Ketsbaia 0 Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/foo...icle3768457.ece Liverpool must repay £31.5 million to banking institutions in little more than a year or risk having to sell Fernando Torres and Ryan Babel. The Times has learnt that Liverpool borrowed the money to sign Torres, the Spain forward who has scored 30 goals this season and has already become a firm favourite on the Kop, from Atlético Madrid last summer. The club then refinanced that debt on January 25, at the same time as they secured a £350 million refinancing package. Liverpool entered into an 18-month loan agreement with interest of 9 per cent — £2.8 million a year — with a letter of credit to pay back the £31.5 million at the end of the period. Should Liverpool be unable to pay back or refinance the loan, banks could force the sale of Torres and Babel, who was also included in the smaller refinancing package. It is unusual for Barclays Premier League clubs to buy players in this way. Deals are normally funded using television income. Liverpool have to pay £30 million a year in interest payments on the £350 million loan, the terms of which end in July 2009. There was no official comment from the club last night. The revelations came on a day when the turmoil at Anfield reached a nadir after Tom Hicks attempted to strengthen his grip on the club during an interview in which he demonised his enemies inside and outside Anfield. However, the Liverpool co-owner has only six weeks to raise the funds he needs if he is to achieve his goal of buying the club outright. Having continued his assault on Rick Parry by calling his tenure as chief executive “a disaster”, Hicks admitted that his joint-ownership venture with George Gillett Jr had proved unworkable, but he is looking for the funds that would help him to buy Gillett’s 50 per cent stake and to “fix the entire financial structure of the club” while overseeing the construction of a new 70,000-capacity stadium in Stanley Park. Gillett responded last night with a strongly worded statement in which he accused his co-owner of destabilising the club. “I am saddened at this latest outburst from Tom Hicks,” he said. “If Tom wanted a serious discussion on the issues to help the club move forward, he should bring his views to the board. “Here we are, a few days away from a vital Champions League semi-final match and Tom has once again created turmoil with his public comments. Tom should stop. He knows that Rick Parry has my support and that airing his comments in this way will not change my position. “Tom needs to understand that I will not sell my shares to him.” Hicks was typically bullish about his prospects of raising the money — or, perhaps more realistically, finding the financial backing — but while he continues to explore his options with Merrill Lynch, his latest financial adviser, the clock is ticking. Hicks has denied rumours in the City that he is under pressure to refinance his Hicks Sports Group, which holds his stakes in various sports franchises in the United States, but a deadline is looming to buy Gillett’s stake, which is the subject of a rival bid from Dubai International Capital (DIC), the private-equity investment arm of the Dubai Government. Under the terms of their takeover 14 months ago, Hicks has pre-emption rights on Gillett’s stake in Liverpool and vice versa. That option is understood to expire 90 days after he was informed of DIC’s £200 million offer to Gillett, which was made on February 27. That period would expire on May 27, six days after the Champions League final in Moscow. Hicks, though, maintains that he will be in charge of Liverpool for the long term, which would be bad news for Parry. “What has happened under Rick has been a disaster,” Hicks told Sky Sports News. “We have fallen so far behind the other clubs. We have still got the top brand in the world of football, but that’s no good if you don’t know how to commercialise it. Rick needs to resign. You have to be able to work with the manager and Rick has proved he can’t do that.” Parry, who responded with a rigorous defence of his record, will not resign and is under no pressure to do so, given that only two of the club’s six directors want him to go. Hicks said that, if he succeeds in buying Liverpool outright, he will offer Benítez a one-year extension to his contract, which expires in 2010, but, despite his newfound alliance with the manager, he remains unpopular with supporters. Love 'owt like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Asprilla 96 Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 It would be hilarious to see them struggle for a bit, but unfortunately I think they're too big a "brand" to not have someone else come in and sort it out. Still...I'm keeping my fingers crossed... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howay 12480 Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 We can all hope. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig 6316 Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 Tom Hicks makes Freddie Shepherd seem tame..... Ironic that the one football club that has always been run like a 'club' rather than a business is being torn apart by a greedy American twat who evidently thinks that sports teams are as big a moneyspinner over here as they are stateside. Really did his homework on this one, didn't he? Probably thinks that with LFC having greater honours than Man Utd, that they'd be able to make the same sort of cash the Glazers are at OT Love the way he's trying to blame it all on Rick Parry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torres 0 Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 It`ll be untenable for a while and somebody will eventually sell. I like Hicks and he is certainly the type of ambitious character to take us forward. