[Archived] Rovers Might Have Been Sold?

[philipl]

I think it is interesting that the flaws in O'Neill's character have been exposed- he was always someone with a bit of a short fuse and I had wondered whether he would last the course with an owner like Rand Lerner who clearly is looking to build long term.

Sam is much more of a builder and sustainer in that regards. Despite the Bolton board being a nightmare to work with by all accounts, he built and sustained a very successful Bolton side which did play good football (of course we disparaged the neighbours from behind Winter Hill) and got to within striking distance of the Champions League.

The difference with Rovers is that if you look at all the youngsters we have got coming through, it is quite possible to see Sam building us into a Europa League side on minimal additional resources in the near future.

The difference is that at Ewood when the take over goes through (OK 1% if, 99% when), he will have the resources to strike for a Champions League place in a few seasons' time.

[deryck guyler's spoon]

I would imagine that this thread will meander off in some very strange directions before due dilligence is complete.

[den]

This has gone over the top off-topic now.

Maybe it needs a bit of a push in the right direction. With the window coming up right around the corner, it looks like that its going to be unlikely that we will get any of the the WGA's cash this window. But it's better to move things through thoroughly than rush it at the last second. The mood out of the club, especially the manager seems to be a bit more positive during interviews. The whole "body language" seems to be more positive than I can ever remember. Lets hope everything moves on to finalize sooner rather than later (possibly within phillip's estimation), so that we can begin rubbing our hands in anticipation of January 2011 and then June 2011 where we actually get to compete in the market after a lifetime.

Don't forget whilst there isnt that much money in the market, since we have arrived at the races a bit later than others, that gives us some cash to play with, allowing us to actually attract the kind of players which most other clubs wont have access to anymore.

I look forward to reading a proper detailed interview with the new owners once things are at a point where words wont be taken out of context a la Beckham anymore.

Thank goodness for a post worth reading.

Syed is someone who wants to come into the club, be seen as a fan, put millions of his own cash into the team, academy and other infrastructure around the club and isn't there to make a profit.

I mean come on guys, if we can't go with this, what can we go with? Seriously, what do we want?

[RevidgeBlue]

I mean come on guys, if we can't go with this, what can we go with? Seriously, what do we want?

Obviously someone offering exactly the same as Mr. Syed but someone who has lived in Blackburn all his life and who hasn't missed a Rovers game since he was about eight weeks old sat on his dad's knee.

That's not a criticism from me, I don't think the poor chap has put a foot wrong, he's come along prima facie offering to put a great deal of money into the club and a lot of the comments aimed at him, about he possible takeover and about his possible motivation have been little sort of shameful imo.

[Bobby G]

I think Martin O'Neill has come out with a damaged reputation. Personally, Ive never rated him but that is for my personal feelings towards his touchline antics and the innocent act he puts on. In fact if you look at points for pounds, are Villa a better side than half the teams in this league? I dont think so. He overspent on every single occasion almost, but had a good rapport with the press cause of his "English side". I thought Villa were getting an excellent deal for Milner, maybe quadrupling their money on him until I realized he had paid 12 million pounds for him at a time when he was still finding his way at Newcastle!

The club is in no better hands than with Sam right now. He has stabilized the ship, and anyone who doubts that he can spend well should have their facts checked. Even at Newcastle his record was decent when it came to that. Add to that our scouting network being one of the top ones in the country, and I would say we could look forward to transfer season soon enough. Obviously the new owner wants to be recognized as a fan and subtle hints where visible in his interviews, including calling the gaffer as "Big Sam". He genuinely seems a "Blackburn" type, and fits in with the family culture at the club.

[67splitscreen]

Obviously someone offering exactly the same as Mr. Syed but someone who has lived in Blackburn all his life and who hasn't missed a Rovers game since he was about eight weeks old sat on his dad's knee.

That's not a criticism from me, I don't think the poor chap has put a foot wrong, he's come along prima facie offering to put a great deal of money into the club and a lot of the comments aimed at him, about he possible takeover and about his possible motivation have been little sort of shameful imo.

100% behind your comments.

We have been saying all along the last owner we want is one who saddles the club with debt.

Unlike many recent owners of Premier league clubs, the package for the development of the club overall that Mr Syed is offering is second to none IMO.

In my wildest dreams I could never see another fan buying our club after Jack.

OK we had never heard of Mr Syed two months ago but we can only support what we are told are his goal's to take our and his club forward.

He himself says he is no Jack Walker but what he is offering as a fan needs to be supported in the same way as we did when Jack took the club over.

Two/Three weeks to go before the end of due diligence, IMO it's time we started to show are backing for Mr Syed, starting on Saturday against Arsenal.

A Rover for the Rovers "There's only one Ali Syed" COYB.

It is very unlikely this opportunity will surface again, without strings attached.

[Balwer]

This isn't a dig at my northern friends but how many billionaires are there in Blackburn? Multi-millionaires? What about the wider Lancashire area? Forgive my southern ignorance please...

