Peter Parker
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Richard Walker
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Post by Peter Parker on Dec 1, 2015 7:52:55 GMT
Smoke and bullsh*t
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2015 11:05:45 GMT
NH said outside the Q & A that the takeover/consortium talks are advanced and going well. If that was not the case, why would he have said that in his opinion that if the talks are completed that building work could commence early next year.
In the Q & A, he indicated that no one had provided proof of funds "in the manner that both he and/or TW had requested."
So on the one hand he is saying talks are ongoing and that this are going well, BUT the format of the funds had not yet been submitted to his satisfaction.
My interpretation, that means he requires proof of these funds in a specific type of bank account. I'm sure that the funds are probably there but to satisfy NH these need to be in a format of his choosing.
But hang on a minute, and I'm honestly trying to put into context what you have said with what NH/the club have previously said. Look I don't doubt you are relating what NH said to you but there has to be some doubt of the existence of a takeover group/consortium he's referred to then ? He has said that over a period of time he has had 12 approaches about investing in the club but none of them meet the financial criteria he requires and fair enough he owns the club and does not want us to be put in even more financial jeopardy than we are now, so presumably we can discount whoever they were and assume we aren't currently in discussion with any of them. He is then interviewed on a local broadcasting station where he categorically denies knowing who the takeover/consortium group are and goes as far as to say can someone let him know who they are. I don't doubt you are genuine in passing on the comments NH made and that he seemed genuine in making them but some of us have reaonably good memories of virtually getting on a coach to Cheltenham to choose our seats at Whaddon Road and as a Bristol Rugby supporter actually applying to buy a season ticket at Rodney Parade Newport for our temporary exile while a new stadium was built at the Mem. Then there's the reluctance to tell us that Sainsbury's wanted to pull out of the scheme before the JR had even started, hence no Sainsbury's representation at the JR so indeed "why would he (NH) have said that in his opinion that if the talks are completed that building work could commence early next year", when he's denied even knowing who they are ?! Or perhaps I'm going to wake up in a shower in a minute and find it was all a nasty dream and that we really have won the Champion's League Of course I have no idea how these discussions have gone, almost anything could have happened, one silly example would be that if Higgs' insisted that anyone wanting the club had to pay market value and also clear his personal loans, and unless that's agreed at the outset then he isn't prepared to even talk to you, then most people would ask him to repeat himself just to be sure that they didn't imagine what was said, and simply walk away. But with the Sainsbury's thing still technically up in the air it's not possible to value the club. My view is that unless you want to sell the stadium, pocket the dosh and leave the club homeless then without Sainsbury's money Rovers' value is less than zero.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2015 13:51:50 GMT
NH said outside the Q & A that the takeover/consortium talks are advanced and going well. If that was not the case, why would he have said that in his opinion that if the talks are completed that building work could commence early next year.
In the Q & A, he indicated that no one had provided proof of funds "in the manner that both he and/or TW had requested."
So on the one hand he is saying talks are ongoing and that this are going well, BUT the format of the funds had not yet been submitted to his satisfaction.
My interpretation, that means he requires proof of these funds in a specific type of bank account. I'm sure that the funds are probably there but to satisfy NH these need to be in a format of his choosing.
