It’s about time you, the West Ham fan, had your say about who you would like to see buy the club. Over the last month, 34,000 different people have visited this blog. Even if you haven’t taken part in any survey here before, make sure you vote in this one. There’s only one question: which of the bidders would you prefer to emerge as the winner?
Click HERE to vote.
The bidder who has the best business plan tailor made to get us into the Champions League and not after a quick buck.
TONY FERNANDES AND INTERMARKET – BOTH HAVE GOOD POINTS OF WHICH I LIKE AND WITH SLIGHT NEGATIVES, SULLIVAN + GOLD N CELLINO JUST CANNOT SEE THEM BRINGING NEW IDEAS TO THE CLUB OR FINANCING HIGH TRANSFER FEES.
Tony fernades easily however anyone with real money would do !!!
1 Intermarket. 2 Fernandez. 3 Nobody I've heard about so far
agreed.
We know Tony Fernades is a fan and is a smart businessman. He should be able to improve our profile (with our sponsors?) in Asia and develop the commercial side of the club. Most importantly, he would hopefully provide the stability we crave and the cash to strengthen the squad.
Intermarket may be the next best option, but I would prefer to know who is behind their interest – at the moment they seem a bit faceless.
If Sullivan and Gold takeover, I can't see much money going into buying quality players and Cellino must be a non runner given his background.
The one's who have the cash to buy us.
Do not saddle us with more debt.
Provide stability and run the club properly.
And do not pay high wages or large transfer fee's we cannot afford, repeating the mistakes of the icelandic pair.
I would say Intermaket for their commitment and hopefully ambition for the club with the ten year plan they have pledged. Surely they don't want to invest in a club, pledge their commitment and then see it target a mid-table finish each season. However, the funding and unaccountability concerns me. Who do we hold accountable for the future of the club, and will they have money for the transfers?
For that reason I would have to say Fernandes. He's a safe bet, we know to look to, however I don't see great development at the club with him at the helm. I see a mid-table finish each season, however I don't think he will have the ambition and will take the risk of investing on players to get us into the top six. I really do hope he proves me wrong if he does take control.
Gollivan, please move north and stay the hell away from West Ham. Have they not grasped, the fans don't want them. My message to them is to take on Charlton or crystal palace and try to spray magic dust on them like they did to Birmingham, but us west Ham fans deserve better than a guaranteed dull future of years on years of lack of investment and mid-table finishes.
As for that Italian, I don't think he's worth the words.
I won't pretend to know anything about any of the bidders.
I just want an owner that will make the events of the past couple of years a distant memory. An owner that will ensure, not that we necessarily try to compete with the 'big four' by buying any tom, dick or harry, but just that we don't flog all our best players. I want West Ham to stay true to their roots, a working class club, investing in young players, producing the next wave of English talent, and occasionally giving the big boys a lesson in football at the Boleyn.
Could'nt agree more i've always loved supporting the hammers i like them just the way they are or were should i say.Stability in the league with the odd top six finish and a Europa league place and a good cup run every few years please.
Independant reports a source close to Cellino claims he is 99.98% sure to take over, while the Telegraph writes that Gollivan and Fernandes lead the race. Intermarket don't look out of the picture either.
Bloomin heck, the more I read, the less I know.
haha, all paers are backing differnt bidders so they will all say different, jason burt of the independent is the closest to being true as he is a close source to the club and a friend of Duxbury.
No particular order
G&S: track record with running a club,but doubts over financial comitment.
Intermarket:Unknown
Cellino:Dodgy no thanks
Fernandes:Supporter but doubts over weather he can go it alone financial.
I'd prefer Fernandes but worry weather he can take the club forward with out borrowing,as his personal wealth ca'nt carry the club alone.So i think its going to be G&S as they've the funds,and to be honest i do'nt think they'll be as bad as some make out.
I can see the argument for Sulivan and Gold. They are experienced in running a PL club and they do have money.
I think Fernandes would be very exciting but I do worry, like most, that he doesn't have enough money of his own to invest and so keeping us in a precarious financial position for years to come.
