[Archived] Rovers Might Have Been Sold?

[Iceman]

Kamy's level of intelligence from the Shah people is very good...and makes this thread extremely relevant despite the impatient moaners.

It's interesting that the Indians are still 'trying' and moving forward - in their opinion.

It also revealing that they want to let the fans know that they are for real.

For those who seemingly enjoy running down any interested parties it is perhaps a good time to point out that the chairman is taking this seriously enough to have admitted recently that there were TWO transfer lists - one for the current impoverished state and the other if there is money coming in.

There HAS to be a deadline to this in terms of influencing the transfer strategy and I think that has passed as the club are now making serious efforts to sign players. However that does not take awya from the fact that a good takeover would be ideal for all concerned.

Well done, Kamy, once again.

Nicko, when you say in their opinion, is it just their opinion, or that of JW as well that things are still moving forward? I would imagine, that if this was not moving forward, then John Williams and the club would have come out and said so.

Trying to tell the fans that they are for real? are they for real Nicko? that is the big question, and any idea on who is behind Mr Shah?

[den]

I must admit, that this Shah guy is a mystery and its not what we want,

What's that mean Iceman?

[Paul]

Surely the problem here is one of modern communications? We live in a world in which we expect to be able to find information instantly and when the information appears to be lacking the questions get bigger? I know nothing of the Indian bidders but from what I have read on here they seem to use Twitter and perhaps other electronic media forms to publicise their intentions. There is also information filtering out from sources who have some connection with the club or Kamy's contact.

For me this is what creates the problem. I cannot take seriously a businessman or potential investor who needs to use Twitter or who finds it necessary to create leaks. If there is soemthing to say, then say it or if matters are confidential keep very quiet. These people may be entirely serious but until they behave in a business-like manner, i.e. either go public or keep quiet, it's difficult to believe this is the case. I'm just waiting to see what happens, I don't believe there will be a takeover, but I'm quite happy to wait and see and give new owners the benefit of the doubt. I'd suggest they need to improve their communication skills somewhat if they do wish to be taken seriously. Twitter etc is a rather daft method to chose. After improving those skills it will be necessary to demonstrate their real intentions.

[tony gale's mic]

Good news would surely be an end to all this nonsense and Rovers carry on.

Made my mind up ...certainly dont ever want to see an overseas owner of Rovers, unless that is, they are ex-local dyed in the wool blue and whites who've moved away to make or keep their fortune.

Arte et labore not arte et Lahor

Don't be daft. I don't like the influx of foreign owners in the Premier League but we have to accept ownership from anywhere so long as it's good for us otherwise we're going to fall further and further behind. Yes there's been bad overseas owners but then Villa and City have had foreign owners who've been great for them and Leeds and Newcastle have suffered badly from British owners.

Ideally a Rovers fan in the mould of Jack would be the dream but that's very unlikely to happen. And if they're not Rovers fans or don't have any real connection with our club then I couldn't give a toss where they're from, as long as they're good for us.

[47er]

Why do you think it has been delayed this long Icers?

Why do you think it is that they only got to being told what they have to put down to achieve a deal last Thursday? (If Kamy is correct)

Why do you think a deal which is going to involve the Indians in at least £70m of obligations involves the totally unheard of Mr Saurin Shah? (£70m made up of the mythical £25m asking price, £20m of debt and my guess of at least £25m of "investment"- otherwise why bother buying the club???- and that £25m needs to feed transfer fees, wages and whatever they plan to do on the marketing front so perhaps a one-off shot of £10m in transfer fees and thereafter we are up the proverbial creek without the Trust to save us)

Do you think people who can command £70m on a totally speculative, can easily lose the lot, punt of this size normally leave an internet trail that is even more low key than your's?

Is it possible they have insufficient funds and a serious problem with fit and proper?

Is it possible that they never had any intention of shelling out transfer funds this summer which is perhaps the most benign explanation for the delay?

