[Archived] Rovers Might Have Been Sold?

[Ewood and I Would]

I think we all wish it to be true in the way it is coming across. All I am saying is that it isn't signed yet and even if and when it is we have seen enough problems in other clubs to not get too carried away

Fair enough, I guess I'm enjoying whilst I can in the mindset that if it doesn't happen, I had my 15 minutes of being optimistic. But in fairness, people are quick to point out the Guydamaks, Ashleys and Hicks/Gilletes but don't often mention Amramovich, Mansour, Kroenke, (Arsenal) or Wheelens. Chairmans are not in general universally hated but the headline "fans happy with current ownership" doesn't make a good reading like "Glazers Out" does.

In other news...

Jason Cundy on "You're On Sky Sports" saying how the Man City aren't expecting to make a profit as it's a 'project'. Yesterday he was questioning how Syed would make his money out of Rovers and ignored the possibility completely.

*He's just asked someone from Enfield why they support Wigan, do you think he'd have done the same if he said was a Man U fan?

*Everton fan on now moaning that someone wants to buy Blackburn but not Everton, Lulz..

[47er]

Listen to the interviews carefully. He said he'll be hoping for a return in the long-term. That's 10-15 years away. And I'm sure he will want some sort of return.

Syed is going to be a great thing for this club I hope but he is still a businessman who's popped up out of nowhere and declared himself as a "fan". I'm just not prepared to buy into it as easily as you seem to be.

He's given several interviews now and he has expressly said he's not interested in a profit because he earns enough from his other ventures. That's more or less a quote. One day he'll sell and I imagine he'd hope the club is worth more than he paid for it after all he intends to put in. What's wrong with that?

As for the implication that I'm easily taken in, better to positively look forward to something than miserably grub around looking for every possible negative, especially since a takeover is inevitable. No takeover = more miserable summers like this and relegation.

[Billy Castell]

How about this for a long term plan?

1. Sayed Ali builds houses and schools for the poorest in the city slums with his construction firm.

2. Blackburn Rovers and football is heavily promoted within the schools and social projects (e.g. Citing players as athletes to try to emulate in PE), and by visits from players etc.

3. Once the schools are up and running, set up academies that train coaches as well as players, and get our academy teams and a 'Blackburn XI' to play friendly matches. The most gifted of the Indian academy players are then offered a chance at Brockhall.

This would make a lot of people much better off, and promote 'Blackburn Rovers owner Sayed Ali' as someone who wants to help the poor through Blackburn Rovers, football etc. and thus we will be seen as humanitarian good guys. It isn't as instantly glamourous as trying to woo Shilpa Shetty into modeling the new away kit, but it will be brilliant PR, and help establish a lasting mark on the subcontinent. To put it bluntly, millions of people could owe the fact they can read and don't have dysentry due to Sayed Ali and Blackburn Rovers.

Cue posts rubbishing this.........

[Ewood and I Would]

He's given several interviews now and he has expressly said he's not interested in a profit because he earns enough from his other ventures. That's more or less a quote. One day he'll sell and I imagine he'd hope the club is worth more than he paid for it after all he intends to put in. What's wrong with that?

As for the implication that I'm easily taken in, better to positively look forward to something than miserably grub around looking for every possible negative, especially since a takeover is inevitable. No takeover = more miserable summers like this and relegation.

Correct, only one interview did he talk about possibly making a return and it's no coincidence that was on a Business Programme who's only questions revolved around how he'll make money.

[Anti-Dingle-Brigade]

How about this for a long term plan?

1. Sayed Ali builds houses and schools for the poorest in the city slums with his construction firm.

2. Blackburn Rovers and football is heavily promoted within the schools and social projects (e.g. Citing players as athletes to try to emulate in PE), and by visits from players etc.

3. Once the schools are up and running, set up academies that train coaches as well as players, and get our academy teams and a 'Blackburn XI' to play friendly matches. The most gifted of the Indian academy players are then offered a chance at Brockhall.

This would make a lot of people much better off, and promote 'Blackburn Rovers owner Sayed Ali' as someone who wants to help the poor through Blackburn Rovers, football etc. and thus we will be seen as humanitarian good guys. It isn't as instantly glamourous as trying to woo Shilpa Shetty into modeling the new away kit, but it will be brilliant PR, and help establish a lasting mark on the subcontinent. To put it bluntly, millions of people could owe the fact they can read and don't have dysentry due to Sayed Ali and Blackburn Rovers.

Cue posts rubbishing this.........

