[Archived] Rovers Takeover Thread

[philipl]

They are good but not as good as I had hoped.

Detailed analysis to follow in January.

[dingles staying down 4ever]

They are good but not as good as I had hoped.

Detailed analysis to follow in January.

Does it explain the demise in the transfer budget?

[philipl]

Chris Ronnie doesn't actually own anny JJB shares. Thank goodness the Trust sent him packing when he came calling with his Icelandic borrowings.

At least the West Ham chap owned the bank once upon a time.

[Guest Vinjay606]

Dragging this up to the top of the board where it belongs.

I wonder if Alan Nixon has heard any rumours regarding takeovers recently? Not just for BRFC necessarily (though that is by far the most important issue regarding this club in the long term) but for any other big clubs?

[gumboots]

Dragging this up to the top of the board where it belongs.

I wonder if Alan Nixon has heard any rumours regarding takeovers recently? Not just for BRFC necessarily (though that is by far the most important issue regarding this club in the long term) but for any other big clubs?

Well, Alan Brazil said this morning that he'd heard from a fairly reliable source that a deal for West Ham was nearly done.

[Guest Vinjay606]

Been listening to Durham and Wright for the past hour or so and heard no mention of it yet.

[philipl]

At the very least, this will be adding a question to the due diligence book of the five alleged prospective buyers for West Ham.

Most likely, it will require another level of work to assess just exactly who and what is able to pass on clean title to the shares in the club.

I still think that the amount of uncertainty surrounding West Ham- the remaining outstanding legal claims and the FA investigation- make concluding a deal soon somewhat unlikely.

I might find myself cheering on the dingles if they play Sheff U in the play-offs. Two birds with one stone- a certain 6 points if they come up and West Ham not getting any relief on their payments to Sheff U if Sheff U stay down.

Brazil is only repeating a rumour that has been doing the rounds every week since January.

[Guest Vinjay606]

The LET are discussing takeovers but in reference to rumours involving a local league 2 club.

There might be no rumours but when Cryer interviewed John Williams relatively recently the takeover question was way down the page. It should never be treated as an afterthought. Though of course they did get an interview when Dan Williams expressed his interest so their coverage hasn't been compltely terrible. I have no doubt that Peter White however would have placed it far higher on the club's main agenda.

I recently commented on The Marple Leaf blog (run by business insider and BRFC supporter Michael Taylor) and he hasn't heard anything. Perhaps Mr Alan Nixon might have heard something?

[Hughesy]

Vinjay there is no takeover - if you want one to happen, I suggest you go about finding that buyer for us.

[only2garners]

In the current economic climate there is absolutely no chance that a buyer will come forward in the near future that will meet the Trust's requirements. If there is no chance of something happening why would anyone in the media be interested in writing a story about it.

[Parsonblue]

Discussing a takeover of Blackburn Rovers really is living in fantasy land. In the present economic climate there is not a chance of someone investing in the club. Jack Walker invested in Blackburn Rovers because he was born and bred in the town and had an interest in the club. Does anyone really think that an American, Arab or Russian billionaire is suddenly going to arrive at Ewood Park and decide to sink 50 or 60 million into the club? Foreign investment tends to go to the city clubs in London, Manchester, Liverpool or Birmingham. A small club that's situated in the econonically deprived area of East Lancashire is hardly likely to entice new investment. Our attendances don't stand comparison with the majority of the Premier League and even then we have to reduce ticket prices to make it affordable for the people of this area.

However, I would accept that the Trust are going to have to make some major decisions with regard to the club over the summer. Three consecutive transfer windows without significant investment has virtually brought the club to its knees and lost an excellent management team in Mark Hughes and co. I believe that in Sam Allardyce we have another excellent manager who will need some form of financial support in the short term. Our squad needs to be rebuilt and that will take investment. In the longer term it is vital that the club gets the Academy and Reserve system working to produce players. Jack Walker envisaged that the Academy would produce players and enable to club to stand on its own two feet but sadly it has failed to do so. I believe getting the youth set up working properly if far more important than dreaming about a takeover that is unlikely to happen.

