[Archived] Rovers Takeover: End game ?

[TimmyJimmy]

This is where I tend to switch off.

We're a football club, not a washing powder.

I know times change, but I doubt teams were founded to make it big in Asia. It was normally working men representing their town. You can't fight "progress" I guess. Football is like a massive warped ponzi scheme it needs ever more people putting in the pot to pay off the players who get more money than is feasible because if they didn't another club would do it. When does football become unsustainable, when every single man, woman, child and chicken on the planet is paying into the premiership?

Where will it all end (other than in tears)? I feel we're in danger of losing part of what made football great for the working man to go and watch. Football giving in to the trend of globalisation means it's in danger of losing its soul.

Profoundly depressing.

Totally agree Bryan and if the approval points are anything to go by so do many others on this board. However I would add just one thing.

It's not "football" it's the "EPL", maybe two separate beasts. The EPL is only a very small part of football and has its equivalents in the NBA and NFL etc.. These entities ARE all businesses not sporting endeavours, they exist for and could not survive without TV money so to that extent they are artificial constructs built specifically for the digital age.

'Real' football exists in the lower divisions and this is what many value (albeit that the Championship EPL wannabes are now warping their division 1 reality).

It's not too far a stretch to think of the EPL teams as the Harlem Globetrotters of the football world. If we've taken the King's shilling then I guess we have to also take the downsides that go with it, including death and destruction.

Many friends of mine yearn for the days of 'proper' passionate football played by committed local guys for workers taking half a day out to stand on the terraces and wouldn't be too distraught if they woke up to find the club in the lower divisions. If we're not careful they may get their wish We definitely need the investment mate.

[koi]

Been speaking with an Indian journo from Calcutta, India...

He says the word back home is that VH will complete within days...I asked him about their wealth as we had conflicting info, which he said its 4000 cr, which is just under £1bn (his words, not my converstion) - he did also say that they are the biggest poultry firm in Asia & that they have alot of expansion already funded so could become much bigger over the next few years too.

Think he's got his £'s and $'s mixed up. 4000 crore is almost bang-on $900m.

[Exiled in Toronto]

A new dawn is upon us. Things will never be the same.

I hope these guys maintain Jack Walker's legacy and keep respect for the fans and supporters who make this club what it is.

Most importantly, I hope the family atmosphere around the club remains!

Unfortunatley, hoping things will stay the same is an emotion strictly limited to the fans. If I paid 46 million for a loss-making venture, the last thing I'd want is for things to stay the same. Just like Jack Walker didn't want things to stay the same and knocked down the ground partly funded by Lawrence Cotton.

New owners rarely go out of their way to show respect to old owners. Owners are ownwers. Perhaps I am bieng cynical, but then I am told that visitors to Bournville - built and owned by Cadbury's for 130 years - are now greeted by a sign welcoming them to Kraft Foods.

[broadsword]

Totally agree Bryan and if the approval points are anything to go by so do many others on this board. However I would add just one thing.

It's not "football" it's the "EPL", maybe two separate beasts. The EPL is only a very small part of football and has its equivalents in the NBA and NFL etc.. These entities ARE all businesses not sporting endeavours, they exist for and could not survive without TV money so to that extent they are artificial constructs built specifically for the digital age.

'Real' football exists in the lower divisions and this is what many value (albeit that the Championship EPL wannabes are now warping their division 1 reality).

It's not too far a stretch to think of the EPL teams as the Harlem Globetrotters of the football world. If we've taken the King's shilling then I guess we have to also take the downsides that go with it, including death and destruction.

Many friends of mine yearn for the days of 'proper' passionate football played by committed local guys for workers taking half a day out to stand on the terraces and wouldn't be too distraught if they woke up to find the club in the lower divisions. If we're not careful they may get their wish We definitely need the investment mate.

Well, there really doesn't seem to be anything we can do about it.

It just seems intuitively wrong to me, and I don't like it.

Are Blackburn Olympic still going? :-)

[Iceman]

4000 Crore is about half a billion pounds.

here we go again... 4000 Crore is half a dozen eggs, and a few chickens.

if Venkys are worth 900 Million, is this not roughly the same figure as what John W Henry is worth? Or does that figure exclude the money generated from the Red Sox team, and his other businesses? I remember reading, that John W Henry is not a billionaire, and worth about 800mill, so found it strange that he spent about 300mill of that.

