Dubai International to make bid for Liverpool FC

[Tom]

Don't wish to be pendantic, but you said they would be

[disco]

Don't wish to be pendantic, but you said they would be

If you mean DIC, I HOPE they will invest lots of (their own) money. I'd go as far as saying I'm sure they will.

But I'm asking you, not me!

Seems to me that a lot of faith is being put into DIC (including by me, although perhaps not as much as most people) when we don't know their plans and have no idea if they differ much from G&H's plans

[bigfooty]

If they (DIC) put debt on the club I'm not overly concerned so long as they actually invest some of their own money and are upfront about it in the first place.

A significant part of the problem with G&H is that they made statements which they are now backtracking on, be it with regards to putting debt on the club or the stadium. It also appears as if they've made minimal personal investment in the club, only using their personal funds to guarantee loans they are taking out.

[disco]

If they (DIC) put debt on the club I'm not overly concerned so long as they actually invest some of their own money and are upfront about it in the first place.

A significant part of the problem with G&H is that they made statements which they are now backtracking on, be it with regards to putting debt on the club or the stadium. It also appears as if they've made minimal personal investment in the club, only using their personal funds to guarantee loans they are taking out.

I'd go along with that.

It's a shame that we can't find out their business plans first, so there's an element of faith on our part that there will be any difference (finanically, rather than PR-wise)

[Frank Leroux]

I'd go along with that.

It's a shame that we can't find out their business plans first, so there's an element of faith on our part that there will be any difference (finanically, rather than PR-wise)

Fundamentally I'm a contrarian....but there seems to be a huge 'herd mentality' going on here.

I'm all for getting rid of G+H, but do we seriously not mind getting into this palarva all over again in two years time when we feel DIC's business model doesn't do justice to the club or it's fans?

Can someone remind me, what say does the current board have in the current situation?

[Jayesh87]

Alan Hansen's view

The next two or three weeks will be critical in the history of Liverpool Football Club.

Speculation over whether owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett are committed to Liverpool or will sell the club to Dubai International Capital has reached fever pitch.

But whether the owners are Hicks and Gillett or DIC, it is vital that Liverpool are able to build a new stadium and still have funds to go into the transfer market.

Otherwise they will not be able to compete with Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea.

And that is exactly what is concerning the supporters, the players, the ex-players and anyone connected with Liverpool.

Should Liverpool stall now, it would be so counter-productive for the future of the club.

It is essential that a new stadium is built in the near future. At the moment Liverpool have attendances of about 44,000 at Anfield and they cannot compete with Manchester United, who pack in about 76,000 at Old Trafford.

However, the worrying thing is, if Liverpool's new stadium is going to be financed by debt, that could mean cash flow is stifled and new players cannot be brought in.

Liverpool fans want to know that is not going to happen.

The club did really well in the 1970s and 80s because they were successful on the pitch, the punters turned up en masse, the club made money and invested in better players.

That in turn brought more success... and so the cycle went on.

Although there has not been a Liverpool manager since then who has not had any money to spend, perhaps they have not had quite enough.

You have to put total faith in your manager, if you feel he is the man to take you forward, and back him with money. And to be successful in the modern game requires lots and lots of money. It is a simple as that.

Gillett and Hicks could defend themselves by saying they have given Rafael Benitez money to spend on new players.

Fernando Torres came in at the start of the season at a cost of £23m, and Benitez laid out £45-50m in total during the close season - although some money was recouped through players leaving.

But at the moment, the fact remains that Liverpool are a bit short of where they want to be.

I have met Gillett and he is a very, very affable character. I had dinner with him in July and he was so enthusiastic about Liverpool that I was really impressed.

But after all that has gone on, with the approach to Jurgen Klinsmann to replace Benitez and doubts about the American owners' long-term commitment to Liverpool, he and Hicks need to clear the air and be seen at Anfield.

They must make it absolutely clear that they are in it for the long term, if that is the case. If they are not in it for the long term, and they receive a reasonable offer from DIC, then they should sell up.

Especially if DIC can guarantee that it can make funds available for a new stadium and also provide funds for new players.

The vast of majority of people will want what is best for Liverpool - whether that is Gillett and Hicks or DIC remains to be seen.

But it is imperative that the ownership situation is sorted out quickly, one way or another. It must not be allowed to drag on.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7200577.stm

[homer1]

Alan Hansen's view

The next two or three weeks will be critical in the history of Liverpool Football Club.

Speculation over whether owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett are committed to Liverpool or will sell the club to Dubai International Capital has reached fever pitch.

But whether the owners are Hicks and Gillett or DIC, it is vital that Liverpool are able to build a new stadium and still have funds to go into the transfer market.

Otherwise they will not be able to compete with Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea.