But hang on a minute, and I'm honestly trying to put into context what you have said with what NH/the club have previously said. Look I don't doubt you are relating what NH said to you but there has to be some doubt of the existence of a takeover group/consortium he's referred to then ? He has said that over a period of time he has had 12 approaches about investing in the club but none of them meet the financial criteria he requires and fair enough he owns the club and does not want us to be put in even more financial jeopardy than we are now, so presumably we can discount whoever they were and assume we aren't currently in discussion with any of them. He is then interviewed on a local broadcasting station where he categorically denies knowing who the takeover/consortium group are and goes as far as to say can someone let him know who they are. I don't doubt you are genuine in passing on the comments NH made and that he seemed genuine in making them but some of us have reaonably good memories of virtually getting on a coach to Cheltenham to choose our seats at Whaddon Road and as a Bristol Rugby supporter actually applying to buy a season ticket at Rodney Parade Newport for our temporary exile while a new stadium was built at the Mem. Then there's the reluctance to tell us that Sainsbury's wanted to pull out of the scheme before the JR had even started, hence no Sainsbury's representation at the JR so indeed "why would he (NH) have said that in his opinion that if the talks are completed that building work could commence early next year", when he's denied even knowing who they are ?! Or perhaps I'm going to wake up in a shower in a minute and find it was all a nasty dream and that we really have won the Champion's League A side issue really, and a genuine question: was he chairman for the 'don't tell anyone we're not moving to Cheltenham (although it's bound to come out by August, anyway)' disgrace? My ageing memory has that happening under a previous unsuitable character to be chairman. I'm more than ready to believe I'm mistaken, though. When was it, and who was chairman at the time? Fair enough, I believe he was on the board and keeping quiet about it (I think it was Edward Ware whose integrity burst through), and he's shot his own credibility on other issues, but just for the record, was he the prime dissembler on that one?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2015 15:37:51 GMT
But hang on a minute, and I'm honestly trying to put into context what you have said with what NH/the club have previously said. Look I don't doubt you are relating what NH said to you but there has to be some doubt of the existence of a takeover group/consortium he's referred to then ? He has said that over a period of time he has had 12 approaches about investing in the club but none of them meet the financial criteria he requires and fair enough he owns the club and does not want us to be put in even more financial jeopardy than we are now, so presumably we can discount whoever they were and assume we aren't currently in discussion with any of them. He is then interviewed on a local broadcasting station where he categorically denies knowing who the takeover/consortium group are and goes as far as to say can someone let him know who they are. I don't doubt you are genuine in passing on the comments NH made and that he seemed genuine in making them but some of us have reaonably good memories of virtually getting on a coach to Cheltenham to choose our seats at Whaddon Road and as a Bristol Rugby supporter actually applying to buy a season ticket at Rodney Parade Newport for our temporary exile while a new stadium was built at the Mem. Then there's the reluctance to tell us that Sainsbury's wanted to pull out of the scheme before the JR had even started, hence no Sainsbury's representation at the JR so indeed "why would he (NH) have said that in his opinion that if the talks are completed that building work could commence early next year", when he's denied even knowing who they are ?! Or perhaps I'm going to wake up in a shower in a minute and find it was all a nasty dream and that we really have won the Champion's League A side issue really, and a genuine question: was he chairman for the 'don't tell anyone we're not moving to Cheltenham (although it's bound to come out by August, anyway)' disgrace? My ageing memory has that happening under a previous unsuitable character to be chairman. I'm more than ready to believe I'm mistaken, though. When was it, and who was chairman at the time? Fair enough, I believe he was on the board and keeping quiet about it (I think it was Edward Ware whose integrity burst through), and he's shot his own credibility on other issues, but just for the record, was he the prime dissembler on that one? I think you are correct, Nick took over in Aug, after people we allowed to travel to Cheltenham to chose a seat when the BoD already knew that the ground share wasn't happening. From memory, I think Nick gave an interview at the time where he said that other accommodation providers were in the market and could replace Opal, but he didn't think that them knowing that Opal had withdrawn would help him negotiate with them. Or maybe I just imagined that?
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Peter Parker
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Richard Walker
You have been sentenced to DELETION!
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Post by Peter Parker on Dec 1, 2015 15:46:39 GMT
A side issue really, and a genuine question: was he chairman for the 'don't tell anyone we're not moving to Cheltenham (although it's bound to come out by August, anyway)' disgrace? My ageing memory has that happening under a previous unsuitable character to be chairman. I'm more than ready to believe I'm mistaken, though. When was it, and who was chairman at the time? Fair enough, I believe he was on the board and keeping quiet about it (I think it was Edward Ware whose integrity burst through), and he's shot his own credibility on other issues, but just for the record, was he the prime dissembler on that one? I think you are correct, Nick took over in Aug, after people we allowed to travel to Cheltenham to chose a seat when the BoD already knew that the ground share wasn't happening. From memory, I think Nick gave an interview at the time where he said that other accommodation providers were in the market and could replace Opal, but he didn't think that them knowing that Opal had withdrawn would help him negotiate with them. Or maybe I just imagined that? Yes the reason/excuse from what I recall was that if it came out re:Opal it would affect our negotiating position with other providers.
