[Archived] Rovers Might Have Been Sold?

[Kelbo]

I keep trying to explain to my girlfriend about what this all actually means.

She is less interested than I would like....

You mean she hasnt had an orgasm?

[Ste B]

ossible, knowing Rovers track record of being very secretive and quiet about what they do, that this has been in the works for longer than anyone in the media thinks? And is it possible that this was the reason that it was leaked by the buyer when it was? Could it be that he thought that he had this deal in the bag for sure and decided to talk about it?

I only wonder this as he sounds pretty sure that they can get this done quickly and the clubs silence has been deafening.

Its also possible that he's worried Shah's bid is credible as well, so is now out there winning hearts and minds, because as it stands now the fans would lynch the walker trust if they sold to Shah instead.

[iamarover]

I don't think this investment would propel us back into the top 4, more like it will steady our financial position and enable us to invest long term in better youth development and bringing in better quality young plsayers. Because of this I would be horofoed if we tried to bring in David Beckham for instance.

If you throw £100m in to a club like Rovers all that will happen is that everyone will want an extra few grand a week, we won't be able to attract players without paying above the odds, and next thing our wage bill will be well over 100% of income and we'll be well on the way to bankrupcy.

If the new owner takes a short term view then I am not confident at all that it won't be a disaster to rank alongside Portsmouth, leeds and West Ham. Hopefully the nerw owner, whoever he is, is sensible and is buying the club for the long term and not for an immediate shot at success. I think that is what worries me about the quotes about not buying it as a business, what happens if we don't crack the top 6 and he gets fed up?

I must say this is where I am too Clarky. Free lunches, devil and long spoon and all that. The key will be to see the mechanism of the takeover. If there is a share issue and the money for the transfers et al is funded through converting that debt into equity, a la Walker and Abramovich, then there is reason to start being happy. Wages do become an issue in the short term but a big bet like that from Syed on his marketing plan is definitely one worth following. If however the £100m or whatever it is sits on the balance sheet as a loan, then there is trouble at t'mill. The gamble then isnt just Syed's but the Rovers' too. And failure in the ambitious marketing plan will be The End.

I have to say, however, as being possibly the most cynical on this Board about the likelihood of a Benevolent Billionaire investor, that every step so far from the Bahrain Boy has been faultless. The house in Lancashire, the 'fan' stuff and the 'local' pleas indicate he may well be the real deal. You are right though about ambition. It remains the same in the short to medium term - Premiership survival and a good run at both Cups as a route to Europe. The only thing that changes is that those ambitions now become realistic and likely, rather than possible and dream like.

In researching a piece for a meeting in India, I came across this quote linking Syed's home city - which, we hope, is apt

There the waiters' eyes sparkled and their pencils flew as she proceeded to eviscerate my wallet -, Whitstable oysters, a sole, filet mignon, and a favorite salad of the Nizam of Hyderabad made of shredded five-pound notes

[bluebruce]

I could see developing the Ewood area as being a win win for Syed, especially as he just invested E300 million into a construction company. Have the construction company do the work, have your company do the marketing, etc., and he keeps the money flowing through his various businesses and investments.

Very, VERY good point.

[Ianrally]

There has been so many comments from Syed over the last couple of days - in one of them, he said his potential takeover of BRFC would also be followed by other acquisitions in the Western world - wonder what he has planned.

Keep an eye on Marriott Hotels

[iamarover]

It's all powered by Google Maps, the limitations are theirs, however

[/size][/font] I just moved myself to "Port Elizabeth, South Africa" and it worked fine ... we should probably move all member map stuff to "Ask Admin", rather than side track this thread

There is a member map? Where? Wouldnt mind seeing the shape of the diaspora.

[donis1410]

Keep an eye on Marriott Hotels

well i'll book a night at hotel dela ewood any day!!!!!

[RevidgeBlue]

Its also possible that he's worried Shah's bid is credible as well, so is now out there winning hearts and minds, because as it stands now the fans would lynch the walker trust if they sold to Shah instead.

If Shah's bid was still serious, I doubt he would have publicly conceded that he would stand aside if he thought Syed's was the better offer, or that they couldn't match the numbers associated with the Syed offer.

He might think that privately but surely wouldn't concede it publicly.

[ABBEY]

We ALL know what to expect from the media if this dream happens.

