[Archived] Rovers Might Have Been Sold?

[Iceman]

all i want to know, is how much money these guys have. Im very worried, that there are so many people involved. Where does JW fit into these guys plans, will he stay, will he be told he doesnt have a job at Rovers etc etc.

So far, we dont know where the money is coming from, and who are involved besides Shah. I know there are confidentiality issues, but it just makes you nervous when you dont know who else are involved.

[Billy Castell]

A case of too many [Garry] cooks spoiling the broth then Iceman?

The more people there are, the more likely there will be disagreements over plans, or at least that is the worst case. I have also wondered about Williams' future. If I was Shah, I'd keep him, as he comes across as professional, quietly gets on with the job without giving it large, and has been very steady.

[Iceman]

A case of too many [Garry] cooks spoiling the broth then Iceman?

The more people there are, the more likely there will be disagreements over plans, or at least that is the worst case. I have also wondered about Williams' future. If I was Shah, I'd keep him, as he comes across as professional, quietly gets on with the job without giving it large, and has been very steady.

Im not trying to sound like an idiot, by bringing up the fact that there might be so many people involved, but as you say, the more people on board, the more likely that there will be disagreements. This is the biggest worry for me, and more importantly, will John Williams be part of their plans. I just cannot see how 8 different investors(im just guessing), will be able to run on a smooth basis, without some sort of in fighting especially if all are putting money in. Who will be the primary owner of the club, will it be 50% Shah, and the rest split between the rest of the consortium? Having been pro takeover by these guys, having sat and thought about this, im beginning to feel a bit worried by how it will all fall into place and who will be in charge of Rovers.

People can say whatever they want about my negativity, but these are all pressing issues and issues that concern not only the club, but the fans as well. It’s a time where cool heads need to prevail, because if they don’t, and the wrong decisions are made, then we will be in big trouble.

[Majiball]

I'd be really surprised if JW keeping his job was not somehow part of the deal. And if they take over they have zero experience running a football so it only makes sense to keep him.

But if they do get rid, well I think my bum would start squeaking.

[alexanders]

Sorry if posted:

Shah staying tightlipped

[Hughesy]

Why do you think that?! Seriously, what have we lost from our 10th place finish season?

Pie eater Benni & 1 goal Di Santo! Hardly big misses their.....with our current squad id expect no lower than 12th. And im sure we will eventually sign players, whether it be now or in January....Just relax and let things happen.

last time i heard this was when we signed matty holmes.

Not really an answer to what I said....but kind of expected from you.

No blue tint at all.....just consider the following & give me a sensible reason as to why we should struggle!?

Players gone since last season – McCarthy, Di Santo, Haworth, Marshall

Players who have progressed – Jones, Olsson, Kalinic

Exciting potential – Hanley, Liganzi, Hoilett, Ramm

2nd Season (usually find it easier) – Salgado, Kalinic

Sam also showed abit more flexibility in his tactics & Olsson started to Blossom on the left wing. He has also won over some of his early critics so more fans behind him... Lots of promise!

[Balwer]

If JW were to stay on, and I think all of us hope he does, then would he move to a CEO role? Generally most of the owners are also the Chairman, our clubs currently being one of the exceptions. I assume if Shah does take over he'd want to take control of the Board as Chairman...

[TimmyJimmy]

How much of a role do you think John Williams will have in any decisions TJ?

Limited companies exist legally but have no physical existence ie they have no human body (obviously) so they can't walk around and do stuff by themselves. The shareholders, in our case the Trustees, own the shares and therefore the club so they have the power to appoint a bunch of humans (the Directors) to represent them and execute business in their best interests. Technically it's called Agency Theory, the directors are the agents of the shareholders. In theory the directors can do whatever they think best but they always risk getting voted off the board if they run counter to the wishes of the shareholders.

So what role does JW have in the process? Well that's a tough one to call, ultimately the buyers can go directly to the shareholders and buy their shares then replace the board, so in that extreme case he's always watching passively from the sidelines. Rothschild's have been appointed to manage the sale and give best advice, so again JW may not be caught up in the mechanics of that either. For me JW's role is as the soul of the club, if you like he's the corporate memory. He knows where we've come from, what we stand for and what we aspire to, he knows the clubs place in the community and he knows Jack's mind and wishes.

So without sitting him down and asking him directly my take is that JW is representing US in the negotiations and ensuring that when the dust settles that we have the owners who best fit who we are. If it was all going badly and he saw disaster ahead and felt he couldn't influence and change minds in Jersey then I'm positive that he'd resign - ie make a big public statement that things were happening that we shouldn't approve of.