That would be excellent, and we would no doubt pick up an Indian Messi or Rooney somewhere, with a 1bn population.

[Brandeburg]

Video from press conference with Sam. Says we might have to wait until September to get the takeover through. The Norwegian reporter also says: "exactly 10 years after Jack Walker pulled out of Blackburn Rovers, a new rich man is ready to spend millions on the club." . What an idiot.

My link

[Ewood and I Would]

Video from press conference with Sam. Says we might have to wait to September to get the takeover through

My link

It's on the BBC too and contray to nicko's glee over Sam's comments I think they re-enforce the notion this is going to happen. If Sam thought it wasn't pretty much nailed on he wouldn't have spoken about the subject at all but you could tell he was excited by the prospect.

On the delay, I'm not sure when it will go through but the "might to happen til the end of september" thing is a bit of a smokescreen IMO to prevent current negociations from stalling where the seller hold out for us to becoem richer when they can ask more money.

Let's say hypothetically the board and Sam knew Syed could get it done before the window, it would be madness to admit it was a possibilty as the clubs we're talking to right now would just say "Ok we'll wait til you're mega-rich and up our demands".

Popov for example, if the takeover wnet through tomorrow I still think we'd buy him because he fits the strategy of building slowly, with youth that Sam dn Syed have both alluded to. The difference though would be his current club would probably demand more money from knowing full well we can afford it.

I'm not suprised one bit that Sam is saying it's "almost impossible" for it to be done in time (notice he said almost).

[Billy Castell]

Think of it this way ADB, if you grew up in a shed made of corrigated steel, and you looked forward to a life of sifting through landfill sites for your dinner, you'd be pretty grateful for anyone who gave you clean water, a job and an education. If such a plan was brought about on a large scale, the law of averages would say a fair few thousand people will join this expanding Indian middle class due to the chances given to them, and will be wealthy enough to 'buy a few shirts' and a lot more besides. Sayed Ali and Blackburn Rovers would be loved.

Pablo Escobar was immensly popular in Colombia because he did the same, and he was a ruthless murdering drug baron who destabilised his entire country.

An Indian Messi would be great though. Even an Indian Pedersen would be useful in marketing terms.

[Hughesy]

Ewood and I Would has some good points....the media & experts see them as the fastest growing economy, with football being a fast growing sport too.

The changing face of Football in India

See this key paragraph...

Influence of global leagues: With the increasing interest in the Premier League, La Liga and the Champions League, football is gaining importance amongst the youth in India. Kids are definitely taking up the game and it is here that football should compete with cricket. Now, it’s up to the administration to bank on the opportunity

[Ewood and I Would]

Ewood and I Would has some good points....the media & experts see them as the fastest growing economy, with football being a fast growing sport too.

The changing face of Football in India

See this key paragraph...

Influence of global leagues: With the increasing interest in the Premier League, La Liga and the Champions League, football is gaining importance amongst the youth in India. Kids are definitely taking up the game and it is here that football should compete with cricket. Now, it’s up to the administration to bank on the opportunity

It's funny though that if Mittal at QPR put some of his £25bn in, they'd probably be able to out do us on the same front. Thankfully, he doesn't seem to be though and his expertise is steel anyway (not that being a steel magnate is a bad thing of course ).

Lest we forget that Syed is targeting Asia as a continent as well, similar opportunities will arise in China but their economic system and exsisting affliation with football/teams wouldn't make it as marketable as India would be.

[Guest roverspogges]

I really dont see the problem with what Syed is saying. Think about it, if he truly sees this as a "passion" and is happy to pump money into the club without much of a return, then happy days. On the other hand, if he wants to make a profit then hes going to do his best to make sure that happens. Either way he wants to make us a succesful club but then again im sure im being a naive idiot right??

[Ewood and I Would]

I really dont see the problem with what Syed is saying. Think about it, if he truly sees this as a "passion" and is happy to pump money into the club without much of a return, then happy days. On the other hand, if he wants to make a profit then hes going to do his best to make sure that happens. Either way he wants to make us a succesful club but then again im sure im being a naive idiot right??

Well the point about us becoming self sustainable is important, if he just pumps money in, gets players on long contracts with high wages and then buggers off we could become another Leeds. But is he's honest about being self sustainable and he achieves it then when he leaves/dies/moves on or whatever we're not up the proverbial creek without a paddle.

An ideal situation would be a club that can generate £10m a year itself with near to zero debt (I'm talking ultimately here, not overnight obviously) to which Mr Syed throws in more money depending how much Footy-Man he's been playing during that window.

