The OFFICIAL Liverpool FC thread - Arne to Slot right in?

[supersarsfields]

Yeah that tallies with what i have read about him. It's not a leveraged buyout. That was one of pre-conditions on the sale. Seems like he'll put some money into an initial transfer fund. After that because we're no longer in debt any profits can be put towards transfers.
He seems to have regenerated the Red Sox so hopefully he do something similar with us.

Whats to stop him transferring his debts back onto the club after he's completed his buyout though??? Also speculation on some forums that he funded Red Sox takeover through hedge funds ala the Glazers. Enticing as it must be for Liverpool fans I'd like to know more about these guys before I was rushing in. Out of the frying pan into the fire and all that

Yeah I agree with that. I guess there's nothing to say he won't do that. Can only go on his track record with his current "franchises" which seem to be very well run and generating profits.

The way I'd look at it is that I don't honestly think things could have got any worse than what they are at the minute. So I'd view any change as postitive. How much of an improvement will remain to be seen.

[rory]

As a Red Sox fan as well as a Liverpool fan, I'm kinda excited by this from the emotional point of view.

When they took over the Sox in 2002 they delivered 2 World Series within 5 years.  They seem to understand the history of the Red Sox and the fanatacism of the fans, so I would hope that would be translated to what they do with Liverpool.

They also installed Theo Epstein as Chief Exec of the Red Sox and he turned out to be an absolute genius.  Someone of similar abilities in charge of Liverpool would make a big difference.

I know some fans see this as Yanks out, Yanks in, but I am optimistic that the new owners will do the right thing by the club.

[gawa316]

Liverpool FC Chairman Martin Broughton has spoken about why the Board believe that New England Sports Ventures are the perfect fit for LFC and why he's confident the sale decision could be completed by close of business next week.

In an exclusive interview with LFC TV, Broughton also thanked fans for their patience during the sales process and outlined the potential new owner's plans for the club.

Martin, it's been quite a dramatic 24 hours in terms of the sales process. Can you explain exactly what the situation is right now?

It certainly has been dramatic. The latest position is that we have a sale agreement in place, we've agreed the sale to New England Sports Ventures, that sale is subject to a number of conditions like Premier League approval and other normal conditions. The specific additional condition is that it's subject to confirmation that the Board acted validly in drawing up the sale documents.

Last night fans read a statement on the official website claiming that the owners had sought to remove Christian Purslow and Ian Ayre from the Board. What was the reasoning behind this and were the owners successful?

The court will ultimately decide whether the owners were successful. The reasoning behind it was that the owners felt we were reviewing two bids which they considered undervalued the club and therefore they wished to remove Christian and Ian and replace them with Mack Hicks, who is Tom's son, and Lori McCutcheon, who also works with him.

We don't think it was valid to do it. Essentially when I took the role they gave a couple of written undertakings to Royal Bank of Scotland. Those written undertakings included that I was the only person entitled to change the board and that was written into the articles of the covenants, and also that they would take no action to frustrate any reasonable sale. And I think they flagrantly abused both of those written undertakings.

You announced on Tuesday night that the club received two excellent offers. Why, in your opinion, is New England Sports Ventures the right new owner for Liverpool Football Club?

I think both of them would have been excellent new owners. New England have a lot of experience in developing, investing in and taking Boston Red Sox - as the closest parallel - from being a club with a wonderful history, a wonderful tradition that had lost the winning way, and bringing it back to being a winner. Their commitment to winning is what it's all about there and they've extended it from Boston Red Sox to Nascar and other things, but Red Sox is the main one.

I have been meeting them now for several weeks in Boston, in Liverpool, in London, and I feel they are totally committed to supporting and getting the winning mentality back into the team.

Is their winning mentality the thing which has impressed you most about them during this period?

Yes. Their commitment is to winning on the pitch and that helps you win off the pitch too. The two are mutually reinforcing.

Fans have already got lots of questions, with three of the main ones being:

a) Will the debt burden be removed completely?

To all intents and purposes, yes. All of the acquisition debt that was involved in the current owners acquisition will be removed completely. We'll still have what we call normal working capital debt and there's a facility there for the new stadium which will remain in place, but to all intents and purposes all the major debt that has been causing our problem has been paid off.

b) Have the proposed new owners committed to investing in the playing squad?

Yes. They don't want any hostages to fortune, very sensibly, so they're not going to make any comments about how much or anything like that. But this goes back to the winning mentality. I think the demonstration is: let's look at what they have done at Boston, what they said in Boston, what they have done in terms of investing in players - and I think you get a high degree of confidence of their willingness to do that.

c) Is there a commitment from them to progress the new stadium project?

Yes, there's definitely a commitment to invest in a stadium and we will finish up with a 60,000+ seater stadium. Where they haven't finalised their view is whether that should be the new stadium or whether there are still opportunities to build at Anfield itself. They have done both. The people involved have built the new stadium at Baltimore Orioles, for example, and at Fenway Park they looked at the two options and decided that actually redevelopment with all of the tradition was better than a new stadium. So they have done both, they are committed to looking at both very professionally and seeing which is the best option, but there will be stadium development.