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig 6316 Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 It`ll be untenable for a while and somebody will eventually sell. I like Hicks and he is certainly the type of ambitious character to take us forward. You're certainly in the minority as far as Liverpool fans go.... My girlfriend's Dad suggests he shouldn't step to near Anfield any more for fear of being lynched. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinofbeans 86 Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 hope they fucking rot in hell. both the americans that is. as bad as each other. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fish 9040 Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 hope they fucking rot in hell.both the americans that is. as bad as each other. Thought you meant Liverpool fans as a whole Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geordie Boot Boy 0 Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 God, I'd love them to have to put up with the shite we've had to put up with. They didn't win a trophy in 2004 you know? Poor dears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 13883 Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 I would love Liverpool to go to shit. I cant stand some of the bullshit or the special ITV ''Classic Anfield European night'' where they place a Celtic song over the PA system and then they are quiet till they score. My mate supports them and he was born and bred in Yorkshire, he's never been to a game and has literally no claim to support them. Despite this he's a decent lad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geordie Boot Boy 0 Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 I would love Liverpool to go to shit. I can stand some of the bullshit or the special ITV ''Classic Anfield European night'' where they place a Celtic song over the PA system and then they are quiet till they score. My mate supports them and he was born and bred in Yorkshire, he's never been to a game and has literally no claim to support them. Despite this he's a decent lad. I know 3 lads from up here who support Liverpool, despite there being no obvious reason why any of them should do so. There are actually more than 3 of them but I don't know the others so well to know their stories. The annoying thing is that they fucking love seeing Newcastle doing shit as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 13883 Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 I would love Liverpool to go to shit. I can stand some of the bullshit or the special ITV ''Classic Anfield European night'' where they place a Celtic song over the PA system and then they are quiet till they score. My mate supports them and he was born and bred in Yorkshire, he's never been to a game and has literally no claim to support them. Despite this he's a decent lad. I know 3 lads from up here who support Liverpool, despite there being no obvious reason why any of them should do so. There are actually more than 3 of them but I don't know the others so well to know their stories. The annoying thing is that they fucking love seeing Newcastle doing shit as well. That's what gets me like. Getting a text of some bugger bragging his tits off. Gets annoyed when you ask him why he supports Liverpool when he was born 400 miles away too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torres 0 Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 I would love Liverpool to go to shit. I can stand some of the bullshit or the special ITV ''Classic Anfield European night'' where they place a Celtic song over the PA system and then they are quiet till they score. My mate supports them and he was born and bred in Yorkshire, he's never been to a game and has literally no claim to support them. Despite this he's a decent lad. You`re sooooooooooo narrow-minded it`s scary. Have you ever left your own backyard?...............it`s 2008 you know! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zico martin 84 Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 I would love Liverpool to go to shit. I can stand some of the bullshit or the special ITV ''Classic Anfield European night'' where they place a Celtic song over the PA system and then they are quiet till they score. My mate supports them and he was born and bred in Yorkshire, he's never been to a game and has literally no claim to support them. Despite this he's a decent lad. You`re sooooooooooo narrow-minded it`s scary. Have you ever left your own backyard?...............it`s 2008 you know! explain? guess it's all done to the argument that you shouldn't be able to just choose a team to support really, it should be in the blood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 13883 Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 I would love Liverpool to go to shit. I can stand some of the bullshit or the special ITV ''Classic Anfield European night'' where they place a Celtic song over the PA system and then they are quiet till they score. My mate supports them and he was born and bred in Yorkshire, he's