Guest smoggeordie Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 The Belgravia Group are planning to step up their Newcastle United takeover bid as Glenn Roeder's team continues to struggle in the Premiership. United's 1-0 defeat at local rivals Middlesbrough on Sunday brought the first chants for the removal of chairman Freddie Shepherd in 18 months and reports of the mounting discontent had made their way to the Belgravia Group's Jersey headquarters yesterday. The secretive investment group remain tight-lipped about the progress of their talks but, although Shepherd is reluctant to sell his 29% stake, the group have confirmed they will continue to discuss a takeover with all shareholders - not just Shepherd - and are confident a compromise can be reached. It is thought that the key to their plan are the shares owned by Sir John Hall and his family, which total 40.8%. The Halls are rumoured to be keen to cash in on their stake and have, since 1998, already sold 21.35% of their shares for a total of £20.35m. Shepherd, who does not want to sell, has, in contrast, been gradually building up his own stake in the club from 7% to 29% through his company Shepherd Offshore since the club first floated on the stock market in 1997. "We are talking with all Newcastle shareholders about a possible bid and we are still hopeful that we can come to a deal which benefits all parties," said a Belgravia spokesman last night. "Unfortunately, because of stock exchange and plc rules, we cannot go into specific details, but we are still very interested in Newcastle United and we want a deal to happen." The Journal understands that Belgravia will step up their efforts to persuade major shareholders to sell to them in light of the poor results on the pitch which have led to increased supporter unrest. Their hope centres on the fact that Shepherd's resolve to hang on to his shares will lessen if he becomes the target for supporter frustration with the team's poor performances. There are still no signs that United's embattled chairman is willing to loosen his grip. However, according to some financial experts, that might not save him from a hostile takeover attempt. "Freddie Shepherd has enough shares to block the Belgravia Group from taking the club private, which is what they want to do," said Tom Cannon, professor of business at Kingston University in Hull. "He can easily stop them from doing that by refusing to sell his shares and that might put them and any other potential investors off. "But the problem is, with the Halls keen to sell and with lots of small shareholders, Belgravia can easily take their shares beyond the 50% mark and take control of the club. "Freddie is, to all intents and purposes, no matter what has been said and written about him in the past, a supporter of the club. But if Belgravia chose to take that route, it would put him in an uncomfortable position because he will be the minority shareholder at a high-profile club and that isn't an attractive proposition." Despite the strict rules governing proposed takeovers of public companies, rumours had been circulating that an offer valuing the club at around £80m had been made in private by Belgravia. That, though, was denied by Belgravia yesterday, who insist they would have to release the details of any formal bid to the stock exchange. There have also been reports of a second, North-East based, investment group showing interest in the club because of the lack of progress with Belgravia, although the Jersey-based company remain confident that they are still in pole position as they study the club's finances before deciding whether to make a formal offer. The spokesman added: "When a bid is made, or if the talks collapse and we end our interest, we will have to make a statement then. At the moment, we are still extremely interested and the talks are continuing." Link Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Christian Hayne Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 thanks for that post, i hope its true and they make a bid quickly and get this club under there control. Everything needs a change, especially the chairmen. shepherd out Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ridzuan Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 I dont think Shepherd will allow a takeover to happen no matter how big is the bid.He wants to rule the club as a dictator. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 It's going to take months to happen, these things always do, and by then, we could be in big trouble. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Fox Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 Thats the problem it takes ages and by then we are deeper in the mire. To be honest you can already rule out this season other than getting European revenue and avoiding relegation. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottledDog Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 It's going to take months to happen, these things always do, and by then, we could be in big trouble. You forget that their investigations into a takeover have been rumbling on for some time. How long did the Abramovich deal take? Things may have been going on in the backgroung for a while, but it seemed like a bolt out the blue when it actually went through. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 It's going to take months to happen, these things always do, and by then, we could be in big trouble. You forget that their investigations into a takeover have been rumbling on for some time. How long did the Abramovich deal take? Things may have been going on in the backgroung for a while, but it seemed like a bolt out the blue when it actually went through. This isn't an Abramovich situation though, this is a Glazer. Negotiate with one shareholder then another, then another, always looking for the best value for money. Find out who wants to cling on tto their shares and avoid negotiations, and finally accumulate enough shares to trigger a complete takeover. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Lol Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 It's going to take months to happen, these things always do, and by then, we could be in big trouble. You forget that their investigations into a takeover have been rumbling on for some time. How long did the Abramovich deal take? Things may have been going on in the backgroung for a while, but it seemed like a bolt out the blue when it actually went through. This isn't an Abramovich situation though, this is a Glazer. Negotiate with one shareholder then another, then another, always looking for the best value for money. Find out who wants to cling on tto their shares and avoid negotiations, and finally accumulate enough shares to trigger a complete takeover. Belgravia is a hedge fund isn't it? That's hardly the same as Glazer. Things might seem black right now, but I would still be careful of what I was wishing for. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottledDog Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 It's going to take months to happen, these things always do, and by then, we could be in big trouble. You forget that their investigations into a takeover have been rumbling on for some time. How long did the Abramovich deal take? Things may have been going on in the backgroung for a while, but it seemed like a bolt out the blue when it actually went through. This isn't an Abramovich situation though, this is a Glazer. Negotiate with one shareholder then another, then another, always looking for the best value for money. Find out who wants to cling on tto their shares and avoid negotiations, and finally accumulate enough shares to trigger a complete takeover. And as I say, discussions and gentlemens agreements with shareholders may already be in place and Shepherd is just the final stumbling block. They still seem confident, so that does indicate to me that all that may remain is a difference in valuation between themselves and Freddy, and things could move faster than you we might think. Jol, of course you are right, just as NE5 is right to be wary, the grass is not always greener. But we cannot control who Shepherd sells to or even whether he sells. All we can do is continue to express our anger until he bucks up his ideas or gives up. Either way, something has to give. Remaining in the current downward spiral is the worst option by far. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Invicta_Toon Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 thanks for that post, i hope its true and they make a bid quickly and get this club under there control. Everything needs a change, especially the chairmen. shepherd out I really don't get this mentality that change of any kind will be good no-one has the first clue about what the belgravia groups intentions are toward NUFC, and who, or group of people, will act as the club's executive directors if they do take control what are you gonna do if it turns out one of their aims is a private TV channel with exclusive TV rights? Also, if you think NUFC's lawyers are a pain in the arse at the moment, just wait until they have the backing of a full corporate law firm Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnypd Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 i don' t think Belgravia are a hedge fund, that was Polygon (who are still interested apparently). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
OzzieMandias Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 no-one has the first clue about what the belgravia groups intentions are toward NUFC, and who, or group of people, will act as the club's executive directors if they do take control They'll want to make money. This can only be done by, first and foremost, by pursuing success on the pitch and making Newcastle once again a team that people want to watch – something that now seems to be way beyond Shepherd and his cronies. Aye, they might fail. But then again, this is the second season in a row where the consensus is that we're in danger of relegation. So what's to fear from a change at the top? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottledDog Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 no-one has the first clue about what the belgravia groups intentions are toward NUFC, and who, or group of people, will act as the club's executive directors if they do take control They'll want to make money. This can only be done by, first and foremost, by pursuing success on the pitch and making Newcastle once again a team that people want to watch – something that now seems to be way beyond Shepherd and his cronies. Aye, they might fail. But then again, this is the second season in a row where the consensus is that we're in danger of relegation. So what's to fear from a change at the top? Hoo Victa, answer the man. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Invicta_Toon Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 no-one has the first clue about what the belgravia groups intentions are toward NUFC, and who, or group of people, will act as the club's executive directors if they do take control They'll want to make money. This can only be done by, first and foremost, by pursuing success on the pitch and making Newcastle once again a team that people want to watch – something that now seems to be way beyond Shepherd and his cronies. Aye, they might fail. But then again, this is the second season in a row where the consensus is that we're in danger of relegation. So what's to fear from a change at the top? relegation do you think Belgravia have a bottomless pit of transfer funds? do you think Belgravia have any experience of running a football club? do you think Belgravia have any links to the Premier League, the FA, UEFA, FIFA? do you think Belgravia would put the fans before the balance sheet? Do you think Belgravia directors will be regularly available for talk ins? Do you think Belgravia will stand for copyright infringement of their brand? Do you think Belgravia know why you or I even go to a football match even though we have achieved the some total of fuckall? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Gemmill Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 no-one has the first clue about what the belgravia groups intentions are toward NUFC, and who, or group of people, will act as the club's executive directors if they do take control They'll want to make money. This can only be done by, first and foremost, by pursuing success on the pitch and making Newcastle once again a team that people want to watch – something that now seems to be way beyond Shepherd and his cronies. Aye, they might fail. But then again, this is the second season in a row where the consensus is that we're in danger of relegation. So what's to fear from a change at the top? relegation do you think Belgravia have a bottomless pit of transfer funds? do you think Belgravia have any experience of running a football club? do you think Belgravia have any links to the Premier League, the FA, UEFA, FIFA? do you think Belgravia would put the fans before the balance sheet? Do you think Belgravia directors will be regularly available for talk ins? Do you think Belgravia will stand for copyright infringement of their brand? Do you think Belgravia know why you or