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Post by richmace on Feb 19, 2016 16:21:59 GMT
The interview was very refreshing. No grand promises. A lot of very sensible talk.
It sounds like forward planning is now going to happen, with the financial backing required. I am glad that 100s of millions are not going to be immediately thrown at the club. What we don't want is glory or bust. We want a football club to be run effectively, with a long term plan.
No magic wand, no guarantees, but we have seen what the previous board failed to do, so I welcome the new owners. Let's see what they can achieve.
About time someone believed in our football club...
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Post by a more piratey game on Feb 19, 2016 16:32:18 GMT
To be fair - if the incompetent fools have actually engineered an escape route than gives them back their money and we have new (potentially very wealthy) investors... then I'm happy for all concerned. "Higgs leaves with credibility and wealth intact" shocker! even bigger shocker that you are the one to say it!
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brizzle
Lindsay Parsons
No Buy . . . No Sell!
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 4,293
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Post by brizzle on Feb 19, 2016 16:32:36 GMT
Who cares.
Sit back and enjoy the ride. The club was going bust under Higgs the worse thing that can happen is the same thing. My thoughts entirely.
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Post by a more piratey game on Feb 19, 2016 16:37:19 GMT
Radio Bristol's Ali Durden has known of this takeover since September. Announcement this afternoon. when was it that we were told no one had approached the club who had evidence of sufficient funds?
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kingswood Polak
Without music life would be a mistake
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 10,278
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Post by kingswood Polak on Feb 19, 2016 16:47:13 GMT
Radio Bristol's Ali Durden has known of this takeover since September. Announcement this afternoon. With a name like Ali I suppose he would have Let's not pretend that we didn't know either though. We knew that contact was made, we saw Wael Al-Qadi suddenly follow all things Rovers and then unfollow ! I think this was the worst kept secret ever. My own interest now is the comment I was told in that this announcement didn't mean that it was over for the first group. I find that hats to believe to be honest. This looks "watertight" to me lol. I have to admit, I am like a cocker spaniel on steroids today. I never thought I'd see the day we were rid of this bunch.
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kingswood Polak
Without music life would be a mistake
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 10,278
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Post by kingswood Polak on Feb 19, 2016 16:52:11 GMT
Steve Hamer? Does he pass the fit an proper person test? Those were my thoughts exactly Dr! I don't want to put a negative slant on any of the news coming out today but certainly left under a dark cloud at Swansea. I think we need to get behind the guy and let the past be, for once. We all have erred and a fresh start, somewhere new, can be such a big thing and I know it was for me. I had a few tweets from Swans fans but I am not interested to be frank. New start, new team, new era for the club.
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2016 17:02:25 GMT
To be fair - if the incompetent fools have actually engineered an escape route than gives them back their money and we have new (potentially very wealthy) investors... then I'm happy for all concerned. "Higgs leaves with credibility and wealth intact" shocker! Can't agree, but today's not the day for listing out the catalogue of failures and at best, half truths he's told us.
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Post by stevethepirate on Feb 19, 2016 17:02:27 GMT
I thought the" fit and proper test " was for owners otherwise the FA should have done one on themselves for appointing an egotistical numpty like Greg Dyke.
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Post by tanksfull on Feb 19, 2016 17:21:43 GMT
To be fair - if the incompetent fools have actually engineered an escape route than gives them back their money and we have new (potentially very wealthy) investors... then I'm happy for all concerned. "Higgs leaves with credibility and wealth intact" shocker! Can't agree, but today's not the day for listing out the catalogue of failures and at best, half truths he's told us. Most definitely agree with all of that. However without the opportunity of the new stadium would we be in this position? We might need to give a bit of credit for that; just a shame about all the other issues. Time to draw a line under it and move on.
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2016 17:44:36 GMT
Can't agree, but today's not the day for listing out the catalogue of failures and at best, half truths he's told us. Most definitely agree with all of that. However without the opportunity of the new stadium would we be in this position? We might need to give a bit of credit for that; just a shame about all the other issues. Time to draw a line under it and move on. Spot on, look forwards, it feels as if a dark cloud that has hung over BS7 for many years may finally be parting, but a final couple of thoughts about Higgs. Who had the original idea for a stadium at UWE? These guys have been looking for a club, saw the potential (read here our support) and saw that Higgs had dug himself and our club into a huge hole, so the bar to entry for them was probably relatively low. Sorry, but it's hard to think of anything at all positive about Higgs' involvement with Rovers. Wonder what the witty chant will be to welcome the new owners?