He'll look after the knitting in the due diligence process of course but his main role IMO is as our and Jack's conscience.

[Mc Love]

Think I may have stumbled across a little more information for us all to mull over re: the Indian consortium.

I think another name of a member in the consortium with Saurin Shah is Luis Bernat. This is a Spanish gentleman who is the owner at HOLGER KRISTIANSEN, which is a Danish shipping company. I put his name into Google and he is actually listed as a friend of one Saurin Shah (not the same picture of the one that's been doing the rounds on the board incidentally). Maybe someone would like to send him a message, see if he gives any info back??

So, some interesting websites which may be of interest:

The 'actual' Saurin Shah's Facebook site

The Contact page from Holger Kristiansen, listing Luis Bernat as the President and giving his mobile number!!

Luis Bernat's LINKED IN website.

If nothing else, something else for us all to discuss!

How do you figure that is "the actual" Shah? Might drop him a message and see if he responds

[BRFC95]

Exciting potential – Hanley, Liganzi, Hoilett, Ramm

Disagree with that one Hughesy. Whenever I've seen him he's looked out of his depth, even at reserve level.

Let's just hope he shows a vast improvement this season because Sam must have seen something in him.

[ABBEY]

Not really an answer to what I said....but kind of expected from you.

No blue tint at all.....just consider the following & give me a sensible reason as to why we should struggle!?

Players gone since last season ? McCarthy, Di Santo, Haworth, Marshall

Players who have progressed ? Jones, Olsson, Kalinic

Exciting potential ? Hanley, Liganzi, Hoilett, Ramm

2nd Season (usually find it easier) ? Salgado, Kalinic

Sam also showed abit more flexibility in his tactics & Olsson started to Blossom on the left wing. He has also won over some of his early critics so more fans behind him... Lots of promise!

Why's it not relevant ? What happened after we won the league with a GOOD team? Sams tactics ? Booot it head it get a throw for peds.

[Veevs]

I doubt the indian consortium would want to keep JW as chairman but more than likely move him into a different role and keep his experience managing the club as a whole.. whether he will accept that is up to him and anyones guess.. he may also loose some level of his responsibilities as certain aspects will want to be in line with their own business and marketing plans (the likes of Ken Beamish and Simon Williams would most likely be moved or removed).

I would be curious about the longer term involvement of NVA.. they may end up involved from a marketing perspective for the long term.

I am guessing with the NDA in place due dil cant be too far off (and may even of started), they must of reached a point where they are looking into more confidential aspects of the club, which is probably the finance side of things.

NB is Simon Williams related to John?

[Hughesy]

Why's it not relevant ? What happened after we won the league with a GOOD team?

We pulled funding, sold the best striker in the league & also changed manager.

[Billy Castell]

Im not trying to sound like an idiot, by bringing up the fact that there might be so many people involved, but as you say, the more people on board, the more likely that there will be disagreements. This is the biggest worry for me, and more importantly, will John Williams be part of their plans. I just cannot see how 8 different investors(im just guessing), will be able to run on a smooth basis, without some sort of in fighting especially if all are putting money in. Who will be the primary owner of the club, will it be 50% Shah, and the rest split between the rest of the consortium? Having been pro takeover by these guys, having sat and thought about this, im beginning to feel a bit worried by how it will all fall into place and who will be in charge of Rovers.

People can say whatever they want about my negativity, but these are all pressing issues and issues that concern not only the club, but the fans as well. It’s a time where cool heads need to prevail, because if they don’t, and the wrong decisions are made, then we will be in big trouble.

I wasn't criticisng you, I just wanted to use that bad pun. I agree with what you say, but I differ as I amquite optimistic for no real reason, which is dangerous, as I was the same when Ince became our manager!

[Iceman]

I wasn't criticisng you, I just wanted to use that bad pun. I agree with what you say, but I differ as I amquite optimistic for no real reason, which is dangerous, as I was the same when Ince became our manager!

i know you werent criticising me, i just made mention of the fact that im not sure i like the idea of so many investors being part of the club. You just get the feeling, that with so many people on board, that they would all have their own opinions of how they would like their money invested. At the end of the day, if we dont thourougly check up on these guys, then we could end up with a problem.

The John Williams matter doesnt sit well with me either, because if he were not kept on then i would be very worried and annoyed. If these guys have any thoughts of making this club a successful business, then they would be smart enough to keep JW on, even in an advisory level. Whether JW would be happy with that, im not sure of. Imo it will be a big loss, and a sad day if JW was to leave the club. Its now a case of wait and see what happens.

