Liverpool FC Forum

by **hishhish** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 6:45 pm

I think a show of support should include a mass email to Rafa and by someway to the players themselves. Rather than to the "board". This way I beleive the support is constructive, rather than destructive. Obviously it is the players and Rafa who need to focus and really turn things around.

by **nobybob** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 7:19 pm

Everyone including the yanks already know RAFA has our surport. But we need to let them know we want them out now, they have damaged our club enough already. so okay surport rafa and the players but what can we do to directly affect the yanks so they get the message to leave???

by **The Manhattan Project** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 8:10 pm

Just show up at the games and cheer the players loudly.

by **BrownBomber** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 8:34 pm

First post gents. Been lurking on the forum for a while now.

Always good informative views on here.

Absolutely fuming about this affair. This Tom Hicks fella is a complete moron who knows nothing about the game or our rich heritage. He simply doesn't understand how precious this 'franchise' is he currently owns. Touting the current manager's position in mid season, destabilising the club, what the hell does he think he is doing?

His outburst to me smacks of extreme ignorance to what the game is all about here. His comments about the speculation surrounding Rafa and Real Madrid are unbelievable, this guy is an idiot.

He should not interfere in things he doesn't understand. He seems to me like a Yank who thinks he knows everything. Got to get them out and get the Dubai consortium in, I don't think we would get much interference off them but plenty of ££££ to improve the side.

A guy like Hicks just doesn't understand how much we love Rafa, it's not like chopping and changing the manager of one of his :censored:

Ice Hockey teams. This is Liverpool Football Club.

As for that German tart taking over, what a joke, shows how much he knows if he wants to put him in, never even managed a club side before.

Loved the backing Rafa got last night, we stick by our own, youv'e got to, or you'll end up like Newcastle, jokers.

Have faith in Benitez.

by **Leonmc0708** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 12:40 pm

Dubai to make Liverpool FC bid

Jan 17 2008 by Tony Barrett, Liverpool Echo
DUBAI International Capital is ready to make an offer for Tom Hicks’s stake in Liverpool FC.

The ECHO understands senior executives at the Dubai-based international investment company were given the go-ahead by Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum to launch a second bid to buy into Liverpool in a year.

An offer has been agreed in principle.

A source close to DIC today told the ECHO the bid would be for a half share in the club with the Arab consortium willing to enter into a dual ownership deal with George Gillett.

He said: “It is a very delicate situation but DIC has reignited its interest in Liverpool Football Club.

“The terms of the offer, which will be made to Tom Hicks, have been agreed and DIC are hopeful they will be finally be able to invest in Liverpool.

“The offer is now being written up and it should be only a matter of time before it is delivered to Hicks.”

Co-owners Hicks and Gillett are edging closer to clinching a refinancing deal.

But DIC are hoping to make a move before any deal is completed.

Hicks and Gillet enjoyed a honeymoon period after their acquisition of the Reds.

But recent revelations they talked to Jurgen Klinsmann about the possibility of replacing the hugely popular Rafa Benitez as manager have led to them falling out of favour with the Liverpool fans.

While the financial restructuring deal, which would give them the necessary collateral to fund the building of the long-awaited new stadium, remains incomplete, DIC believe a window of opportunity still remains open to them.

Whether Hicks is willing to sell is another matter entirely.

The Dallas-based multi-millionaire is on record saying he is not interested in selling his stake, even though there are tensions between himself and Gillett about the proposed refinancing deal.

In a recent interview with the ECHO Hicks said: “I just want to clear up with you that I am not selling any of my shares to anybody.

“I have no idea why anyone would think that. It was just rubbish.”

But with Sheikh Mohammed, one of the world’s richest men, now back on the scene Hicks looks likely to face some tough decisions in the days to come.

On the one hand a deal with DIC could present him with a sizeable return on his initial investment and an opportunity to walk away from the dual problems of securing the necessary loans to service their own debt, fund the new stadium and winning the fans over all over again.

But, on the other, there may be a reluctance to part with an asset which he fought so hard to acquire, one which he firmly believes can pay dividends in the long term.

Hicks insists financial restructuring could be complete within days, and if he is proven right it will make an immediate offer from DIC less likely.

The American pair have six weeks to secure a £350m loan that would refinance their original purchase of the club.

Hicks recently told the ECHO he hopes a deal can be signed off with the Royal Bank of Scotland and the US investment bank Wachovia by the middle of next week.

If, as expected, DIC follow up their interest with a firm bid the ownership of Liverpool FC could change for the second time in a year.

