Sean

It does seem a bit coincidental they had a cameraman hiding in the bushes. Bit like the Staveley meal, they were clearly tipped off.

What if Rafa asked Ashley at that meeting (the one just before the takeover rumours started) to prove his trustworthiness (I know ) by starting to sign the players Rafa wants before his contract runs out? That would seem a wise move if you were negotiating with someone you know would go back on his word.

Its not helping when the Bin Zayed Group and the media in Dubai are so certain its going to happen. Agreed. I had assumed they had showed proof of funds. Now I’m not so sure. It's strange really, if they provided proof of funds April 23rd (or around that date) surely they have had time to complete the owners and directors test (or the so called fit and proper process ) by now. Unless Ashley has stopped communicating with them or pulled some other trick? Mike Ashley starts the fit and proper persons process, not the buying group. As to your other post, the media are pestering them every single day about the takeover, it's no surprise that they gave them a token comment but all of this has already been explained to you so I'm wasting my time. :lol: Where the fuck did I say they had to start it themselves? It makes no fucking difference who sends off the form. So tell me why they haven't had time since April to actually buy us. Or just keep replying with completely irrelevant points if you like.

Its not helping when the Bin Zayed Group and the media in Dubai are so certain its going to happen. Agreed. I had assumed they had showed proof of funds. Now I’m not so sure. It's strange really, if they provided proof of funds April 23rd (or around that date) surely they have had time to complete the owners and directors test (or the so called fit and proper process ) by now. Unless Ashley has stopped communicating with them or pulled some other trick?

Its not helping when the Bin Zayed Group and the media in Dubai are so certain its going to happen. It's another red flag for me. Surely they'd just shut the fuck up and complete the deal if they are going to? Or even release factual statements that enlighten us fans as to what stage they are at (rather than confuse everyone). The fact they say things like "all good" or whatever and "the so called fit and proper process" should also ring alarm bells surely.

How's your asking 5000 for a 500 pound car theory coming along? Get back to me when you understand the difference between a theory and a metaphor. If you seriously think Ashley has been an active and serious seller for years then be my quest but I think you find yourself pretty alone in that corner. Because nobody has matched his price, not rocket science but seems a bit hard for you to understand. Unbelievably naive. It's incredibly naive and it just shows some people will believe pretty much anything Ashley wants.

:lol: Poor Mike!! He's clearly tried so hard too. 10 years of trying to sell us? And nobody until now has matched his valuation it's not rocket science you know Well, seeing as after 10 years he finally has his valuation met then we can celebrate new owners now can't we? Why do I have a feeling it's not that simple.

:lol: Poor Mike!! He's clearly tried so hard too. 10 years of trying to sell us?

Who the fuck would want us but not Rafa? If they don't fancy Rafa then it's an ominous sign going forward. If it's media lies, why? Maybe so people start debating which manager in the world they would have here given the choice, while Rafa's contract runs down?

I'm not saying these lot are fake but I'm pretty sure Kenyon was. He didn't have anywhere near the ability to raise the money for one. Two, he wrote that lovely letter to 'Mike' thanking him for making it so easy (hard?) to do a deal, and telling us fans that he was in the process of buying us, even though he must have known by that stage he wasn't. Either he was just plain fucking stupid or he was a plant. And lets face it, why would Ashley take someone who hasn't got a pot to piss in so seriously?

10 years of this shit:

Or, if you look at Caulkins tweets, they know next to nothing and have been hammered because of their bullshit. They’ve no decided t stay quiet. No comment from the club is the most significant thing It's really not significant at all. Previous "takeovers" went on for months before Ashley came out to call them time wasters etc. While this one goes on Rafas contract is running down and we are completely failing to prepare for the coming season. Caulkin is sceptical, as we all should be. We're a shambles again but everyones too giddy about the thought of new ownership to care. Actually wasn’t it Ashley that started the kenyon one when he went on sky and said they were as far as it’s been. Point being he didn't rubbish it straight away. He lets them run their course for a while. The sky news takeover interview came out the blue apart from one sky news story in September. Ashley didn’t rubbish it. He said it was happening Said it was happening = he lied as usual. And whether he stays silent or fans the takeover flames is irrelevant, my point was that he doesn't rubbish the rumours straight away. And you say you can't deal with stupid Theres no conspiracy either. Either he wants to sell, in which case he'll do a deal. Or he doesn't really want to sell, in which case he won't sell (like previously). So the fact the club have said nothing yet = takeover's as good as done?

Or, if you look at Caulkins tweets, they know next to nothing and have been hammered because of their bullshit. They’ve no decided t stay quiet. No comment from the club is the most significant thing It's really not significant at all. Previous "takeovers" went on for months before Ashley came out to call them time wasters etc. While this one goes on Rafas contract is running down and we are completely failing to prepare for the coming season. Caulkin is sceptical, as we all should be. We're a shambles again but everyones too giddy about the thought of new ownership to care. Actually wasn’t it Ashley that started the kenyon one when he went on sky and said they were as far as it’s been. Point being he didn't rubbish it straight away. He lets them run their course for a while.