You ask a whole series of questions but I notice you haven't the confidence to answer any of them.

As I said a week ago, why has the club prepared 2 lists of transfer targets if there is no chance of a takeover? For me that means the club believes there is a good chance.

[Iceman]

Don't be daft. I don't like the influx of foreign owners in the Premier League but we have to accept ownership from anywhere so long as it's good for us otherwise we're going to fall further and further behind. Yes there's been bad overseas owners but then Villa and City have had foreign owners who've been great for them and Leeds and Newcastle have suffered badly from British owners.

Ideally a Rovers fan in the mould of Jack would be the dream but that's very unlikely to happen. And if they're not Rovers fans or don't have any real connection with our club then I couldn't give a toss where they're from, as long as they're good for us.

is it that simple though TGM? You can have guys coming in with good intentions, but then when things go belly up, then the real owners will show their true colours. The Arabs at City have not been that long in it, to comprehensively indicate that they will remain good to City. They have already shown their hand, by getting rid of a manager after only 1 season. With all that money, there is loads of expectations but the lack of continuity gets thrown out of the door to achieve success(take Mike Ashley as an example). Is it all about the money? to some extent yes, but we have seen money being thrown around with little to no success.

It would be nice, if any new owner comes in with a plan of spend wisely, continuity, build for a few season, progress, Europe, and then trophys. If the Indians have that in mind, and are thinking long term, then by all means yes, but if they are going to expect instant success from the get go, then im afraid we are in for a rough ride.

[Fife Rover]

Don't be daft. I don't like the influx of foreign owners in the Premier League but we have to accept ownership from anywhere so long as it's good for us otherwise we're going to fall further and further behind. Yes there's been bad overseas owners but then Villa and City have had foreign owners who've been great for them and Leeds and Newcastle have suffered badly from British owners.

Ideally a Rovers fan in the mould of Jack would be the dream but that's very unlikely to happen. And if they're not Rovers fans or don't have any real connection with our club then I couldn't give a toss where they're from, as long as they're good for us.

Oh you never know....Theno may decide to open his piggy-bank one day soon. Well we can live in hope can't we?

[Iceman]

You ask a whole series of questions but I notice you haven't the confidence to answer any of them.

As I said a week ago, why has the club prepared 2 lists of transfer targets if there is no chance of a takeover? For me that means the club believes there is a good chance.

Its a 50/50 situation to be quite honest, which is why the alternative list has been drawn up. If there is a takeover, and it happens in time, then we will shift to other targets. I do agree, that for that to have happened, would mean that behind the scenes something positive is happening.

Does anybody know, when this alternative list of targets were drawn up? It would be interesting to know, if it was early on in the negotiations, or later on? if it is later on, then there is a good chance of a takeover happening.

[Gav]

Or Dan Williams who I am still not completely convinced wasn't the fictitious creation of a spotty 15 year old computer genius Burnley fan.

Computers, genius and burnley just don't go together Rev

[Bobby G]

This would not be the first time a "front" is used in any business let alone football.

As long as we are not talking to arms dealers, terrorists, or drug dealers, I would not be too worried about it IF the club OK all the "background" people.

[Fife Rover]

This would not be the first time a "front" is used in any business let alone football.

As long as we are not talking to arms dealers, terrorists, or drug dealers, I would not be too worried about it IF the club OK all the "background" people.

Hmmmmm..... perhaps we should get M.I.6 to check them out as well?

[Al]

Oh you never know....Theno may decide to open his piggy-bank one day soon. Well we can live in hope can't we?

More likely to decide to open his gob unfortunately.

[PAFELL]

You ask a whole series of questions but I notice you haven't the confidence to answer any of them.

As I said a week ago, why has the club prepared 2 lists of transfer targets if there is no chance of a takeover? For me that means the club believes there is a good chance.