Club officials said today: “We do not comment on speculation.”

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpo....0361303

==============================================

Interesting.

by **Ciggy** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 12:54 pm

I pray to god that pr!cks says YES and sells.

Every cloud has a silver lining, I had my suspitions about his actions reguarding breaking the news about Klinsmann it was a feeling of a smoke screen that he wanted to cut his losses.

by **Leonmc0708** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 1:05 pm

Ciggy wrote:I pray to god that pr!cks says YES and sells.

Every cloud has a silver lining, I had my suspitions about his actions reguarding breaking the news about Klinsmann it was a feeling of a smoke screen that he wanted to cut his losses.

Fingers crossed.

In all honesty, George seems to have kept his head down and not been a pri.ck like Hicks.

by **Ciggy** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 1:10 pm

Leonmc0708 wrote:In all honesty, George seems to have kept his head down and not been a pri.ck like Hicks.

He can feck off an all he arranged the meeting with Klinsmann, pray to god allah or anyone that Hicks sells DIC buy his share, then buys Gillete out and they take full control of the club.

by **puroresu** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 1:13 pm

The only thing with all this new possible takeover's it things getting put back. When will the stadium get done?

by **Leonmc0708** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 1:13 pm

Ciggy wrote:
Leonmc0708 wrote:In all honesty, George seems to have kept his head down and not been a pri.ck like Hicks.

He can feck off an all he arranged the meeting with Klinsmann, pray to god allah or anyone that Hicks sells DIC buy his share, then buys Gillete out and they take full control of the club.

I dont have a problem with the owners of the club having all the bases covered and making sure the team is secure going forward, and in that sense meeting a perspective manager who could step into the breach should be seen as good forsight, doing it all through the press is embarrasing and thats the part I have a problem with.

by **puroresu** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 1:22 pm

Leonmc0708 wrote:
Ciggy wrote:
Leonmc0708 wrote:In all honesty, George seems to have kept his head down and not been a pri.ck like Hicks.

He can feck off an all he arranged the meeting with Klinsmann, pray to god allah or anyone that Hicks sells DIC buy his share, then buys Gillete out and they take full control of the club.

I dont have a problem with the owners of the club having all the bases covered and making sure the team is secure going forward, and in that sense meeting a perspective manager who could step into the breach should be seen as good forsight, doing it all through the press is embarrasing and thats the part I have a problem with.

but that wasnt the case. I dont even know where the idea of rafa going to madrid came from. there current manager shuster has never been under pressure this season so I dont see how anyone could of thought rafa was going there. I think they spoke to klinsmaan to discuss him taking over next season.

by **66-1112520797** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 1:25 pm

edit.

by **skatesy** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 1:29 pm

A great article from Carragher and because there is a part that directly relates to this whole saga I will post it here:

From Liverpoolfc.tv

CARRA: THERE'S NO EXCUSES
Jimmy Rice 17 January 2008

Jamie Carragher insists the players – and not off-the-field events – are responsible for Liverpool's indifferent start to 2008.
Carra admits the team has simply not been good enough over recent weeks as the Anfield title charge has gone off kilter.

The dip has coincided with all kinds of newspaper headlines relating to matters away from the pitch – but Liverpool's 500 man scoffs at the suggestion he and his teammates might be distracted.

"We are all aware of what is going on but all we can do as players is just concentrate on doing it on the pitch," said Carra.

"As players, we have to take responsibility to sort things out on the pitch. Anything that goes on off it is nothing to do with us.

"We are paid to play and we did that on Tuesday, but we know we need to improve over the next few weeks because we know in the last nine or 10 games we haven't been good enough.

"I know some people say what happens off the pitch affects players. Maybe it does. But it doesn't affect me. Why should it? I am paid to play, your wages are still coming in, you are still playing for Liverpool, so I don't know why it should affect players. To be honest, I don't know if it does that much.

"If I was in a foreign country and there was something like this going on I don't think I would care or be bothered about it.

"I think it is an excuse just as it was at the start of the season to point to Pako leaving. We had a few bad results and everyone was talking.

"I said then that you have to be strong mentally to play for Liverpool. Things happen off the pitch but don't let it affect you.

"The results weren't great in the Premiership last season so what was that down to, know what I mean? The results haven't been good enough because we haven't been good enough. End of story."

Carra admits the publicity events have attracted in the last few months have been a departure from the so-called 'Liverpool way'.

But he insists the same thing has not happened on the training ground where life is going on as normal.

"It's not just me thinking that," he says. "Ask any fan and it's not the way we have done things in the past.