Intermarket I have no idea about and I very much doubt they will win the bid. Do they really have the money cleared to put into the club?
Cellino would be trouble and I feel the most disruptive of the lot. Does anyone know, do the West Ham board have any say in who buys us? Or is the club completely at the mercy of the banks?
I think if it had been up to board we'd have been sold long a go,the banks want maximum return thats why i think its dragging out,they want this lot in a bidding war.
as i say, the only problem with TF is his net worth is about 250m, most of which is tied up in Air Asia
So he’s either borrowing, or (more likely) has an unamed backer
So the same as cellino and Intermarket for me
No way to judge without knowing who behind it
I like the look of Tony fernandes. after him it would have to be intermarket. PLEASE BUY US NOW.
Whoever Celtic votes for. JK. I voted Fernandes. Intermaket too impersonal, the Italian would ruin everything the club stands for, I'd even fear for the academy with him charge and Gold/Sullivan I'm on the fence, they wouldn't take us much higher than we are but they also wouldn't take us much lower.
Any West Ham fan who does not aspire to ever achieving higher than top 6 should rethink .For 20 years I followed every game home away in Europe hoping we could win the League in 1985 we nearly pulled it off then the wankers that owned us instead of improving the side to win the league and play in the European Cup we sold our strike force of Cottee and Macavennie and every young decent player we had worked hard to develop was on sold,Lampard,Defoe,Carrick,Joe Cole Rio Ferdinand the list goes on and painfully on because our owners had us believing to exist like this was value for your money spent following them up and down the country come rain or shine while their bank accounts grew at our expense,they brainwashed us to think we were doing well ,well bollocks they were doing us up alive the thieving swines,so hopefully the new owner spending big will have big ambition to win big look at Chelsea,10 years ago close to bankruptcy today nearly European Champion,s that is what we all want, success iand silverwear,we all dream to be the best ,rather than the crap we have for a life time been spun.COYI
Aussie of course i dream of winning a league and i remember 85 well,going into the last weekend still in with a shout.But unfortunately i do'nt think any of the bids on the table are going to give us a title but top six and stabilty is a good starting point,and if we get that and stop selling the off the family silver every few years you never know what might happen.I was'nt being negative just what i'd like at the moment.
I voted Fernandes, but not with a great deal of confidence. I just see heartache with all the bidders.
Intermarket is a consortium, so no one person hold overall control. Do we have leadership by committe? Who would be the chairman? What would be the spending policy?
Cellino seems to have a cloud hanging over him regarding his financial dealings in Italy. He may not pass the fit & proper test. There may also be a problem between him and Zola. I hear that he is interested in bringing Daniele Arragoni to the club. No thanks, I'll stick with Zola. I think he understands West Ham and he will learn his trade given time.
Gould & Sullivan, 51%. Not a chance, a recipe for disaster.
With Fernandes, at least we have someone who has independent wealth and a proven track record in reviving ailing businesses. He seems happy to leave Zola in charge. It's not great as there is so much left to know but he seems the best option so far with the lack of information availlable.
just looking at a few rich list figures and it seems that some people are blinkered by tony fernandes' wealth!!
Tony fernandes = $230 million US dollars
Gold and Sullivan Combined = $1.3 BILLION US dollars!!
Massimo Cellino = $2.7 BILLION US DOLLARS!!
I think it always depends on how you assess wealth. Wealth in terms of assets is one thing, but you can only borrow against their value – you can't directly spend assets.
My fear is that whoever buys the club will then leverage most of the cost as debt against the club's assets, removing the risk from themselves personally or from their other busineses.
Cellino is almost certainly a no go, he appears to have a criminal record for fraud against the EU (Common agricultural policy fraud is however rife in southern Europe).
So its between Golivan/Intermarket/Fenandes.
Intermarket do not seem to have proven that they have the money. Admittedly, nor has Fernandes (who would have been my choice initially). Gold & Sullivan have, and that is probably why their bid is being taken so seriously.
