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LFC SOLD to NESV.

Re: Merged Topics: Club Refinance Thread

Liverpool owners' former allies 'join Anfield takeover talks'

Specialist investment bank Inner Circle Sports helped Tom Hicks and George Gillett to buy Liverpool in 2007.

According to the News of the World, it is now one of the parties in talks with Reds chairman Martin Broughton and Barclays Capital about a buyout at Anfield.

Six groups are believed to have spoken to Barclays Capital about a possible takeover, but few are as well connected as Inner Circle Sports, as it has a wealth of contacts interested in making sports investments.

The news is likely to be welcomed by supporters, after fans staged a sit-in protest calling for the American owners to go following Saturday's 2-2 draw against Sunderland at Anfield.
 
Re: Merged Topics: Club Refinance Thread

[quote author=Hansern link=topic=41783.msg1183302#msg1183302 date=1285575560]
Daily Fail reporting that Broughton will recieve 500k if the club is sold. Haven't seen any figure about his incentive before.
[/quote]

I couldn't care less if he gets a 1m if it means liverpool is sold.
 
Re: Merged Topics: Club Refinance Thread

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson backs fans’ right to protest following Sunderland draw

By Rory Smith
Published: 7:00AM BST 27 Sep 2010

Kopites_1725288c.jpg


In Anfield’s stands, Liverpool’s fans shouted their defiance. Some 9,000 of them, according to Merseyside Police, remained in their seats long after referee Stuart Attwell had called time on another dispiriting afternoon to voice their displeasure at the continued ownership of Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

In his booth, George Sefton, the iconic voice of the club, seemed to offer tacit approval of the sit-in protest organised by Spirit of Shankly, the supporters’ union, instructing the demonstrators that stewards would be on hand to ensure order was maintained.

In the bowels of the stadium, the club’s manager, Roy Hodgson, sympathised with their cause. “You cannot criticise the fans for showing their displeasure about the ownership problem because, like ourselves, they want to see the club moving forward and not sort of stuck with owners who are trying to sell the club,†he said.

His thoughts were echoed by Steve Bruce, his Sunderland counterpart. “In my experience, it has always been the case that if it is unstable above you, with those who employ you, then it filters down,†he said, after watching his side earn a well-deserved point. “It is unbelievable, because this club has never had that sort of thing. It has been run properly. It is going to be a difficult time until it gets resolved.â€

However, the most eloquent of the protests about the Hicks and Gillett regime, the clearest signal to the Royal Bank of Scotland why it should not countenance refinancing the £282 million debt laden on the club by its absentee landlords, came on the pitch. It was there in the listless display of Hodgson’s first-choice XI, even after Michael Turner — and, according to Bruce, Attwell — gifted Dirk Kuyt an opening goal mired in controversy, the defender insisting he had not taken the soft free-kick which released Fernando Torres to tee up the Dutchman.

All of Liverpool’s players are technically adept internationals with vast experience. Yet they seem uninspired, uncertain in their approach: Bruce’s observation that doubt at the top permeates right to the bottom writ large.

It came in the evident frustration of Torres and Steven Gerrard, whose delight at scoring an equaliser to cancel out Darren Bent’s two goals for Sunderland was almost equal to the fervour with which he celebrated his goal against Olympiakos in a Champions League group game in 2004 that put Liverpool on the road to winning the trophy.

And it also came in seeing Hodgson – a manager who won this job on his ability to work on limited resources, to get the best out of limited players, to find a way of helping underdogs bite the big beasts – continue to struggle to construct a team and to identify a tactic that will enable Liverpool to overpower their guests. Caught between evolution and revolution, he seems uncomfortable in his task. That mixed message manifests itself in Liverpool’s play.

Those fans pleading with the Americans to leave could not have hoped for a clearer illustration of the damage Hicks and Gillett, with their empty vows and wallets, have done. This ground holds no fears for visitors any more. This is not Anfield. Not as it was.
 
Re: Merged Topics: Club Refinance Thread

[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=41783.msg1183333#msg1183333 date=1285579312]
[quote author=Hansern link=topic=41783.msg1183302#msg1183302 date=1285575560]
Daily Fail reporting that Broughton will recieve 500k if the club is sold. Haven't seen any figure about his incentive before.
[/quote]

I couldn't care less if he gets a 1m if it means liverpool is sold.
[/quote]

I was about to post that.
 
