[Archived] Rovers Might Have Been Sold?

[Guest Kamy100]

BRFCS Exclusive: Ali Remains Confident

[nicko]

Is there any indication how much money these guys have?

All I know about one of the 'movers' is that they seem pretty serious. No more details than that.

The point that interested me most was that they were told a buy could still be done...

[ewoodpo]

i hope no one falls for any of these stories, written by what id call tin pot journo's that need a new story so have brought something up that has been quiet for a while!!

both these stories come just a few hours after this...

Ali Syed's bid still on track.

The NOTW story maybe, but the Alan Nixon story will have some substance in it.Why don't you think before going round calling a reputable Journo like Nicko tinpot.

[chaddyrovers]

very interest that 3 groups all want to buy rovers. I still prefer the Syed Ali group to buy rovers because he would invest his own money in the money and we seem to know his plans for the club. Think his group will buy the club before his MOU runs out.

[philipl]

The only way that these newly revealed bidders can potentially derail the Ali Syed Heads of Agreement is if they put something on the table which forces the Trust's hand because they address a key clause in the Settlement appreciably better than the Ali Syed proposal does.

The only clause in the Settlement which has been made public (and we are going back some ten years now when it was referred to) is some form of wording relating to securing the Rovers' future and providing entertainment for the people of Blackburn. No doubt the Settlement document itself is much more voluminous.

In the final analysis, the advantage and disadvantage all prospective buyers have faced over the past 3 years+ of the sale process is they are in effect "negotiating" with a dead man's wishes.

[magicalmortensleftpeg]

All I know about one of the 'movers' is that they seem pretty serious. No more details than that.

The point that interested me most was that they were told a buy could still be done...

But that was 10 days ago?? Surely the Ali bid is so significantly ahead in the race to buy the club that although a buy could 'still be done' the reality of somebody else buying the club is remote? Any rival bidders at this time can only be announcing their interest as a last ditch attempt to steal some headlines

[S15]

The NOTW story maybe, but the Alan Nixon story will have some substance in it.Why don't you think before going round calling a reputable Journo like Nicko tinpot.

Get a grip and wash your nose.

[47er]

I suppose the worst thing that could happen now (for all except perhaps the Trust) is that the Trust might think a bidding war between the parties would push up the price. The risk would be that it would take a lot of time to check out the bona fides of the other parties and then negotiate with all. The further risk is that Syed might regard this in a bad light and take his money elsewhere. For the fans its a complication we don't need.

Somebody please tell me I'm being too pessimistic!

[Paul]

The only way that these newly revealed bidders can potentially derail the Ali Syed Heads of Agreement is if they put something on the table which forces the Trust's hand because they address a key clause in the Settlement appreciably better than the Ali Syed proposal does.

The only clause in the Settlement which has been made public (and we are going back some ten years now when it was referred to) is some form of wording relating to securing the Rovers' future and providing entertainment for the people of Blackburn. No doubt the Settlement document itself is much more voluminous.

In the final analysis, the advantage and disadvantage all prospective buyers have faced over the past 3 years+ of the sale process is they are in effect "negotiating" with a dead man's wishes.

The one thing which ocurrs to me about the reported new bids / interest is to what extent the Trust is bound to look at all potential offers? Clearly Rothschilds' responsibility is to examine and filter in / out those with potential, I would imagine Rothschilds would err on the side of caution in this and recommend any potential candidate. Seems to me this new interest puts the Trust under significant pressure to decide either Syed is already the best deal to be had, drawing a conclusion to the search for a new owner or they have to look seriously at the supposed new parties?

Hopefully the Trust will conclude Syed is the right choice and the club can get on with the business of using his investment wisely. If a decision is not made this could run for a very long time and risk losing the better choice.

[47er]

The one thing which ocurrs to me about the reported new bids / interest is to what extent the Trust is bound to look at all potential offers? Clearly Rothschilds' responsibility is to examine and filter in / out those with potential, I would imagine Rothschilds would err on the side of caution in this and recommend any potential candidate. Seems to me this new interest puts the Trust under significant pressure to decide either Syed is already the best deal to be had, drawing a conclusion to the search for a new owner or they have to look seriously at the supposed new parties?

Hopefully the Trust will conclude Syed is the right choice and the club can get on with the business of using his investment wisely. If a decision is not made this could run for a very long time and risk losing the better choice.

Great minds think alike!

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

I suppose the worst thing that could happen now (for all except perhaps the Trust) is that the Trust might think a bidding war between the parties would push up the price. The risk would be that it would take a lot of time to check out the bona fides of the other parties and then negotiate with all. The further risk is that Syed might regard this in a bad light and take his money elsewhere. For the fans its a complication we don't need.

Somebody please tell me I'm being too pessimistic!

Nightmare scenario were the trust feel they can cash in,hope to god that doesn't happen.We could end up with nothing.

Mr Syed has put his cards on the table from the very start and his hand appears very strong.....come on Rovers and Mr Syed,lets get this take over done and dusted asap.

