Do you want it?

[El Rojo]

No.

 

Even despite this season, I still have faith in Rafa bringing in No.19 even without large scale investment for players.

 

He did no less with Valencia against the money men at Barce/Real.

 

It could be blind and irrational faith, but there you go.

[bossy]

I've voted a reluctant yes but would like to add that I reserve the right to change my mind..... I think there's an inevitability about it all and that providing Moore's has done his best it may just work out.

[GeoffM]

The fact that Moores and Parry appear to be remaining in control makes the whole a bit easier to swallow they have their faults but they understand what this club is about, as does Rafa.

 

We are a special club, the fact that we will have investment ploughed into us will not change that. In an ideal world i would rather be able to compete without this type of investment, but the way football has gone that seems increasingly unlikely.

 

We have class and dignity and a heritage that cannot be equalled, that will not change with investment.

[Redexile]

Same with me and I keep coming back to the same point:

 

What's better for the club in the long run? Staying as we are, or doing this deal? I can't shake the feeling that this deal will help to secure our future. Now, I value our traditions as much as anyone, but what would people do if they were given the option of being where Leeds are now or safeguarding our competetiveness at the top level?

 

I know where I'd rather be and it's not where Leeds are now. Thing is , as I've said on a previous thread, football as we knew and loved it began changing once Sky got involved. I would have loved us to stay independant and challenging for the big stuff but cash is king and to compete in the future we are going to need plenty. I am hoping that Moore's and Parry have done their homework here and we are getting the best possible deal for the club, but their is no doubt that things will change if it goes through.

[havarantagain]

Being a patron of all of our glory years and not the last couple i must say my heart saids No. But I have lived off the fat of our sussecces for a very long time with out the need for billionairs splashing their cash.

[MLB]

Football is pretty much over as a competitive spectacle, I think. It has been for a while, really, but deals like this really are the death-knell for the game where that kind of thing is concerned.

[Michael Howard]

Some reassuring comments in the Indy today.

 

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum: A new owner with the means to match Abramovich

 

The £450m needed to buy the five-times European Cup winners is small change to Dubai International Capital. Nick Harris believes the pay-off may be considerable

 

Published: 05 December 2006

 

What do buy when you are one of the world's richest men and you already own everything most other people can only dream of? Yesterday's confirmation that Dubai International Capital, an offshoot of the empire controlled by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, seems to be on the verge of buying Liverpool hammers home the answer: a Premiership football club.

 

But the motivation behind DIC's move is different to that which inspired the spate of other foreign takeovers in recent years, a well-placed source close to the deal said last night. "This is not about turning Liverpool into a trophy asset," the source said. "It is not a case of Liverpool becoming the sheikh's personal plaything. DIC is a serious international player in all sorts of fields and this is one opportunity among many that makes sense."

 

To varying extents, it can be argued that Roman Abramovich's purchase of Chelsea and those by Randy Lerner and Eggert Magnusson of Aston Villa and West Ham are cases of rich men (and/or their backers) buying clubs that have little short-term potential to earn significant financial returns on their investment. They simply want to be involved in English football, and profit will be a bonus, breaking even a more realistic goal.

 

At Manchester United, profit in the long term is certainly the driving factor behind the Glazer family's £790m takeover last year, and remains so. But that buyout also differs from DIC's plan because it was financed by mountains of debt (currently £660m) and thus contains all the attendant risk for the club if things do not work as a planned.

 

The DIC deal for Liverpool, according to the people planning it, is neither solely about glory-hunting with a billionaire's spare change, nor just a business venture that must pay its own way. Rather it is a strategic move by a company that has huge resources and sees Liverpool fitting into a growing business portfolio, at relatively little cost. Relatively is the operative word.

 

"Liverpool have great history and tradition and represent an opportunity," one source said. "DIC are comfortable in the UK, as other investments have shown, and comfortable in the leisure sector. They are serious about doing whatever is necessary to make Liverpool genuine contenders to Chelsea and Manchester United again, and have the resources to do it.

"But while acknowledging fully that they're very high-profile, a massive club, in the context of some of DIC's other deals it is a relatively small transaction."

 

In other words, an initial £450m to fund a takeover, and further cash for players, as and when necessary, is really only small beer to DIC, which should be music to supporters' ears, because there seems, on the face of it, little downside.

 

DIC will want Liverpool to thrive, because a successful club will become a flagship for its varied international businesses. It will also give Sheikh Mohammed a perfect platform on which to conduct other business. He already has access to some of the world's most prominent movers and shakers through his involved in horse racing. What better place than a successful football club, playing in the world's richest league, to offer hospitality and promote your country?