That is a good point. After all we do not know who is backing Mr Shah, but the club does. That information about a second list came out sometime ago as I remember it was something the LET quoted JW. Because it was drawn up earler the club would have known who the backers are - hence the other list in case the takeover happens.

After all to draw up this list they would know roughly the price / wages on the players they want and therefore put on the list.

It is very easy people on here dismissing Mr Shah. But he has never come out and said that HE has the money. It is known that there is a 'group of people' involved and not just one. I wonder if people on here who are dismissive with regards to this Indian group could answer a simple question "why would the club bother to draw up another transfer target list if this takeover has no chance of happening?"

The facts are plain, there is something going on behind the scenes we know nothing about. Mr Shah maybe involved in twitter etc - but the other people have remained totally silent - those people would be the real money men and business people - they are the ones who want to buy Rovers. This I suggest is something we have to take into consideration. Maybe Chris Nath (whatever his name is) spoke to Mr Shah about Rovers and the wheels moved on from there. Such as Mr Shah mentioned Rovers to others etc etc.

Patience is what matters now. Anyway we also have to remember that it is the transfer window. If Rovers are taken over, once this is known by other clubs, they would put the price of players up,players would demand more wages because they think the club can afford it. the best thing is to do the takeover as quiet as possible, try to buy players before any announcment of a takeover. Probable not permitted, but.

[tony gale's mic]

is it that simple though TGM? You can have guys coming in with good intentions, but then when things go belly up, then the real owners will show their true colours. The Arabs at City have not been that long in it, to comprehensively indicate that they will remain good to City. They have already shown their hand, by getting rid of a manager after only 1 season. With all that money, there is loads of expectations but the lack of continuity gets thrown out of the door to achieve success(take Mike Ashley as an example). Is it all about the money? to some extent yes, but we have seen money being thrown around with little to no success.

It would be nice, if any new owner comes in with a plan of spend wisely, continuity, build for a few season, progress, Europe, and then trophys. If the Indians have that in mind, and are thinking long term, then by all means yes, but if they are going to expect instant success from the get go, then im afraid we are in for a rough ride.

I was replying to JAL's assertion that he doesn't want foreigners owning Rovers.

The above could all happen regardless of the owner's nationality.

That said, I don't have a great feeling about this particular set of potential foreign owners.

[RevidgeBlue]

For those who seemingly enjoy running down any interested parties it is perhaps a good time to point out that the chairman is taking this seriously enough to have admitted recently that there were TWO transfer lists - one for the current impoverished state and the other if there is money coming in.

In my view there is way way too much emphasis being put on this "there are two transfer lists" thing.

All John Williams said was that they had a few alternative names floating around in the back of their minds if there was any joy on the takeover front.

But the general theme of the article was the claim that it was "Business as usual". I certainly didn't read it as meaning there'd been significant progress takeover wise.

[nicko]

In my view there is way way too much emphasis being put on this "there are two transfer lists" thing.

All John Williams said was that they had a few alternative names floating around in the back of their minds if there was any joy on the takeover front.

But the general theme of the article was the claim that it was "Business as usual". I certainly didn't read it as meaning there'd been significant progress takeover wise.

No signings by August + potential takeover = 'business as usual' ????

[RevidgeBlue]

No signings by August + potential takeover = 'business as usual' ????

Maybe no signings with the current owners in charge plus vague rumours of a takeover floating around every summer will indeed come to be the norm.

[Iceman]

No signings by August + potential takeover = 'business as usual' ????

Its Rovers Nicko, its always business as usual no matter what the situation

[47er]

In my view there is way way too much emphasis being put on this "there are two transfer lists" thing.

All John Williams said was that they had a few alternative names floating around in the back of their minds if there was any joy on the takeover front.

But the general theme of the article was the claim that it was "Business as usual". I certainly didn't read it as meaning there'd been significant progress takeover wise.

You're understating it Rev. The club was definitely quoted as saying that 2 lists of transfer targets had been drawn up and the reason. It was nothing like as vague as you are making out.