And that is exactly what is concerning the supporters, the players, the ex-players and anyone connected with Liverpool.

Should Liverpool stall now, it would be so counter-productive for the future of the club.

It is essential that a new stadium is built in the near future. At the moment Liverpool have attendances of about 44,000 at Anfield and they cannot compete with Manchester United, who pack in about 76,000 at Old Trafford.

However, the worrying thing is, if Liverpool's new stadium is going to be financed by debt, that could mean cash flow is stifled and new players cannot be brought in.

Liverpool fans want to know that is not going to happen.

The club did really well in the 1970s and 80s because they were successful on the pitch, the punters turned up en masse, the club made money and invested in better players.

That in turn brought more success... and so the cycle went on.

Although there has not been a Liverpool manager since then who has not had any money to spend, perhaps they have not had quite enough.

You have to put total faith in your manager, if you feel he is the man to take you forward, and back him with money. And to be successful in the modern game requires lots and lots of money. It is a simple as that.

Gillett and Hicks could defend themselves by saying they have given Rafael Benitez money to spend on new players.

Fernando Torres came in at the start of the season at a cost of £23m, and Benitez laid out £45-50m in total during the close season - although some money was recouped through players leaving.

But at the moment, the fact remains that Liverpool are a bit short of where they want to be.

I have met Gillett and he is a very, very affable character. I had dinner with him in July and he was so enthusiastic about Liverpool that I was really impressed.

But after all that has gone on, with the approach to Jurgen Klinsmann to replace Benitez and doubts about the American owners' long-term commitment to Liverpool, he and Hicks need to clear the air and be seen at Anfield.

They must make it absolutely clear that they are in it for the long term, if that is the case. If they are not in it for the long term, and they receive a reasonable offer from DIC, then they should sell up.

Especially if DIC can guarantee that it can make funds available for a new stadium and also provide funds for new players.

The vast of majority of people will want what is best for Liverpool - whether that is Gillett and Hicks or DIC remains to be seen.

But it is imperative that the ownership situation is sorted out quickly, one way or another. It must not be allowed to drag on.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7200577.stm

If Hicks & Gillette are prepared to get out and are only interested in making a quick buck, they won't even ask for such a guarentee, they'll take their money and run

[Roboklopp]

He`s a big lad and he speaks his mind. I have no doubt he would, and I have no doubts that not many would say **** all to him either

Well, given the fact that there was no vociferous protest against the singing from anyone in the Annie Road End where he was apparently located & instead he chose to patronise me & others like me on the other thread instead, what makes you so certain?

I don't really care how big a lad he is- that's between the two of you - but people are entitled to make their own minds up & take action upon their beliefs without being patronised & derided. Especially when it is something that matters so much to them. Fair enough to disagree with that, but not to be so overbearing, superior & didactic in the process.

Anyway, back to the main topic in hand. Looks like this thing will come to a head pretty soon, for better or worse. I just want to be put out of my misery on this front to be honest, it's taking over my life FFS.

[ntto]

The way I see it the DIC will probably sell us in less than 10 years. They will however want to sell us for a profit and to do that we need a new stadium and a successful team, garnering a more than average share of the TV money going around. If we have new owners in 10 years but are in a far better position thanks to the DIC then so be it.

What worries me about this is who exactly is there who could buy the club in 10 years time?

Thinking about the figures, £350 purchase price plus the build costs of the stadium (whats it at now? £200m, £300m??) the in 10 years time £1billion is going to be the starting point for bids. If DIC has made us more successful on and off the pitch then add significantly more onto that.

Surely anybody who has that kind of potential would be interested in buying the club now? Are there many individuals / corporations who could afford that amount?

Or are the plans are to float Liverpool and create a plc? And is that a path we'll want to go down?

[paulcooper4]

A big lump of steel on Stanley Park offering the best facilities in World football

I just want a good team and not to be in the papers for anything other than football reasons. Couldnt give a **** who owns us as long as they provide me with that

[paulcooper4]

Bradley Hicks is? One of Tom's sons?!?

He took offence at me calling his dad a big fat ****. Some people are just so touchy

[Jayesh87]

He took offence at me calling his dad a big fat ****. Some people are just so touchy

How did you get his email?

[Lecter]

Fed reserve has slashed interest rate by 3/4 of a point

That could be bad news imo

[tomasjj]

Fed reserve has slashed interest rate by 3/4 of a point

That could be bad news imo

Well, I reckon it is good news for Americans, but not enough for G and H.

[Imy]

Fed reserve has slashed interest rate by 3/4 of a point

That could be bad news imo

Well, I reckon it is good news for Americans, but not enough for G and H.

How does that work? RBS is a UK bank right? so what interest rate is used? or is it a special interest rate? if so then a cut in the US has no effect, right?