[Archived] Rovers Takeover Thread

[Majiball]

The Trust aren't giving us any more money, I don't see how staying with them is better. And all this 7th best club thing, while true, isn't really that relevant. Look at the potential for returns, for generating revenue, if the League was based on that we'd be in a relegation battle each season.

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QUOTE(Ste B @ Jul 7 2008, 09:02 ) 633814[/snapback]

On the other hand they arent taking anything out either.

Any investor in the club would be wanting to get a return on their investment, so any extra monies made could go into their pockets rather than on players.

OK I've been berating the trust for the last couple of days or so, I am completely and totally grateful for all monies they have put in, but its nowhere near the the 97M as the vast majority of that money came in during Jacks era. We still have debts from our time in the championship, and pretty much since then we have survived with what we have, yes we spent money when we came back up but didn't we generate a serious transfer surplus upon relegation around 15M if I remember correctly.

If I remember correctly prior to Jacks departure, he said that the club was provided for we would have no money worries, the trust is made up of several profit making businesses, and that profit would be used to keep the club running, and competitive for the foreseeable future. Now the trust owns 67% of a company called flybe, who sponsor Birmingham at 1.5M a season and Exeter at 150K perseason, why not Rovers?? The trust was set up for the Club, Jack said this. Jack could never have foreseen the current finacial climate, who could, and we all know he wanted us to be self-sustaining. Does anyone seriously believe Jack ever intended those 80M of loans to be re-paid, I don't converting them to shares was a two way street, it removed payments from the club but at the same time secures their money. Now the current finacial cllimate allows us to be self-sustaining we can make ends meet, but at what cost. Last year we were one of the lowest spenders in the league. Our self-sustinase is based on finishing above a certain position in the league each year, I do not know what position it is, but would guess its top half. We have debts of 20M or so, a wage bill that almost matches our turn-over and we are not big payers. What happens this year if we finish bottom half??? All in all its hardly a sound finacial base, nor a footballing one.

Maintaining our position and standing in the game gets harder every year, Everton, Man City, Villa, Spurs, Portsmouth, West ham and Sunderland will all spend big, they will get stronger. If we miss out on Europe again next year, how many of you seriously believe the likes of RSC, MGP, CS, BM et al, will stay. Could we replace them, with equeal quality, compete finacially, with wages etc, its doubtful. You reep what you sow in football, yes spending big is no garuntee, but it helps.

The trust is walking a tit-rope, with us. Hughes worked some miracales Ince will have to do the same. One grabbi, Davies or ferguson and we're in trouble. A poor season this year and we're in trouble, will the trust intervene I doubt it, Our value will drop they will lose out, they may even have to bail us out again and it will be more than 3M should the worst happen! Only one member of the trust has ever spoken publicly, A lawyer, no-one from the family gives a crap about us! When was the last time a Walker was at a game. If anyone on here is involved in football heavily tell me what does you wife think of it all???? I know what mine thinks and what my mates missuses think about it.

I'm desperatly not trying to be a arsehole, but look at events since the trust took over, funding withdrawn the second we balance, no transfer funds, yes 3M a year but its the bare minimum nothing more.

[Majiball]

For some time now the assurances coming from JW - for both Hughes and Ince - is that we are in the market to buy new players.

£10m this summer, according to Nicko. HOW MUCH DID WE HAVE LAST YEAR IT WAS REPORTED TO BE 10M THAT INCLUDES SIGNING ON FEES, AGENT FEES, DOES IT INCLUDE CONTRACTS AS WELL?

And we do not have to sell. THATS A BARGAINING TACTIC, TO KEEP PRICES HIGH

But if we do, then the money goes to the manager for replacements. AFTER YOU DEDUCT PLAYER FEES, AGENT FEES, SIGNING ON FEES, TAX ETC ETC

I'd say that's not a bad position to be in.

There's no chance that any of the potential bidders mentioned to date is going to give significantly more than this. WE CURRENTLY HAVE NOTHING £1 MORE IS A SIGNIFAGANT INCREASE, EVEN 20M MORE COULD MAKE A MASSIVE DIFFERENCE

So, a new owner, unless it's a hugely rich new owner, is not going to make much difference, is it? AT LEAST IT WOULD BE SOMETHING

And look at Ashley at Newcastle who was reported to worth a billion or more. Still hasn't stopped the fair weather fool from wanting out. HE'S SPENT 100'S OF MILLIONS ON THE CLUB CLEARED THERE 100+M DEBT, HE WAS MUGGED

For those wanting the Trust to sell - be careful what you wish for. It might come true.

[thenodrog]

--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ste B @ Jul 7 2008, 09:02 ) 633814[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->On the other hand they arent taking anything out either.

When was the last time a Walker was at a game. VIRTUALLY EVERY MATCH.

If anyone on here is involved in football heavily tell me what does you wife think of it all???? I know what mine thinks and what my mates missuses think about it. RELEVENCE?

btw whats a 'tit-rope'? Is it a sex toy or similar?