[MCMC1875]

Discussing a takeover of Blackburn Rovers really is living in fantasy land. In the present economic climate there is not a chance of someone investing in the club. Jack Walker invested in Blackburn Rovers because he was born and bred in the town and had an interest in the club. Does anyone really think that an American, Arab or Russian billionaire is suddenly going to arrive at Ewood Park and decide to sink 50 or 60 million into the club? Foreign investment tends to go to the city clubs in London, Manchester, Liverpool or Birmingham. A small club that's situated in the econonically deprived area of East Lancashire is hardly likely to entice new investment. Our attendances don't stand comparison with the majority of the Premier League and even then we have to reduce ticket prices to make it affordable for the people of this area.

However, I would accept that the Trust are going to have to make some major decisions with regard to the club over the summer. Three consecutive transfer windows without significant investment has virtually brought the club to its knees and lost an excellent management team in Mark Hughes and co. I believe that in Sam Allardyce we have another excellent manager who will need some form of financial support in the short term. Our squad needs to be rebuilt and that will take investment. In the longer term it is vital that the club gets the Academy and Reserve system working to produce players. Jack Walker envisaged that the Academy would produce players and enable to club to stand on its own two feet but sadly it has failed to do so. I believe getting the youth set up working properly if far more important than dreaming about a takeover that is unlikely to happen.

Why not close the Academy based on its performance since inception?

[Bazzanotsogreat]

Discussing a takeover of Blackburn Rovers really is living in fantasy land. In the present economic climate there is not a chance of someone investing in the club. Jack Walker invested in Blackburn Rovers because he was born and bred in the town and had an interest in the club. Does anyone really think that an American, Arab or Russian billionaire is suddenly going to arrive at Ewood Park and decide to sink 50 or 60 million into the club? Foreign investment tends to go to the city clubs in London, Manchester, Liverpool or Birmingham. A small club that's situated in the econonically deprived area of East Lancashire is hardly likely to entice new investment. Our attendances don't stand comparison with the majority of the Premier League and even then we have to reduce ticket prices to make it affordable for the people of this area.

However, I would accept that the Trust are going to have to make some major decisions with regard to the club over the summer. Three consecutive transfer windows without significant investment has virtually brought the club to its knees and lost an excellent management team in Mark Hughes and co. I believe that in Sam Allardyce we have another excellent manager who will need some form of financial support in the short term. Our squad needs to be rebuilt and that will take investment. In the longer term it is vital that the club gets the Academy and Reserve system working to produce players. Jack Walker envisaged that the Academy would produce players and enable to club to stand on its own two feet but sadly it has failed to do so. I believe getting the youth set up working properly if far more important than dreaming about a takeover that is unlikely to happen.

I agree with the majority of your post , apart from the bolded part. The trust have put £0 into the clubs transfer budget over the past three seasons. The only money that has been spent is cash raised from the sale of players.

[Guest Vinjay606]

A small club that's situated in the econonically deprived area of East Lancashire is hardly likely to entice new investment.

Well a small local club is attracting investment at the moment (albeit on a league 2 financial scale) so no reason why a big club like BRFC can't.

I think Jack had many great visions for this club but from a mentality standpoint many BRFC fans aren't really on the same wavelength. Visions need to be shared.

There won't be any major decision should there be no change of ownership in the summer. Maybe they will put the 3 million fund but can't see anymore than that from them.

If there was no chance I'm sure they wouldn't be paying Rothschild as advisors. In 2005 people were telling me there would be no interest at all and were proved wrong about that.

[Guest Vinjay606]

Regarding the suggestion of academy closure I believe it is compulsory for premier league clubs to have an academy. There may be some timescale for promoted clubs but established clubs should have one in full operation.

Closing the academy is without merit. The club obviously need to conduct some in depth reviews and fire those who aren't hitting required targets.

[iamarover]

[

I recently commented on The Marple Leaf blog (run by business insider and BRFC supporter Michael Taylor) and he hasn't heard anything. Perhaps Mr Alan Nixon might have heard something?