I just fear that Gold & Sullivan will run us the way they did Birmingham. They didn't do a bad job and the club was self financing, which is important. But they did not seem to be very ambitious for the club either.
For me it is either Intermarket or Fernandes as I don't like the look of the other two. I find it strange that it is reported that Cellino is reported as going to give Zola the boot (a mistake in my book) and yet also reported as being friends. If he is prepared to do that to a friend what else is he prepared to do…..
On the Zola question who ever wins needs to keep him. I believe in his long term plan and his belief in our youngsters. I would like to see WHU return to sticking with managers for longer terms. This season may be tough but I feel Zola and Clarke will be shown to right in the end.
One major issue for me with Gollivan is their proposal to replace Zola with Mark Hughes,why?
The choice is not great. Worst would be Cellino, our superb acadamy could become a feeder for his Italian Club plus his background is a problem.
Next must be Intermarket a new company, little background available, investers unknown and having trouble proving funds. We don't want 10 years of more uncertainty which would appear to be part of their plan.
Runner up must be G&S, purport to be fans but sold their interest in Birmingham City stating that they did not have the financial muscle to take the club to the next level. So we are back to being where T.Brown left us? Crutchless shorts and see through tops for the team> I don't think so.
TF is a true fan, appears an acomplished businessman with a plan. Finance may be his problem to push the team into the top six but on merit he would appear the most genuine and committed to the club. Perhaps Mr. Branson can chip in a few million. TF for me if his finances are in place.
TF is a true supporter an acomplished suc
Morning chaps. Just read an interesting article in the Daily Telegraph that states should Sullivan take over he would sack Zola and replace him with Mark Hughes. obviously just speculation but your thoughts ???
Hughes more experianced and would be OK and plays attacking football. Would this mean Bellamy returns or even Neill? However SC has similar time in management allbeit as a No.2, and Zola deserves the oppertunity to run the team under stable club ownership and a transfer kitty available.
Like a lot of his customers, Sullivan is a tad premature me thinks.
lol lofty like it.
It has to be TF. Clearly a good businessman, not making making money in a questionable or possibly corrupt way, a true fan and supports Zola (who you have to say has behaved in an exemplary fashion throughout this crisis). We don't need billions, as we won't ever compete with Chelski or Citeh anyway. We just want our club back !
Mr Moon…Agree entirely , particularly the behaviour and style of Zola.
When I think of Gold, Sullivan and Cellinino, the words style and class don't immediately spring to mind,
I know we are looking for a new owner and not a role model for our kids, but I believe operating with panache, integrity and a little style will count volumes for our club in years to come.
However, I fear our future will be determined by who has the deepest pockets.
style and class…..is wearing a trademark baseball cap at all times, always pictured in casual clothes, telling the world your every move on twitter and seeming to love as much publicity as you can get….style and class ???
I won't pretend to know who will be the best owner – I think only time will tell – but I totally agree on your point re. Zola.
He has a good team around him and is an honourable man. He needs time and opportunity to manage the squad without all of the off-field distractions of the past few years.
Trying to compete with the top 5 or 6 – who do not all have sustainable businesses beyond the wealth of their owners – is a step in the wrong direction. Hopefully our new owner will be astute enough to recognise this.
Its Fernandes all the way now for me!! As much as I bitch and moan sometimes I love Zola and Clarke and stand by them. Reading his comments yesterday knowing his back's against the wall (3 potential bidders sacking him and a point off the drop zone) he comes out fighting. I want him to sign an extension, he is great for our team, great for our youngsters and will come good…very good. I for one would rather go down fighting with Zola than become Mr Hughes rebound club thank you. Gianfranco's claret and blue army!!!!!
Tony Fernandes all the way.
Please please please not Gold & Sullivan who would be just another Terry Brown and would be a disaster for the club
Tony Fernandes only has West Ham's best interests at heart and is a true fan.
