by The_Rock » Sun Jan 30, 2005 5:13 am
http://www.koptalk.org/archive/editor/290105.shtml
Reds could have new owners in just 4 weeks
New owners could be in place at Anfield within the next four weeks, if chief executive Rick Parry and chairman David Moores finally agree that it's time to relinquish control of the club.
The whole investment saga could be drawn to a conclusion that quickly after dragging on for what seems to be an eternity. But the ultimate decision will obviously be down to David Moores as to whether to hand over they keys or not. If not, for example if the club choose to hold out for a potential sub 30% investment (minor), the whole thing could drag on well into the summer and into the start of next season.
David Moores has threatened to stand down at the last two AGM's and admitted at the most recent one that he didn't have the money to compete with potential investor Steve Morgan. Such actions and words do not fill me with much confidence and whether you accept it or not, the vibe at the top filters right down to the bottom. He's not prepared to bankroll the club any more so we need to find someone who is or someone who has real marketing and business nous. A combination of both would be ideal.
It's now 15-years since the club last won the league, you don't need reminding that we've never won the Premiership. We used to laugh at Manchester United because of our record 18 league titles but that record is under threat as United are now on 15. They've won the Premier League 8 times since 1992 while Arsenal have won it 3 times and have 13 league titles in total. Silverware is all I'm bothered about, the books are for the suits and I'm fed up that we're still no nearer that elusive 19th title.
I've made my views known in that I support a take-over rather than a minor investment. When Granada invested into Liverpool Football Club I was dead excited at the time. But while that money will have helped, was it a wise move? To me it wasn't. That's why the idea of a bit part investment does nothing for me. Don't get me wrong, I'd love some mug to turn up and throw millions at the club without having to witness a take-over but that's just not going to happen.
If the club did strike a deal within 4 weeks, maybe, just maybe, Steven Gerrard could be persuaded to give us just one more year. He's heard it all before though hasn't he so I wouldn't blame him if he opted to leave for a new challenge. After all he has his own career to think about. The very fact though that we as Liverpool fans, are having to consider life without the skipper shows that things are not right at Anfield. It's not all doom and gloom though because things are rosey at Anfield if challenging for 4th is acceptable. Things are rosey at Anfield if you believe we'll win the Champions League (Let's hope we do!). Things are rosey at Anfield if you take great pride in reaching the final of the Carling Cup. Things are not rosey when the club's best players start jumping ship because they feel the club is going nowhere. Some fans will argue that the board have supported every manager they've ever employed. That is true but Peter Ridsdale also supported David O'Leary. It's no good borrowing or mortgaging for transfers, you need to be raking it in to spend big and to pay off debts. The books have to be balanced and a club of our size should be capable of spending each year without having to make a big deal out of it.
Clubs are now looking at who's going to be available in the summer but how does Rafa plan for that when the club itself has no idea what will be in the kitty? A part of me believes that the club are holding out in the hope that we actually win the Champions League. Maybe, just maybe, they're holding out to rake in £50million in the summer from the sale of Steven Gerrard? It has to be on their mind. Personally I'd take it because that's a huge amount of money and it would certainly sort the books out but then what....... worrying thought isn't it?
For me, Moores sells up a.s.a.p. New owners are brought in and Steven Gerrard is made clear of how important he is to the club, this is repeated again and again and again. We resist the temptation of Chelsea's millions and hope he stays. Losing him will be a blow but we've lost better players over the years. It's just something the club would have to accept.
I really believe that if the club doesn't strike a deal in the immediate future that Rafa's summer signings will be lukewarm rather than red hot. If Moores plans to step down, which I believe he does, he should do so now to enable us to rebuild and strengthen in the summer because if he faffs about, our rivals will beat us to potential targets and our new owners may have to delay their war plans until the following season (2006-07). I'm purely speculating but that's how I see it. I can't see how new owners could come in at the last minute during the summer with their own team(s) of people and then us lot expect them to wave a magic wand in a few weeks.
All I want is someone, be it L4, Steve Morgan or someone else who really gives a ****** about our club, to get their foot in the door. I don't support a Thai investment of any kind because I want to see the club retain its roots as best as it can. Having listened to L4 and Steve Morgan, it's clear that we have genuine Liverpool fans who want to put this club back on the map again. Some fans oppose them just because they might not the look the part or because they're successful in more than one country, that's how small minded some of our lot are. "That Steve Morgan, what a clown. Would his Mrs be running the show? Forget him coming in!" or "Bloody movie makers. What would they know about running a football club? Shove your money!" Fortunately for me, these morons don't frequent KopTalk. At one time they may have done but thankfully right now they don't. That's why the people who count in life talk to me in confidence, because they know our faithful readers are more well balanced and are generally quite stable in the head. We do have a few numpties but the difference with me is that I weed them out as quickly as I can. Of course I think it's right to question everyone's motives and to want to know the fuller picture of what anyone could be offering. I'm not having a dig at the sensible fans out there of which there are many, I'm referring to the retards who would choose hot if I chose cold and who would choose white if I chose black. Just get over it, Dunk knows best and don't you forget it!
So January is coming to an end. We're already approaching the second month of the year. Last week was an important week for the club because of developments behind the scenes and next week will be equally as important. I'm hoping that by the end of February I have something exciting to share with you, if not, we'll just have to review the situation and try to work out exactly what Parry and Moores have done or are planning to do.
If the club want a take-over, we could walk out in Cardiff with everything done and dusted. Knowing our lot though it won't happen because we dilly-dally around and nothing is ever that simple. Just ask Robert Kraft.... oh God don't even set me off down that route.
I have the utmost respect for David Moores but I can't ignore the fact that it is under his watch that we have fallen from the top. We can make excuses for him and argue why it's happened over and over again but the statement will remain a factual one.
A Genius Billionaire Playboy Philanthropist