These disrespectful gobshytes ridiculed Jack Walkers investment into our 'little,small time,flat cap wearing,whippet breeding,cobbled street club'.They should be celebrating the fact that we may give the 'BIG CLUBS' a run for their money once more but we all know it wont happen.

Sod the lot of them,they have no RESPECT for proud clubs like ours,they just pander to the City clubs.

still remeber the day after we won the league and the news headlines with cash registers and pink floyds money....###### !!!

bbc just said only 3 clubs capable of winning the title from next season,chelsea,city and hahahaha rovers .

[patrickvalery]

I know everyone will disagree, but i didn't think Mr Syed came accross too well in that interview on the BBC. His constant reference to 'Big Sam' and referring to himself as a fan rather than owner is dangerously close to being Mike Ashleyesque. Perhaps it was the interview technique, designed to scratch the surface of his credibility. I sincerely hope so. But all the talk of being a fan and doing it as a passion was exposed. He didn't know the name of our stadium. He hasn't been to Blackburn (excusable i guess) and he said "i've hired one of the pioneers of football...". Eh?!

I'd sooner he was honest and said he was looking at us as an investment or even as hobby he knew little about. But to describe it as a passion and yet know so little made him look a bit wet behind the ears when he didn't need to. He is obviously a very clever man who has done extremely well for himself. I'm delighted he is looking at ploughing millions into the club but this PR initiative is not necessary. Mr Syed, you are already the most popular man in Blackburn!

[langhoblue]

Trying really hard not to get excited - but struggling!

Even if it does fall through now, its bloody good to know we're getting up the noses of all the big city and media tossers.

[Ewood and I Would]

Just a line from the 5Live interview that made me chuckle

(on the question of whther he'll run out of money like some other owners) "My family have been in business 180 odd years, my generation is the 9th in finance; and up to now we haven't run out"

Nice answer Syed

[DE.]

I know everyone will disagree, but i didn't think Mr Syed came accross too well in that interview on the BBC. His constant reference to 'Big Sam' and referring to himself as a fan rather than owner is dangerously close to being Mike Ashleyesque. Perhaps it was the interview technique, designed to scratch the surface of his credibility. I sincerely hope so. But all the talk of being a fan and doing it as a passion was exposed. He didn't know the name of our stadium. He hasn't been to Blackburn (excusable i guess) and he said "i've hired one of the pioneers of football...". Eh?!

I'd sooner he was honest and said he was looking at us as an investment or even as hobby he knew little about. But to describe it as a passion and yet know so little made him look a bit wet behind the ears when he didn't need to. He is obviously a very clever man who has done extremely well for himself. I'm delighted he is looking at ploughing millions into the club but this PR initiative is not necessary. Mr Syed, you are already the most popular man in Blackburn!

Have to agree that if he doesn't know a great deal about the club he should be up front about it. I read another piece earlier that said he couldn't name any players in our team? Could have been a mistake on their part but if true it makes the talk of being a fan and having "passion" seem a tad hollow.

Not that I care, as long as the money is pumped into the club and he's honest about being in for the long term, but I think it'd be better for him if he was as direct as possible about what he does and doesn't know about us.

[Ewood and I Would]

He didn't know the name of our stadium.

Why, just because he said "my people have been at the Stadium" and not "my people have been at Ewood"? Bit harsh to draw to conclusion he doesn't know the name of it.

[sparky12]

From the same Guardian article

From that it would seem it's WGA and not Syed is taking us over.

but WGA is Syed!!

[budha]

but WGA is Syed!!

WGA is investment vehicle for Syed and his family's fortunes - atleast according to the latest stories in the press.

In the 5live Syed said that he would be buying the club for himself and it would be his personal investment, not WGA's. The "not an owner, but a fan" -part was a bit over the top.

[patrickvalery]

Have to agree that if he doesn't know a great deal about the club he should be up front about it. I read another piece earlier that said he couldn't name any players in our team? Could have been a mistake on their part but if true it makes the talk of being a fan and having "passion" seem a tad hollow.

Not that I care, as long as the money is pumped into the club and he's honest about being in for the long term, but I think it'd be better for him if he was as direct as possible about what he does and doesn't know about us.

Exactly. I wouldn't expect him to know the details like we all do. Nor care that he doesn't. I certainly don't want to seem ungrateful for a. his initial interest in us and b. any investment he may make if successful. But he does seem to be saying everything the most fickle fan wants to hear. A fan running the club. An act of passion and not a calculated investment strategy. Talk of a title winning side etc... Can it all be too good to be true?