Of course I am sure those in the industry would have known we had a deal with Opal/Opal were pulling out so not sure it would have made any difference.
Surely trying to negotiate with someone else would have triggered something with them and they would have cottoned on and knocked down the price anyway
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The Gas
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Post by The Gas on Dec 1, 2015 16:07:09 GMT
I think you are correct, Nick took over in Aug, after people we allowed to travel to Cheltenham to chose a seat when the BoD already knew that the ground share wasn't happening. From memory, I think Nick gave an interview at the time where he said that other accommodation providers were in the market and could replace Opal, but he didn't think that them knowing that Opal had withdrawn would help him negotiate with them. Or maybe I just imagined that? Yes the reason/excuse from what I recall was that if it came out re:Opal it would affect our negotiating position with other providers.
Of course I am sure those in the industry would have known we had a deal with Opal/Opal were pulling out so not sure it would have made any difference.
Surely trying to negotiate with someone else would have triggered something with them and they would have cottoned on and knocked down the price anyway
All I will add is that I contacted the Supporters Club Director at the time and he confirmed there was a problem but that the club were desperately trying to negotiate a deal with another provider.
I had no reason to disbelieve the reason given then or even now.
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Post by pirate49 on Dec 1, 2015 16:23:26 GMT
Right, an angle I haven't heard/seen explored. If NH is handling all the negotiations, 'ably' assisted by TW, and it is a takeover rather than an investment that is on the table; are all the other directors happy to stand aside if a new broom sweeps in. Will CJ, EW et al just wave 'bye 'bye? Is this a daft question......have I missed something?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2015 16:25:54 GMT
Yes the reason/excuse from what I recall was that if it came out re:Opal it would affect our negotiating position with other providers.
Of course I am sure those in the industry would have known we had a deal with Opal/Opal were pulling out so not sure it would have made any difference.
Surely trying to negotiate with someone else would have triggered something with them and they would have cottoned on and knocked down the price anyway
All I will add is that I contacted the Supporters Club Director at the time and he confirmed there was a problem but that the club were desperately trying to negotiate a deal with another provider.
I had no reason to disbelieve the reason given then or even now.
More than reasonable, but isn't it the case that the decision had been made to play yje following season in Bristol prior to the 'Open Day' when Rovers' fans were allowed to travel to Cheltenham?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2015 17:37:28 GMT
Can anyone put dates on the timeline, just for interest's sake? Planning permission for the student accommodation revamp was (I think) in January one year. The away day ahead of moving out was Mayish one (was it that?) year. I have vague thoughts we were supposed to be in the revamped Mem at the start of 2009/10 after a 15 month build, which would put the non-away day in 2008, but could be wrong. Then it all went very quiet, then UWE was announced. When was that? I think UWE planning permission was Jan / Feb 2013 because I have it in mind it's about to expire. What's the timeline since we got the go ahead to revamp the Mem? It all seems highly futile, heaven knows how much it's all cost, and we're heading towards 2016 still playing in a tumbledown stadium.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2015 17:42:12 GMT
All I will add is that I contacted the Supporters Club Director at the time and he confirmed there was a problem but that the club were desperately trying to negotiate a deal with another provider.
I had no reason to disbelieve the reason given then or even now.