 

DIC was established in 2004 as an investment group that business insiders believe intends to invest around £20bn globally in various sectors in the coming five years. Already in Britain it owns the Tussauds group (bought last year for £750m), and the Travelodge hotel chain (bought for £610m) and the engineering company Doncasters Group (£600m). It has also bought a two per cent stake in the German-US car manufacturer Daimler-Chrysler for £500m. These are all businesses from which DIC intends to make money. Buying Liverpool would fit into the company's strategy for another reason, as part of Dubai's ongoing efforts to market itself.

 

"Buying a football club makes sense with a lot of what is happening in Dubai," another source said. "They [the Dubai ruling elite, and by extension, DIC] are doing all sorts of things in and around Dubai in terms of business, tourism, sports and leisure and owning a football club like Liverpool fits together very nicely. English football is an incredibly powerful international brand."

 

As for questions about the day-to-day running of Liverpool, as and when the takeover concludes, it seems the status quo will be maintained. "If you're asking whether, in six months' time, the directors' box will be a sea of Arab faces, then no," said a source. "DIC's usual strategy is to support existing management, and invest in growth."

 

This will hearten Liverpool's manager, Rafael Benitez, who said last night in Istanbul ahead of Liverpool's Champions' League game against Galatasaray: "At the moment I only really want to concentrate on the match here, but of course it is always good for a club to have more money and more possibilities."

[Thants]

I'm sure he got this rich by being subtle and thoughtful. :whistle:

[Creator Supreme]

No, No, No, No, No, and let me check again.... No!!

 

They may have all the best intentions, but I feel that we are selling our soul to the highest bidder!

 

Footballs gone to the dogs, and it is all fucking skys fault!!:no :no

[coop]

Some people will say no without going looking into the deal and seeing whether or not this is a good deal for Liverpool Football Club.

 

Due to it been foriegn investment they dont want to know but i can assure that local investment (Morgan) would have been a diaster and we would be looking forward to sharing our new stadium with the blue shite.

 

This guy as more or less said we will be staying as we are with Moores and Parry both staying at the club. We will be moving to a new stadium but that would be happening anyways had Moores got the cash.

 

Some of people remind me of me dad in the fact when he sees anything new he discards it as been the spawn of the devil.

 

The fact of the matter is the world moves on. We dont goto matches with rattles anymore and shilling and half a crown have long gone you know.

 

Could it be that it could possibly be a good deal for Liverpool. Could it be that everything stays the same at the club regards tradition and values. Could it be we can now go that extra yard and get the players Rafa wants instead of settling for second best. Could it be Liverpool are about to embark on a very exciting time for the football club.

 

The answer to the above questions are yes.

 

Investment was going to happen one way or another and the fact we arent going to be saddled with debt is a superb move by Moores and Parry and one i think they should be congratulated on.

[Original202]

Do I want it? Hell no.

 

Is it needed? Hell yes.

 

This isn't how football is supposed to be but if we stand still we'll drop like a fat fuck falling down the stairs.

[aws]

On principle I'm against the club being anyone's "investment".

 

But in practice this may turn out to be the least worst option because I recognise that standing still isn't possible.

 

I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

[joey jones]

Some people will say no without going looking into the deal and seeing whether or not this is a good deal for Liverpool Football Club.

 

Due to it been foriegn investment they dont want to know but i can assure that local investment (Morgan) would have been a diaster and we would be looking forward to sharing our new stadium with the blue shite.

 

This guy as more or less said we will be staying as we are with Moores and Parry both staying at the club. We will be moving to a new stadium but that would be happening anyways had Moores got the cash.

 

Some of people remind me of me dad in the fact when he sees anything new he discards it as been the spawn of the devil.

 

The fact of the matter is the world moves on. We dont goto matches with rattles anymore and shilling and half a crown have long gone you know.

 

Could it be that it could possibly be a good deal for Liverpool. Could it be that everything stays the same at the club regards tradition and values. Could it be we can now go that extra yard and get the players Rafa wants instead of settling for second best. Could it be Liverpool are about to embark on a very exciting time for the football club.

 

The answer to the above questions are yes.

 

Investment was going to happen one way or another and the fact we arent going to be saddled with debt is a superb move by Moores and Parry and one i think they should be congratulated on.

 

 

Top post that mate.

 

Pretty much spot on I think (and hope).

[thechap]

This isn't how football is supposed to be but if we stand still we'll drop like a fat fuck falling down the stairs.

 

One of the funniest thing's I've ever read anywhere, given the context it's used in. Superb! And true, to boot.