Ah sod it! Who cares about all this sensible tosh! We're gonna win the effin league!!!!!

[Steve Moss]

£30m for Rooney. £30m for Ferdinand. £30m for Berbatov. £14m for Nani. £14m for Carrick.

I'm ok with bidding for Rooney and Nani just to torque SAF. I wouldn't bid for Ferdinand, Berbatov or Carrick for fear he might accept the bid.

The way forward, IMO, is not to splash cash on big names. Find up and comers and buy them at reasonable prices.

While Syed may make transfer funds available to us, I hope he also makes the club stay inside the budget on wages. Stability is a good step toward profitability. That means we buy low and sell high, and stay within the operating budget on wages. I would hate to see us emulate Newcastle and others who had too many useless players on the payroll merely because we have a "rich" owner.

[Tom]

Can I just ask what do people realistically expect to achieve if he does put £300 million in over 5 years?

I think some people are getting a bit carried away with dreams of seriously contending again for some time.

Top 6 regulary will be the first aim but you would think that's still a way away.

I hope we build the foundations for something great over time than a quick fix to jump us right up the table.

[MikeB]

I think that Uncle Jack sowed some wild oats in India - the similarity in looks (when JW was younger) is uncanny!

[broadsword]

Top 6 would be dreamland after the last few years.

[Ewood and I Would]

Can I just ask what do people realistically expect to achieve if he does put £300 million in over 5 years?

I think some people are getting a bit carried away with dreams of seriously contending again for some time.

Top 6 regulary will be the first aim but you would think that's still a way away.

I hope we build the foundations for something great over time than a quick fix to jump us right up the table.

I would expect by the end of the first year phase for use to be regular contenders for the UEFA cup places (6th or 7th should be our pre-season aim and a realistic target).

Is that too optimistic?

[rebelmswar]

Its also possible that he's worried Shah's bid is credible as well, so is now out there winning hearts and minds, because as it stands now the fans would lynch the walker trust if they sold to Shah instead.

That sounds eerily plausible.

I would expect by the end of the first year phase for use to be regular contenders for the UEFA cup places (6th or 7th should be our pre-season aim and a realistic target).

Is that too optimistic?

Not overly optimistic, in my opinion. But some of the players being thrown around are quite overly optimistic. I would be happy with a good striker, holding midfielder, and a natural left wingback. The prospect of buying players for name sake and for silly money makes me nervous. I can imagine with the 100 million quote flying around that it would be almost impossible to get value for the money when approaching for signings. I would hate to see some of the horrid Man City miscreant type signings happening – such things make me shudder.

I am hoping for clever investments in youth and very clever steals on bosmans and the like.

[mogster]

Unbelievable! Absolutely bloody unbelievable!

Yesterday, of ALL days, I have to do a 12 hour shift whilst all this news is breaking - THEN I leave my laptop at work by mistake so I can't catch up when I get home. Waiting for a Blackberry to catch up with web pages is painful and don't even try clicking a link!

So now for the first time I can comment as it all sinks in.

It looks like this is really happening and more good times are just around the corner. Someone has already made the point that we were extremely lucky that Jack Walker was a Rover and all that came with that, but for us to find a generous, mega-rich benefactor twice is surely too much to dream?!

In all of this I am pleased for Big Sam. A manager who has a reputation for working miracles on a shoestring budget. The first time he got a chance at a big club with money to spend - well, we know what happened.

I know Sam is a wealthy man and he will never want for anything material, but he must always have wondered how he could do with some good players at his disposal and he also must have thought his chance had gone.

I too wonder how he will do but I have great confidence in him. He has a history of getting the best out of his players and the players love playing for him (in the main).

So we are now returning to a time when it looks like we will be signing some better quality players and for what Sam Allardyce has achieved, not just in his time here but all through his career, he fully deserves his chance to work with and improve whoever he wants to sign at however much he wants to pay.

So welcome Mr Syed, potentially the 2nd best thing ever to happen to Blackburn Rovers.

[Tom]

I would expect by the end of the first year phase for use to be regular contenders for the UEFA cup places (6th or 7th should be our pre-season aim and a realistic target).

Is that too optimistic?

I'd say about perfect for what we should be looking at.

As someone just said it is a fear that we may go down the silly prices and wages route if we aren't careful