[Archived] Rovers Might Have Been Sold?

[nicko]

The Marple Leaf blog talks a bit about this interest:

The Marple Leaf

Some of that stuff is pretty accurate.

However the people I know about have not met the players.

Sounds like Rothschilds have been very busy...this could be another takeover team again.

The bottom line remains...the attempt to sell Rovers is becoming stronger.

[ewoodpo]

Some of that stuff is pretty accurate.

However the people I know about have not met the players.

Sounds like Rothschilds have been very busy...this could be another takeover team again.

The bottom line remains...the attempt to sell Rovers is becoming stronger.

Nicko, what are the chances of something happening before the season finishes on a scale of one to ten.

[RibbleValleyRover]

Don't know anything about this potential investor being targeted so i won't really comment on that until/if he is named and shows some genuine interest.

What I will say though is that our long term future could be up in the air if its true that the trust have lowered their asking price and are desperate to sell the club. A reduction in price and increasing in efforts to cash in is likely to lead to a change in the criteria that the trust set out before this rush to sell. By the sounds of it the criteria was pretty strict and had to be in the club's best interests for them to consider selling the club. We have been linked to several dodgy characters in recent years who have since shown that they wouldn't have had the money to take this club forward, in fact quite the opposite. Wanting a quick sale could really change the criteria and leave us with a really unsuitable owner.

At the same time I would also like to add that it is my belief that on our current budget its just a matter of time before we get relegated. We can't keep relying on finding rough gems to cut and polish all the time as there will be times when the mines are empty. I would say that we have been really lucky that a lot of sides around us have spent their bigger budgets on complete dross (Sunderland being a prime example) but will that always be the case?

The ideal situation would be for the owners to put more money into the club and keep doing the things that have worked so well for us, but its clear they don't want to keep the club.

It looks like we are in a difficult position. Stick with the current owners but there is a real possibility that we will eventually go down? Take the risk of bringing someone new in and hope he is the right man for us? All i can say is I'm glad its not me that has to make this important decision that has to be correct.

[Iceman]

Some of that stuff is pretty accurate.

However the people I know about have not met the players.

Sounds like Rothschilds have been very busy...this could be another takeover team again.

The bottom line remains...the attempt to sell Rovers is becoming stronger.

so are you now convinced that a takeover is more than likely going to happen Nicko, has anything changed to make the attempt to sell stronger? Earlier, you did not sound too convincing about these Arabs, along the lines of "fizzling out"

[nicko]

so are you now convinced that a takeover is more than likely going to happen Nicko, has anything changed to make the attempt to sell stronger? Earlier, you did not sound too convincing about these Arabs, along the lines of "fizzling out"

There is a push to find a buyer...and it's pretty strong.

1 - the price is lower than before.

2 - the selling agents are ringing round and working harder than recently.

Now it just needs 3 - a buyer with a few bob and a long-term interest.

You really can't rate the chance of that happening, but there is more 'chat' on this subject than there has been for some time.

[Iceman]

Don't know anything about this potential investor being targeted so i won't really comment on that until/if he is named and shows some genuine interest.

What I will say though is that our long term future could be up in the air if its true that the trust have lowered their asking price and are desperate to sell the club. A reduction in price and increasing in efforts to cash in is likely to lead to a change in the criteria that the trust set out before this rush to sell. By the sounds of it the criteria was pretty strict and had to be in the club's best interests for them to consider selling the club. We have been linked to several dodgy characters in recent years who have since shown that they wouldn't have had the money to take this club forward, in fact quite the opposite. Wanting a quick sale could really change the criteria and leave us with a really unsuitable owner.

At the same time I would also like to add that it is my belief that on our current budget its just a matter of time before we get relegated. We can't keep relying on finding rough gems to cut and polish all the time as there will be times when the mines are empty. I would say that we have been really lucky that a lot of sides around us have spent their bigger budgets on complete dross (Sunderland being a prime example) but will that always be the case?