Just to clarify, what needs to happen now for the sale to be finalised?

The key thing is the court case. We need to go to the court to get a declaratory judgement, which is for the court to declare that we did act validly in completing the sale agreement, and then the buyers can complete the sale. We have to get Premier League approval and I'm certain that's not going to be an issue. There are one or two minor things like that but the key issue is the court, which should meet I would think next week sometime. That is the most likely time, in short order.

Can the owners block the sale of LFC to New England Sports Ventures?

Well, we have to win the court case. So effectively yes, if they win the court case they can block the sale. But then we may have one or two other thoughts in mind as well.

Could the sale process be dragged through the courts for months before a resolution is reached?

No, I don't think so. We should get a declaratory judgement I would have thought probably by the end of next week, in short order. There is an appeal process but that is also very fast.

How confident are you that Liverpool Football Club will soon be officially under new ownership?

I am confident. I wouldn't have taken the Board through that process yesterday if I hadn't been confident. I wouldn't have exposed everybody to that risk if I hadn't been confident, but you can never be certain. These things are legal judgements. We have been properly advised and I am confident.

Looking back, how thorough has the process been to identify the best new owners for the Club and how pleased are you with the final outcome?

Ideally one would have had buyers who were not only the best buyers but also satisfied the owners. That's what we were looking for and we haven't managed to do that second piece of it. Has it been exhaustive? Absolutely. We have, first of all through BarCap, contacted every plausible buyer. The media coverage has meant that you would have to be living on Planet Zog not to know that Liverpool was for sale and so if you had any interest in it you had the opportunity. We've talked to lots of potential people. At the end of the day, with the deadline for debt repayment looming we had two bidders, both very viable bidders. I think they were competing, there was competitive tension there and I think that demonstrates that we have the market price.

Finally Martin, what is your message to the Liverpool fans?

Keep the faith. We said we would deliver the best buyers for the club and I think we have delivered exactly that. I know they've been frustrated by not getting a running commentary and I know a fan wants to know what's going on. I thank them for their patience because I do believe the only way you really get these things done is out of the media glare and it's difficult to do it out of the media glare, but we've found the right owners. I thank them for their patience, their support, keep the faith, this is going to work. They're with us.

[deiseach]

Ideally one would have had buyers who were not only the best buyers but also satisfied the owners. That's what we were looking for and we haven't managed to do that second piece of it. Has it been exhaustive? Absolutely. We have, first of all through BarCap, contacted every plausible buyer. The media coverage has meant that you would have to be living on Planet Zog not to know that Liverpool was for sale and so if you had any interest in it you had the opportunity. We've talked to lots of potential people. At the end of the day, with the deadline for debt repayment looming we had two bidders, both very viable bidders. I think they were competing, there was competitive tension there and I think that demonstrates that we have the market price.

[Gabriel_Hurl]

Bye bye lads - fingers crossed

[J OGorman]

That Broughton interview makes for good reading. Once biten, time will tell etc etc but sure it raises the hopes a little. But I wont rest easy until I hear the resident LFC expert's analysis.....

EC Unique, the floor is yours...

[Norf Tyrone]

Nice of the United fans to be so concerned about us,some even seem to know what we are thinking and what we hope for this season,the one braincell they have between them is working overdrive to come up with them comments.

Don't worry Laoislad, the vast majority of United fans worldwide are absolutely thrilled with the crisis at Anfield, on and off the pitch.
When i was younger, i used to dream of winning millions of pounds, then buy Liverpool Football Club, and then bulldoze the whole place to the ground. Money well spent.

Unfortunately, Hicks and Gillett beat me to it, but it could well be the end result will be the same.
But look at all the money they saved me

Most United fans long to see Liverpool relegated, before disappearing off the face of the earth.

No doubt, the feeling is mutual re United.

Ever thought about getting a life?

liverpool, if relegated would probably struggle mightily to survive, I would like to think that most United fans would want them to survive, why would anyone like to see an institution of that magnitude go under?

The premiership needs the likes of liverpool and if they are talking already about getting rid of Hodgson they are in worse shape than I thought.

By the way, fair play to Blackpool, that is a tremendous result and will do wonders for their confidence.

Agree with you, but was the same concern shown for Portsmouth, or Crystal Palace or the dozen FL clubs that are hanging on by their nails? Remember the premier League clubs, Liverpool, United, Chelsea et all voted to pull away from the Football League not for the benefit of football, but for themselves.

They effectivelly narrowed the air supply to the lower league.

Was there sympathy for Chelsea in the late 70s, early 80s? No. In fact a certain David Dein tried his best to ensure that Chelsea went to the wall.