This money business confuses me, so just need clarification on this. When Forbes does their calculations, do they only take personal wealth into consideration, or total wealth which includes money generated through other ventures?

[Balwer]

here we go again... 4000 Crore is half a dozen eggs, and a few chickens.

if Venkys are worth 900 Million, is this not roughly the same figure as what John W Henry is worth? Or does that figure exclude the money generated from the Red Sox team, and his other businesses? I remember reading, that John W Henry is not a billionaire, and worth about 800mill, so found it strange that he spent about 300mill of that.

This money business confuses me, so just need clarification on this. When Forbes does their calculations, do they only take personal wealth into consideration, or total wealth which includes money generated through other ventures?

John Henry may no longer be a billionaire, however he is also not the only investor in New England Sports Ventures either, the New York Times owns a 16.5% stake for example.

[brian_gallagher85]

here we go again... 4000 Crore is half a dozen eggs, and a few chickens.

if Venkys are worth 900 Million, is this not roughly the same figure as what John W Henry is worth? Or does that figure exclude the money generated from the Red Sox team, and his other businesses? I remember reading, that John W Henry is not a billionaire, and worth about 800mill, so found it strange that he spent about 300mill of that.

This money business confuses me, so just need clarification on this. When Forbes does their calculations, do they only take personal wealth into consideration, or total wealth which includes money generated through other ventures?

I would imagine that the list would be made up using the total worth of anything that they alone own/their share of things like shares, property and any bank account balances that are available.

[Iceman]

so im guessing, that Venkys as a total organisation is worth 900mill if those figures are correct, but the owners personal wealth are not included in that figure. If that is the case, then I can understand why Nicko mentioned that they are billionaires. I think ill sit at the back of the rollercoaster for a while, hopefully if everything goes well, I might decide to move forward. Right now, ill just sit at the back, and watch what happens. Lets hope it’s a smooth ride, and not a bumpy one.

[nicko]

so im guessing, that Venkys as a total organisation is worth 900mill if those figures are correct, but the owners personal wealth are not included in that figure. If that is the case, then I can understand why Nicko mentioned that they are billionaires. I think ill sit at the back of the rollercoaster for a while, hopefully if everything goes well, I might decide to move forward. Right now, ill just sit at the back, and watch what happens. Lets hope it’s a smooth ride, and not a bumpy one.

I think the point is they are wealthy.

How anyone could imagine people putting £46 million into a football club unless they had a great deal more behind them is beyond me.

Football is a risk business. You would have to be able to spend at the start to make it work long-term. I am sure this lot are well aware of that.

To paint them as some sort of hicks from the sticks is borderline material.

[unsall]

you have mentioned this a few times now, is this something you have heard within the club ?

I hope JW does stay on but it does make sense to leave now if he does want to retire.

[Balwer]

How anyone could imagine people putting £46 million into a football club unless they had a great deal more behind them is beyond me.

and yet....Portsmouth.

It's dangerous to make such 'logical' assumptions when one doesn't know the full motivations behind the bid, particularly when so much of the information we have on the bidders is based on speculation and hearsay.

[nicko]

and yet....Portsmouth.

It's dangerous to make such 'logical' assumptions when one doesn't know the full motivations behind the bid, particularly when so much of the information we have on the bidders is based on speculation and hearsay.

Portsmouth is a totally different case. You had a 'family' move in there and splash fortunes...for whatever reasons. One springs to mind, but I don't want your website shut down.

That doesn't look like being the shape of things with VH. They have said their budgets will be more modest. Something most people are happy to hear.

[Balwer]

Portsmouth is a totally different case. You had a 'family' move in there and splash fortunes...for whatever reasons. One springs to mind, but I don't want your website shut down.

That doesn't look like being the shape of things with VH. They have said their budgets will be more modest. Something most people are happy to hear.

Was more referring to the third guy of the four who owned Portsmouth, can't recall his name. Somehow bought the club (or 90% of it?) but then players weren't paid, etc.

I know it looks like VH are alright, and I hope as much as anyone that they are, but until we know definitively that will be the case then all we have right now are assumptions.

[nicko]

Was more referring to the third guy of the four who owned Portsmouth, can't recall his name. Somehow bought the club (or 90% of it?) but then players weren't paid, etc.

I know it looks like VH are alright, and I hope as much as anyone that they are, but until we know definitively that will be the case then all we have right now are assumptions.

