(This could go in a multitude of current running threads - but a new bidder is also mentioned, maybe have an all encompassing Investment thread?)
EXCLUSIVE by Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo
LIVERPOOL chief executive Rick Parry today
appealed for the fans’ trust as the club pressed
ahead with George Gillett jnr’s Anfield takeover.
After the collapse of the Dubai International
Capital investment, the board was unanimous in
declaring Gillett the best option.
But his comments came as Irishman John Miskelly re-emerged as a rival bidder.
Parry insists Gillett should not be seen as a
second choice, has ruled out a prospect of a
groundshare with Everton, and has been through a
thorough background check on his suitability.
He said: “The overriding message is: Don’t worry.
“Whatever decision is finally taken will be done
so in the best interests of Liverpool Football
Club. When we have more to say, we are sure it
will be good news and the right news.
“We had a duty as directors to consider a very
interesting bid from George Gillett. The price is
not a factor in David Moores’s mind. He is not
after cash for himself, absolutely not. But he
felt compelled to consider the rival bid.
“The DIC response to this was to give the club 12
hours to make a decision, but the chairman was
not prepared to have Liverpool Football Club bullied like that.
“We would also stress this is not a question of
going for the second choice. David has always
given George Gillett serious consideration while
at the same time we didn’t want to rush into any
decision, and we were aware DIC might walk away.
“George Gillett has made it absolutely clear to
us he will not be in favour of a groundshare.
There will be funding for the new stadium and a
proper commitment to investment in the team.
“Be assured the only thing David Moores is
concerned about is the club being in the right
hands for the future. You can be certain he has
done his homework carefully and will make a
decision in the best interests of the club. The
fans have trusted David to do the right thing in
the past and can be sure that’s what he’s doing
now. If they thought the Dubai bid was good, rest
assured he is now considering a different course for the right reasons.”
Mr Miskelly, an executive box holder at Anfield,
made a £220m bid for Liverpool last November, but
has never been favoured by the club’s hierarchy.
The Northern Ireland entrepreneur values the club
at £140m, but pledged a further £50m to pay the
shortfall on the Stanley Park Stadium, and to
hand an initial £30m to Rafa Benitez in transfer funds.
Miskelly, worth an estimated £150m, approached
club accountants Price Waterhouse Coopers
yesterday to confirm his offer is still on the table.
It’s clear the 41-year-old’s pockets are not as
deep as Gillett jnr, but the Irishman argues his
affinity with Liverpool and the transparency of
his motives ought to make him a genuine contender.
A source close to Miskelly told the ECHO: “John
has put a real offer on the table. He is a
staunch fan with a hugely successful background
who wants to be taken seriously as someone who can take the club forward.
“He has stayed in the background so far, and as
fan was happy with the DIC bid. What’s confusing
to him now is why anyone would pay £5,000 a share
for Liverpool when the next offer is £4,000 a share?
“Surely it would make more sense to make a lower
bid and invest the rest in the club and the team?
Those who’ve seen the books know this is an
overvaluation of the club, which is why we’d
question the motives and like to be considered as a viable alternative.”
On possible alternatives to Gillett, Parry said:
“We have not been left high and dry but the focus
is on George Gillett. There are other expressions
of interest but we hope to conclude a deal going forward with George Gillett.”
EXCLUSIVE by Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo
LIVERPOOL chief executive Rick Parry today
appealed for the fans’ trust as the club pressed
ahead with George Gillett jnr’s Anfield takeover.
After the collapse of the Dubai International
Capital investment, the board was unanimous in
declaring Gillett the best option.
But his comments came as Irishman John Miskelly re-emerged as a rival bidder.
Parry insists Gillett should not be seen as a
second choice, has ruled out a prospect of a
groundshare with Everton, and has been through a
thorough background check on his suitability.
He said: “The overriding message is: Don’t worry.
“Whatever decision is finally taken will be done
so in the best interests of Liverpool Football
Club. When we have more to say, we are sure it
will be good news and the right news.
“We had a duty as directors to consider a very
interesting bid from George Gillett. The price is
not a factor in David Moores’s mind. He is not
after cash for himself, absolutely not. But he
felt compelled to consider the rival bid.
“The DIC response to this was to give the club 12
hours to make a decision, but the chairman was
not prepared to have Liverpool Football Club bullied like that.
“We would also stress this is not a question of
going for the second choice. David has always
given George Gillett serious consideration while
at the same time we didn’t want to rush into any
decision, and we were aware DIC might walk away.
“George Gillett has made it absolutely clear to
us he will not be in favour of a groundshare.
There will be funding for the new stadium and a
proper commitment to investment in the team.
“Be assured the only thing David Moores is
concerned about is the club being in the right
hands for the future. You can be certain he has
done his homework carefully and will make a
decision in the best interests of the club. The
fans have trusted David to do the right thing in
the past and can be sure that’s what he’s doing
now. If they thought the Dubai bid was good, rest
assured he is now considering a different course for the right reasons.”
Mr Miskelly, an executive box holder at Anfield,
made a £220m bid for Liverpool last November, but
has never been favoured by the club’s hierarchy.
The Northern Ireland entrepreneur values the club
at £140m, but pledged a further £50m to pay the
shortfall on the Stanley Park Stadium, and to
hand an initial £30m to Rafa Benitez in transfer funds.
Miskelly, worth an estimated £150m, approached
club accountants Price Waterhouse Coopers
yesterday to confirm his offer is still on the table.
It’s clear the 41-year-old’s pockets are not as
deep as Gillett jnr, but the Irishman argues his
affinity with Liverpool and the transparency of
his motives ought to make him a genuine contender.
A source close to Miskelly told the ECHO: “John
has put a real offer on the table. He is a
staunch fan with a hugely successful background
who wants to be taken seriously as someone who can take the club forward.
“He has stayed in the background so far, and as
fan was happy with the DIC bid. What’s confusing
to him now is why anyone would pay £5,000 a share
for Liverpool when the next offer is £4,000 a share?
“Surely it would make more sense to make a lower
bid and invest the rest in the club and the team?
Those who’ve seen the books know this is an
overvaluation of the club, which is why we’d
question the motives and like to be considered as a viable alternative.”
On possible alternatives to Gillett, Parry said:
“We have not been left high and dry but the focus
is on George Gillett. There are other expressions
of interest but we hope to conclude a deal going forward with George Gillett.”
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