Re: Merged Topics: Club Refinance Thread

[quote author=Rafa4PM link=topic=41783.msg1183334#msg1183334 date=1285579414]
Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson backs fans’ right to protest following Sunderland draw

By Rory Smith
Published: 7:00AM BST 27 Sep 2010

Kopites_1725288c.jpg


In Anfield’s stands, Liverpool’s fans shouted their defiance. Some 9,000 of them, according to Merseyside Police, remained in their seats long after referee Stuart Attwell had called time on another dispiriting afternoon to voice their displeasure at the continued ownership of Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

In his booth, George Sefton, the iconic voice of the club, seemed to offer tacit approval of the sit-in protest organised by Spirit of Shankly, the supporters’ union, instructing the demonstrators that stewards would be on hand to ensure order was maintained.

In the bowels of the stadium, the club’s manager, Roy Hodgson, sympathised with their cause. “You cannot criticise the fans for showing their displeasure about the ownership problem because, like ourselves, they want to see the club moving forward and not sort of stuck with owners who are trying to sell the club,†he said.

His thoughts were echoed by Steve Bruce, his Sunderland counterpart. “In my experience, it has always been the case that if it is unstable above you, with those who employ you, then it filters down,†he said, after watching his side earn a well-deserved point. “It is unbelievable, because this club has never had that sort of thing. It has been run properly. It is going to be a difficult time until it gets resolved.â€

However, the most eloquent of the protests about the Hicks and Gillett regime, the clearest signal to the Royal Bank of Scotland why it should not countenance refinancing the £282 million debt laden on the club by its absentee landlords, came on the pitch. It was there in the listless display of Hodgson’s first-choice XI, even after Michael Turner — and, according to Bruce, Attwell — gifted Dirk Kuyt an opening goal mired in controversy, the defender insisting he had not taken the soft free-kick which released Fernando Torres to tee up the Dutchman.

All of Liverpool’s players are technically adept internationals with vast experience. Yet they seem uninspired, uncertain in their approach: Bruce’s observation that doubt at the top permeates right to the bottom writ large.

It came in the evident frustration of Torres and Steven Gerrard, whose delight at scoring an equaliser to cancel out Darren Bent’s two goals for Sunderland was almost equal to the fervour with which he celebrated his goal against Olympiakos in a Champions League group game in 2004 that put Liverpool on the road to winning the trophy.

And it also came in seeing Hodgson – a manager who won this job on his ability to work on limited resources, to get the best out of limited players, to find a way of helping underdogs bite the big beasts – continue to struggle to construct a team and to identify a tactic that will enable Liverpool to overpower their guests. Caught between evolution and revolution, he seems uncomfortable in his task. That mixed message manifests itself in Liverpool’s play.

Those fans pleading with the Americans to leave could not have hoped for a clearer illustration of the damage Hicks and Gillett, with their empty vows and wallets, have done. This ground holds no fears for visitors any more. This is not Anfield. Not as it was.

[/quote]

A nice photo to attach to your email.
 
Re: Merged Topics: Club Refinance Thread

Big SIGH!

[size=11pt]Arsenal has announced record pre-tax profits of £56m and paid off all its debt on its Highbury Square development.[/size]

The results, for the year ending May 31, have been boosted by the club’s property sales but the football business alone contributed £44.8m in pre-tax profit, a slight drop due to Arsenal having five fewer home games last season and increased wage costs.

The club’s wage bill rose to £110.7m, 49 per cent of the football-related turnover.

Chief executive Ivan Gazidis said the players' salary increases had allowed Arsenal to remain competitive on the field at a time when Manchester City in particular has been spending huge sums on transfer fees and wages.

"We continue to see upward pressure on player wages,†he added. “A part of that is because we've invested fairly aggressively in our young player pool, and we have secured their long-term future with the club.

"This has been a very successful period of investment but it costs money. A part of it is also driven by the external environment in which we operate where player costs continue to go up."

Arsenal will continue to pursue its policy of developing players rather than buying big stars, Gazidis revealed.

He continued: "Most of [the profit] goes back into the playing side, whether into player contracts or transfer fees. Now that doesn't mean we can compete at the level of the Manchester Citys of this world in the transfer market, because those types of fees and those types of salaries are not sustainable for any football business.

