Hicks & Gilett

[blacky]

Must have been blown away by the atmosphere tonight??

[kurtangle01]

Were they even there?

[Shaggy]

Don't think they ended up going, did they? Sheff United was initially slated as their first game and they didn't go. I don't think they were at the game on Saturday either.

Didn't they say something about staying away until the deal is finalised, "out of respect"?

[blacky]

Ye mate....I'll dig up the pictures ans interviews in a bit!!

[Chris]

They were there

[blacky]

Delirious Anfield delivers roaring farewell to Moores era
By Andy Hunter
Published: 07 March 2007
Barcelona's demise as European champions was the over-riding objective but not the only era to close at Anfield last night. In contrast to the latest rich result in Liverpool's history, heralded as among the greatest by Jamie Carragher, the sub-plot to the main event generated mixed emotions as David Moores took his seat in the Anfield directors' box as chairman for the final time.

In the same row sat George Gillet Jnr and Tom Hicks, the wealthy Americans who last month confirmed not even the most rooted of major English clubs is immune from global market forces with their £435m takeover. In deference to shareholders torn between tradition and the promise of a new £215m stadium plus progress in pursuit of Manchester United and Chelsea, the multi-millionaires had kept away from their investment until their stake increased from 62.2 per cent to 75 per cent. They are not officially there yet (although acquiring the 90 per cent needed to trigger a complete takeover may prove the hardest part of the deal) but an initial outlay of £220m should reap some benefits and the best seats in the house against Barcelona seemed a fair return.

Ultimately, Liverpool's impending co-chairmen felt as victorious as Rafael Benitez. American sport has the arenas and the acreage on which to park a 4x4 and feast on a hamper but it does not have the atmosphere of nights like this. Gillet Jnr looked on open-mouthed as the stadium was turned into a sea of scarves and noise at kick-off and gladly signed autographs afterwards while Hicks, less ingratiated with the "Liverpool Reds" when his takeover was announced, received a crash-course in what European football means at Anfield.

"My first time at Anfield and everything I'd heard is true," said the Texan. "It was a special night, a wonderful occasion. I've seen a lot of sporting events all around the world but nothing that comes close to this." The outstanding Carragher went further. "Outside of winning cups and reaching finals, this is probably the greatest result even in Liverpool's European history."

Fresh riches from the Champions League are now Liverpool's but Hicks, owner of the Texas Rangers baseball team, insisted they will not follow the open cheque-book policy of a previous foreign owner captivated by Anfield's atmosphere, Roman Abramovich. "We're not going to do that, I promise. The team east of here is the club we have our eye on. They've been competitive over a long period of time and that's what Liverpool has the opportunity to do."

The future promises plenty for Liverpool but for Moores there was regret amid the excitement at the end of his 16-year reign. "I'm relieved all that's been resolved, but I'm also sad to be stepping down," said Moores, who received £88m from the Americans for his 51 per cent stake. "I couldn't have picked a better game with which to bow out. I made the decision for the good of the club, not myself. You have to think about the next 50 years. In football nowadays, it's not enough to be rich. You need to be super-rich to own a club as big as Liverpool. It's their club now, but I feel I'm leaving it in safe hands. I know I got the best possible deal." And a fine way to bow out.

[Shaggy]

Get in. Bet they loved it.

[thesilverfoxlfc]

Werent they there for the Man Utd game too??

[Shaggy]

"My first time at Anfield and everything I'd heard is true," said the Texan. "It was a special night, a wonderful occasion. I've seen a lot of sporting events all around the world but nothing that comes close to this."

[blacky]

Have a real good feeling about these guys......anfield is like a drug and if these guys get hooked there will be great times ahead

[Diego]

"My first time at Anfield and everything I'd heard is true," said the Texan. "It was a special night, a wonderful occasion. I've seen a lot of sporting events all around the world but nothing that comes close to this."

we really are a special bunch aren't we

[thesilverfoxlfc]

Hicks looks like the guy that goes to Las Vegas every weekend and gambles millions while smoking a cigar with a stripper on his arm

[rushscored4]

Hicks looks like the guy that goes to Las Vegas every weekend and gambles millions while smoking a cigar with a stripper on his arm

Poor guy, that must be hell...

[thesilverfoxlfc]

Poor guy, that must be hell...

Gillett looks like the guy who tries to get him out of the Casino

[rushscored4]

Gillett looks like the guy who tries to get him out of the Casino

I think Hicks looks more like the bloke behind the bar in your local and Gillett is the fella with a pint of mild wearing a Marks's cardigan and moaning about the price of petrol...