I'm sure this is the plan that the trust must believe too if Jack's conditions of sale are to be honored.

On a side note, the Daily Star seem to agree with my theory on Sam's coyness of the deal happening in this window...

Big Sam is refusing to get carried away and knows the speculation linking the club with a major cash injection could ruin his chances of landing a new striker before the transfer window closes.

[Guest roverspogges]

Well the point about us becoming self sustainable is important, if he just pumps money in, gets players on long contracts with high wages and then buggers off we could become another Leeds. But is he's honest about being self sustainable and he achieves it then when he leaves/dies/moves on or whatever we're not up the proverbial creek without a paddle.

An ideal situation would be a club that can generate £10m a year itself with near to zero debt (I'm talking ultimately here, not overnight obviously) to which Mr Syed throws in more money depending how much Footy-Man he's been playing during that window.

I'm sure this is the plan that the trust must believe too if Jack's conditions of sale are to be honored.

I agree with that 100%. I do think we would be up that creek if he left after 5 years without success but, as you said, the trust wouldnt sell if they thought Syed would do that.

EDIT: I think the comments from Sam about taking the slowly slowly approach regarding the future are very wise. It means if things do not go so smoothly we wont be lumped with players earning silly amounts that could cripple the club. The financial side of rovers should grow parralel with success on the pitch, hand in hand, not do a man city. They would be screwed if the owners left.

[Ewood and I Would]

He gives the impression that any transfer would come out of his own money and not be any form of loan we'd have to repay, so fees aren't really the problem but big wages could be! That's why JW and Sam must concentrate on keeping a sensible (but competitive to the standards we are aiming at at the time) wage structure in place, stick to it and ensure at all times that if anything was to happen we could sustain ourselves for a decent amount of time (at least three years going by how long it took us to find a buyer this time!).

I can't see Syed leaving after a year so any big money he puts in early should be fairly safe (wages not withstanding of course) but like you say roverspogges it's that 5 year period when Syed will make his first judgement on his investment and he may be bored, or just see no further progression for us; so if/when this takeover goes through we should enjoy the ride while it lasts and trust in JW to prevent a Leeds or Pompey.

Personally, I don't think JW would want to work under City-style conditions anyway...

EDIT: I think the comments from Sam about taking the slowly slowly approach regarding the future are very wise. It means if things do not go so smoothly we wont be lumped with players earning silly amounts that could cripple the club. The financial side of rovers should grow parralel with success on the pitch, hand in hand, not do a man city. They would be screwed if the owners left.

Even if the owners never leave, the oil business is a dying industry (OK so it maybe decades before the oil and money dries up). Electric cars are probably Man City's biggest threat

[Mr. E]

I really like the most recent BFS quote:

"Even though we might have millions and millions to spend, we still have to negotiate the right price and not overspend for a player that is not worth the money," said Allardyce.

"If we have paid £10m or £20m for him and the fans see him on the pitch and say that he is not worth it, then straight away you are going to have a negative response to the money we have spent."

And yeah. We may get frustrated by Andrews or Gamst or El-Hadji Diouf, but imagine how much worse it would be if we paid tens of millions for them. We have to keep it smart and sensible. Do the opposite of Man City.

[Guest roverspogges]

Syed's favourite song.....

[RoyRover]

If this takeover goes ahead, when it comes to a player recruitment strategy, we must do the exact opposite of Man City.

[Mr. E]

If this takeover goes ahead, when it comes to a player recruitment strategy, we must do the exact opposite of Man City.

fully agreed.

[alexanders]

100% agree.

[philipl]

Sam's interview on the BBC was content and pitch perfect so far as I am concerned.

Anyone else noticed that Sam has suddenly relaxed in front of the media and become far more urbane and eloquent in the last week?

[alexanders]

I've always found him good at media handling different to the "who name shall not mentioned".

[Ninjathunder]

Now things are just getting silly with this guy and that worries me a little, especially if he has the main say in who Sam can buy. David Beckham??!!

[alexanders]

The guy only said that he had followed the premier league for many years. Had seen that the might blue and whites won the trophy in 94-95 and followed them closely together with Manchester United and especially Beckham whome he liked a lot.

[Rovermatt]

If this takeover goes ahead, when it comes to a player recruitment strategy, we must do the exact opposite of Man City.

Indeed. City's recruitment is both distasteful and insane. The owners realise you can only play 11 men at the one time right?

[Craigman]

I wonder how Shah got on talking with Rovers yesterday.