[TimmyJimmy]

Possibly the daftest thing in a thread composed of a high proportion of daftness

It's only daft if you don't consider the wider picture. The game of 15 years ago is unrecognisable today, things move on and change, in another 15 years who knows where the game will be. Anything is possible.

I think that the flurry of interest in purchasing the club is recognition in part that the game may well be changing to our benefit. Platini seems Hell bent on leveling playing fields and slowly the financial restrictions under discussion/implementation will start to curb wages and the therefore the huge cost of currently running a club. I think you will find that the game will turn to focus more on youth and notably that is being spoken about by Mr Syed and those with an interest of buying into other clubs.

If we are early into the battle and build on our already substantial investment in the Academy then we will be well placed to have a good number of future stars locked into the club. Some currently rich clubs are spending massively right now to beat the upcoming restrictions but it won't be long before the revamping of the new rules will have some real tangible effects on the league tables.

Taking this together with what we already know about about Jack's stipulations to the Trust about providing entertainment for the people of Blackburn (which ensures that the Rovers EPL franchise cannot be bought and relocated elsewhere a la Millwall/Milton Keynes and some teams in the NFL) plus what Mr Syed proposes for the development of the brand in the new economic powerhouses of India, China etc - then we can be reasonably sure that any Rovers title aspirations will be stronger over the next 15 years than now.

So no, I don't agree it was a daft thing to say for the above reasons. Then again I don't think it was a daft thing to say because I am also a passionate aspirational supporter and such dreams sustain me. And yet again, Jack was a fan, Mr Syed is a fan. I still choke up when I see footage of Jack with a tear in his eye and his lip trembling so yes, I'd love to go through the same emotion again with the new (fan) owner.

You're welcome to your opinion of course but you don't need to be so caustic and disparaging about those of others. I'm a dreamer, so what.

[sparky12]

The NOTW story maybe, but the Alan Nixon story will have some substance in it.Why don't you think before going round calling a reputable Journo like Nicko tinpot.

sorry i was mainly aiming that at Aidan Magee!! i should have said " a tinpot journo" i highly respect Nicko and what he does!!

[OscarRaven]

Hmmm... I agree with others that this is other interested parties probably trying one last gasp attempt at derailing the Syed Express.

Problem is we have heard £300mio over 15yrs (which has so many of u wetting urself with excitement) and unfortunatley these guys are not promising as much.. but remember its highly unlikely Syed can be compelled to put his money where his mouth is... the only reason he has got this far is because he has "shown them the money" - he doesnt need to spend it.

If the stories are true however, it would seem those of us opposed to becoming a billionaires play thing, scared at the prospect of spending money the club could never afford to payback or even manage to service without a 'sugar daddy' now have someone who wants to run the club on a sustainable basis.

So we potenially have a realistic status quo option, maxxing the credit card to keep up with the Jones' can be avoided, we can attempt to sit out the bubble and continue to run the football club prudently and hopefully have another 100 years ahead.

No longer a case of Syed or bust? I doubt it.

[MeanGreenMachine]

I love how your so happy with mid table mediocrity in the hope the rest of the league goes bust and we can then push on. Not going to happen....

I really struggle with the mindset of some people...

[OscarRaven]

Mr Syed is a fan.

Still believe in the tooth fairy? He has already admitted to being a United fan.

Syed would be a Liverpool fan if the competition wasn't so serious and an Arsenal / Chelsea fan if they were available.

Comparing Syed to Jack (based on what you know now) in my opinion is naive at best, offensive at worst.

[ada2020]

Hmmm... I agree with others that this is other interested parties probably trying on last gasp attempt at derailing the Syed Express.

Problem is we have heard £300mio over 15yrs (which has so many of u wetting urself with excitement) and unfortunatley these guys are not promising as much.. but remember its highly unlikely Syed can be compelled to put his money where his mouth is... the only reason he has got this far is because he has "shown them the money" - he doesnt need to spend it.

If the stories are true however, it would seem those of us opposed to becoming a billionaires play thing, scared at the prospect of spending money the club could never afford to payback or even manage to service without a 'sugar daddy' now have someone who wants to run the club on a sustainable basis.

So we potenially have a realistic status quo option, maxxing the credit card to keep up with the Jones' can be avoided, we can attempt to sit out the bubble and continue to run the football club prudently and hopefully have another 100 years ahead.

No longer a case of Syed or bust? I doubt it.

We lose money on an annual basis, if the "bubble" you refer to is the Sky money, well if that bubble bursts then we go with it anyway given the fact we use almost all of that money to pay our players. The club is run prudently, but it is still losing, simple as.

Why would he not spend then money he has pledged to spend?

His aim's, if you even bother to read the articles, are to increase the revenue of the club, therefore improving its ability to sustain itself. However a cash injection is neccesary to kick start this process, it cannot be done for free. The money he is pledging is not all for transfer's so we are only "wetting ourselves" about £100 million, nothing to get to excited about though eh?