"You want that (the Liverpool way) to continue because we have to focus and pull together and focus on what we have going for us like the FA Cup and Champions League.

"But we haven't noticed a change in Rafa. It has just kept on going as normal. We train and get on with it."

Tuesday's return to winning ways against Luton coincided with Carra's 500th game for Liverpool.

"It was a special night," said the number 23, who was skipper for the evening and received a memento presented by the club's record appearance holder Ian Callaghan.

"I am very proud and it was also nice to get a few goals, a clean sheet and to go through to the next round of the Cup. It makes it a great night for myself and my family to enjoy.

"It has gone quickly, it has flown and it terrifies me a little a bit because I realise that in four or five years' time it might all be coming to an end for me. After realising 10 years of your career has gone it does scare you a bit.

"I am very proud to be on a list of players who have played 500 games. We are a massive club and the game has changed a little bit.

"Maybe it is harder now because scouts are looking all over the world – South America, Africa – and that wasn't the case 20 or 30 years ago.

"There is always competition for places and people always thought my position would come under pressure, but I always managed to play 40-50 games a season. Hopefully, I can continue doing that over the next four or five years."

Carra's son James was mascot for the evening and joined his father down the guard of honour created by Rafa Benitez and the rest of the Liverpool squad.

"I don't think he knew why he was out there," said Carra of his son. "He knew he was going to be mascot. He told me how many sleeps he had left before he would be out there.

"He's a big Liverpool fan. The legend for him is Torres and Gerrard, not his dad. He had the choice of me, Torres and Gerrard on his shirt, and Torres has been on fire so he's the one.

"I am his dad; I don't think he looks at me as a Liverpool player; he sees the other ones as the stars!"

Carra's 500 games have seen him acquire just about every piece of silverware in domestic club football. Except for the Premier League, that is.

The 29-year-old admits it's going to be difficult for that to change this season.

"The number of games is not that important, the most important thing at Liverpool is to win trophies like the Dalglishes and the Emlyn Hugheses," Carra said.

"Picking up any trophy is special now given how tough it is domestically. The spending power of other clubs makes it more difficult but you only have to look at Arsenal, they don't spend the big money and they have won a lot under Arsene Wenger. You just have to get on with it.

"You have to try and win a trophy every season. We haven't won the league for a long time so that would be lovely before I finish, of course it would.

"Is Rafa the man to win it? Only time will tell. I haven't got a clue, but it doesn't look like it is going to be this season. He has done very well but the league is the one we want."

Carragher added: "We are not stupid. You never throw the towel in, but for us to get back into contention for the title we would have to have an unbelievable second half to the season and the rest would have to have an unbelievably bad second half.

"We realise our best chance of silverware is the cup competitions. That's why they are so important.

"Rafa takes a bit of criticism for the teams he picks, but we showed Luton a lot of respect. We knew it was going to be a tough game after how well they played in the first game."

by **Ciggy** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 1:36 pm

The thing about this is though even though Moores didnt sell to them they have remained interested which is a suprise anyone else that rich would have said stick your club up your @rse.

They can see the club has potential to be as rich as Man U, G & H however cant.

David Moores must be ruing the day he ever sold us to these two divys, ecspecially when they have been declared bankrupt once or twice.

Also incouraging news is that they have already been in talks with G & H in November so it gives us hope all is not lost just yet.

by **woof woof !** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 1:37 pm

Leonmc0708 wrote:
Ciggy wrote:
Leonmc0708 wrote:In all honesty, George seems to have kept his head down and not been a pri.ck like Hicks.

He can feck off an all he arranged the meeting with Klinsmann, pray to god allah or anyone that Hicks sells DIC buy his share, then buys Gillete out and they take full control of the club.

I dont have a problem with the owners of the club having all the bases covered and making sure the team is secure going forward, and in that sense meeting a perspective manager who could step into the breach should be seen as good forsight, doing it all through the press is embarrasing and thats the part I have a problem with.

I see where you're coming from with that Leon BUT what I can't swallow is that an employer seeks to headhunt a prospective employee and the offer is supposedly only one of "we're not saying there will be a vacancy but if we had one would you like to take over ?"

A discussion as simple as that takes all of five minutes. IMO there was far more to it than Hicks and gillette just covering all the bases.

Their admission that they spoke to Klinsman was just another lame excercise in "covering" their a'rses, and it did nobody any favours.

Sincerely hope they can't raise the loan and DIC find a way of making this pair of modern day carpetbaggers sell up and move on .

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