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New Owner - not happening?


Saint Fan CaM

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I am starting to wonder whether there is absolutely naff all happening in terms of finding a new owner. Relegation is more certain than not and has been so for a little while now. If a potential new owner had serious intentions and the proven funds, the Administrator would be duty bound surely to take an offer NOW, before the club goes under. An offer would factor in almost certain relegation with the bonus of survival (however unlikely).

 

I therefore do not buy the line that someone is waiting to see what division we're in before making a move - it doesn't seem to add up. If this is not the case, then why is Mark Fry not keeping the fans up to date with progress? Hate to even think it, but it's not looking too positive atall IMO. :( Can anyone (Morph et al) provide us with ANY glimmer of hope that negotiations are on the move and hopefully advanced?

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I am starting to wonder whether there is absolutely naff all happening in terms of finding a new owner. Relegation is more certain than not and has been so for a little while now. If a potential new owner had serious intentions and the proven funds, the Administrator would be duty bound surely to take an offer NOW, before the club goes under. An offer would factor in almost certain relegation with the bonus of survival (however unlikely).

 

I therefore do not buy the line that someone is waiting to see what division we're in before making a move - it doesn't seem to add up. If this is not the case, then why is Mark Fry not keeping the fans up to date with progress? Hate to even think it, but it's not looking too positive atall IMO. :( Can anyone (Morph et al) provide us with ANY glimmer of hope that negotiations are on the move and hopefully advanced?

 

I'm very very hopeful, although Duncan knows far more than I do as to who Salz et all is up against.

 

COYR

 

Regards

 

 

Morph

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to be fair to Mark Fry if we did have 34 enquiries he needs to check each one out to the same level even the ones he may suspect are tyrekickers.

If a deal is near the likihood of a major leak is slim

With the complicated web of companies at SMS and the way the assets were financed the negioations will always involve 3 parties, Fry , Buyer and Norwich Union, although i think the overdraft is also secured on the propert assets so even Barclays may be involved.

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Relegation and any points deduction would have to be decided IMO before any prospective buyers part with their cash.

 

Theres a big difference starting in L1 on -27 points and starting in the CCC on 0 points.

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to be fair to Mark Fry if we did have 34 enquiries he needs to check each one out to the same level even the ones he may suspect are tyrekickers.

If a deal is near the likihood of a major leak is slim

With the complicated web of companies at SMS and the way the assets were financed the negioations will always involve 3 parties, Fry , Buyer and Norwich Union, although i think the overdraft is also secured on the propert assets so even Barclays may be involved.

 

Spot on Mike. This is not about an offer per se. This is the worst type of horse-trading working on how little Barclays and Aviva will accept for their debts, or renegotiating new terms for their debts.

 

In the end, the club could be sold for nothing as long as someone is prepared to honour an acceptable proportion of the creditors' debts.

 

That will take time to go back and forth between all the parties. Those who make an offer will also want it conditional on the results of the FL deduction, etc.

 

Just agreeing the offer will be hellish complex,

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34 'enquiries' does not take that much to sift through... from what I understand they were given a pack to go away with and come back with business plan, proof of funding etc etc

 

.... until they do that I don't think Mark Fry does any more, he certainly won't have had meetings and lengthy dialogue with all 34 'enquiries'

 

I was going to phone up myself and say I am interested, just to see if that number goes up to 35.

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34 'enquiries' does not take that much to sift through... from what I understand they were given a pack to go away with and come back with business plan, proof of funding etc etc

 

.... until they do that I don't think Mark Fry does any more, he certainly won't have had meetings and lengthy dialogue with all 34 'enquiries'

 

I was going to phone up myself and say I am interested, just to see if that number goes up to 35.

 

As Legod said lots of Horse trading will go on until a deal is agreed , the bad news is it does not have to involve SFC, if Barretts offer to pay off all the Norwich Union debt and put in another £5m for the other creditors and it is the best deal Fry is duty bound to accept it

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What are you all expecting? All interested serious parties to come out and show their hand? Why on earth would they do that? It would be likely to affect the price in which they could acquire the club for considerably. Things will be happening at the moment, of that I am sure. No news is most definately good news at the moment.

