If you could go back in time and choose again...

[Dhav]

Still would have kept G+H coz without them we would not have signed el nino

We don't know that we wouldn't have signed him with DIC.

Actually, if you believe reports that Villa and Eto'o were first choices ahead of Torres, perhaps we would have got either of those ahead of Torres if DIC backed Rafa. I wouldn't swap either of those for Torres now, no way, and I bet Rafa wouldn't either.

[Lecter]

That's what makes the whole thing about that they only withdraw their bid because of less than £100m so unbelievable.

£100m is pocket change for DIC.

You cant judge £100 million in terms of the depth of DIC's pockets

You judge the additional £100 million as to the clubs worth

Clearly DIC didnt feel the club / business was worth an additional £100 million capital outlay, afterall they are businessmen

Rich businessmen I will grant you, but they got rich by not wasting money

[Dhav]

Rafa is the best I've seen in the media IMO. His destruction of Mourinho before the CL semi last year was outstanding. I loved every bit of it.

Rafa

Yep, Rafa certianly knows how to play the media game, and if he ever gets it wrong in the press he'll just blame it on his "bad English".

Rafa

[Lecter]

The way DIC stormed off in a bit of a huff makes me think there's a lot more to it than jsut a simple case of setting a deadline which the club didn't meet. I'm willing to bet the club dicked them around in some way, may be used the Gillett/Hicks bid to angle for a higher bid from DIC? In any case, DIC seemed genuinely indignant at the way they were treated.

According to reliable posters on RAWK DIC were already dicking the club around, there had been several deadlines set that DIC didnt meet and comply with

When they sensed the deal was under threat by being gazumped they tried to throw their weight round

[Guest]

According to reliable posters on RAWK DIC were already dicking the club around, there had been several deadlines set that DIC didnt meet and comply with

When they sensed the deal was under threat by being gazumped they tried to throw their weight round

When you think of it, our club should have been self sufficient years ago. We didn't capitalize on our huge success. We shouldn't have needed investment ... We should have set the standards off the pitch while we were the best on it. Pity that.

[Lecter]

When you think of it, our club should have been self sufficient years ago. We didn't capitalize on our huge success. We shouldn't have needed investment ... We should have set the standards off the pitch while we were the best on it. Pity that.

We did in the 70's & 80's

No coincidence that our fall from grace occurred when Sir John Smith retired and Peter Robinson was coming towards the end of his tenure as Club Secretary and a certain Rick Parry was appointed CEO

[Guest]

We did in the 70's & 80's

No coincidence that our fall from grace occurred when Sir John Smith retired and Peter Robinson was coming towards the end of his tenure as Club Secretary and a certain Rick Parry was appointed CEO

Yes I think you're right. I remember vaguely that we were the first club to introduce shirt sponsorships isn't it ? Around 1977 or maybe a little later ???

Peter Robinson was often mentionned as one of the most prominent figures around at boardroom level. Too bad we didn't successfully prepare his departure. Parry had all the qualities on paper.

[Skillz]

According to reliable posters on RAWK DIC were already dicking the club around, there had been several deadlines set that DIC didnt meet and comply with

When they sensed the deal was under threat by being gazumped they tried to throw their weight round

I thought the whole thing played out very strangely.

[Lecter]

Yes I think you're right. I remember vaguely that we were the first club to introduce shirt sponsorships isn't it ? Around 1977 or maybe a little later ???

Peter Robinson was often mentionned as one of the most prominent figures around at boardroom level. Too bad we didn't successfully prepare his departure. Parry had all the qualities on paper.

We were the first British club to have shirt sponsorship

[Guest]

Peter Robinson groomed Parry for a number of years if I remember correctly. It should have been obvious he wasn't good enough. I don't have the level of insight into the club to criticize Parry and lay the blame on him (or part of), but it's been a fact that we've been totally outplayed off the pitch by Man Utd and Arsenal. With our potential, that's totally outrageous.

[Lecter]

Peter Robinson groomed Parry for a number of years if I remember correctly. It should have been obvious he wasn't good enough. I don't have the level of insight into the club to criticize Parry and lay the blame on him (or part of), but it's been a fact that we've been totally outplayed off the pitch by Man Utd and Arsenal. With our potential, that's totally outrageous.

I think thats how the club presented the situation off the pitch

Not sure it was that way in reality

Parry was Chief Executive and Robinson was Club Secretary

They didnt work hand in hand or thats what the rumours said and in fact if I remember correctly Robinson left / retired early because the situation was becoming difficult

[Dhav]

According to reliable posters on RAWK DIC were already dicking the club around, there had been several deadlines set that DIC didnt meet and comply with

When they sensed the deal was under threat by being gazumped they tried to throw their weight round

Interesting stuff. DIC did seem to be particularly thorough - the due diligence seemed to last ages, and the transaction probably became far more protracted than the club envisaged - may be this caused the club some concern.

[Guest]

I think thats how the club presented the situation off the pitch

Not sure it was that way in reality

Parry was Chief Executive and Robinson was Club Secretary

They didnt work hand in hand or thats what the rumours said and in fact if I remember correctly Robinson left / retired early because the situation was becoming difficult

Robinson did make a minor cock up too (if you take into consideration how his reign finished) because he was instrumental in appointing Houllier, and that joint manager title which was quickly rectified in acrimonious manner (but our PR was admirable) when Roy had had enough.

[Lecter]

Robinson did make a minor cock up too (if you take into consideration how his reign finished) because he was instrumental in appointing Houllier, and that joint manager title which was quickly rectified in acrimonious manner (but our PR was admirable) when Roy had had enough.

In 30-40 years at the club he made one cock up not bad going

FFS Parry's probably made 30-40 feck ups in his tenure

[Guest]

In 30-40 years at the club he made one cock up not bad going

FFS Parry's probably made 30-40 feck ups in his tenure

He was hired based on a scintillating CV for the part he played in the FA striking that premiership deal. He still carries that weight ... Must be a damning indictment of his time at Anfield.