[Archived] Rovers Might Have Been Sold?

[ada2020]

Cant help but be slightly nervous about a takeover the main focus of business is to make money, I dont see were money is to be made at Rovers without landing the club in debt, if a fan had wanted to buy and put money into the club I could understand his reasons.

Read the times article above. I understand your fear, I have the same fears but the prospective owners "seem" to have a plan. Who knows what will happen, guess we'll have to wait and see. Do agree with the chaps that call for JW to stat, would be a travesty if he was removed given the job he's done.

[Bobby G]

I think its fair to say that two groups spoke to the club and this is one of them. The other one might still be in the frame too. JW also confirmed that we are in fluid talks, so this time there is a potential take-over bid and its being received well by the club. No point denying this to ourselves.

[67splitscreen]

Are we going to end up being Blackburn Rovers Football & Cricket Club soon?

Its interesting about getting a foot-hold in the Indian market, but I hope the club doesnt lose its identity and become a tool for cheap marketing of the bigger project that is the IPL. How much money do these guys have is my first question and my second question is can we bring in the strong Asian population of Blackburn. If so, then I think attendances would be boosted big time. A bright future? Im really nervously excited!

Shrinivas Dempo if the calculator is correct circa $2.3Billion. don't take that as gospel. Sold the family miming business for circa$ 1.7 B

He is also building a new stadium for the club.

[Bobby G]

I think Saurin Shah's company is called Qubic not Dempo (who are linked with some kind of partnership with an English club).

[den]

Shrinivas Dempo if the calculator is correct circa $2.3Billion. don't take that as gospel. Sold the family miming business for circa$ 1.7 B

He is also building a new stadium for the club.

Didn't realise there was so much money in miming.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if the trustees didn't walk away from this potential deal, now that the interested party has gone public so early.

[Bobby G]

den, to be fair they did say they got the right of first refusal as well as due diligence. So maybe this is further ahead than we think.

[den]

den, to be fair they did say they got the right of first refusal as well as due diligence. So maybe this is further ahead than we think.

There's no way that the trustees would have wanted this to go public yet Bobby. In fact there must have been a gentleman's agreement to keep this private between the two parties. That must pose questions about the buyers credibility.

[Hughesy]

Hey guys I'm from India, been a Blackburn fan for just over 20 years now. The PL in India has grown rapidly over last 3-4 years. Earlier kids used to play cricket in the streets now everyone's playing football, this is not only north India its all over. ESPN and STAR sports own the rights for the PL however only 4 live games are shown every week, which I believe is about to change, to show all games live. I'm from Mumbai, and we have quite a large Blackburn following here about 200 people, Manchester United opened a Man U Cafe last year and it is doing very very well. My point being the scope for expansion is huge in this region and if an Indian has anything to do with the ownership of the club the clubs fan base would grow rapidly too in this region. Hope this gives an In site.

Thanks Unclejack28 - know anything about this fella Saurin Shah!?

How much debt are we in?

Just our £20m overdraft isnt it?!

Right now, one of my main concerns if not the main one is that they retain JW as chairman and let him run the club.

Perhaps he would at 1st - but I dont see him being around forever...probably another 2 years max....perhaps a new owner might change that though!?!

[Bobby G]

You could be right and maybe this is why they were deemed "publicity seekers". The other group may pip back in at this rate, if the Trustees wake up in the morning with this all over their news.

[Hughesy]

The trust dont give a $hit about us - why should they care about some publicity?! If anything it could intrest others and get them a better price!!

[tony gale's mic]

Shrinivas Dempo if the calculator is correct circa $2.3Billion. don't take that as gospel. Sold the family miming business for circa$ 1.7 B

He is also building a new stadium for the club.

Not the same guy.

I have to say I am a little worried with this. Googling Qubic Sports and Entertainment yields little else except for the article already posted. If an Indian publication is calling him "little known" then he must have a very low profile. Googling his name and "Qubic" again just brings up those two articles.

The IPL link is there yes but I struggle to see how this can possibly work. Why would they support a club which doesnt have any famous players and isn't in the Champions League? It makes very little sense.

On the other hand I know those on the Rovers side who look at the bid will both have access to more information and have more expertise in this area than myself but I can't help but feel a little worried.

[den]

The trust dont give a $hit about us - why should they care about some publicity?!

You do the trustees a disservice there Hughesy. They have never courted the press. To say they don't give a $hit is not fair either.

[67splitscreen]

Please spare a thought during these trying times for...

VINJAY ...... as the old song goes .... they'll be dancing on the ceiling they'll be dancing ...............

[47er]

There was certainly no suggestion that anything was very imminent when we asked the question at the Fans Forum on Monday. This is the minute: -

3. Possible Takeover

JohnW asked for an update on any possible takeover of the club. TF confirmed that there was ongoing interest and discussions but it was difficult to speculate as to whether or not these would ultimately lead to a takeover. The Walker Trust had confirmed their interest in selling the club some years ago, having recognised that they could no longer provide the necessary funds to support a Premier League team long term.

Seems the Walker Trust is more realistic than many of the fans.

[nicko]

I'm away just now, but these are the Indians I was referring to in the Sunday People last week.

The leak will have come from Chris Nathaniel.

It will be interesting to see how this develops.

[Bobby G]

So why would he do that then nicko?

[Hughesy]

This isnt the guy is it!? Says he's Mumbai....could be little known too

[OJRovers]

Interesting with the Indian/Asian link - I think the best way we could increase top line earnings is to expand into this market (better) locally and abroad.

The trustees and the current people at the club have done as much as they can, now its the time to bring in some outsider expertise.

More earnings = higher sustainable wage bill, more money for players : without creating debts.

[Exiled in Toronto]

Googling Qubic Sports and Entertainment yields little else except for the article already posted. If an Indian publication is calling him "little known" then he must have a very low profile. Googling his name and "Qubic" again just brings up those two articles.

I would imagine it's a company set up specifically for this project - happens all the time.

[John]

The trustees and the current people at the club have done as much as they can, now its the time to bring in some outsider expertise.

Who are these guys though? IPL makes me think cowboys....

[Hughesy]

You do the trustees a disservice there Hughesy. They have never courted the press. To say they don't give a $hit is not fair either.

True - frustration more than anything!!

[PAFELL]

Same in Thailand and Malaysia I think.

Every single game in Thailand is shown on True Vision, even the 38 dingle games.

You maybe surprised about malaysia. I often go to penang in malaysia. even though a lot look out for man U scores / matches on TV. There is also an attitude of supporting the underdog. I know of about 6 Rovers supporters in Penang itself.

[Guest Kamy100]

Shah is little known in India, no background about this company coming up or the financial resources that he has. Apparently his Uncle is a big wig within the IPL. Trying to check with people I know in India about him and his company.

The Trustees/Rothchild's will not be happy that this has gone public, these kind of things have to be managed properly, now Rovers will be forced into making talking about this, would not surprise me if they do this via the Lancashire Telegraph tomorrow.

[Bobby G]

Wouldnt the LT be printed tonight and out in the morning? I doubt the club will have time to put something in it?

[Guest Kamy100]

You could be right, however this would be a HUGE story for the Telegraph if the club came to them with it so the print run could be adjusted.