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What are you all expecting? All interested serious parties to come out and show their hand? Why on earth would they do that? It would be likely to affect the price in which they could acquire the club for considerably. Things will be happening at the moment, of that I am sure. No news is most definately good news at the moment.

 

Quite.

 

It always amazes me that, given the ****e we've had to endure in the past, people still want these things played out in the public.

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Someone will be buying a football club, that may or may not have a points deduction next season. We owe a few quid to Norwich Union and Barclays. The Council may or may not buy the ground. It is a complicated deal.

 

It's not like buying a packet of f*cking peanuts is it.

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Someone will be buying a football club, that may or may not have a points deduction next season. We owe a few quid to Norwich Union and Barclays. The Council may or may not buy the ground. It is a complicated deal.

 

It's not like buying a packet of f*cking peanuts is it.

 

NOT SURE , we certainly have monkeyed about this season

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Someone will be buying a football club, that may or may not have a points deduction next season. We owe a few quid to Norwich Union and Barclays. The Council may or may not buy the ground. It is a complicated deal.

 

It's not like buying a packet of f*cking peanuts is it.

 

One would hope not - this season should have taught us, if nothing else, that "if you pay peanuts you get....." - I think you get the drift...!!!

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But we haven't though, have we? That's part of the whole problem (money out > money in).

 

No we haven't - you have to go with the good old addage 'speculate to accumulate...' but as you rightly say we didn't. We played kids (probably) being paid peanuts, took early settlement on outstanding players, and offloaded proven goal scorers in an attempt to do it on the cheap... and failed.

 

I know - hindsight is a wonderful thing - but we gambled and lost, as a result L1 here we come...!!!

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34 'enquiries' does not take that much to sift through... from what I understand they were given a pack to go away with and come back with business plan, proof of funding etc etc

 

.... until they do that I don't think Mark Fry does any more, he certainly won't have had meetings and lengthy dialogue with all 34 'enquiries'

 

I was going to phone up myself and say I am interested, just to see if that number goes up to 35.

 

Thirty four enquiries is probably a lot to go through for the skeleton staff and the administrators at the club.

 

Besides for all investors there are many aspects to find out about the club including the legal aspects of SLH going into admin and the FL not deducting points.

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Good grief peeps - Relax!

 

We had HOW MANY takeovers where everything was micro-analysed on here?

 

And now we have a real takeover and we know nothing.....

 

Anyone care to admit that could be because this time it is being done professionally?

 

But it's so much more fun when it's a photocopier salesman or a badly-dressed, offensive, loud-mouthed, fat-head doing it.

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Good grief peeps - Relax!

 

We had HOW MANY takeovers where everything was micro-analysed on here?

 

And now we have a real takeover and we know nothing.....

 

Anyone care to admit that could be because this time it is being done professionally?

 

Agree with that Phil - but would at least just like to be reassured that the 'quality' of bidder(s) (and hopefully potential owners) is of the highest order and has the means, ambition and pedigree to carry the club forward.

 

FF intimated, on another thread, that your old mate could be 'on the periphery' of a business interest which scares the livin' shyte out of me.

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I'm very very hopeful, although Duncan knows far more than I do as to who Salz et all is up against.

 

COYR

 

Regards

 

 

Morph

 

 

Morph thanks for this. However, when Duncan states today that his latest information is two weeks old, it makes me think any negotiations are at best stagnant. And he even mentions Longlifesaint and St.David being involved 'on the periphery'. That's frankly scary if they represent the standard of bidder. Not that I expect any info from anyone on here as such - just that there's no substantive update from Fry. Given the lack of news on progress I am starting to feel some doubt about the standing of the bidders and Mark Fry's ability to keep SFC intact at the end of the process. I really hope my gut instinct is wrong on this one.:smt086

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I am starting to wonder whether there is absolutely naff all happening in terms of finding a new owner. Relegation is more certain than not and has been so for a little while now. If a potential new owner had serious intentions and the proven funds, the Administrator would be duty bound surely to take an offer NOW, before the club goes under. An offer would factor in almost certain relegation with the bonus of survival (however unlikely).