The ideal situation would be for the owners to put more money into the club and keep doing the things that have worked so well for us, but its clear they don't want to keep the club.

It looks like we are in a difficult position. Stick with the current owners but there is a real possibility that we will eventually go down? Take the risk of bringing someone new in and hope he is the right man for us? All i can say is I'm glad its not me that has to make this important decision that has to be correct.

the lowering of the price, is what worries me. There will now be loads of potential buyers, who will not meet the criteria but who will be able to meet the valuation.The future of this club could well have a question mark attached to it, if the wrong people take over.

There is a push to find a buyer...and it's pretty strong.

1 - the price is lower than before.

2 - the selling agents are ringing round and working harder than recently.

Now it just needs 3 - a buyer with a few bob and a long-term interest.

You really can't rate the chance of that happening, but there is more 'chat' on this subject than there has been for some time.

this is my final question to you Mr Nixon.

Why are Rotschilds suddenly this active, in finding a buyer? Its been very quiet, we all know that they were given the task to find a suitable buyer, but its never been as strong as this.

[thecomebackid]

These are dangerous times.

Economic imperatives will be pushing the Trustees to raise cash for the rest of the (mainly profitable, or at least potentially so) Walker business empire. And that hint of weakness is akin to blood seeping into the ocean from a slowing beast. No surprise then that sharks are circling. And make no mistake. They can be only sharks. There is no philanthropic sheikh out there. If reflected charitable glory is their aim then there are a host of charities from UNICEF to Haiti, to any number of Arab charitable causes, that make better community headlines than sinking money into bloated sporting millionaires in a small part of a faraway land.

No. They smell only fame and money. The presence of both ensures why these people look at football rather than more rational businesses for healthy returns. For slavish adulation is what they crave on a large scale, and combine that with a way of salting more millions and you have bait for the dead black eye of the Great Sand Shark.

Rovers can't make money. Yes they can turn a profit on transfers, but that 'profit' isnt really there to be taken out. It is a surplus generated by selling on young players for good money to make good the shortfall of a small fan base. That small fan base just will not grow despite the best marketing efforts of an imaginative board. And don't give me the global thang...spend some time out here in Asia. The 'massive' expenditure Nicko is talking about is about creating the success that makes a Jacksonville into a Miami Dophin or New York Giant. Global team names that can become the stuff that Gary Cooke bangs his meat over as he fixes his debased stare on the balance sheet line that reads..'Global merchandising'. And that kind of porno largesse just isnt going to happen.

So even with a small price tag of say $50m. How does Sheikh Shark get that money back? And he will want it in 3 - 5 years at least.

The answer has to be in the Brockhall and ground assets that underpin the club.

And this is where bathing off the beach marked 'Rothschilds Football Trade Fair' is a decidedly risky one for a Rovers swimmer bearing only a pair of ragged Speedos. If the Trustee lifeguards pick up their red life rafts and head for the bars of Miami, then death is a certainty. Only the length of the kill is for debate.

This board has now to fill up with people waving at JW and the unfairly malingned Trustees and swearing them to hold dear to Jack's wishes. The only reason Rovers havent been sold to the twopenny bookmen* queueing up in past years has been the iron clauses of Jack's will that clearly has bound his legacy holders to finding a fan who at best will run the club at break even despite huge initial investment. As the Trustees have done to date, but, terrifyingly, now show signs of faith decline. If some bright young thing has found a legal way of breaking those shackles, the shark net that protects the Ewood Beach will be broken.

The horror, the horror

Fear but do not lose faith. This is a special club with small but fiercely loyal and stubbornly resistant fans. All those qualities may be needed in the weeks ahead.

Arte et Labore.

*ref. thecomebackid txt 070310 passim

Aye.

"As the camel falls to its knees, more knives are drawn."

Bedouin Proverb.

[chaddyrovers]

Some of that stuff is pretty accurate.

However the people I know about have not met the players.