Portsmouth went from one to another to another and then another in the space of a short time...their problems date back to Gaydamak buying the club and spending money that was, shall we say, too good to be true. Everything after that was someone else trying to pick up a tab.

Spending like that gets you shut down.

Gaydamak's business background was vague. His father's was much more interesting.

I don't think VH fit that profile.

But I leave that to the experts at the club who have sifted through the Rovers applicants and seem happy with them.

[iamarover]

and yet....Portsmouth.

It's dangerous to make such 'logical' assumptions when one doesn't know the full motivations behind the bid, particularly when so much of the information we have on the bidders is based on speculation and hearsay.

Well yes. But that is like taking a position that is firmly against Sin and pledged to Truth. Of course message boards are loaded with speculation. As is the press. But similarly a one eyed view of a balance sheet doesn't give a true indication of human motivations or ambitions either. Are Hammers fans reassured by the robustness of Porn Bros balance sheet? Not really. In terms of business motivation and probity only the Trust amongst us could really make a considered judgement. We simply have to run with what has so far been superb judgement.

After that it is about growth plans and sustainability which is where the true debate should be. Grumbling about the colour of their money is not where we need to be for all sorts of reasons.

[booth]

I see the great minds at the Dingle Dome are planning another trip to Ewood...

http://www.blackburnweb.co.uk/forums/index.php?threads/jacks-an-indian-burnley-sabotage-2.2180/#post-23992

I've heard this from a different source btw.

[ewoodpo]

Sorry, if this has already been posted I'm a bit slow just like the LT with news.I'm sure Nicko has already mentioned this.

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/8492238.Blackburn_Rovers_takeover__could_be_sealed_later_this_week_/

[Kelbo]

Absolute rubbish. Tell me how somebody who was just born within the right family is as deserving as someone who works hard from nothing and makes a success in life. It's a no brainer.

Tell me someone with Children who wouldnt want their estate to go to them when they die?

Who should get it, scroungers, benefit fraudsters etc??

[BRFCS Content]

A BRFCS Editorial by Kamy has just been posted in the News section. Please put your comments in the newly created Venky's Company Profile thread and continue discussion of Venky's there.

Thanks.

[doctorryan]

......Just like Jack Walker didn't want things to stay the same and knocked down the ground partly funded by Lawrence Cotton.

I think that was as much about the Taylor Report as anything else EI, not that I'm disagreeing with the point of your post.

[philipl]

Haven't posted for a few days because I have been busy but also enormously fearful for the future of Rovers.

Venky's plummeted in my estimation because:

- their handling of communications last week was abysmal; it is still very much on the cards that the Manager and Chairman will both leave within 24 hours of the deal being concluded if you read their statements last week

- the likelihood they are using debt to finance the cash transfer to settle £46m

- the probability that the two (at best) unproven brothers will be hands on at Ewood

- the deep involvement of Jerome Anderson about whom I have not heard a single positive word; even Nicko posted negatively about him

- and now the allegation of unethical behaviour from Saurin Shah who cleary did impress the Trust and Board by his own integrity

In situations such as these, I would have followed the money which was Syed as far as I could see- and no I had no personal interest in him or his business.

The one hope I have for this deal is Mrs Desai:

tashor, on 04 November 2010 - 00:09 AM, said:

I am sure that this has been posted elsewhere on BRFCS.COM but at last I have read a coherent explanation as to why we are about to be acquired by Venky's........

Sound like a hot cookie that Anuradha - hopefully one to match Rovers very own Iron Lady M.T...........

Profile

[Mattyblue]

philipl. Couple of things

purchase is being funded by a loan? source?

You believe that Shah was shafted? Where is his/your proof? Any paperwork/contracts between them or just Shah sour grapes/desperation?

Or, are you just carrying on where you left off last week?

[BuckyRover]

philipl. Couple of things

purchase is being funded by a loan? source?

You believe that Shah was shafted? Where is his/your proof? Any paperwork/contracts between them or just Shah sour grapes/desperation?

Or, are you just carrying on where you left off last week?

I think we all know the answer to your last question

[Pete1981]

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/8494474.Venky_s_Blackburn_Rovers_deal_on_track/

[philipl]

philipl. Couple of things

purchase is being funded by a loan? source?

You believe that Shah was shafted? Where is his/your proof? Any paperwork/contracts between them or just Shah sour grapes/desperation?

Or, are you just carrying on where you left off last week?

I believe you cannot read what I posted correctly.

The Saurin Shah issue is a lead story in the Times of India today