"I've not received any offer to purchase the club from DIC or anyone else, much less accepted any such offer. Nor do I have any intention of doing so."
These are the words off Liverpool co-owner, Tom Hicks, shooting down rumors that he intends to sell his share in the club to Dubai International Capital (DIC). Despite Hicks' denial of the impending sale of the very club he so proudly purchased less than 12 months ago, this whole tawdry affair has got me hot under the collar.
Even though I'm not a fan of the Reds, I am a proud, committed supporter of English football and I have a special few words for Mr. Hicks and his like:
"Take your money, take your profits and take your greed and never, ever look at another football club on these shores again. Your behavior and attitude towards one of my country's proudest, most historic institutions has been nothing short of shameful, sir. You have embarrassed, cheapened and degraded something that is special to the hearts of millions. Liverpool FC is not a toy like your Texas Rangers, it is for many a way of life. You have opened up a 'Pandora's Box' that you may just find very difficult to close, sir."
The outrage on Merseyside has been predictably hysterical with yet another protest in the works, scheduled for Monday when Aston Villa (ironically owned by American Randy Lerner) visits Anfield.
Hicks will be well advised to stay Stateside as the faithful will be intent on venting their fury. In fact, Hicks will in all likelihood have to take the same precautions as the Glazers of Manchester United do when they visit Old Trafford. He'll have to be smuggled in and out of the ground, making sure not to visit any local restaurants or clubs to sample the 'hospitality'.
I'm sure some of you are wondering exactly why the fans are furious and seemingly on the verge of meltdown when just a few months ago the American was seen as the key to Premiership success. I'll try and explain, with the help of a little analogy.
Imagine that I've come into many hundreds of millions (not likely on what FSC pays) and I'm looking to buy something special. On a whim, I decide that I should own the Chicago Cubs, one of America's most storied institutions.
However, please remember that I know nothing about basketball — nearly got you — baseball. At the press conference to announce the purchase, I make all the right noises about my love for the Cubs and proudly boast how much money I'm going to invest in players and a new stadium and how I'm going to bring the World Series back to Wrigley Field. You're impressed, right?
Of course you're not. You're angry and highly suspicious of my claims because it's obvious that I'm not a baseball man. Imagine then, that my next step is to undermine the coach and General Manager — in this case Lou Pinella and Jim Hendry — when it comes to trading players. Chaos is ensured. I'm not finished yet though because Pinella has been talking to the press about this lack of support so I run off and speak to Joe Torre about taking his position.
If you're a Cubs fan, at this point you're probably ready to burn effigies. Just who is this English twit messing around with our traditions, history and the club that I love? Well folks, that's how Liverpool fans are feeling right now.
Sure, you could say that Liverpool was too quick to say 'yes' to the almighty dollars that they thought would transform the club but you have to put that down to Rick Parry and David Moores, not to the fans.
The CEO and ex-owner must now be experiencing many sleepless nights, wishing they could turn the clock back. Maybe they'll be saved by DIC, maybe they won't, but it'll surely be a lesson to other clubs thinking about American owners. Are you listening, Arsenal?
At the end of the day, I don't begrudge anyone trying to make money and if Hicks and George Gillett do sell up to DIC, they are rumored to be making a profit of $150 million each. Not bad money at all. However, I do still think that it's a disgrace to be messing with so many hearts and minds.
English people on the whole are a forgiving lot but our 'stiff upper lip' will only quiver for so long and then it'll be a case of the old 'Marquis of Queensbury'.
Until then, get the beers in ...
These are the words off Liverpool co-owner, Tom Hicks, shooting down rumors that he intends to sell his share in the club to Dubai International Capital (DIC). Despite Hicks' denial of the impending sale of the very club he so proudly purchased less than 12 months ago, this whole tawdry affair has got me hot under the collar.
Even though I'm not a fan of the Reds, I am a proud, committed supporter of English football and I have a special few words for Mr. Hicks and his like:
"Take your money, take your profits and take your greed and never, ever look at another football club on these shores again. Your behavior and attitude towards one of my country's proudest, most historic institutions has been nothing short of shameful, sir. You have embarrassed, cheapened and degraded something that is special to the hearts of millions. Liverpool FC is not a toy like your Texas Rangers, it is for many a way of life. You have opened up a 'Pandora's Box' that you may just find very difficult to close, sir."
The outrage on Merseyside has been predictably hysterical with yet another protest in the works, scheduled for Monday when Aston Villa (ironically owned by American Randy Lerner) visits Anfield.
Hicks will be well advised to stay Stateside as the faithful will be intent on venting their fury. In fact, Hicks will in all likelihood have to take the same precautions as the Glazers of Manchester United do when they visit Old Trafford. He'll have to be smuggled in and out of the ground, making sure not to visit any local restaurants or clubs to sample the 'hospitality'.
I'm sure some of you are wondering exactly why the fans are furious and seemingly on the verge of meltdown when just a few months ago the American was seen as the key to Premiership success. I'll try and explain, with the help of a little analogy.
Imagine that I've come into many hundreds of millions (not likely on what FSC pays) and I'm looking to buy something special. On a whim, I decide that I should own the Chicago Cubs, one of America's most storied institutions.
However, please remember that I know nothing about basketball — nearly got you — baseball. At the press conference to announce the purchase, I make all the right noises about my love for the Cubs and proudly boast how much money I'm going to invest in players and a new stadium and how I'm going to bring the World Series back to Wrigley Field. You're impressed, right?
Of course you're not. You're angry and highly suspicious of my claims because it's obvious that I'm not a baseball man. Imagine then, that my next step is to undermine the coach and General Manager — in this case Lou Pinella and Jim Hendry — when it comes to trading players. Chaos is ensured. I'm not finished yet though because Pinella has been talking to the press about this lack of support so I run off and speak to Joe Torre about taking his position.
If you're a Cubs fan, at this point you're probably ready to burn effigies. Just who is this English twit messing around with our traditions, history and the club that I love? Well folks, that's how Liverpool fans are feeling right now.
Sure, you could say that Liverpool was too quick to say 'yes' to the almighty dollars that they thought would transform the club but you have to put that down to Rick Parry and David Moores, not to the fans.
The CEO and ex-owner must now be experiencing many sleepless nights, wishing they could turn the clock back. Maybe they'll be saved by DIC, maybe they won't, but it'll surely be a lesson to other clubs thinking about American owners. Are you listening, Arsenal?
At the end of the day, I don't begrudge anyone trying to make money and if Hicks and George Gillett do sell up to DIC, they are rumored to be making a profit of $150 million each. Not bad money at all. However, I do still think that it's a disgrace to be messing with so many hearts and minds.
English people on the whole are a forgiving lot but our 'stiff upper lip' will only quiver for so long and then it'll be a case of the old 'Marquis of Queensbury'.
Until then, get the beers in ...
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