[67splitscreen]

This isn't a dig at my northern friends but how many billionaires are there in Blackburn? Multi-millionaires? What about the wider Lancashire area? Forgive my southern ignorance please...

Zilch, Rovers fans I'd say, and that is what we all wished for.

[beerwins]

There was a piece in the LET asking fans would they buy with 100 million and there was actually some sensible names, Andy Crier put in his input with some truly afwul names that I cant even remember but one of them was Kevin Davies Is this guy a full shilling?

If thats the case keep the money, we can sign dollopers on what we have now thanks.

[1864roverite]

I have it on very good authority that the Rovers legal team have had a very very busy day. Information came from a non football related source but within the legal profession.

I cant disclose what it is "allegedly about" but it didnt sound BAD !

[Guest Kamy100]

I have it on very good authority that the Rovers legal team have had a very very busy day. Information came from a non football related source but within the legal profession.

I cant disclose what it is "allegedly about" but it didnt sound BAD !

Correlate with what I heard this evening that "significant" progress has been made.

[imy9]

Could this yet be completed before the transfer window?

Hope so but will be simply glad when it goes through regardless of the window!

[Guest Kamy100]

I still think that it is going to be difficult to complete before Transfer Window, but every indication is that it is now very close.

[Kelbo]

I still think that it is going to be difficult to complete before Transfer Window, but every indication is that it is now very close.

Close enough for Sam to be given £10,000,000 on account ?

[joey_big_nose]

I still think that it is going to be difficult to complete before Transfer Window, but every indication is that it is now very close.

EXCITING!! Crikey.

[Craigman]

Would be amazed if this went through before the window closes (although it would be great). Doesn't Mr Ahsan Ali Syed have to go through the Premier League new tests, which they need to do at least 7 days before the takeover is complete ?

[67splitscreen]

Would be amazed if this went through before the window closes (although it would be great). Doesn't Mr Ahsan Ali Syed have to go through the Premier League new tests, which they need to do at least 7 days before the takeover is complete ?

Ohhh! I'm sure they would have gone in at least a week and half ago.

[Baz]

I think it was mentioned he'd already passed the test. For what the test is actually worth - its really just a credit check, Frankie Shinawatra passed it, which shows you how "fit and proper" you must be:

From Wiki:

the Shinawatra government also faced allegations of electoral fraud, corruption, authoritarianism, treason, conflicts of interest, acting non-diplomatically, and muzzling of the press. Thaksin was accused of tax evasion, lèse majesté (insulting the dignity of a reigning sovereign) and selling national assets to international investors.Independent bodies, including Amnesty International, criticized Thaksin's human rights record.

[Craigman]

I thought that he had to meet the Premier league board in person.

[LeChuck]

I think it was mentioned he'd already passed the test. For what the test is actually worth - its really just a credit check, Frankie Shinawatra passed it, which shows you how "fit and proper" you must be:

Hasn't the rule changed since then?

[rovgers]

I'm sure the tests can be done before the deal is finalized, I'm sure I read on here that the 5 potential owners of Liverpool have all applied for the test.

[Baz]

Hasn't the rule changed since then?

LET

The name of the test has changed but it appears it still is purely a financial test - I'm also prety sure I read somewhere he had already applied, but I cant find that at the moment.

[Bobby G]

This is exciting. Cant wait for this to finalize and we look forward to a new chapter in our little old club's history.

[RoversSG]

Even if the takeover is somehow completed by end this week, wouldn't that leave us with too little time to sign anyone except for panic buys? I rather we take our time and do this takeover properly and sign players only in Jan. After all, from what i seen so far, we should have no problems avoiding relegation this season.

[philipl]

I have it on very good authority that the Rovers legal team have had a very very busy day. Information came from a non football related source but within the legal profession.

I cant disclose what it is "allegedly about" but it didnt sound BAD !

This is very positive news which is yet further sign that there will be a transfer of ownership on terms the Trust are happy with.

However, this does not necessarily mean the sale is happening today (or tomorrow, or next week, or at the end of the exclusive period)! But it does point further to 99% certainty there will be a sale when everything is done to all parties' satisfaction.

The real action will be happening between the legal ad financial teams of the Trust and the buyers and that is quite possibly not going on anywhere close to Blackburn.

For a sale to happen, the club's own lawyers will need to prepare resolutions, registrations, transfer documents and so on.

Yesterday's activity suggests we have moved into the pre-sale check list of things which have to be done but my guess is the destination of yesterday's papers is far far more likely to be the buyers' lawyers' desks for review as part of their due diligence rather than Companies House registering new owners.

As for transfer window impact, the mind set of Sam, the Rovers Board, the Trust and the buyers must surely be to get the big job done properly rather than be distracted by thrashing out some complicated and awkward short term loan arrangement for Rovers to dive at the death into a schizoid market which is where the world football transfers are at the moment.