Hicks moves for complete control of Liverpool

[Newman]

Probably bollocks as the Guardian seem to be churning out 10 Liverpool stories per hour at the moment but here it is anyway.......






Hicks moves for complete control of Liverpool


Co-chairman could block Gillett's plans to sell to DIC

Andy Hunter
Friday February 29, 2008
The Guardian


George Gillett and Tom Hicks remain at loggerheads over the future of Liverpool. Photograph: Jason Cairnduff/Action Images



Tom Hicks served notice of his intention to retain control at Liverpool last night when he warned he may block George Gillett's attempts to sell to Dubai International Capital. As a game of brinkmanship develops over the future of Liverpool, Hicks also indicated he could gain total control with a buyout of his co-chairman.
Liverpool's co-owners have both held negotiations about a possible takeover with the investment arm of the Dubai government in recent months. However, under the terms of their joint takeover last February, Hicks and Gillett have first refusal on each other's 50% stake and must give their consent to any sale by the partner.



Although Gillett has been receptive to DIC and the prospect of a quick profit on his troubled 12-month investment, Hicks remains a major obstacle to the Dubai group's ambitions of a complete takeover. The Texan has told DIC he would grant it permission to purchase Gillett's holding on the condition he remained in control of the management structure. He is also keen to retain the lead role in the development of a new stadium on Stanley Park.
DIC has rejected Hicks' conditions and is reluctant to replicate the 50-50 venture that has proved so problematic for Liverpool. It will invest only on the understanding that Hicks is willing to allow it to become the dominant party and is prepared to walk away if the current impasse continues. In response to this stand-off Hicks gave the first public indication of the breakdown in his relationship with Gillett last night when he reaffirmed his determination not to relinquish power at Anfield.

"Not only am I not going to sell, my partner cannot sell without my approval," Hicks said in an interview with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram yesterday. "So I kind of have the ability to determine the outcome of what is going to happen and I am right in the middle of that."

Alarmingly for Liverpool supporters opposed to the Americans' regime, Hicks suggested one way of resolving the problems with Gillett would be to purchase his stake and become the outright owner. "For a lot of reasons I can't discuss I haven't been able to fix it yet. But I am preparing to be in a position to fix it," he added.

It is debatable, however, whether Hicks could afford to buy out his co-chairman given the impact of the credit crunch on his Hicks Holdings company and the current financial problems with his US sports franchises, the Texas Rangers baseball team and the NHL's Dallas Stars.

There were further off-pitch distractions for Liverpool yesterday when it was revealed that their vice-captain, Jamie Carragher, had been arrested and cautioned by police for common assault.

The former England international, 30, was formally interviewed at a Merseyside police station and accepted the caution - an admission of guilt in the eyes of the law - following an altercation near his home in Blundellsands on Tuesday morning. Carragher had been driving to training at Liverpool's Melwood complex when he became embroiled in a row with a man with whom it is believed he has endured a long-running dispute.

A witness called police to report two men arguing by the roadside and named the Liverpool defender as one of those involved. Later that day the apparent victim also filed a complaint against Carragher, who was given an appointment to be interviewed by officers and accepted the caution for common assault, the lowest form of assault, in the company of his solicitor.

A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: "We can confirm that a 30-year-old man from the Blundellsands area received a police caution for common assault in relation to an incident on Liverpool Road, Crosby, on Tuesday, February 26." The club declined to comment.

Confirmation of Carragher's arrest came as Rafael Benítez was compelled to stress that Steven Gerrard is not alone in harbouring deep frustrations at this season's domestic under-achievement.

"Everyone at Liverpool shares Steven's sentiments, there is no question about that," the Liverpool manager said. "We wanted to be further up the table and the fact that we are not is a disappointment to everyone."

[Paul]

What. A. Cunt.

[Remington]

Disastrous.

[Unrighteous]

A natural born deceiver, whom doesn't possess the financial clout to actually purchase us? Yeah, I reckon it's bullshit.

I also highly doubt he can block gillette's sale like he claims. He'll probably release some bollocks about 'seeing the reason' with his 'love for liverpool' or some such nonsense when DIC buy GG's shares.

[Newman]

Next week : Tom HIcks plans to build a device to block out the sunshine in Liverpool.

[fivetimes]

This is all he does and continues to do. He is a scumbag worm of the highest order. It looks like he is not moving as long as there is money to be creamed off the club so no we should let the two gobshites who decided to sell to them how we feel. Parry driving around in a brand new ferrari is the ULTIMATE piss take.

[Remington]

Read at RAWK, were the vibe is a bit more positive, that some guy on Talksport (Beaky?) said Gillet's already sold to DIC, hence this mad Hicks outburst.

I don't listen to Talksport so I don't know what that means. Is this something reliable?

[hamstrung]

Originally Posted by Remington

Read at RAWK, were the vibe is a bit more positive, that some guy on Talksport (Beaky?) said Gillet's already sold to DIC, hence this mad Hicks outburst.

I don't listen to Talksport so I don't know what that means. Is this something reliable?

Not really.

[Carra_is_legend]

Originally Posted by Remington

Read at RAWK, were the vibe is a bit more positive, that some guy on Talksport (Beaky?) said Gillet's already sold to DIC, hence this mad Hicks outburst.

I don't listen to Talksport so I don't know what that means. Is this something reliable?

Beaky? Beacroft talks out his arse all the times.

Don't believe a word the guy (Beaky) says mate.

[RedinSweden]

I'm glad there is another thread, the other one was starting to pong.

I just don't believe he is in a position to buy out GG. He is showing himself to be the full on thundercunt we all know he is though.

[Josef Svejk]

I'm sure having his son spat at didn't encourage him to fuck us all over...

[hamstrung]

Originally Posted by Josef Svejk

I'm sure having his son spat at didn't encourage him to fuck us all over...

Because that's when the shafting started.....

I am sure if there's a few quid in it, he'll take a face full of gob.

[sinbad]

Originally Posted by Carra_is_legend

Beaky? Beacroft talks out his arse all the times.

Don't believe a word the guy (Beaky) says mate.

Could be something in it. Even fat Parry earlier in the show said the same.

[hamstrung]

Makes it even less likely.

[shannow]

how long do you get these days if you shoot some.. by accident of course

[Rashid]

Beacroft does have contacts but he gets virtually everything wrong.

[coop]

I thought Hicks couldnt afford to buy Liverpool but i would imagine he could get another loan for the cash and would i be right in thinking if he buys out Gillett then that means Gilletts part of the debt on the club would be gone so he could just replace it with his debt.

This could be what he means by soon be sorted. I think Hicks is trying to sort something out with the banks where he takes 100% control, the club is still paying the same amount of debt but this time Hicks would be getting all of any profit that is made.