Why not let them all do a conjoined bid lol, then we would be a very rich club but their would be disagreements, i think if Fernandes is worried about going alone, he should get the intermarket group to go in with him as they are large west hams aswel, With their backing it would surely be great for the club, Both Fernandes and Intermarket are fully backing Zola and will be 100% committed to the club, but i don't think this will happen, but anything can happen, all specualtion still, but am praying that we hear something between now and monday as i can't take much more of this lol.
It's a tough call – who should win the West Ham 'Ownsership' (tut tut) challenge?
There are pros and cons for every candidate:
Fernandes – Pros: West Ham Fan, Innovator, allegedly has the best business plan, may be able to bring outside investment to the club. Cons: Not the richest and may have too many fingers in too many pies with his new Lotus F1 team.
Gold/Sullivan – Pros: West Ham fans, history of stability in running BCFC, British, understand how to run a Premier league football club, combined wealth of approx £750m. Cons: Karen Brady, Never spent any money at BCFC or did anything of any note, constantly bad mouthing the club, money came from 'interesting' pursuits, not very well liked by BCFC fans.
Intermarket – Pros: West Ham fans (allegedly), offering to provide cash for transfers, TC involved (allegedly), Tony Gale involved (allegedly), were first to make their interest known and have, when speaking to the press, said the right things. Cons: WHO ARE THEY?????? Have they got the cash to buy the club? Too much secrecy.
Cellino – Pros: Rich (approx $3bn). History of running a football club. Cons: – Clearly mad, is a 'con' having been convicted of fraud amongst other things, 22 managers in 18yrs hardly inspires confidence!
For me its: 1. Fernandes 2. Monty Brewster (VOTE NONE OF THE ABOVE!!!!!)
Crikey, I just wish I knew, but I honestly haven't got a clue. I have read so many articles in these last few days, but I am still none the wiser, but if I did have to put my head on the block I would vote for Fernandes for many of the reasons stated above.
One thing is for sure, it would be great to have some positive news before the Villa game tomorrow.
What about Gollivan AND Fernandes? If they are such genuine fans and they could overcome their ego’s their combined net worth could really propel the club forward. Sadly however the truth is that they all want control and their personal financial ambition will override all else.
Has there ever been such a hotly debated subject? Personally my head says G & S for the stability they will bring and the fact they have been there done it. They are obviously very wealthy meaning perhaps if and when they would sanction sensible buys. Its certainly something our club has missed for quite some time.
But!!!!!!! my heart says Fernandes because he is exciting, has fresh ideas would bring a wealth of business know how for success on a shoe string approach. He is very passionate. I see him as an Al fayed type character which wouldn't be a bad thing. But it would be a risk and not sure we need that at the moment.
One thing that is getting on my pip is the way this whole thing has been so public in fact all our dirty washing is hung out in public! If i could wish for one thing it would be for the new owner to be low key so the manager can get on with his job without distraction. COYI !
I don't hink Intermarket are out of the question mate, their has been no confirmation that they havn't prooved they have the funds, it is all journo stuff, i think papers are twisting everything after jim bowes trajic death and they now are claiming that without him they can't proove the funds, RUBBISH. I personly think they are one of the bidders deffinately in their, I think it is Fernades, Itermarket and G&S who are battleing for the club. And like you mate i am getting to the point where it is is whoever buys us buys us, they must be dedicated to have gone on this long. So whoever we get is who we get. But just the waiting now which is rather fustrating.
Complete tosh.
1. Intermarket have satisfied Rothschild that they have the funds.
2.Keeping the identity of their consortium makes perfect sense. They do not need to show their hand until they are ready.
3. Sound business decisions yes. Winging it…hardly.
4. A Fernandes Tweet does not make anything obvious.
5. You might be happy with Nick Griffin at our club…I would rather support Tottenham (God forgive the blasphemy) than let that vile creature anywhere near Upton Park.
Sorry for being so damning of your first offering on this site, but if you offer up tosh, then expect a reaction.
Completely agree here m8, Intermarket for me are well and truely in this, and they seem to really care for this club is they are willing to commit 10 years to the club. They must surely be in their. We will just have to sit tight and wait and see. But like you i am not ruling Intermarket out of this at all.