More than reasonable, but isn't it the case that the decision had been made to play yje following season in Bristol prior to the 'Open Day' when Rovers' fans were allowed to travel to Cheltenham? Come to think about it, we weren't the only ones not told that we we had no intention of going to Cheltenham; Cheltenham Town hadn't been told either, and had set their budget for the following season on the assumption they would be getting rental income. Presumably we had a get out clause in the contract and considered ourselves hugely justified in using it, tough thingy to the other side, and morality has no role in it. How ironic.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2015 17:52:51 GMT
More than reasonable, but isn't it the case that the decision had been made to play yje following season in Bristol prior to the 'Open Day' when Rovers' fans were allowed to travel to Cheltenham? Come to think about it, we weren't the only ones not told that we we had no intention of going to Cheltenham; Cheltenham Town hadn't been told either, and had set their budget for the following season on the assumption they would be getting rental income. Presumably we had a get out clause in the contract and considered ourselves hugely justified in using it, tough thingy to the other side, and morality has no role in it. How ironic. Well remembered. Ain't karma a bitch
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Angas
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Post by Angas on Dec 1, 2015 20:01:07 GMT
Can anyone put dates on the timeline, just for interest's sake? Planning permission for the student accommodation revamp was (I think) in January one year. The away day ahead of moving out was Mayish one (was it that?) year. I have vague thoughts we were supposed to be in the revamped Mem at the start of 2009/10 after a 15 month build, which would put the non-away day in 2008, but could be wrong. Then it all went very quiet, then UWE was announced. When was that? I think UWE planning permission was Jan / Feb 2013 because I have it in mind it's about to expire. What's the timeline since we got the go ahead to revamp the Mem? It all seems highly futile, heaven knows how much it's all cost, and we're heading towards 2016 still playing in a tumbledown stadium. January 2007 - Approval for Redevelopment - news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/6272765.stm28 April 2008 - Plan to play at Cheltenham 2008/09 season - news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/7372345.stm30 May 2008 - Plans hit hurdle - Opal pull out - news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/7428390.stm3 June 2008 - 1 year delay - news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/7433504.stmPlus a summary of the last 10 years from the Beeb - www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-26544326(Still looking for the date of the planned trip to Whaddon Road for folks to choose their seats. Does anyone know that off the top of their head to save me trawling?) Edit - apparently the trip was scheduled for the 31st May. Couldn't have been much less warning - info courtesy of Vital's archive system - www.bristolrovers.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=111330Edit: Forgot to add - Nick Higgs joined board in 2006 - became vice chairman at date I haven't discovered - appointed as chairman August 2008 taking over from Ron Craig who'd been top man since April 07. 2nd Edit - I'd forgotten about this chaos and confusion pre the official announcement of the Cheltenham groundshare. It seems nothing much changes where BRFC are concerned - news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_rovers/7303354.stm
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2015 21:15:48 GMT
Can anyone put dates on the timeline, just for interest's sake? Planning permission for the student accommodation revamp was (I think) in January one year. The away day ahead of moving out was Mayish one (was it that?) year. I have vague thoughts we were supposed to be in the revamped Mem at the start of 2009/10 after a 15 month build, which would put the non-away day in 2008, but could be wrong. Then it all went very quiet, then UWE was announced. When was that? I think UWE planning permission was Jan / Feb 2013 because I have it in mind it's about to expire. What's the timeline since we got the go ahead to revamp the Mem? It all seems highly futile, heaven knows how much it's all cost, and we're heading towards 2016 still playing in a tumbledown stadium. January 2007 - Approval for Redevelopment - news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/6272765.stm28 April 2008 - Plan to play at Cheltenham 2008/09 season - news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/7372345.stm30 May 2008 - Plans hit hurdle - Opal pull out - news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/7428390.stm3 June 2008 - 1 year delay - news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/7433504.stmPlus a summary of the last 10 years from the Beeb - www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-26544326(Still looking for the date of the planned trip to Whaddon Road for folks to choose their seats. Does anyone know that off the top of their head to save me trawling?) Edit - apparently the trip was scheduled for the 31st May. Couldn't have been much less warning - info courtesy of Vital's archive system - www.bristolrovers.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=111330Edit: Forgot to add - Nick Higgs joined board in 2006 - became vice chairman at date I haven't discovered - appointed as chairman August 2008 taking over from Ron Craig who'd been top man since April 07. 2nd Edit - I'd forgotten about this chaos and confusion pre the official announcement of the Cheltenham groundshare. It seems nothing much changes where BRFC are concerned - news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_rovers/7303354.stmWell done Anne - I'd had a quick search and found nothing and thought it might be a job for you! What a sorry saga, and I don't subscribe to the 'so much bad luck' philosophy. I wonder where we'll be in 2025.