"But it still means, I believe, that we can compete with them on the pitch.

"We do have a policy of building and not buying, and that's a difficult path to tread sometimes, but as a result of that policy we're seeing a tremendous number of good young players progressing and developing into the finished article and I think our performance against Spurs on Tuesday [September 21] night illustrated this."

Other figures of interest include:

* Arsenal made a £13.6m surplus on player sales – £10m more than last year

* Property sales contributed £11.2m towards pre-tax profits

* Wages up to £110.7m from £104m

* The Emirates Stadium debt now stands at £239m with an annual interest payment of £14.6m and capital repayment of £5.6m meaning the stadium should be paid off in 20 years

* Arsenal has cash reserves of £127m

The debt related to the Highbury Square development – which once totalled £130m – has now been repaid in full with Arsenal now enjoying the benefits of income from apartment sales. Another 52 remain to be sold.

The results also showed Arsenal's group turnover increased to £379.9m, from £313.3m in 2009, boosted by the income generated from property sales.
 
Re: Merged Topics: Club Refinance Thread

Don't worry, some Einstein will soon come along to say how shit Wenger was at Arsenal over the last 5 years.
 
Re: Merged Topics: Club Refinance Thread

Shows how important it is to have top quality off the field as well as on it.

Oh, how we've suffered from the lack of that these past many years.
 
Re: Merged Topics: Club Refinance Thread

Indeed.

Well run, with a new stadium, and with a manager who's been beggaring his resources for the most part and STILL has a squad far superior to ours.

Whereas we've had shit management, shit owners who've bankrupted us, no new stadium, and with a squad filled with expensively bought players who are either crap or couldnt be bothered.

Maybe I should talk about some Grasshopper and Ant moral..or something like that.
 
Re: Merged Topics: Club Refinance Thread

But without the property sales, there would have been what, 1 mill £ increase?
 
Re: Merged Topics: Club Refinance Thread

Without Property sales, they'd have a $44m Pre tax Profit.
 
Re: Merged Topics: Club Refinance Thread

Yeah, so basically the same amount as the year before.

Arsenal are a well driven club, no doubt about that. But they won't be winning anything for a while though.
 
Re: Merged Topics: Club Refinance Thread

Protest at Anfield 9pm tonight for anyone who can make it.

Come along and make your voice heard. Its our club lets fight for it.


They only care about money.

They don't care about fans.

Liverpool football club is in the wrong hands.
 
Re: Merged Topics: Club Refinance Thread

BARCAP return to Huang, Rhone Group and the UAE?

Posted on Monday, 27th September 2010 by David Tully

According to reports, the firm leading the sale of Liverpool Football Club, Barclays Capital, are returning to previous bidders to see if any are willing to revive their interest in taking over the club. It has been reported that BARCAP have contacted the Rhone Group, the private equity firm that offered £110m for a 40% stake back in March, to see if they would consider making another offer. They have also apparently contacted Kenny Huang, the Hong Kong based businessman who made his interest in buying the club public back in August, as well talking to interested buyers in the Middle East about a possible takeover. Another possible link is a ruling family in the UAE , although most interest has been put off by the asking price that both Tom Hicks and George Gillett have put on the club.
 
Re: Merged Topics: Club Refinance Thread

Things can turn around quickly, when Hicks leaves 😉

[size=12pt]Texas Rangers to receive $3 billion in new 20-year TV deal[/size]

The Texas Rangers, who clinched their first division title in 11 years over the weekend, just might start making this an annual routine considering their giant financial windfall.

The Rangers, cash-strapped for years with owner Tom Hicks, have signed a 20-year extension with Fox Sports Southwest that will guarantee them $3 billion. It's the highest TV package for a team that doesn't own its own channel.

Yes, that's $150 million a year before even playing a game, plenty enough to re-sign ace Cliff Lee, bring in free-agent outfielder Carl Crawford, or whoever else they wish.

In comparison, the Dodgers make about $45 million a year off their TV deal with Fox.

The deal was completed just after the Texas Rangers were sold to Chuck Greenberg and Nolan Ryan's group in August, according to three high-ranking baseball officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Greenberg smiled, but declined comment, when asked about the specifics of the deal.