[John]

Hardly going to be a mass influx of new signings/players with very little money to spend.

[Grez]

No signings by August + potential takeover = 'business as usual' ????

I think the word you are looking for is SNAFU

[Fife Rover]

Surely the problem here is one of modern communications? We live in a world in which we expect to be able to find information instantly and when the information appears to be lacking the questions get bigger? I know nothing of the Indian bidders but from what I have read on here they seem to use Twitter and perhaps other electronic media forms to publicise their intentions. There is also information filtering out from sources who have some connection with the club or Kamy's contact.

For me this is what creates the problem. I cannot take seriously a businessman or potential investor who needs to use Twitter or who finds it necessary to create leaks. If there is soemthing to say, then say it or if matters are confidential keep very quiet. These people may be entirely serious but until they behave in a business-like manner, i.e. either go public or keep quiet, it's difficult to believe this is the case. I'm just waiting to see what happens, I don't believe there will be a takeover, but I'm quite happy to wait and see and give new owners the benefit of the doubt. I'd suggest they need to improve their communication skills somewhat if they do wish to be taken seriously. Twitter etc is a rather daft method to chose. After improving those skills it will be necessary to demonstrate their real intentions.

Absolutely right Paul; if indeed that actually is what THEY are doing. For all we know all the twittering and other non-businesslike practices that we see bandied about on here and elswhere could be coming from almost anywhere, and may be a deliberate red herring, or maybe just plain mischievous rubbish on someone's part. It completely beggars belief that any sane business group would even contemplate behaving like this, and even if they did I am sure they would get very short shrift from Rovers or their advisors.

[PAFELL]

Absolutely right Paul; if indeed that actually is what THEY are doing. For all we know all the twittering and other non-businesslike practices that we see bandied about on here and elswhere could be coming from almost anywhere, and may be a deliberate red herring, or maybe just plain mischievous rubbish on someone's part. It completely beggars belief that any sane business group would even contemplate behaving like this, and even if they did I am sure they would get very short shrift from Rovers or their advisors.

You are forgetting that the only ones to say something publicly are chris nathaniel and Shah. But the others behind or supporting Shah have said nothing. They have been silent all along. To such a degree that we still do not know who they are.

Bear in mind this is after over a month of talking. The fact that the club has not told this group to do one, shows that there is 'serious interest'. Shows that the trustees must know something about the people in the background, in order for the discussions to be continuing. If not why have the discussions continued. I suggest it is now a case of the indian group having to make ITS mind up. Either continue or not in their desires to takeover the club.

[Sparky Marky]

You are forgetting that the only ones to say something publicly are chris nathaniel and Shah. But the others behind or supporting Shah have said nothing. They have been silent all along. To such a degree that we still do not know who they are.

Bear in mind this is after over a month of talking. The fact that the club has not told this group to do one, shows that there is 'serious interest'. Shows that the trustees must know something about the people in the background, in order for the discussions to be continuing. If not why have the discussions continued. I suggest it is now a case of the indian group having to make ITS mind up. Either continue or not in their desires to takeover the club.

You obviously know nothing about this, so why try and pretend otherwise...you just spout the bleeding obvious.

[Fife Rover]

You are forgetting that the only ones to say something publicly are chris nathaniel and Shah. But the others behind or supporting Shah have said nothing. They have been silent all along. To such a degree that we still do not know who they are.

Bear in mind this is after over a month of talking. The fact that the club has not told this group to do one, shows that there is 'serious interest'. Shows that the trustees must know something about the people in the background, in order for the discussions to be continuing. If not why have the discussions continued. I suggest it is now a case of the indian group having to make ITS mind up. Either continue or not in their desires to takeover the club.

I think you need to read my post again ......slowly. I am questioning and disbelieving that ANY of the "rubbish" quotes we have seen on here over tha last few weeks have actually come from ANY bona fide business group who are negotiating with BRFC on the subject of a takeover.