In a hole in the ground there lived a Hobbit. And one that hasn't heard anything either on the G20/North Korea Nuclear/Iran/Middle East Crisis according to the Elves, the Elders and the 1420 Ale Appreciation Society of Middle Earth. But then it is a more likely place to find 'insider' knowledge than from a man called Marple who makes Narcissus look self deprecatory. He is a two fingered parish council type journo who just talks loudly to himself - and you - in a small business matchbox readership less than that of the Radcliffe Bugle.

A cursory look around a Western world facing its greatest economic crisis since the Black Death should prompt you to consider that thrashing £50m into four thousand black holes is not quite on the agenda of any man who knows his Dingles from his Pringles. So how about closing this rigor mortis ridden horse which despite the most severe Max Mosleyesque flogging is still clearly. Dead.

[MCMC1875]

Regarding the suggestion of academy closure I believe it is compulsory for premier league clubs to have an academy. There may be some timescale for promoted clubs but established clubs should have one in full operation.

Closing the academy is without merit. The club obviously need to conduct some in depth reviews and fire those who aren't hitting required targets.

Why is an academy necessary for a Premier League club then?.............

[nicko]

I don't think a takeover is too likely, but the financial outlook is not THAT bleak compared to other Premier League clubs.

If Rovers stay up they will lose a lot of big wages and possibly sell Roque which would give the manager money for the five or six new and fresh faces he needs.

There are a lot of clubs in bigger bother and with no way out of them in the summer...Portsmouth being the obvious one.

But there are clubs with more potential on the market for smaller prices, like Southampton and Sheffield Wednesday.

It's going to be a decisive few weeks for the club - stay up and remain steady is the best way forward and probably the only way forward.

The main consolation is that there are an awful lot of outfits around who would like to be in that position.

[MCMC1875]

I don't think a takeover is too likely, but the financial outlook is not THAT bleak compared to other Premier League clubs.

If Rovers stay up they will lose a lot of big wages and possibly sell Roque which would give the manager money for the five or six new and fresh faces he needs.

There are a lot of clubs in bigger bother and with no way out of them in the summer...Portsmouth being the obvious one.

But there are clubs with more potential on the market for smaller prices, like Southampton and Sheffield Wednesday.

It's going to be a decisive few weeks for the club - stay up and remain steady is the best way forward and probably the only way forward.

The main consolation is that there are an awful lot of outfits around who would like to be in that position.

Fair play - but that could have come from any Comprehensive School pupil????

[leftfooter]

Got to admire V606's optimism, but it's time to move along folks, there's nothing more to see.....

[TimmyJimmy]

A cursory look around a Western world facing its greatest economic crisis since the Black Death should prompt you to consider that thrashing £50m into four thousand black holes is not quite on the agenda of any man who knows his Dingles from his Pringles. So how about closing this rigor mortis ridden horse which despite the most severe Max Mosleyesque flogging is still clearly. Dead.

To the best of our knowledge you are right that there is no buyer to be seen at the moment but the reason isn't necessarily the credit crunch. In my view it's down to price. How much do the trustees want for the club? On the face of it you could never imagine how Man City could make a sensible financial transaction out of a M100+ transfer of an italian league player to the premiership, how could they make that work, it's crazy, but yet it's not. They make money from sponsors and image rights and a hundred other cashflows we don't even think about. They and others are creative. We're pedestrian in our thinking. Does the money really flow into a club through the turnstiles and local sales in the club shop, no it comes from flogging the brand image around the world to people who want to associate themselves with a team in the greatest league in the world. They pay for TV viewing, they pay for strips and other merchandise. It's not that tough to make money when you understand how a business really works. Physically we are a small mill town club but our alter ego is that we are Super Rovers one of only 20 similar clubs on the whole planet. That's a sellable proposition. Someone said some while ago on hear that we could badge ourselves up to be the club of the rebellious non conformists of the world, a home for the anti-glory hunters. Good idea, a bit of original thinking. The Jersey boys want too much for a club that doesn't tap into these cash sources, simple as that. If they want a top price then they need to build the business if they can't or don't want to then they should sell for a lower price and let someone else invest. To honor any 'quality' clauses in Jack's Will the buyer could still end up financing 50-60 million but it would be better split as 20 million to the trust and a committed 30-40 million into a transfer pot thereby kick starting the image offensive. I have NON of the answers but if I can brainstorm a few trivial starters for 10 then I'm sure the Jersey Boys can. Non investment in the club is NOT and option. Sh1t or get off the pot.