"I think this franchise is in pretty good shape,'' says Michael Young, who's about to experience the first postseason of his career.

By Bob Nightengale
 
Re: Merged Topics: Club Refinance Thread

So the PL are finally showing an interest in what happens to us. Fit and Proper test please.

Fans banking on Liverpool's party poopers being bounced out of Anfield

By Henry Winter

Tuesday September 28 2010

The Premier League is a great party damaged by a few guests. Those currently urinating in the punchbowl are Tom Hicks and George Gillett, Liverpool's owners who have long outstayed their welcome.

The Premier League hosts are so keen for these carpetbaggers' exit that they have been in contact with Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), who could call in the loathed Americans' loan next month.

The prospect of a famous, if debt-ridden footballing institution passing into the hands of a state-owned bank causes concern, but it is understood that such stewardship would not be an issue for the British government. RBS would be expected to sell Liverpool on reasonably quickly.

The more one peers through the fires burning around Anfield the more it becomes apparent that Liverpool's future can best be secured only by RBS assuming temporary control. If Hicks seeks to re-finance, it's a doomsday scenario that RBS and other firms such as Citibank must resist.

RBS's intentions are not known but anyone who cares about Liverpool will hope the bank calls Hicks' bluff in his game of brinkmanship, calls in the loan and calls time on the Americans' disastrous reign.

Deadline

Any potential buyer will sensibly wait until RBS's October 15 deadline, when Liverpool will be available at a far more realistic price. As well as eliciting schadenfreude at Hicks and Gillett losing out, it would conclude an embarrassing episode in the history of English football.

Premier League officials communicate regularly with Liverpool chairman Martin Broughton and chief executive Christian Purslow. If RBS does the right thing by Liverpool, the Premier League must then work closely with the bank to find the right new owner. Someone with money and integrity would be nice.

Liverpool supporters also have a key role to play in assisting RBS. If the bank does take on the Americans, the fans must redouble their backing for Steven Gerrard and the team, showing why Liverpool are special. This is Anfield, this is worth investing in.

Saturday's 9,000-strong demonstration on the Kop underlined that. Fans can aid RBS in pushing Hicks and Gillett out the door by eschewing any action that might scare off potential buyers.

The emotion flowing from the Kop is both a positive and a negative in the eyes of investors. RBS needs the fans' support before getting the party started again at Liverpool. (© Daily Telegraph, London)

- Henry Winter
 
Re: Merged Topics: Club Refinance Thread

I am actually impressed with the efforts the fans are putting up and like to think they can actually make a different in the end!! Keep it up people!
 
Re: Club Refinance Thread

I think the title of this thread should be "Club maybe sold or maybe refinanced"
 
Re: Club Refinance Thread

With the current owners reputations in the gutter I don't think a refinance is on the cards.

I expect RBS to call in the loan and run the club thereafter until a suitable buyer at a realistic price is found.
 
Re: Club Refinance Thread

[quote author=jexykrodic link=topic=41783.msg1183818#msg1183818 date=1285663690]
With the current owners reputations in the gutter I don't think a refinance is on the cards.

I expect RBS to call in the loan and run the club thereafter until a suitable buyer at a realistic price is found.
[/quote]

Which should take them less than 2 months.
 
Re: Club Refinance Thread

it's a nightmare waiting to see whether or not hick's will pull off the impossible and find the money for refinace from somewhere. groan...
 
Re: Club Refinance Thread

I'm just assuming Hicks will refinance. Somehow. It's bound to happen people. This a world where bad things happen to Liverpool FC these days.
 
Re: Club Refinance Thread

[quote author=Halmeister link=topic=41783.msg1183886#msg1183886 date=1285672971]
I'm just assuming Hicks will refinance. Somehow. It's bound to happen people. This a world where bad things happen to Liverpool FC these days.
[/quote]

I see where your coming from. But he wasnt able to refinance Rangers, and to be honest I think he has accepted that the board influenced by the RBS are able to block his wishes to depthladen the club further.

This tells me that he has agreed on a lot of things he is regretting now (probably had no other choice) during the last refinancing. Otherwise he had thrown the board long time ago. So in the end I dont think he has any assets at all he can put up for security towards any refinancing of the club.
 
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