about what the trustees are looking for and a bit more.

sorry Nicko if im doing your head in,i come from doing accounts,and im now in a buying environment

[John]

Why not just believe the club, they are in talks with interested parties but nothing is imminent.

People getting carried away with possible bidding wars etc. I doubt that is happening because either interested buying party does not have the money for that.

Tris sums it up well in his recent posts.

What I have learned this summer, is not to read everything on here as gospel.....

[nicko]

Why not just believe the club, they are in talks with interested parties but nothing is imminent.

People getting carried away with possible bidding wars etc. I doubt that is happening because either interested buying party does not have the money for that.

Tris sums it up well in his recent posts.

What I have learned this summer, is not to read everything on here as gospel.....

Chris Ronnie - interest confirmed at a business conference.

Nabeel Chowdrey - valuation confirmed to a newspaper.

Believe what you want.

Better still, wait until it's in the local paper...

[John]

Nicko - I was not referring to the liklihood that these guys are interested in buying the club. There is obviously interest but whether they realistically can move us forward is debatable.

However, on the face of it, it appears neither has the necessary finances to move us siginifcantly forward (hence the trustees won't sell).

Out of the two, I would presume Ronnie has more money behind him.

I appreciate your updates, but I would suggest it is highly unlikely that Chowdrey will become our new owner.

[stuwilky]

it still doesnt add up to me...10 mill short,but he is willing to take on the club's debt.that to me,means its about what the trustees are looking for and a bit more.

Surely if he buys the club, he takes on the debt?

[Majiball]

If it happens it happens, We all know it will only happen if its the best move for the club, to take us forward. Otherwise we all know JW will do everything he can, to keep Rovers at the highest level possible!

[modes98]

Surely if he buys the club, he takes on the debt?

I assumed that the £45m golden figure would include the 'debt amount' (say £15m) so the cash offer to get the club would be £30m? or are they after £45m + taking on debts.

[nicko]

I assumed that the £45m golden figure would include the 'debt amount' (say £15m) so the cash offer to get the club would be £30m? or are they after £45m + taking on debts.

At the moment they are separate.

Chowdery said he valued Rovers at £40 million, which includes the debt.

I have since learned that he has made an offer that is even greater than that figure - but this includes the debt - and is not considered big enough.

[Mr Creosote]

At the moment they are separate.

Chowdery said he valued Rovers at £40 million, which includes the debt.

I have since learned that he has made an offer that is even greater than that figure - but this includes the debt - and is not considered big enough.

Nicko, a simple question from a simple bloke - here goes,

Are The Trust A) procrastinating in order to ensure that a future owner is a "fit and proper" individual/group to hold the club in safe and propserous custody or (as I am beginining to susect and fear)........

B ) holding out for the biggest financial package in order to glean as much profit as possible?

[nicko]

Nicko, a simple question from a simple bloke - here goes,

Are The Trust A) procrastinating in order to ensure that a future owner is a "fit and proper" individual/group to hold the club in safe and propserous custody or (as I am beginining to susect and fear)........

B ) holding out for the biggest financial package in order to glean as much profit as possible?

The best answer would be provided by the Trustees. I can only tell you what I have found to be a recurring theme from three interested parties in the last year.

1 - the money the Trustees want to clear is quite high.

2 - the debt is manageable but still a factor that anyone taking it on would have to handle.

It's not about 'fit and proper' people as it has never reached that stage.

The bottom line is that the Trustees want to get rid - something people seem to ignore as they put their head in the sand. Nobody blames them for asking for money, it is an asset or a 'trust,' but it's just how much that becomes a problem.

[Blackburn Ender]

Yes, they want rid. But only to someone who can satisfy their high and unusual demands.

From what you say the three interested parties so far haven't even got to the stage where the Trust can decide if they can sell Rovers to them.

It's not difficult.

Rovers name a price, a buyer agrees to pay the price. They don't need to haggle.

[BRFC95]

Rovers name a price, a buyer agrees to pay the price. They don't need to haggle.

It would be far easier just to auction on ebay

[modes98]

Rovers name a price, a buyer agrees to pay the price. They don't need to haggle.

I suppose it depends on how desperate they are to sell. At their current level of investment we could well find ourselves moving to the championship and then we won't be worth anything like what they are asking.

They should show more willingness to discuss the price, as they obviously have no intention or desire to invest extra cash in us so we are going to find it even more difficult to compete.

It's like buying a car £45m is the listed price, buyer offers £35m and they meet in the middle. expensive car mind you.

[SamDingle]

Leeds United mark II.

This should be fun to watch.

[den]

Leeds United mark II.

This should be fun to watch.

Well that's an interesting post Sam. The points you raise are very interesting.

[Blackburn Ender]

I disagree.

There's a difference between wanting to sell and having to sell.

The Trust does not need to sell.

[modes98]

There's a difference between wanting to sell and having to sell.

The Trust does not need to sell.

Definitely. The problem for us is, if they are not willing to invest money in us then we aren't going to progress as far as we could. This isn't a problem for the trust as they want out anyway.

The trust has enough money to mean they will never be forced to sell but that probably isn't in our best interests as a club.

I'm not saying that the grass would be greener with Ronnie or Chowdery but I would imagine they would invest more year on year to try and see a return in the longer term. In that time one of us lot has to become a billionaire and buy rovers.

[yoda]

Leeds United mark II.

This should be fun to watch.

oooooh a dingle

WAVE

[yoda]

The best answer would be provided by the Trustees. I can only tell you what I have found to be a recurring theme from three interested parties in the last year.

1 - the money the Trustees want to clear is quite high.

2 - the debt is manageable but still a factor that anyone taking it on would have to handle.

It's not about 'fit and proper' people as it has never reached that stage.

The bottom line is that the Trustees want to get rid - something people seem to ignore as they put their head in the sand. Nobody blames them for asking for money, it is an asset or a 'trust,' but it's just how much that becomes a problem.

I don't think the money is High, its the price you have to pay to put your toe in the water,

The trustees want to sell not to "get rid" and obviously the prospective buyers have not offered enough to get the trusts attention to move to the next level, so it is not a problem for the trust, they have a value that they want, its up to the propective buyers to try and negotiate.

As Jack would have said, stop wasting my time, in that respect the trust are following his wishes.

and have a word with sam dingle, he will get dizzy in the rarified atmosphere of a Premiership message board