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Bridgeman
Alfie Biggs
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,549
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Post by Bridgeman on Feb 19, 2016 18:25:28 GMT
Apparently they've already sat down with the university and discussed plans, although they do need to go over everything and make sure it's "100% doable" before commencing. They will also "eliminate all outstanding debts over a period of time" www.periscope.tv/w/1kvJpzqMwooKEThat's made me feel a lot easier hearing this interview
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Post by PessimistGas on Feb 19, 2016 18:28:42 GMT
Most definitely agree with all of that. However without the opportunity of the new stadium would we be in this position? We might need to give a bit of credit for that; just a shame about all the other issues. Time to draw a line under it and move on. Spot on, look forwards, it feels as if a dark cloud that has hung over BS7 for many years may finally be parting, but a final couple of thoughts about Higgs. Who had the original idea for a stadium at UWE? These guys have been looking for a club, saw the potential (read here our support) and saw that Higgs had dug himself and our club into a huge hole, so the bar to entry for them was probably relatively low. Sorry, but it's hard to think of anything at all positive about Higgs' involvement with Rovers. Wonder what the witty chant will be to welcome the new owners? Does make you wonder if this hadn't happened what would have happened with the Wonga loan. We were heading for oblivion so,despite some reservations, I am happy to sit back and enjoy the ride.
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2016 18:38:38 GMT
I hope to see no more bannings, no more half truths and lies, no more sniping, no more incompetence but a genuinely inclusive club all on the same side all pulling together. BSS has a big role to play in this and I do hope that his hands are untied and he is finally allowed to do what he was elected to do. I'm delighted that Higgs, Watlola and Barry have gone. Has Watola gone? Agree entirely re the bans. I'd hope that's the first thing that would be sorted. If not then the fans' directors can take a running jump, once and for all. According to the radio (was on gaschat) he has been made CEO!
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Peter Parker
Global Moderator
Richard Walker
You have been sentenced to DELETION!
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Post by Peter Parker on Feb 19, 2016 18:41:41 GMT
Has Watola gone? Agree entirely re the bans. I'd hope that's the first thing that would be sorted. If not then the fans' directors can take a running jump, once and for all. According to the radio (was on gaschat) he has been made CEO! Even if he has, they will soon find him out i am.sure
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2016 18:43:39 GMT
According to the radio (was on gaschat) he has been made CEO! Even if he has, they will soon find him out i am.sure Actually, they might be right to use him for a while. He does know where the skeletons are and they can benefit from having him around for a few months. The danger will be if they actually put any faith in him.
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warehamgas
Predictions League
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Posts: 3,455
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Post by warehamgas on Feb 19, 2016 18:53:33 GMT
Have to say I disagree with those saying we have nothing to thank NH for. IMO we have a good deal to thank him for but know that the majority will disagree and shoot me down for this but... Whilst BOD has missed opportunities to develop the infrastructure of the club, develop funding streams, brand the club much more strongly, develop the scouting, training ground I feel he needs to be thanked for: ...What he has done over the past 18 months in providing DC with the funds for players to get back in the league. In Summer 14 we were looking at Conf South in the forums but whatever our views about BOD failings and we all know what they were he helped get us back in the league. (Yes I know he didn't play but he did help and provide the funds). .... When everything was going wrong on the UWE he persevered and didn't walk away. Some will say he was stupidly stubborn but if he had walked away from it the whole issue would not be there now. The fact it is there made us as a club very attractive to buyers. No UWE planning perm then no takeover. ... He could have walked away from the club in 2014 after relegation (yes he would have lost his investment but he would have had 2 years of sleep, not what must have been a very stressful time) but he didn't and he persevered and the end justifies the means. ... In the years leading up to our relegation he supported managers and even in the year we went down made finances available to Ward who didn't use them to get the players in to save us. Yes he should shoulder his share for it but the team and manager more so. .... He has kept his eye on the main chance to sell Rovers to someone (and here we can only hope!!) who can take us forward. NH is rich but not mega-rich and his failings and the BOD failures to develop Rovers reflect that lots of developments were not going to happen due to lack of finance. ... He put his money where his mouth was. How many of us were prepared to do that? I know we have all supported initiatives etc but not to the level or degree he has. Chairing, owning a football club must be a thankless task. As I said this is only my personal opinions from Dorset and am prepared to be shot down. I have never contributed to any of the consortium threads because being down here I am not in the know and have no information to contribute. All I know is from talking to people on match days in bar and ground. I do know that we were at our lowest point and thanks to DC and team we aren't now. I am cautiously optimistic about this takeover but I will also say thank you to a guy who is one of us, a Rovers fan, and tried his best. Whatever, UTG from deepest Dorset!!
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2016 18:56:43 GMT
More coming out;
"Ideally stadium will be 100% owned by FC but if it has to be with a partner we will have to accept that"
This was later expanded on:-
"We need to look at taking a lease from UWE against buying the freehold"
So now its becoming clearer what the hesitation is about. Ideally they want the freehold and to buy the land from UWE.
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2016 19:03:44 GMT
Chairman Hamer has confirmed Steve Brookfield is our new Financial Director replacing Tony Watola who has been asked to be the clubs CEO.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2016 19:07:11 GMT
I thought UWE had proposed a 900 year lease, or did I dream that? If so, why bother changing it? Just start building!
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2016 19:14:53 GMT
I thought UWE had proposed a 900 year lease, or did I dream that? If so, why bother changing it? Just start building! It's coming fast on Twitter, it mentioned a piece of land by MOD that is prime for commercial use, add that to the comment about owning the land rather than leasing it, it makes sense.
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