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Angas
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Post by Angas on Dec 1, 2015 21:48:19 GMT
I just couldn't resist
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The Gas
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Post by The Gas on Dec 1, 2015 23:18:25 GMT
Can anyone put dates on the timeline, just for interest's sake? Planning permission for the student accommodation revamp was (I think) in January one year. The away day ahead of moving out was Mayish one (was it that?) year. I have vague thoughts we were supposed to be in the revamped Mem at the start of 2009/10 after a 15 month build, which would put the non-away day in 2008, but could be wrong. Then it all went very quiet, then UWE was announced. When was that? I think UWE planning permission was Jan / Feb 2013 because I have it in mind it's about to expire. What's the timeline since we got the go ahead to revamp the Mem? It all seems highly futile, heaven knows how much it's all cost, and we're heading towards 2016 still playing in a tumbledown stadium. January 2007 - Approval for Redevelopment - news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/6272765.stm28 April 2008 - Plan to play at Cheltenham 2008/09 season - news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/7372345.stm30 May 2008 - Plans hit hurdle - Opal pull out - news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/7428390.stm3 June 2008 - 1 year delay - news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/7433504.stmPlus a summary of the last 10 years from the Beeb - www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-26544326( Still looking for the date of the planned trip to Whaddon Road for folks to choose their seats. Does anyone know that off the top of their head to save me trawling?) Edit - apparently the trip was scheduled for the 31st May. Couldn't have been much less warning - info courtesy of Vital's archive system - www.bristolrovers.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=111330Edit: Forgot to add - Nick Higgs joined board in 2006 - became vice chairman at date I haven't discovered - appointed as chairman August 2008 taking over from Ron Craig who'd been top man since April 07. 2nd Edit - I'd forgotten about this chaos and confusion pre the official announcement of the Cheltenham groundshare. It seems nothing much changes where BRFC are concerned - news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_rovers/7303354.stmAngas - It was 31st May 2008, I still have my coach ticket - coach A, seat 44.
Must be worth £100?
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Angas
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Post by Angas on Dec 1, 2015 23:46:06 GMT
Hang onto it. It might get you priority seating at the new stadium ...
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Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2015 0:15:41 GMT
Hang onto it. It might get you priority seating at the new stadium ...
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Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2015 1:37:55 GMT
Angas - It was 31st May 2008, I still have my coach ticket - coach A, seat 44.
Must be worth £100?
So 7.5 years ago. Whilst we're playing all our yesterdays, more details are coming back to me. Wasn't there something about 'don't smash the ground up after our 'last' game at the Mem because we might have a high profile friendly there in the summer to wave the place off in style'? [Even then, I don't think there was a high profile friendly: did someone from the Dutch 2nd division pitch up?]
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Angas
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Post by Angas on Dec 2, 2015 9:21:06 GMT
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Post by PessimistGas on Dec 8, 2015 22:51:22 GMT
More than reasonable, but isn't it the case that the decision had been made to play yje following season in Bristol prior to the 'Open Day' when Rovers' fans were allowed to travel to Cheltenham? Come to think about it, we weren't the only ones not told that we we had no intention of going to Cheltenham; Cheltenham Town hadn't been told either, and had set their budget for the following season on the assumption they would be getting rental income. Presumably we had a get out clause in the contract and considered ourselves hugely justified in using it, tough thingy to the other side, and morality has no role in it. How ironic. Remember the desperate pleas for supporters not to dismantle the stadium piece by piece after the last game because a high profile friendly would played over the summer to say farewell to the Mem? Tragic.
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