[OscarRaven]

I love how your so happy with mid table mediocrity in the hope the rest of the league goes bust and we can then push on. Not going to happen....

I really struggle with the mindset of some people...

I'm not happy with the game being so uncompetitive? I'm not happy with the unsustainable nature of the game? But I am happy with my 130+ year club being run in a sensible way, so that it is here for a few more generations...

The greedy, i want it now, look at me, celebrity culture will pass... In my opinion

...the rest of the league goes bust and we can then push on. Not going to happen....

Your so right how could I possibly even suggest it. Sorry.

I mean its on such a solid footing isn't it? 70% of clubs heavily geared and many with outgoings exceeding income, the biggest clubs not even paying back debt, some even struggling with the interest (with rates at a historic low) and the whole game dependent on the whims and attention spans of 7-8 billionaires.

The banking industry was on a much more solid footing and look what happened there... you did notice didn't you?

Can I suggest if you have a problem trying to understand other peoples mindsets, you should perhaps look to open your own up, just fraction more.

His aim's, if you even bother to read the articles, are to increase the revenue of the club, therefore improving its ability to sustain itself. However a cash injection is neccesary to kick start this process, it cannot be done for free. The money he is pledging is not all for transfer's so we are only "wetting ourselves" about £100 million, nothing to get to excited about though eh?

If the club is worth £25mio then £100mio cash injection is the equivelant of a 400% mortgage, your right I'd be wetting myself in that case (personal circumstances) just not with excitement.

P.S. I read the articles thanks. Increasing revenue by tapping into the local asian market, signing Beckham and building a new Riverside to house the hordes of new fans. Pure Genuis.

What generates more revunue 10% more fans or 10% on ticket prices?

[ada2020]

We have a £20 million overdraft to pay back by 2012, we cannot afford to do that, so we will be in bad shape outrselves long before the rest of the Premier League dies.

[OscarRaven]

We have a £20 million overdraft to pay back by 2012, we cannot afford to do that, so we will be in bad shape outrselves long before the rest of the Premier League dies.

Overdraft or loan? Pay off or refinance?

A debt free business with £40M+ turnover a year doesn't make sense.

[Iceman]

Take Syed, and take the risk. Only way to win.

[ada2020]

If the club is worth £25mio then £100mio cash injection is the equivelant of a 400% mortgage, your right I'd be wetting myself in that case (personal circumstances) just not with excitement.

The club is up for sale at that price, apparantly, I might add no one knows the selling price for sure, however it's value on paper is considerably more. Do you really think the playing squad is worth less than £25 million?

The trust are apparantly letting us go for that price in a bid to be rid of us once and for all. They do not want to fund us in any way whatsoever, it would appear they have reached the point where they are willing to just cut their loses and sell up.

The £100 million is to be invested into the playing staff over the course of five seasons if you read the articles, so we will not be £100 million extra in debt this time next year. Infact if the new owners use their good business sense and only plough about £25million into the side we will be no worse of than we are now, ie a £25 million overdraft. Oh there is one real pain in the ass side to that though, we might just have a couple more decent football players at the club.........

P.S. I read the articles thanks. Increasing revenue by tapping into the local asian market, signing Beckham and building a new Riverside to house the hordes of new fans. Pure Genuis.

What generates more revunue 10% more fans or 10% on ticket prices?

At least these owners are going to try and generate extra revenue through other initiatives, who are we to right them off before they have even tried.

How about 10% extra fans and 10% on ticket prices?

We have the cheapest tickets in the football league, bar a few lower division teams, if the new owner invests in some good players then why would we not pay an extra £20 on a season ticket in the Riverside,Darwen or Blackburn end?

[bluebruce]

What generates more revunue 10% more fans or 10% on ticket prices?

They generate exactly the same.

[PAFELL]

All I know about one of the 'movers' is that they seem pretty serious. No more details than that.

The point that interested me most was that they were told a buy could still be done...

Do you know who encouraged the approach? The club, rothschilds or others.

[PAFELL]

But that was 10 days ago?? Surely the Ali bid is so significantly ahead in the race to buy the club that although a buy could 'still be done' the reality of somebody else buying the club is remote? Any rival bidders at this time can only be announcing their interest as a last ditch attempt to steal some headlines

I do not think you are correct. My understanding is that the trust has to do what is best for the club. so if somebody came along at the very last minute with a better offer, with better prospects, money etc for the club. The Trust would be duty bound to listen. No deal is done until all parties have agreed and signed the various paperwork.

So if a new group / person says here is 25 million for the club, here is a further (for example) £1 billion that I want to be put into the clubs bank account to ensure the club is financially safe. Then here is a pot for transfers, with a guarrentee of say 30 million a season for transfers. An offer better than the current one, so the trust would have to listen and go with the best offer.

I may of course be completely wrong. I am sure others will tell me.