Sounds like Rothschilds have been very busy...this could be another takeover team again.

The bottom line remains...the attempt to sell Rovers is becoming stronger.

Is the any interest in buying the club from the United States or Russia????

Somebody who owns other sports team like basketball or baseball teams????

Here a couple of people who might be interest in buying the club? ( not saying they will be but might be interest at the right price)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Allen

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikhail_Prokhorov

I think it would be better if these were to own rovers because the got a interest in sport teams. And at the price the trustess are selling at, the can afford it and invest in the club. Abit like Randy Lerner did. That the type of person you want owing the club.

[Gav]

Still hate him do you?

Like I said earlier, WRONG THREAD!

[EwoodGlory]

Why are Rotschilds suddenly this active, in finding a buyer? Its been very quiet, we all know that they were given the task to find a suitable buyer, but its never been as strong as this.

Is it possible one party went direct to the club and Rotschilds could miss out on a cut of the deal?

Just a thought.

[Majiball]

Hang on, in january were we not to.d the trust would back Sam in funding a young player with potential and now they are dropping the price and chucking us in the car boot sale.

Whats changed?

[Bobby G]

They realized that without massive spending we wont be able to pull off the push above our weight act every season and survive all the time. They want to quit while they are ahead and it makes sense. Plus dont forget this summer is a critical one for the club in terms of some players leaving, and they would have to be replaced, possibly with fees, and thats not even addressing strengthening the side.

[den]

I'm sorry but NOBODY on this board can convince me this is the way Jack Walker,god rest his soul,wanted the club to progress.

Agreed SG.

I'm sure what Jack would have wanted, was for the trustees to look after the club financially, until such time that buyers who could take the club forward could be found. That isn't what appears to be happening.

[PAFELL]

There is a push to find a buyer...and it's pretty strong.

1 - the price is lower than before.

2 - the selling agents are ringing round and working harder than recently.

Now it just needs 3 - a buyer with a few bob and a long-term interest.

You really can't rate the chance of that happening, but there is more 'chat' on this subject than there has been for some time.

Could it not be that Rovers have aother selling agent interested and therefore rothschild are pulling their finger out more? After all they would lose out on any commission etc.

[thenodrog]

There is a push to find a buyer...and it's pretty strong.

As I've said before the drying up of transfer fees in favour of signing on fees will hole us below the waterline. We are a club that depends of income from players more than most and as that is declining then the writing is on the wall as far as the trust is concerned.

[Fife Rover]

Agreed SG.

I'm sure what Jack would have wanted, was for the trustees to look after the club financially, until such time that buyers who could take the club forward could be found. That isn't what appears to be happening.

I admit that I know nothing at all about legal matters, but some time ago now I was persudaded by a MB member on here to do a bit of research into how Trusts work and in particular Trusts made under Jersey Law (which is what Jack Walker did).

The results that I found were as you would expect very complex and (to me) virtually incomprehensible, but one thing I did learn was fairly clear, and that is that a Trust made under Jersey Law CAN NOT be changed or broken by any of the trustees. They are legally and duty bound to observe the tennants of the Trust, and if Jack did indeed stipulate that the club can only be sold to a new owner who is willing to meet ALL the criteria in the Trust Deed, then NOBODY can change that however much they may want to do so. Also under Jersey Law nobody except the Trustees and the Courts are allowed to know exactly what is in the Trust Deed. That is my understanding of a Trust made under Jersey Law. Can anyone confirm this or enlarge on it?

[Majiball]

They realized that without massive spending we wont be able to pull off the push above our weight act every season and survive all the time. They want to quit while they are ahead and it makes sense. Plus dont forget this summer is a critical one for the club in terms of some players leaving, and they would have to be replaced, possibly with fees, and thats not even addressing strengthening the side.

Sorry Bobby G, but thats been obvious for a while for me, so I don't see why it wasn't to them. We've all been on about it for most of the season and beyond so why now? Its not a dig at you but it just seems a bit odd.