Or, if you look at Caulkins tweets, they know next to nothing and have been hammered because of their bullshit. They’ve no decided t stay quiet. No comment from the club is the most significant thing It's really not significant at all. Previous "takeovers" went on for months before Ashley came out to call them time wasters etc. While this one goes on Rafas contract is running down and we are completely failing to prepare for the coming season. Caulkin is sceptical, as we all should be. We're a shambles again but everyones too giddy about the thought of new ownership to care. Caulkin may be sceptical but he even admits that things are going on behind the scenes. They have previously (Staveley's bid for one), but Ashley has had no real interest in selling. We don't know what his intentions are this time, but to give him the benefit of doubt after his history would be foolish I feel.

Or, if you look at Caulkins tweets, they know next to nothing and have been hammered because of their bullshit. They’ve no decided t stay quiet. No comment from the club is the most significant thing It's really not significant at all. Previous "takeovers" went on for months before Ashley came out to call them time wasters etc. While this one goes on Rafas contract is running down and we are completely failing to prepare for the coming season. Caulkin is sceptical, as we all should be. We're a shambles again but everyones too giddy about the thought of new ownership to care.

They wouldn't, but you'd think the Bin Zayed Group would seeing as they have been so adamant to the press that they are for real and are buying us. All they have released is a vague statement so I think it's safe to assume they haven't reached that stage yet. :lol: Aye, no bother, they will just live stream the whole thing. Also, their statements weren't vague. :lol: So fill me in on the minute details then...what stage are they at exactly? I know people really want this to happen, but let's wait and see what happens eh. 22 days left of Rafa's contract, and no sign of this being sorted soon.

They wouldn't, but you'd think the Bin Zayed Group would seeing as they have been so adamant to the press that they are for real and are buying us. All they have released is a vague statement so I think it's safe to assume they haven't reached that stage yet.

Twatish thing to say, tbh. Because everyone else is being so complimentary about Joselu?

Who cares? It's mental that we'll know our fixtures before we know who our owner or our manager will be.

Hopefully this is the case, I'm not convinced though.

If we are getting new owners, makes not a jot of difference. If we aren't Rafa won't be hanging around anyway so not surprised he couldn't be bothered to reply. was more the fact that no one else had reported it. just wondering whether the local journos are now just making things up as they go along because they know rafa and the club wont comment. Yeah but honestly why did Ashley meet Rafa about his contract, not agree a new deal, then suddenly the takeovers on so contract talks go on the back burner. OK it came out of the blue to us (and Rafa), but Ashley has known about this since April at the very latest. So why go through the pretence of meeting Rafa? Just seems rather strange to me.

more on topic than a lot of this thread.

I've always felt that him being a willing seller was utter BS though (stated purely to ease tensions with the fans)... even if he scooped 350M from the sale, that's nothing compared to the meagre funds he outlays on the club vs all the TV money, free SD advertising, player sales etc. over the long-term. We've never been anything more than a SD advertising vehicle and a steady stream of proven income in his eyes. I'm definitely not banking on anything until it's official like. This is what gets me also. He took £33 million out of the club less than 18 months ago, plus free advertising, some money from our merchandising and god knows what else. He hasn't reduced the price by £33 million though, notice that. Why would you sell? You'd gamble on staying up and taking more money out surely (if you are a selfish c*** that is). I've been as cynical as anyone about this whole thing I'll admit, however at least it would appear as if we have a willing buyer. Although we've been here before and it hasn't come to anything. I really want this to be different but I still can't believe until it's official either. Rafa and new owners who aren't a disaster is still a dream to me. It's way far more advanced than where we have been before. Staveley or Kenyon were not in this position as they either couldn't agree a fee/raise the necessary funds. Not a chance he would lower the price as he is a businessman. Still maintain he is a willing seller and looking to use the money to invest in his actual dedicated expertise. Time will tell though (but it's happening ) Err, I'm pretty sure Staveley's camp believed they had agreed a fee and were doing the deal 100% (we had well respected posters on here with good sources saying it's as good as done). I really hope he is finally a willing seller. She obviously didn't have the funds then to process it through if that was the case as I said. Ashley was shit hot fast to come out and call her a time waster. Not heard a peep so far! You're just taking Ashley's word at face value as the gospel truth now like?

I've always felt that him being a willing seller was utter BS though (stated purely to ease tensions with the fans)... even if he scooped 350M from the sale, that's nothing compared to the meagre funds he outlays on the club vs all the TV money, free SD advertising, player sales etc. over the long-term. We've never been anything more than a SD advertising vehicle and a steady stream of proven income in his eyes. I'm definitely not banking on anything until it's official like. This is what gets me also. He took £33 million out of the club less than 18 months ago, plus free advertising, some money from our merchandising and god knows what else. He hasn't reduced the price by £33 million though, notice that. Why would you sell? You'd gamble on staying up and taking more money out surely (if you are a selfish c*** that is). I've been as cynical as anyone about this whole thing I'll admit, however at least it would appear as if we have a willing buyer. Although we've been here before and it hasn't come to anything. I really want this to be different but I still can't believe until it's official either. Rafa and new owners who aren't a disaster is still a dream to me. It's way far more advanced than where we have been before. Staveley or Kenyon were not in this position as they either couldn't agree a fee/raise the necessary funds. Not a chance he would lower the price as he is a businessman. Still maintain he is a willing seller and looking to use the money to invest in his actual dedicated expertise. Time will tell though (but it's happening ) Err, I'm pretty sure Staveley's camp believed they had agreed a fee and were doing the deal 100% (we had well respected posters on here with good sources saying it's as good as done). I really hope he is finally a willing seller.