[muppet]

Agree with you, but was the same concern shown for Portsmouth, or Crystal Palace or the dozen FL clubs that are hanging on by their nails? Remember the premier League clubs, Liverpool, United, Chelsea et all voted to pull away from the Football League not for the benefit of football, but for themselves.

They effectivelly narrowed the air supply to the lower league.

Was there sympathy for Chelsea in the late 70s, early 80s? No. In fact a certain David Dein Ken Bates tried his best to ensure that Chelsea went to the wall.

Fixed that for you.

[Geoff Tipps]

Good interview with Broughton on BBC. Hicks and Gillett stand to lose £150m 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/9066856.stm

[Norf Tyrone]

Agree with you, but was the same concern shown for Portsmouth, or Crystal Palace or the dozen FL clubs that are hanging on by their nails? Remember the premier League clubs, Liverpool, United, Chelsea et all voted to pull away from the Football League not for the benefit of football, but for themselves.

They effectivelly narrowed the air supply to the lower league.

Was there sympathy for Chelsea in the late 70s, early 80s? No. In fact a certain David Dein Ken Bates tried his best to ensure that Chelsea went to the wall.

Fixed that for you.

A lit bit of footballing ignorance there. Ken Bates saved Chelsea. Bought them for a £1, took on the debt, fought off Cabra Estates and attracted investment that started Chelsea on the route to where they are now. Admittedly they sailed close to the wind before Roman came along, but Bates (Obnoxious p***k that he was) was good for Chelsea.

[muppet]

Agree with you, but was the same concern shown for Portsmouth, or Crystal Palace or the dozen FL clubs that are hanging on by their nails? Remember the premier League clubs, Liverpool, United, Chelsea et all voted to pull away from the Football League not for the benefit of football, but for themselves.

They effectivelly narrowed the air supply to the lower league.

Was there sympathy for Chelsea in the late 70s, early 80s? No. In fact a certain David Dein Ken Bates tried his best to ensure that Chelsea went to the wall.

Fixed that for you.

A lit bit of footballing ignorance there. Ken Bates saved Chelsea. Bought them for a £1, took on the debt, fought off Cabra Estates and attracted investment that started Chelsea on the route to where they are now. Admittedly they sailed close to the wind before Roman came along, but Bates (Obnoxious p***k that he was) was good for Chelsea.

They were £80Million in debt ffs before the Russian (who is damanding to be subsidised by the Irish taxpayer) bought him out. He wanted to install an electric fence to keep Chelsea supporters out of trouble. Thank God he doesn't talk to Christy Cooney. He took Leeds into Administration.

He has form in Ireland having set up a bank, lent out most of its money on property and tried to hide borrowers arrears. The High Court issued a warrant for his arrest. Imagine a banker so bad that the Irish High would want him arrested! Needless to say the Irish taxpayer picked up the tab for the losses.

But.......'he was good for Chelsea.'

A bit of Ken Bates ignorance there.

[The Real Laoislad]

Away to the Chelsea thread with the two of ye,no cares about Chelsea in here

[Norf Tyrone]

Agree with you, but was the same concern shown for Portsmouth, or Crystal Palace or the dozen FL clubs that are hanging on by their nails? Remember the premier League clubs, Liverpool, United, Chelsea et all voted to pull away from the Football League not for the benefit of football, but for themselves.

They effectivelly narrowed the air supply to the lower league.

Was there sympathy for Chelsea in the late 70s, early 80s? No. In fact a certain David Dein Ken Bates tried his best to ensure that Chelsea went to the wall.

Fixed that for you.

A lit bit of footballing ignorance there. Ken Bates saved Chelsea. Bought them for a £1, took on the debt, fought off Cabra Estates and attracted investment that started Chelsea on the route to where they are now. Admittedly they sailed close to the wind before Roman came along, but Bates (Obnoxious p***k that he was) was good for Chelsea.

They were £80Million in debt ffs before the Russian (who is damanding to be subsidised by the Irish taxpayer) bought him out. He wanted to install an electric fence to keep Chelsea supporters out of trouble. Thank God he doesn't talk to Christy Cooney. He took Leeds into Administration.

He has form in Ireland having set up a bank, lent out most of its money on property and tried to hide borrowers arrears. The High Court issued a warrant for his arrest. Imagine a banker so bad that the Irish High would want him arrested! Needless to say the Irish taxpayer picked up the tab for the losses.

But.......'he was good for Chelsea.'

A bit of Ken Bates ignorance there.

I am not denying all that, and most of it is right. However the part you changed was incorrect. Hence.

The original point is still valid in fair. People seeking sympathy for Liverpool, are missing the point re the damage the 'Big' clubs have caused to football's pyramid.

[EC Unique]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/9064599.stm

I like this guy. Give him a hair-cut and send him down to OT when yis are finnished with him..

[ross4life]

Credit to Gabriel_Hurl,brokencrossbar1 etc... for keeping this thread going through troubled times while all other pool fans here had lost faith

All the best with the new owners! hopefully united can sort the owner problems out next