Some tosh eh.
Sorry mate, but I agree with Lofty. The "facts" are that we are largely not even spectators to these proceedings. None of us really know who has or hasn't done anything, only what people here on similar but inferior sites, and the press speculate. It could be that the club are only involved on the periphery themselves! Certainly confidentiality & non disclosure agreements etc are standard in acquisitions mergers etc so criticism of the club or any party involved for not revealing details is crazy.
I agree to an extent with your point about supporting the club not the owner, but your example is far too extreme!
Who ever comes in will have to have very deep pockets if this sorry is ture. West Ham debts are £115 Million not the £40 -£60 Million that it is thought to be.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=726106...
I can't believe that we owe 40 million pounds to other clubs, this just doesn't have a ring of truth to it. It just seems like it is silly season re our finances/debts at the moment and anything goes. The more sensational the better.
berkshirehammer,
Sullivan has been saying all along that the levels of debt were far higher than, the club were claiming. He said others would be scared off, once they actually got to the the real debt levels. If its true how can fernandes possibly cover that debt, buy the club, run lotus F1 and have backup funds/reserves for his airline from a reported wealth of 300 mill ??? Its not possible and could sink him.
A club source said two days ago, that one bid was on the table and the rest was paper talk. Its doubtful intermarket or fernandes can cope with the finances, that only leaves the italian or G/S.
Our latest set of accounts were delayed. The previous two published sets showed massive losses (over 30 mill each if i remember rightly). Therefore its possible the debts are high. If say our bank debts are 45 mil, at 10% interset PA thats 4.5 mill, 20% is 9 mill PA. also strumar when quoting debts dont prob include money owed to sheff utd, outstanding transfer fee's or the payoff to curbishley etc….If you had that lot up, it could be a realistic figure even after the selling of top players (unreplaced) and the cutting of the wage bill. It also explains the lack of transfer activity and broken promises etc…
Iam no fan of zola (x-mas tree formations,playing people out of position and poor use of subs), but i DO NOT want to see him replaced now. Because we need stability on and off the pitch, he has behaved honourably throughout a difficult time, has suffered lack of funding, has today in press admitted his tactical mistakes (mark of a real man to admit mistakes..imo), has got a improved performance out of available players recently and has suffered a terrible blow from injuries this season to key players.
So G/S please do not replace him with mark hughes or anyone else. Instead give him some funds to buy the first team players HE wants (not nani) and support him atleast till the end of the season and judge him then…not now.
Its just my opinion…..and may surprise some on here !!!
Well put Tony I totally agree with you … I believe GFZ and SC are people players want to play for, they just haven't been allowed to wheel and deal. I am not against Nani, but he let the club down in the summer with his lack of vision in the transfer market … there were some quality players going for peanuts and we never looked at them … I believe GFZ and SC will prove there worth and if Dux is honest then they will be wise and shrewd in the summer with the apparently promise TV money
It is difficult to really know who to choose without the financial details … my prefered option has got to be based on who has the money to invest, and not who has borrowed to buy … if that makes sense … If Inter market are borrowing the money then althought they have a ten year plan, what is the interest on the loans … Gollivan will run the club to budget and clear the debts in time at a cost to big transfer fees, but I'd accept that if they invest in develop Upton Park like we forget they did at St Andrews. Tony is 10% short of what is required ? meaning what … but is probably our best option so long as we fans don't expect him to go and buy Gerrard form the scousers out of his own pocket … apart from an honest living is there any difference between him and the Gollivan package … providing the Gollivan deal is for 100% of the club. As for the Ittalian, who really knows … there must have been something there that attracted him to fly in … so are the debts as bad as the media are making out …
cont'd
The Italian has a cheeky reputation and by the book should not pass the FA's fit n honest owners test. I am not adverse to going backwards in order to move forward in the right direction … we need to become self sufficient, sustain our Premiership status and develop Upton Park … can anyone tell me who fits the bill best based on the realities and not the fantasy
I just hope Fernandes buys West Ham as I believe in the long term he will take this club forward. He will build slowly like Randy Lerner at Aston Villa, but I believe his ambition could make us hugely successful. Gold and Sullivan will sort out the finances, but may not invest big in the long term. I actually like Mark Hughes as a manager, but personally I'd rather Zola stayed in charge. If Cellino takes charge it will be a disaster for this club and we will be the new QPR wth a rubbish unknown Italian manager in charge.