[Roaming Rover]

btw whats a 'tit-rope'? Is it a sex toy or similar?

Therno, If I paid admissions to come on here, that would have been worth the admission fee alone!!!

[speeeeeeedie]

I'm in the let's keep the Trust camp. The people mentioned so far have been a bit iffy. Dan Williams was all talk; he couldn't even afford to buy a 2-bit semi-pro American team. Ronnie was probably sizing the club up as leverage to sell more stuff. This Chowdrey bloke is a sharp businessman yet if figures are true he has a £150 million fortune. We don't know how much of that is liquid and how much is tied up in property. Even if it's all cash he'd lose the lot in 3 seasons. I can't help but think that he's in it for an investment rather than a stewardship. If TV money keeps rising and the Premier League keeps being successful globally we'll be able to sustain on what that provides with very prudent management. If we can establish ourselves as a proving ground for up and coming managers then so be it; they know what they need to do, and we reap the rewards for a few years before they move on.

If Jack Walker had never turned up we may have gone under, now people are griping at what he set up. How times have changed.

[den]

If Jack Walker had never turned up we may have gone under, now people are griping at what he set up. How times have changed.

No-one at all is griping at what was set up Speeeeeedie, - there's just a bit of uneasiness at whether the trusts recent business with Rovers, is actually what Jack laid down in his wishes.

[Fife Rover]

Anyone else noticed the implications of Osama Bin Laden's family expressing an interest in Newcastle? Namely that the 'nailed on' barcode Mike Ashley is all of a sudden making it known that he'd like the club taking off his hands.. So much for a rich man's plaything, eh - I wonder if we would be seeing pictures of Ashley slumming it with five bellies and his mates any more should he actually sell??

Apart from the 2.5X crowds I don't really see what economic difference there is between Rovers and Newcastle, so why they can be valued at £300 million and we are struggling to get an investor to stump up £40 million really baffles me.

Having said that, if there was a super rich footwear and sports gear tycoon knocking around with a fresh £300 mill in his pockets and looking for a well run and consistently successful brand to lock into (as opposed to a shoddy knocking shop for over-inflated egotistical yobs), then good old BRFC might well look very attractive.

I hope the Bin Laden connection does come off at the barcodes, though! I mean, the club are already a massive joke, but that would be just fantastic..

Looking forward to the new season. Don't envy the lads training today in the pishing rain

I can just imagine what would happen then. The USA would send their heavy bombers over Newcastle and nuke SJP.

[den]

On topic please?

[philipl]

That's not the case.

The Trust would like someone else to take over to continue to fullfil Jack's wishes.

Until that happens they are obliged to continue to run Rovers in a way that satisfies the terms of the trust.

They have never said there will be no more funds going from the Trust to Rovers. Simply that, at this moment in time, they do not see a need to give the club any extra cash.

That is something you can argue about and disagree with.

If in the future Rovers financial situation requires additional funds, then the Trust will presumably have to provide it.

That is the way I see it too.

Glad Ronnie is out of the way- anyone unable to name his backers (if he needs backers) is not a serious contender to buy our club.

[FourLaneBlue]

No-one at all is griping at what was set up Speeeeeedie, - there's just a bit of uneasiness at whether the trusts recent business with Rovers, is actually what Jack laid down in his wishes.

Presumably they are operating within the rules laid out by Jack. Some of those rules could have a time expiry for all we know...e.g. the Trust to contribute to the club the shortfall in empty seats but only for five seasons or so. Perhaps Jack himself wanted the club to be sold by the Trust by a certain time and if conditions were met (e.g. five years in the Prem?). This is all speculation...but if the Trustees are bound by the conditions of the Trust then how do we know they are not just acting in accordance to what was laid down?

Jack did always say he wanted Rovers to be almost self-financing. The TV deal seems to have enabled this and therefore conditions have been met for a sale. This of course does not really take into account that we face slipping back without investment.

On the other hand...who is it that makes sure that the Trust fully follow what is in the rules to the letter and the spirit Jack left? Who even gets to see the Trust deeds? If they were not following them...who would decide this or ever hold them to account?

I expect they are acting in accordance with Jack´s wishes but then again considering all the secrecy involved...how do we know what he wanted?

[speeeeeeedie]

FLB's right, who knows what is in the Trust? I still think we are safer with them than some bloke who has a few spare quid and the supposed promise of some heavy hitting yet invisible backers. Jack's wish was for us to be self sustaining with a quality youth set up. TV is helping us along, now Ince needs to work on the youth side of it.

Since Jack's death the Premier League Landscape has changed, 6 or 7 clubs have been bought by foreign nationals with oodles of cash. If the Trust is supposed to keep us competitive as a top league force it will have to put more in, but that will deplete what's in there for everyone else such as FlyBe.

[American]

Finding the extra £10m could be a test for Chowdrey, if he fails that's another car salesman found out. The longer we stay with the Trust the better.