[67splitscreen]

As stated previously, IMO, It would be a huge mistake replacing JW.

He will be needed by the new owners for reasons stated by Timmy Jimmy.

In 12 months time when the transition has been completed then maybe, having said that, he has done very little wrong, except for the obvious but he does not shoulder the blame for that solely IMO, so why replace him, most people talk about our club being one of the best run in the EPL, can't see any owner wishing to change that, surely their aim is to invest as little as possible and maximise their return, if any, whilst moving the club forward.

It could however be that running the club for the last decade has taken it's toll on JW and he may well wish to take a back seat on the bandwagon, just in case the wheels do fall off, he'd make a cracking impact sub.

[trueblue]

It could however be that running the club for the last decade has taken it's toll on JW and he may well wish to take a back seat on the bandwagon, just in case the wheels do fall off, he'd make a cracking impact sub.

Lets hope they bring him on for longer than the customary 5 mins at the end then

[67splitscreen]

Lets hope they bring him on for longer than the customary 5 mins at the end then

It only takes less than a minute to ................... flush the chain.

[Ozz]

Can I just state that I am confident that Rovers will not be sold this year.

[PAFELL]

Limited companies exist legally but have no physical existence ie they have no human body (obviously) so they can't walk around and do stuff by themselves. The shareholders, in our case the Trustees, own the shares and therefore the club so they have the power to appoint a bunch of humans (the Directors) to represent them and execute business in their best interests. Technically it's called Agency Theory, the directors are the agents of the shareholders. In theory the directors can do whatever they think best but they always risk getting voted off the board if they run counter to the wishes of the shareholders.

So what role does JW have in the process? Well that's a tough one to call, ultimately the buyers can go directly to the shareholders and buy their shares then replace the board, so in that extreme case he's always watching passively from the sidelines. Rothschild's have been appointed to manage the sale and give best advice, so again JW may not be caught up in the mechanics of that either. For me JW's role is as the soul of the club, if you like he's the corporate memory. He knows where we've come from, what we stand for and what we aspire to, he knows the clubs place in the community and he knows Jack's mind and wishes.

So without sitting him down and asking him directly my take is that JW is representing US in the negotiations and ensuring that when the dust settles that we have the owners who best fit who we are. If it was all going badly and he saw disaster ahead and felt he couldn't influence and change minds in Jersey then I'm positive that he'd resign - ie make a big public statement that things were happening that we shouldn't approve of.

He'll look after the knitting in the due diligence process of course but his main role IMO is as our and Jack's conscience.

Is not JW employed by the trustees to work for rovers. If so, after the takeover is completed, the trust could ask him to go to another of their businesses, after he is their employee. Or is that completely wrong?

[PAFELL]

Can I just state that I am confident that Rovers will not be sold this year.

On the condition that I believe you are wrong.

These current discussions have been going on for quite a long time. I therefore believe that the Indians are telling the trustees what they want to do with Blackburn Rovers.

I also believe that various protective documents are being drawn up, as well as commitments. Soon evidence of money will have to be shown. I believe that this takeover will happen and the process is in hand.

It would not surprise me if the trust, in order to protect Jack's legacy, will want to keep a small hand on the club. maybe this is in the negotiations. Which may involve John Williams.

[67splitscreen]

On the condition that I believe you are wrong.

These current discussions have been going on for quite a long time. I therefore believe that the Indians are telling the trustees what they want to do with Blackburn Rovers.

I also believe that various protective documents are being drawn up, as well as commitments. Soon evidence of money will have to be shown. I believe that this takeover will happen and the process is in hand.

It would not surprise me if the trust, in order to protect Jack's legacy, will want to keep a small hand on the club. maybe this is in the negotiations. Which may involve John Williams.

I hope it's a bloody great big hand, thanks.

[Ewood Spark]

NB is Simon Williams related to John?

Yes, he is John's son.

[Gav]

131 pages and nothing has happened yet.

Some of you need girlfriends, or have a need to get or more maybe

[Doaksie]

How do you figure that is "the actual" Shah? Might drop him a message and see if he responds

Well, I don't. Nobody on here does I don't think. Hence the reason for writing the word 'actual' inside the ''

Let us know if he responds. I was using my wife's facebook account as I don't have one, so couldn't message him.

I wasn't criticisng you, I just wanted to use that bad pun.

I had planned on using it myself yesterday too, but couldn't think of a replacement word for broth!! Gave up in the end.