Liverpool FC Forum

by **anfieldadorer** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 3:48 am

A consortium of Norwegian businessmen, who include in their number an environmental activist who once chained himself to the gates of Sellafield, are preparing a financial package which they hope will allow them to buy into Liverpool and end the European champions' lengthy search for major new investment.

The group have been put together by Oystein Stray Spetalen, a financial investor worth an estimated £150m, with their principal backer the hotel magnate Petter Stordalen. The 43-year-old Stordalen is something of a celebrity in Norway, having championed the country's tourist industry and tied himself to a footbridge over a drainage pipe at Sellafield in 2002 after claiming radioactive emissions from the nuclear power plant were polluting the Norwegian coast. "It is my policy not to comment on any potential investments," Spetalen told the Norwegian newspaper Verdens Gang.

Dominic Fifield
Saturday April 22, 2006
The Guardian

by **anfieldadorer** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 3:50 am

Benítez banks on getting his very own Abramovich

RAFAEL BENÍTEZ, the Liverpool manager, can expect a frosty encounter with José Mourinho this evening after claiming yesterday that Chelsea’s success owed everything to Roman Abramovich. But the Spaniard may soon have a sugar daddy of his own after two Norwegian businessmen emerged last night as a possible answer to the Merseyside club’s long-running investment conundrum.

Petter Stordalen, the chief executive of Norway’s largest hotel chain, and Oystein Stray Spetalen are understood to have held talks with the Liverpool board about making a significant investment in the club.

A deal is not thought to be imminent because of differences over the club’s valuation, but their approach is being taken seriously by Liverpool, unlike some of the parties who have made proposals over the past two years.

The duo have been described as “flamboyant celebrity investors” in Norway, but Stordalen is the head of Choice Hotels Scandinavia and his personal wealth is estimated at £250 million. While that is a fraction of the billions at Abramovich’s disposal, he is believed to have promised significant backing to the Liverpool board.

Intriguingly, they are believed to have links with Steve Morgan, the founder of the Redrow property empire, whose own efforts to invest in his home-town club have met with frustration, and also with Jan Aage Fjortoft, the former Middlesbrough and Swindon Town forward, who is now coach of Lillestrom.

Liverpool, who take on Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final at Old Trafford this evening, remain extremely cautious about the Norwegian interest, previous high-profile bids from consortiums in Thailand and the United States having failed to come to fruition, but they are eager to secure outside investment as they attempt to allay concerns about the viability of their proposed new 60,000-seat stadium in Stanley Park, in the shadow of Anfield.

For Benítez, the prospect of outside investment is likely to appeal. In advance of today’s meeting with the champions-elect, the Liverpool manager hinted at his frustration at being unable to compete with Chelsea in the transfer market, somewhat uncharitably overlooking Mourinho’s achievements and saying that the real “Special One” at Stamford Bridge is Abramovich.

“It’s very simple,” Benítez said when he was asked to appraise Chelsea’s success under the Portuguese. “They have spent more money than any other club on players. Abramovich has done a fantastic job with this team. They have a lot of good players, so they must be at the top of the table and in finals with those players. It’s normal.”

Benítez was asked whether he recognised that, in spite of the help from Abramovich, Mourinho has done a good job since arriving from FC Porto in June 2004. “Yes, but for me the chairman or the owner is the key,” he said. “(John) Terry, (Frank) Lampard, Mourinho are all important, but they couldn’t have anything like they do without Abramovich. He started the revolution, no?”

Liverpool, Chelsea’s conquerors in last season’s Champions League semi-finals, could stall that revolution today, but they have concerns over the fitness of Harry Kewell. The Australia forward is believed to have strained an adductor muscle in training.

By Oliver Kay
timesonline

by **The Ace1983** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 9:10 am

I think Norwegian investors could be ok. We'd have a solar powered stadium, so no electric bills and Riise would never leave, which is fine.

by **tubby** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 9:54 am

If were talking money wise and being able to secure Liverpool financially competeing with the rest of the big clubs then id rather have Lakshmi Mittal to be honest. And im not saying that cos im asian to

Its kinda worryin that Rafa was hping to sign a few players before the end of the season, were 3 games away from that and we still have found no solid investment.

by **anfieldadorer** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 6:50 am

Liverpool FC bid fails

Apr 25 2006

Daily Post

A BID by a consortium of Norwegian businessmen for a major stake in Liverpool FC appears to have hit the buffers.

Two business tycoons, Oystein Stray Spetalen and Petter Stordalen, were reported to be preparing a bid, with the promise of major new investment if successful.

But now they are said to have abandoned the idea after current Liverpool shareholders refused to relinquish their shares.

A source involved in the process said that without full control, the Norwegians were not interested.

by **anti-hero** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 11:03 am

Full control?

Wtf does that mean?

by **redmikey** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 2:10 pm

it means these noegies didn't have enough cash mate to convince the shareholders to release their shares.

mittal if he wants us could buy us 10 times over, i hope he wants to make roman look skint and build us a mega cool stadium with a massive liver bird on the roof.

ciggy started a great thread some months back about whether you would like to see our club sold as a play thing to the first billionaire that comes along .

it is a tricky one, but i can promise that if i stike oil whilst cutting the grass, i will treat the club well,

free subway sarnies and free ale for everyone, take on the european court to have a standing area at one end of the ground, with no allowed in who dosn't sing or at least drunkenly shout out obsenities.
a decent score board

by **Anfield rapper** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 2:35 pm

Has anyone actually read anywhere that Lakshmi Mittal is interested in Liverpool FC. All i can find on him is that he's the 5th richest man in the world (£15bn). LOL! That would blow little Roman out of the water.

by **Lando_Griffin** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 2:43 pm

I'd like us to gain investment, but I would be very uncomfortable and dissappointed if David Moores relinquished control of the club. Anything up to 49.9% is fine by me, as Moores would still have the controlling stake.
He is as big a fan as any of us, and purely has Liverpool FC's interests at heart.

No amount of money can buy that kind of security.

by **lakes10** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 10:19 pm

Lando_Griffin wrote:I'd like us to gain investment, but I would be very uncomfortable and dissappointed if David Moores relinquished control of the club. Anything up to 49.9% is fine by me, as Moores would still have the controlling stake.
He is as big a fan as any of us, and purely has Liverpool FC's interests at heart.

No amount of money can buy that kind of security.

This full control is getting to me but as you say Moores is a Liverpool fan at heart but trying to get money without give over less than 50% is going to be hard if you look at the amount on money we are looking for.

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