 

I therefore do not buy the line that someone is waiting to see what division we're in before making a move - it doesn't seem to add up. If this is not the case, then why is Mark Fry not keeping the fans up to date with progress? Hate to even think it, but it's not looking too positive atall IMO. :( Can anyone (Morph et al) provide us with ANY glimmer of hope that negotiations are on the move and hopefully advanced?

 

Those who want to invest would rather we go down and even get points deduction so they can buy us for a few mill less!!!!

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I'm very very hopeful, although Duncan knows far more than I do as to who Salz et all is up against.

 

COYR

 

Regards

 

 

Morph

 

Morph,

 

Would you be able to confirm if the Salz consortium contains some old familiar faces potentially returning to roles within the club?

 

IMO the new owners must revoluntionize and avoid any temptation to reversion. Therefore , I personally believe it is very important that any successful consortium installs new personnel (with no prior association to the club) in all senior positions.

 

Would appreciate any information you can provide on this matter.

 

Thanks

NC

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Agree with that Phil - but would at least just like to be reassured that the 'quality' of bidder(s) (and hopefully potential owners) is of the highest order and has the means, ambition and pedigree to carry the club forward.

 

FF intimated, on another thread, that your old mate could be 'on the periphery' of a business interest which scares the livin' shyte out of me.

 

Like I said. relax

 

Admin means you lose control over events, so get used to it.

 

Now is absoluetly not the time, nor is it our role to dissect any of the potential bidders that have expressed an interest. The process is very clear and very simple, Mark Fry is the man and anyone SERIOUSLY interested must prove they have the FUNDS, and because of the NDA processs we will not be finding out any time soon.

 

No serious bidder will want ANY leaks because if they FAIL it could have repurcussions on their other business interests (one reason I worry about Morph's group's validity) so anything on here would be speculation and cannot do any good what so ever.

 

Right now, show me a saints fan who would complain if it was that **** Godwin from RBS as long as he has the funds to save us from extinction and to give us a chance of building a team to challenge next season.

 

Why UP even commented he'd have Lowe back IF there was no other choice (although in a hold a gun to my family's head sort of way)

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Like I said. relax

 

Admin means you lose control over events, so get used to it.

 

Now is absoluetly not the time, nor is it our role to dissect any of the potential bidders that have expressed an interest. The process is very clear and very simple, Mark Fry is the man and anyone SERIOUSLY interested must prove they have the FUNDS, and because of the NDA processs we will not be finding out any time soon.

 

No serious bidder will want ANY leaks because if they FAIL it could have repurcussions on their other business interests (one reason I worry about Morph's group's validity) so anything on here would be speculation and cannot do any good what so ever.

 

Right now, show me a saints fan who would complain if it was that **** Godwin from RBS as long as he has the funds to save us from extinction and to give us a chance of building a team to challenge next season.

 

Why UP even commented he'd have Lowe back IF there was no other choice (although in a hold a gun to my family's head sort of way)

 

I have to say i have not been on this forum long but everythig you say i agree with 100%.

 

Nobody is going to release info before something happens, NDA's happen in little companies so they are obviously going to happen now, the fact there are so many offers, plus the FL influence means it will take a while, calm down, something will happen, but i will say that i believe nobody will have a heads up this time. Just hang in there, saint's will survive.

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Good grief peeps - Relax!

 

And now we have a real takeover and we know nothing.....

 

Anyone care to admit that could be because this time it is being done professionally?

 

Nobody is going to release info before something happens, ....

 

Chatham Rule applies in these delicate negotiations.

I like the references earlier to horse trading, never mind what league we will be in, will we still be a live? is actually a consideraton too.

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Chatham Rule applies in these delicate negotiations.

I like the references earlier to horse trading, never mind what league we will be in, will we still be a live? is actually a consideraton too.