Randy Lerner is a good example of the best of the "corporate " owners I guess, although Villa is still a business to him. What has happened to the scousers, manure etc should not be forgotten; that could be us very quickly if the club does not go to the right buyers.
Still no news, will this ever end, with all this talk creeping in about zolas position, they must put an end to this once and for all, get the deal sorted for the best of the club, we can then go straight into the market in hunt for about 3 new players. That is what we all want. This is what as hammers we want in ver soon:
1. Result vs Villa (at least a point as it will be a very tough game)
2. New owners ready to help.
3. Stabilty, this will work with the new owners to clear our debt.
4. 3 new signings, do the bussiness as quickly as possible, 3 players in and maybe a loan player on deadline day as a pottential 4 player for further cover.
5. With all of the first 4, we can push forward and up the legue to become a force in the prem.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, let us hear some very good news soon.
I want an owner who
1. is a true honest, longstanding fan of West Ham United FC
2. believes in its traditions and ethos & loves the club
3. Is an acceptable face & a fit & proper person to the FA
4. Will not panic & sack the manager twice a year (or even every 3 or 4 years)
5. Will ensure long term stability by allowing the club to be self sustaining to a large extent, and not a major source of income to him
6. Will provide additional funds to the club when needed without forcing the sale of our best players.
7. Will decline to sell to spurs, chelski manure or the scousers unless at grossly inflated prices with sell on clauses giving us 50% of all profits.
8. has a significant personal wealth not tied up in corporate bodies heavily levereged & in debt.
9. preferably has not made made his fortune in the porn industry
Who fits this bill? I've no way of knowing, but I know who doesn't!
Good post Scalyback!
Sound post, Scaly. Who fits your bill? Well, I am afraid there appears to be very few contenders, but perhaps Reg Pratt would be a good start, but I fear that we would need a Tardis and a parallel world.
Blimey, you're either showing your age or you're a real West Ham anorak. Reg Pratt was chairman in the 50's / 60's when he & the Cearns family owned the club if my memory serves me correctly! You might be right though!
Yep, Scaly you're right, I am guilty of more nostalgia than probably useful. Reg Pratt was chairman of West Ham, when the Cearns owned the club, from 1950-1979, and then President of the club. You know, sort of round about that time that those anoraks refer to as the "Golden Period" of the history of the club when it could win the occasional trophy and played the type of football that had everyone purring! Oh well, back to my Tardis.
No mate, there's still a lot of people out there who would agree with you, in fact it just might need the Tardis to get everyone in! That was the time I first started going to games as a kid. I even paid to get in a few! I still prefer the 60's/70's personally though.
Results wern't too bad but not the best for us today as we have just slipped into the bottom 3 as hull drew with spurs, so we are 1 point off, 3 points tomorrow will lift us to a healthy 14th place but it is much easier said than done, tomorrow will be extremely challenging considering we don't have 1 first team fit striker, looks like the youngstes will have to do a job, hoping for the best tomorrow but it will be extremely difficult as Villa are playing very well, would love to have some positive news before the game like an announcement of a takeover, this could make a huge differnece on how well we played, players could go in with just pure 100% football on their minds and getting in their to do a job, the sooner this takevover is done the best for everyone, us fans, the players, the staff and of cource clarke and Zola, Then into the transfer market we can go to help strengthen our team and get away from all this mess. Come on you irons!!!!!
Bad day for us in terms of results. The worrying thing for me is that the teams around us are picking up results. Wigan got a win and Hull got a point at Spurs. It worries me that the likes of Wolves, Stoke and Hull can go to places like Tottenham and get results, and yet we play these games and are poor and lose. We desperately need a result tomorrow.
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