I even go to a football match even though we have achieved the some total of fuckall? Do you think Belgravia are going to install a team of fund managers to run the club or something? Why would we want Belgravia directors to be available for talk-ins? Do you think they'll be managing first team affairs or something? In short, do you think any of the trying-to-look-clever questions that you've asked above have achieved their goal? I'll go on the record as saying that I don't. bluebigrazz.gif Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Invicta_Toon Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 no-one has the first clue about what the belgravia groups intentions are toward NUFC, and who, or group of people, will act as the club's executive directors if they do take control They'll want to make money. This can only be done by, first and foremost, by pursuing success on the pitch and making Newcastle once again a team that people want to watch – something that now seems to be way beyond Shepherd and his cronies. Aye, they might fail. But then again, this is the second season in a row where the consensus is that we're in danger of relegation. So what's to fear from a change at the top? relegation do you think Belgravia have a bottomless pit of transfer funds? do you think Belgravia have any experience of running a football club? do you think Belgravia have any links to the Premier League, the FA, UEFA, FIFA? do you think Belgravia would put the fans before the balance sheet? Do you think Belgravia directors will be regularly available for talk ins? Do you think Belgravia will stand for copyright infringement of their brand? Do you think Belgravia know why you or I even go to a football match even though we have achieved the some total of fuckall? Do you think Belgravia are going to install a team of fund managers to run the club or something? Why would we want Belgravia directors to be available for talk-ins? Do you think they'll be managing first team affairs or something? In short, do you think any of the trying-to-look-clever questions that you've asked above have achieved their goal? I'll go on the record as saying that I don't. bluebigrazz.gif right so theyre just gonna sub-con the job to the Barca board are they? of course the club will be run by fund managaers, they are the ones who are the bosses at the end of the day FFS. If you logged off of here once in a while and went to some meetings you might get an idea of how business works stick that in your 'record' and smoke it blueyes.gif Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 no-one has the first clue about what the belgravia groups intentions are toward NUFC, and who, or group of people, will act as the club's executive directors if they do take control They'll want to make money. This can only be done by, first and foremost, by pursuing success on the pitch and making Newcastle once again a team that people want to watch – something that now seems to be way beyond Shepherd and his cronies. Aye, they might fail. But then again, this is the second season in a row where the consensus is that we're in danger of relegation. So what's to fear from a change at the top? relegation do you think Belgravia have a bottomless pit of transfer funds? do you think Belgravia have any experience of running a football club? do you think Belgravia have any links to the Premier League, the FA, UEFA, FIFA? do you think Belgravia would put the fans before the balance sheet? Do you think Belgravia directors will be regularly available for talk ins? Do you think Belgravia will stand for copyright infringement of their brand? Do you think Belgravia know why you or I even go to a football match even though we have achieved the some total of fuckall? Do you think Belgravia are going to install a team of fund managers to run the club or something? Why would we want Belgravia directors to be available for talk-ins? Do you think they'll be managing first team affairs or something? In short, do you think any of the trying-to-look-clever questions that you've asked above have achieved their goal? I'll go on the record as saying that I don't. bluebigrazz.gif Exactly. What did, or indeed does, Abramovich know about running a football club? He's just the money-man, he's got Peter Kenyon to do all his football business. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Invicta_Toon Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 no-one has the first clue about what the belgravia groups intentions are toward NUFC, and who, or group of people, will act as the club's executive directors if they do take control They'll want to make money. This can only be done by, first and foremost, by pursuing success on the pitch and making Newcastle once again a team that people want to watch – something that now seems to be way beyond Shepherd and his cronies. Aye, they might fail. But then again, this is the second season in a row where the consensus is that we're in danger of relegation. So what's to fear from a change at the top? relegation do you think Belgravia have a bottomless pit of transfer funds? do you think Belgravia have any experience of running a football club? do you think Belgravia have any links to the Premier League, the FA, UEFA, FIFA? do you think Belgravia would put the fans before the balance sheet? Do you think Belgravia directors will be regularly available for talk ins? Do you think Belgravia will stand for copyright infringement of their brand? Do you think Belgravia know why you or I even go to a football match even though we have achieved the some total of fuckall? Do you think Belgravia are going to install a team of fund managers to run the club or something? Why would we want Belgravia directors to be available for talk-ins? Do you think they'll be managing first team affairs or something? In short, do you think any of the trying-to-look-clever questions that you've asked above have achieved their goal? I'll go on the record as saying that I don't. bluebigrazz.gif Exactly. What did, or indeed does, Abramovich know about running a football club? He's just the money-man, he's got Peter Kenyon to do all his football business. errr. how's about he is a co-director of CSKA Moscow? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Gemmill Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 no-one has the first clue about what the belgravia groups intentions are toward NUFC, and who, or group of people, will act as the club's executive directors if they do take control They'll want to make money. This can only be done by, first and foremost, by pursuing success on the pitch and making Newcastle once again a team that people want to watch – something that now seems to be way beyond Shepherd and his cronies. Aye, they might fail. But then again, this is the second season in a row where the consensus is that we're in danger of relegation. So what's to fear from a change at the top? relegation do you think Belgravia have a bottomless pit of transfer funds? do you think Belgravia have any experience of running a football club? do you think Belgravia have any links to the Premier League, the FA, UEFA, FIFA? do you think Belgravia would put the fans before the balance sheet? Do you think Belgravia directors will be regularly available for talk ins? Do you think Belgravia will stand for copyright infringement of their brand? Do you think Belgravia know why you or I even go to a football match even though we have achieved the some total of fuckall? Do you think Belgravia are going to install a team of fund managers to run the club or something? Why would we want Belgravia directors to be available for talk-ins? Do you think they'll be managing first team affairs or something? In short, do you think any of the trying-to-look-clever questions that you've asked above have achieved their goal? I'll go on the record as saying that I don't. bluebigrazz.gif right so theyre just gonna sub-con the job to the Barca board are they? of course the club will be run by fund managaers, they are the ones who are the bosses at the end of the day FFS. If you logged off of here once in a while and went to some meetings you might get an idea of how business works stick that in your 'record' and smoke it blueyes.gif You're as thick as clarts if you think that a successful investment group are going to presume that they have the wherewithall to run a football club without appointing a board with experience in the industry. As for your comment on how businesses work, I've got a pretty good idea, funnily enough. I can understand how someone who'll still be a student on his 30th birthday wouldn't have the foggiest though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChezGiven Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 Said it another thread, this is as much of a roll of a dice as anything else. The way i see us fans now is like a slightly desperate and drunken man in a casino at the end of a saturday night, wearing a nice smart dinner jacket, bow-tie slung around neck and stinking of booze. Having been up a fortune earlier in the night we promptly let it all slip through our fingers and so out of desperation we've been chasing the big win and watched all of the rest of it go up the spout. We've got one last stash with which to try and pull it back. Its 4am and we are about to stick the whole lot on black. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmymag Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 no-one has the first clue about what the belgravia groups intentions are toward NUFC, and who, or group of people, will act as the club's executive directors if they do take control They'll want to make money. This can only be done by, first and foremost, by pursuing success on the pitch and making Newcastle once again a team that people want to watch – something that now seems to be way beyond Shepherd and his cronies. Aye, they might fail. But then again, this is the second season in a row where the consensus is that we're in danger of relegation. So what's to fear from a change at the top? relegation do you think Belgravia have a bottomless pit of transfer funds? do you think Belgravia have any experience of running a football club? do you think Belgravia have any links to the Premier League, the FA, UEFA, FIFA? do you think Belgravia would put the fans before the balance sheet? Do you think Belgravia directors will be regularly available for talk ins? Do you think Belgravia will stand for copyright infringement of their brand? Do you think Belgravia know why you or I even go to a football match even though we have achieved the some total of fuckall? As the lad said, they're investors, they'll want to make money from their investment and the only way to do that is for NUFC to have a successful football team. So what if they've not got any experience of running a football club, I've no doubt they are taking the best advice available and, if and when they takeover NUFC, they will then employ the best people available to take the club forward, irrespective of where they come from! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Gemmill Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 Said it another thread, this is as much of a roll of a dice as anything else. The way i see us fans now is like a slightly desperate and drunken man in a casino at the end of a saturday night, wearing a nice smart dinner jacket, bow-tie slung around neck and stinking of booze. Having been up a fortune earlier in the night we promptly let it all slip through our fingers and so out of desperation we've been chasing the big win and watched all of the rest of it go up the spout. We've got one last stash with which to try and pull it back. Its 4am and we are about to stick the whole lot on Red. Black surely, you filthy mackem! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dokko Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 They've got experience in running a successful business, which is more than Freddy Shepherd has. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChezGiven Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 Said it another thread, this is as much of a roll of a dice as anything else. The way i see us fans now is like a slightly desperate and drunken man in a casino at the end of a saturday night, wearing a nice smart dinner jacket, bow-tie slung around neck and stinking of booze. Having been up a fortune earlier in the night we promptly let it all slip through our fingers and so out of desperation we've been chasing the big win and watched all of the rest of it go up the spout. We've got one last stash with which to try and pull it back. Its 4am and we are about to stick the whole lot on Red. Black surely, you filthy mackem! I got carried away in the memory of the last time i did that (just the hoying it on red bit, the rest is far too suave for me). Quite right though shall change it immediately. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Invicta_Toon Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 They've got experience in running a successful business, which is more than Freddy Shepherd has. where the fuck do you think he got the money to buy his shares in the first place? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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