 

It is a horrible thing to say but i believe we are down now, will take a lot to stay up !!!

 

I think it may help to sort the truth from the speculative bids.

 

There will be a saints, always, don't worry about the time it has taken, it will never have been an over night thing.

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Morph,

 

Would you be able to confirm if the Salz consortium contains some old familiar faces potentially returning to roles within the club?

 

IMO the new owners must revoluntionize and avoid any temptation to reversion. Therefore , I personally believe it is very important that any successful consortium installs new personnel (with no prior association to the club) in all senior positions.

 

Would appreciate any information you can provide on this matter.

 

Thanks

NC

 

agree 100% (see, we can do it ;-) ), a complete new start.

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Someone will be buying a football club, that may or may not have a points deduction next season. We owe a few quid to Norwich Union and Barclays. The Council may or may not buy the ground. It is a complicated deal.

 

It's not like buying a packet of f*cking peanuts is it.

 

Well strichtly speaking it could be very simple, if there was someone out there with the funds to buy all the assets of the pLC and guarrantee the creditors in full... the honorable way of doing things, buy teh club for £1 and then pay off the debts and build anew... but like in all these things the few serious parties, whilst hopefully good intention, probably wont be that loaded and will be making the deal complex by wanting to negotiate on the debt, o buy only single assets...

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I am amazed that anyone thought this would be a quick clean deal. How many times do we have to say administration is not a pleasant thing?

 

The club has no control over its own fate. We fans have no control over the fate of 'our' club.

 

It may be that we end up with a new owner who isn't just out to make the most money he can out of our assets before buggering off somewhere else. We will all then be able to heave a sigh of relief and congratulate ourselves on getting rid of Lowe and ending up with a united club again, even if it is in in the third division.

 

It also may not end up that good. We may well end up with a chancer in charge. It may even be that the club ceases to exist, though personally I cannot see that happening. The fact is we fans are totally bloody helpless in the process.

 

Actually I'm quite encouraged by the fact that the administrator hasn't started selling off assets piecemeal. That suggests he still expects (hopes?) to sell the club as a going concern to someone who can pay the creditors a fair part of the debt.

 

If/when Fry sells Staplewood or several first team players, then we will know we are in real trouble.

 

K.

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Why UP even commented he'd have Lowe back IF there was no other choice (although in a hold a gun to my family's head sort of way)

 

I heard a rumour (note: totally unsubstantiated) that Lowe has a consortium of Irish people lined up. A bit suspicious and probably means nothing as it seems a bit of a coincidence that Lowe is a director of WH Ireland??

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Good grief peeps - Relax!

 

We had HOW MANY takeovers where everything was micro-analysed on here?

 

And now we have a real takeover and we know nothing.....

 

Anyone care to admit that could be because this time it is being done professionally?

 

LOL .... have you been on The BullFrogs again :D

 

Based on the happenings of the last few years, the nearest our club has come to professional is watching Bodie and Doyle on the team coach DVD as they travel to away games :cool:

 

Although to be fair, as it is completely out of the club's hands there is just a chance that you may be right.;)

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I heard a rumour (note: totally unsubstantiated) that Lowe has a consortium of Irish people lined up. A bit suspicious and probably means nothing as it seems a bit of a coincidence that Lowe is a director of WH Ireland??

 

Many of that group lost a lot of money at Cheltenham Festival recently.:D

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I heard a rumour (note: totally unsubstantiated) that Lowe has a consortium of Irish people lined up. A bit suspicious and probably means nothing as it seems a bit of a coincidence that Lowe is a director of WH Ireland??

He probably saw Ireland win the Six Nations Grand Slam and realised that their training and coaching methods could form the core of a revolutionary new football model for Saints to follow. Rupert is nothing if not visionary.

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Where the hell has this starting League One with -27 points come from? We're not down yet but it's likey. The buyer will come in at the last minute, alot of them will be waiting to see what league we are in next season before making a bid, plus, alot of them would want to get the club as cheap as possible.