[Guest Vinjay606]

Non investment is the option they have consistently taken so clearly an option is what it is. I have no idea how BRFC fans can go from sit down protests against Bill Fox over funding to taking no action against the current regime.

However I have changed my focus. Protests probably wouldn't make a difference whether it's personally or in mass numbers. Rothschild have been appointed (showing their intent to sell) and they have no reason/agenda to hold the club back. It would be rather pointless paying them if there's no guarantee of finding a buyer.

As for the small town comment only big towns are usually eligible for city challenge. Something Blackburn has entered on numerous occasions. The club needs to be portrayed as a symbol of excellence in football and looked up to by supporters. Yet it seems people with possible inferiority complexes prefer to consistently drag the club down instead. Jack Walker's legacy is something to be proud of not something to run down at every opportunity.

I doubt any interest would be registered until the en of the season. Once next season's premier league place is confirmed (and I am confident it will be) hopefully we can see a summer of major change at this football club. In terms of mentality and financially.

[MCMC1875]

Non investment is the option they have consistently taken so clearly an option is what it is. I have no idea how BRFC fans can go from sit down protests against Bill Fox over funding to taking no action against the current regime.

However I have changed my focus. Protests probably wouldn't make a difference whether it's personally or in mass numbers. Rothschild have been appointed (showing their intent to sell) and they have no reason/agenda to hold the club back. It would be rather pointless paying them if there's no guarantee of finding a buyer.

As for the small town comment only big towns are usually eligible for city challenge. Something Blackburn has entered on numerous occasions. The club needs to be portrayed as a symbol of excellence in football and looked up to by supporters. Yet it seems people with possible inferiority complexes prefer to consistently drag the club down instead. Jack Walker's legacy is something to be proud of not something to run down at every opportunity.

I doubt any interest would be registered until the en of the season. Once next season's premier league place is confirmed (and I am confident it will be) hopefully we can see a summer of major change at this football club. In terms of mentality and financially.

Regarding the late great messrs Fox and White, be careful what you opine.

[Parsonblue]

If there was no chance I'm sure they wouldn't be paying Rothschild as advisors. In 2005 people were telling me there would be no interest at all and were proved wrong about that.

But the interest came from people who never had a chance of taking over and if they had done so we would be well and truly sunk by now. Look at Southampton, look at Leeds, look at Newcastle, look at Leicester. All these clubs thought a takeover would solve their problems only to find it was the start of their problems. As Nicko pointed out, if the sale of Santa Cruz and a couple of others can raise sufficient funds and free up wages, I feel sure that Sam will know the players he needs to keep the club in a comfortable position in the Premiership.

[Exiled in Toronto]

But the interest came from people who never had a chance of taking over and if they had done so we would be well and truly sunk by now. Look at Southampton, look at Leeds, look at Newcastle, look at Leicester. All these clubs thought a takeover would solve their problems only to find it was the start of their problems. As Nicko pointed out, if the sale of Santa Cruz and a couple of others can raise sufficient funds and free up wages, I feel sure that Sam will know the players he needs to keep the club in a comfortable position in the Premiership.

If it's all so clear cut to us, why do the Trustees still have the club up for sale? Are they thick, as any poster who wants a takeover is made out to be on here?

They haven't sold in, what is it now, 3 years, and there's still a for sale sign on our front lawn and the house is beginning to look very run-down. Do they think that not spending a penny on the place will attract more buyers? I'm beginning to wonder why Jack entrusted his vast fortune to this lot.