Perhaps Sam (and all the previous managers) has been going at them to spend and they've decided they can't so want us moved on quickly to get some investment. I just hope its the right kind, as I'm still convinced we could be as we are but with better distribution of the cash. I truly hope that Jack's trust was set-up to ensure that not just any Tom, Dick or Harry can buy us, especially since we are apparently worth less than Rio Ferdinand.

Guess we'll have to wait and see, and hope for the best.

[jannerman]

So it goes.

Been reading some Kilgore Trout recently huh?

European buyers put off recently due to the "recession"?

Sadly the area isn't as fashionable/valuable as some of the larger city clubs, I hate to admit it but will Rovers ever have a chance to properly compete again?

[ewoodpo]

I have found out who this mystery party is who wants to buy the club it's Vinjay.

[Brfcrule1]

yeah reading the newspaper article is interesting reading but reading certain comments on maple leaf some things really scare me

# The asking price has dropped to £25m.

# The Trustees are utterly disinterested and are now eager sellers.

seems as though they want rid at whatever price we have to make sure we make sure these guys who take on the club actually have enough money for transfers in the summer if they come in

The most interested party was not from Dubai, but Abu Dhabi. They have a long term philosophy of developing a club based on a core of experienced players, but also nurturing young players who could be sold on at a good profit.

the above statement says to me they want to do exactley what the trust have been doing so where's the gain in changing owners?

There is a bizarre thread on the Lancashire Telegraph messageboard referring to a plan to get 100 people to stump up £500K each. I'm sorry, I think I'm reasonably well connected amongst well-heeled Rovers fans and I can say with some certainty that is an absolute non-starter.

if all else fails amongst rovers fans that could be a good idea if there are 100 people willing to spend that much but I doubt there is

[Paul]

I hate to admit it but will Rovers ever have a chance to properly compete again?

No, which makes all this speculation pointless. A takeover could / would be disastrous for the club. Those welcoming it should be careful what they wish for.

[den]

A takeover could / would be disastrous for the club. Those welcoming it should be careful what they wish for.

I haven't gone to the "must be taken over" position Paul. I'm just not prepared to accept that JW would have intended the club to be in it's current position.

[Paul]

I'd agree den I think Jack wanted more but I also don't believe he would have wanted the club taken over by the type of people who currently own / run PL clubs, Villa and Wigan being the exception.

[den]

I admit that I know nothing at all about legal matters, but some time ago now I was persudaded by a MB member on here to do a bit of research into how Trusts work and in particular Trusts made under Jersey Law (which is what Jack Walker did).

The results that I found were as you would expect very complex and (to me) virtually incomprehensible, but one thing I did learn was fairly clear, and that is that a Trust made under Jersey Law CAN NOT be changed or broken by any of the trustees. They are legally and duty bound to observe the tennants of the Trust, and if Jack did indeed stipulate that the club can only be sold to a new owner who is willing to meet ALL the criteria in the Trust Deed, then NOBODY can change that however much they may want to do so. Also under Jersey Law nobody except the Trustees and the Courts are allowed to know exactly what is in the Trust Deed. That is my understanding of a Trust made under Jersey Law. Can anyone confirm this or enlarge on it?

I'm sure you're right Fife. However, I would imagine the actual wording of the trust leaves much to be interpreted by the trustees. Could that wording be so specific? I doubt it - but maybe someone knows otherwise?

I'd agree den I think Jack wanted more but I also don't believe he would have wanted the club taken over by the type of people who currently own / run PL clubs, Villa and Wigan being the exception.

When Jack worded his trust, middle east, oil rich arabs couldn't have crossed his mind. No, I agree with you, his intentions wouldn't have focused on anyone of that ilk. He would have thought British I'm sure.

[broadsword]

I have found out who this mystery party is who wants to buy the club it's Vinjay.

Investors from the lesser-known emirate of Abu Vinjai.