I think he's passed the test. He doesn't want to pay more money than it is worth. I doubt he can't find it, he just doesn't feel it is prudent to spend it.

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QUOTE(Ste B @ Jul 7 2008, 04:02 ) 633814[/snapback]

Any investor in the club would be wanting to get a return on their investment, so any extra monies made could go into their pockets rather than on players.

I think current climate investors are looking to be able to build the club's name and reputation and sell it on for a profit in several years. Fortunately, one big way to do that is to invest in building up the club (and an extra 10 million not spent on purchasing it would help).

I do find it interesting that 2 developers have been names mentioned. Perhaps they see some potential in using some of the existing land holdings of the club and developing them. Hopefully any projects would center around what is already there, and not replace big portions of it.

[philipl]

I believe the land the Rovers own would require a dramatic channge of use from the Planning people to be developed which is very unlikely to be given.

[Ghostwriter]

I believe the land the Rovers own would require a dramatic channge of use from the Planning people to be developed which is very unlikely to be given.

Would you like to put a bet on that.

All you need to do is dangle the "Affordable Homes" tag and the local authority bends over backwards.

[LDRover]

Apologies if this has been put elsewhere but noticed on LT billboards that the trustees are to resume the annual funding?? Anyone know any more?

[bob fleming]

Apologies if this has been put elsewhere but noticed on LT billboards that the trustees are to resume the annual funding?? Anyone know any more?

Had a quick look before I left the house. Yep - they're putting the £3m per annum back in. Personally I've never had a bad word to say about them

[den]

Leadership from the very top.

[Guest Kamy100]

The Lancashire Telegraph carrying an exlusive story in which John Williams is delighted to confirm that the Jack Walker Trust has re-instated funding for 2008/2009 season, this will mean Ince will have an extra £3 Million in the transfer kitty.

[FourLaneBlue]

If the Trustees are going to be putting the 3 million into the club each year...then why on earth would we want the likes of Chowdry or Ronnie coming in with the intention of making money from the club? The Trust might want to sell but it seems that it is in the interests of Rovers supporters that they keep on running the club.

Certainly until the time when we find a worthwhile buyer who can invest heavily take us forward...those who scrabble around while uhmming and ahhhing over the asking price are unlikely to be so.

[Guest Kamy100]

According to the LT this is at the moment only for the 2008/2009 season.

[Blackburn Ender]

They must be reading this!

American, property developers are visible because they are the ones who've made all the new money in the UK this last decade.

Without looking into it too much, it seems Chowdrey is one of the guys who got involved in buying & selling commercial real estate in Manchester, which has been a bit of a musical chairs recently between first Jewish owners, then big banks and pension funds, then Irish investors followed by Asian money.

Basically, they have all been speculating on the freehold of commercial property in the city and the capital value of the buildings.

Everything from the MEN Arena, Kendals department store & several other high profile office buildings have all changed hands several times in the last five years.

Quite where it is now the music has stopped and who is left owning what I do not know.

Back to The Trust. £3m is a small sum to inject some confidence into the club and its future.

[FourLaneBlue]

According to the LT this is at the moment only for the 2008/2009 season.

The timing seems strange. This is only 3million granted but why did they not give it Hughes to invest in players? The way he had bought players suggested that the club could in fact soon turn that 3million into another Bentley, Cruz, Bellamy, Samba, Nelsen etc....all of which could leave for far higher than those for which they were brought in.

I doubt it would have fully stopped Hughes wanting to leave but seeing that backing from the board would at least made him stop and think some more.

Now we have to just hope that Ince also can spend money wisely.

[PAFELL]

The timing seems strange. This is only 3million granted but why did they not give it Hughes to invest in players? The way he had bought players suggested that the club could in fact soon turn that 3million into another Bentley, Cruz, Bellamy, Samba, Nelsen etc....all of which could leave for far higher than those for which they were brought in.

I doubt it would have fully stopped Hughes wanting to leave but seeing that backing from the board would at least made him stop and think some more.

Now we have to just hope that Ince also can spend money wisely.

Can somebody post the link to the LET story

[b12_simon]

The timing seems strange. This is only 3million granted but why did they not give it Hughes to invest in players? The way he had bought players suggested that the club could in fact soon turn that 3million into another Bentley, Cruz, Bellamy, Samba, Nelsen etc....all of which could leave for far higher than those for which they were brought in.

I doubt it would have fully stopped Hughes wanting to leave but seeing that backing from the board would at least made him stop and think some more.

Now we have to just hope that Ince also can spend money wisely.

Not at all. I think MH's leaving, especially his stated reasons for leaving reminded the board of their responsibilities to the club.

[gumboots]

Not at all. I think MH's leaving, especially his stated reasons for leaving reminded the board of their responsibilities to the club.

Perhaps they didn't give it to Hughes because they alreaydy knew he wanted to leave. If they'd handed it over sooner they wouldn't have done it now. Here it smacks of "We back the appointment" and makes them look better.