 

Have a look at other clubs who have needed a buyer or go bust, I was speaking to a Swindon fan the other day who said a few years back they had a buyer step in minutes before they would of gone out of business! The same has happened with other clubs.

We're an attractive club, good assets so I'm sure someone will step in. There's no need to be planning the derby with Gosport just yet!

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Takeovers take months and involve accountants and lawyers. There is no quick fix. If there was no likelyhood of a deal then the administrator would look to liquidate SLH in order to secure as much for the creditors as possible.

 

My guess is that any deal will involve accomodating the secured creditors (by way of a deal, not the full sum), football debts and then a token payment to SLH for the club. SLH will then be wound up.

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Morph,

 

Would you be able to confirm if the Salz consortium contains some old familiar faces potentially returning to roles within the club?

 

IMO the new owners must revoluntionize and avoid any temptation to reversion. Therefore , I personally believe it is very important that any successful consortium installs new personnel (with no prior association to the club) in all senior positions.

 

Would appreciate any information you can provide on this matter.

 

Thanks

NC

 

Sitting up all alone in the bedsit at 1 am again Somedunce?

 

You seem to think you have a choice in the matter. Whoever comes up with the best deal becomes the lucky owner of a loss making company.

 

I'd suggest that beggars can't be choosers.

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I was told the other day that there are three or four substantial interested parties but the problem is, nobody is firming things up until they know what division and the league announce their decision.

 

Think that is obvious though - only a miracle will allow us to survive and then we will probably get the points deduction anyway - loophole or not, I believe the FL also have the power to impose points deductions on sides that as a result of financial jigerery pokery, avoid having to pay of debts accumulated through their normal trading irrespective of administration, so I think we are down - and if we do go down, the league might agree with the loophole to cllsoe the matter.

 

So interested parties should barein mind the need to ensure its not just teh bare minimum that is paid off but a substantial amount of the debt otherwise the FL as I understand could impose further penalties...

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I was told the other day that there are three or four substantial interested parties but the problem is, nobody is firming things up until they know what division and the league announce their decision.

 

If I was an interested party, I'd be willing to do a deal today but on the basis that Saints are relegated and may also suffer a further 10 point deduction.

 

The question is will the Administrator accept a bid at the moment, or will he delay, hoping that the club don't go down and/or that there is no point deduction?

 

I hope he isn't doing this. If he's not, I don't see any reason for a delay in a deal - it will just be at a lower price than it might have been had we stayed up.

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If I was an interested party, I'd be willing to do a deal today but on the basis that Saints are relegated and may also suffer a further 10 point deduction.

 

The question is will the Administrator accept a bid at the moment, or will he delay, hoping that the club don't go down and/or that there is no point deduction?

 

I hope he isn't doing this. If he's not, I don't see any reason for a delay in a deal - it will just be at a lower price than it might have been had we stayed up.

 

Ah - someone who gets it at last.

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when someone approaches a club to buy them out it takes time - and that is when someone has been thinking about it in their own time, sorting out loans, finances, business plans etc.

 

Suddenly we go into administration and people are asked to bid. They would not have been sat there with cash and business plans waiting just in case.

 

There have been too many charletons buying, or trying to buy, football clubs who have later been shown not to have the funds or credibility to take a club forward.

 

I have no idea how long this should take, but am not surprised at all that it hasn't happened yet.

 

I would rather the administrator is sure who is buying, and they are the best people, rather than grabbing the first offer.

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Morph thanks for this. However, when Duncan states today that his latest information is two weeks old, it makes me think any negotiations are at best stagnant. And he even mentions Longlifesaint and St.David being involved 'on the periphery'. That's frankly scary if they represent the standard of bidder. Not that I expect any info from anyone on here as such - just that there's no substantive update from Fry. Given the lack of news on progress I am starting to feel some doubt about the standing of the bidders and Mark Fry's ability to keep SFC intact at the end of the process. I really hope my gut instinct is wrong on this one.:smt086

 

Or maybe the interested party knows better than to spill details to an unconnected individual who is a regular poster on a public forum?

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