[Guest FrankH]

Some people will say no without going looking into the deal and seeing whether or not this is a good deal for Liverpool Football Club.

 

Due to it been foriegn investment they dont want to know but i can assure that local investment (Morgan) would have been a diaster and we would be looking forward to sharing our new stadium with the blue shite.

 

This guy as more or less said we will be staying as we are with Moores and Parry both staying at the club. We will be moving to a new stadium but that would be happening anyways had Moores got the cash.

 

Some of people remind me of me dad in the fact when he sees anything new he discards it as been the spawn of the devil.

 

The fact of the matter is the world moves on. We dont goto matches with rattles anymore and shilling and half a crown have long gone you know.

 

Could it be that it could possibly be a good deal for Liverpool. Could it be that everything stays the same at the club regards tradition and values. Could it be we can now go that extra yard and get the players Rafa wants instead of settling for second best. Could it be Liverpool are about to embark on a very exciting time for the football club.

 

The answer to the above questions are yes.

 

Investment was going to happen one way or another and the fact we arent going to be saddled with debt is a superb move by Moores and Parry and one i think they should be congratulated on.

 

But for how long? Six months, a year.. ?

[Bellflower]

The one thing I've noticed about these threads since yesterday is that everyone has an opinion about the type of investor they don't want, but no one has come up with an alternative except a "real Red ". If there was an alternative that met that criteria even Matty and Krusty would have found them. Just because this guy wasn't born with a curly perm and his first words weren't "calm down, calm down " why knock him back ?

Here's an OOT who's prepared to put his money where his mouth is.

Welcome..................

[Paul]

Just one more thing i'd like to add. It's a bit rich that people are coming on and saying how much they want a Red to remain as Chairman, when all they have done is criticise him for being too soft over the last ten years!

 

I don't know who the people are that you're referring to Ian, but I've consistently praised Parry and Moores, both on here and in the fanzine. I was happy with the status quo.

[Paul]

Anyone not voted? Three quarters in favour. I'm well and truly out of step with my fellow Reds.

[DT]

There's more people for it than for banning Rashid;)

[Cardie]

Voted yes.

 

Not in for all this must be local nonsense, the last 'Red' offering to buy the club brought a far more frightening prospect of a future Liverpool than those dirty foreign invaders have.

[Guest Kaelin]

Some people will say no without going looking into the deal and seeing whether or not this is a good deal for Liverpool Football Club.

 

Due to it been foriegn investment they dont want to know but i can assure that local investment (Morgan) would have been a diaster and we would be looking forward to sharing our new stadium with the blue shite.

 

This guy as more or less said we will be staying as we are with Moores and Parry both staying at the club. We will be moving to a new stadium but that would be happening anyways had Moores got the cash.

 

Some of people remind me of me dad in the fact when he sees anything new he discards it as been the spawn of the devil.

 

The fact of the matter is the world moves on. We dont goto matches with rattles anymore and shilling and half a crown have long gone you know.

 

Could it be that it could possibly be a good deal for Liverpool. Could it be that everything stays the same at the club regards tradition and values. Could it be we can now go that extra yard and get the players Rafa wants instead of settling for second best. Could it be Liverpool are about to embark on a very exciting time for the football club.

 

The answer to the above questions are yes.

 

Investment was going to happen one way or another and the fact we arent going to be saddled with debt is a superb move by Moores and Parry and one i think they should be congratulated on.

 

Quality Post there !

[DJLJ]

Anyone not voted? Three quarters in favour. I'm well and truly out of step with my fellow Reds.

 

I haven't voted yet. I'll wait and see before I make my mind up. Both good and bad can come of this, and it is such a complex matter. I'm well and truly on the fence.

[Guest TK-421]

Voted yes.

 

Not in for all this must be local nonsense, the last 'Red' offering to buy the club brought a far more frightening prospect of a future Liverpool than those dirty foreign invaders have.

 

It's not a must I would just prefer it that way.

 

Someone like Steve Gibson at Middlesbrough would fit the bill, the guy made his own money with hard graft, backs his managers, ploughs millions into the club and keeps his nose out of team affairs.

 

* awaits some smart arse to come along and say "but we don't have anyone like that" *

[Brownie]

I don't know who the people are that you're referring to Ian, but I've consistently praised Parry and Moores, both on here and in the fanzine. I was happy with the status quo.

 

Sorry Paul, haven't seen this post until now.

 

I wasn't referring to you at all mate, just making a general point.

[Guest Raddy]

they're doing a piece on the dubai lot now on five live with someone who used to work for them and he thinks it's purely a business venture and they expect nothing but the very best...and will pay for it...

 

i expect rafa is licking his lips in excitment...