[Archived] Probiz - potential new owners?

[rovers11]

1. Interesting comments on twitter from Kamy:

   Northern Rover ‏@Northern_Rover

   Although at the moment I don't have any evidence/info to suggest that a sale is imminent, but if they do then I reckon it'll be to Probiz.

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2. 24mNorthern Rover ‏@Northern_Rover

   This is based on few bits of info I have heard over the last few weeks.

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3. 25mNorthern Rover ‏@Northern_Rover

   I am starting to become increasingly convinced that IF Venky's eventually sell a controlling stake in Rovers then they'll sell it to Probiz.

[DE.]

Who the @#/? are they, other than a shady company on the front of our shirt?

[AndyNeil]

Bit of a daft comment that, take a look at their website...http://probiz-excellence.com/

[Paul]

http://www.probiz-excellence.com/

http://m.accountingweb.co.uk/anyanswers/question/probiz

[Guest Norbert]

So we'll be owned by a firm of accountants that seem to specialise in tax avoidance? Weird to say the least. No doubt there will be the usual suspicions of something illicit if it did go through.

[rovers11]

The guy who owns it seems like an interesting character. Reminds me of Tony Fernandes at QPR. He has invested in Castleford Tigers in the past and was even a regular poster on their forum chatting to their fans:

http://www.casforum.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=19149

They seem to like him!

[Guest Norbert]

People liked Shebby when he pushed Kean out though!

If this guy has a shedload of cash, a good business mind and an even temerament, this could be a good thing. However, how many of us really think this deal is straight and doesn't sound like something dodgy to cover another mess up?

[Wendal]

Another charlatan with no real background aside from specialising in tax avoidance schemes. Hardly fills me with confidence.

Are the two Ians still on the scene? They were the only ones who gave me some hope, good businessmen with a true passion for BRFC.

[Kamy100]

At the moment as I posted on twitter I have nothing concrete on whether this is happening.

But IF Venky's decide to sell I am increasingly convinced it will be to Probiz, few bits if information have checked out in terms of relationship they have built with Venky's.

Also eecently Probiz owner Feisal Nahaboo also said this:

"Dialogue continues between both entities with an intent to develop relations. Further announcements will follow."

"I plan to support the club both on and off the field and become actively involved. I'd like to thank the club and fans for their initial support which has made it very easy for us to look at further opportunities with the club. "

[Guest Norbert]

That's what I worry about Sage. He could be another Syed Ali or Dan Williams. All flashy website and no trousers.

[Kamy100]

Another charlatan with no real background aside from specialising in tax avoidance schemes. Hardly fills me with confidence.

Are the two Ians still on the scene? They were the only ones who gave me some hope, good businessmen with a true passion for BRFC.

The two Ian's and Ilyas Khan still on the scene but aren't getting anywhere with Venky's.

[perthblue02]

Kamy do you know if they initiated direct contact with venky's or were introductions done by somebody else?

[Mike E]

Tbh, if this happened, it could help the board to be rebuilt. A board containing a venky (I assume?), this feisal bloke, the 2 ians, ilyas khan and Derek Shaw looks far more balanced. Oh, and a rovers trust or brst rep, should they get a share

I leave out agnew and shebby cos they're dicks. I leave shaw in only due to his job title.

[perthblue02]

Tbh, if this happened, it could help the board to be rebuilt. A board containing a venky (I assume?), this feisal bloke, the 2 ians, ilyas khan and Derek Shaw looks far more balanced. Oh, and a rovers trust or brst rep, should they get a share

I leave out agnew and shebby cos they're dicks. I leave shaw in only due to his job title.

Why leave shaw out if that's your criteria clean sweep required to go forward

[arbitro]

I'm probably looking too far ahead and in too much hope but wouldn't this be an ideal time to follow the Swansea model with (something like) 20% ownership?

[Kamy100]

I suspect that if Venky's did sell in the future they would keep a minority stake so that they can use club for marketing purposes.

[Guest Norbert]

OK, I can just about manage to stomach David Dunn doing a photoshoot with a bucket of chicken, but I'd want the football and business decisions out of their hands, and the hands of the likes of Shagnew, Shebby and the not so tiny dancer.

[Bluemonday BRFC]

I just typed 'Feisal Nahaboo' in google and the top automatic search suggestions after his name were 'conman' & 'complaints'. Not a good Omen.

PROBIZ seem fairly shady, which includes sending cheques that bounce (http://www.accountancyage.com/aa/news/1748040/probiz-hit-writ-cheque). They also offered to fund the Castleford Tigers move to a new stadium, which the club turned down because of the noose-like conditions attached on the loan. A quick company check would suggest that they have nowhere near the amount of cash or assets to acquire a Club of our size and price in my opinion. Considering this chap is Blackburn born I suspect he doesn't have a family fortune to fall back on either...

All in all from what I've read so far they seem fairly sinister but of course tax-avoidance (PROBIZ's speciality) is just that.

[Mike E]

Why leave shaw out if that's your criteria clean sweep required to go forward

Tbf to Shaw I haven't seen him actually do anything wrong. He just gets lumped with agnew due to PNE connection or have I missed something?

[koi]

Not only invested in Cas Tigers but RL in general at all levels. I'm pretty sure that they'd be the main league sponsor if there wasn't a conflict of interest. Saying that, I've got something in my mind that he failed Rugby Football League fit for purpose test, or something on those lines.

[Guest Norbert]

Thing is, is 'Mr. Probiz' legit, or another Syed Ali with shady business practices, and what would he get out of the deal, should it actually happen? Who knows, it could be the tip of some very iffy things going on. After all, didn't one of Portsmouth's many owners get linked to money laundering and/or gun running?

[Ricky]

Kamy, I thought his comment about further discussions was after PROBIZ initially agreed to sponsor us for a few games, thought those further discussions had led to the sponsorship deal being extended until the end of the season.

[perthblue02]

Edit; in response to Darrenermike

His legacy and dealings at nob end is enough to suggest he should not be anywhere near Rovers, plus his closeness/fronting for Agnew is a major concern. If he instills confidence in you then fair enough but even his short time here imo as not shown anything that resembles the qualities for the position he is (berg comments etc) in unless of course we are going into the chair trade.

Upon his appointment saw it nothing more than a buffer between agnew and the rao's and a step to strengthen what was then team keans stranglehold on the club and nothing has changed my mind

But as I said needs a clean sweep ,should have happened as soon as kean was withdrawn from the spotlight, theres still a stink of it at ewood and we will not move forward until its cleansed

[Kelbo]

The strange thing about this is this, no one seems to know the guy in Blackburn, despite him saying he was born there!!

[Batman.]

It should be a laugh, get him in.