never been to a game and has literally no claim to support them. Despite this he's a decent lad. You`re sooooooooooo narrow-minded it`s scary. Have you ever left your own backyard?...............it`s 2008 you know! You support your local team. Easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torres 0 Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 I would love Liverpool to go to shit. I can stand some of the bullshit or the special ITV ''Classic Anfield European night'' where they place a Celtic song over the PA system and then they are quiet till they score. My mate supports them and he was born and bred in Yorkshire, he's never been to a game and has literally no claim to support them. Despite this he's a decent lad. You`re sooooooooooo narrow-minded it`s scary. Have you ever left your own backyard?...............it`s 2008 you know! explain? guess it's all done to the argument that you shouldn't be able to just choose a team to support really, it should be in the blood. Which is idiotic. You can choose what tv you watch and what you buy in a shop regardless of where they come from..................so why not choose your team? Football went global a long time ago and will continue to go that way and will leave hillbillies behind. It`s a funny thing that such narrow-minded people think it`s not ok to support a club that is not "local".................................yet the same clowns love to dign "foreign" stars and play in Europe. Without our legions of foreign supporters we`d be a small time backwater club like Everton, who, would never want "out of towners" at their games but still think their a big club Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torres 0 Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 I would love Liverpool to go to shit. I can stand some of the bullshit or the special ITV ''Classic Anfield European night'' where they place a Celtic song over the PA system and then they are quiet till they score. My mate supports them and he was born and bred in Yorkshire, he's never been to a game and has literally no claim to support them. Despite this he's a decent lad. You`re sooooooooooo narrow-minded it`s scary. Have you ever left your own backyard?...............it`s 2008 you know! You support your local team. Easy. Only if you wish to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 13883 Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 I would love Liverpool to go to shit. I can stand some of the bullshit or the special ITV ''Classic Anfield European night'' where they place a Celtic song over the PA system and then they are quiet till they score. My mate supports them and he was born and bred in Yorkshire, he's never been to a game and has literally no claim to support them. Despite this he's a decent lad. You`re sooooooooooo narrow-minded it`s scary. Have you ever left your own backyard?...............it`s 2008 you know! explain? guess it's all done to the argument that you shouldn't be able to just choose a team to support really, it should be in the blood. Which is idiotic. You can choose what tv you watch and what you buy in a shop regardless of where they come from..................so why not choose your team? Football went global a long time ago and will continue to go that way and will leave hillbillies behind. It`s a funny thing that such narrow-minded people think it`s not ok to support a club that is not "local".................................yet the same clowns love to dign "foreign" stars and play in Europe. Without our legions of foreign supporters we`d be a small time backwater club like Everton, who, would never want "out of towners" at their games but still think their a big club Are you trying to tell me you've never been to a game? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torres 0 Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 I would love Liverpool to go to shit. I can stand some of the bullshit or the special ITV ''Classic Anfield European night'' where they place a Celtic song over the PA system and then they are quiet till they score. My mate supports them and he was born and bred in Yorkshire, he's never been to a game and has literally no claim to support them. Despite this he's a decent lad. You`re sooooooooooo narrow-minded it`s scary. Have you ever left your own backyard?...............it`s 2008 you know! explain? guess it's all done to the argument that you shouldn't be able to just choose a team to support really, it should be in the blood. Which is idiotic. You can choose what tv you watch and what you buy in a shop regardless of where they come from..................so why not choose your team? Football went global a long time ago and will continue to go that way and will leave hillbillies behind. It`s a funny thing that such narrow-minded people think it`s not ok to support a club that is not "local".................................yet the same clowns love to dign "foreign" stars and play in Europe. Without our legions of foreign supporters we`d be a small time backwater club like Everton, who, would never want "out of towners" at their games but still think their a big club Are you trying to tell me you've never been to a game? How in heavens name did you come to that conclusion from my post?....can you read?.. Kind of ironic that you chose Frank Spenser as your avatar. I go to about 15 games a season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ketsbaia 0 Posted April 18, 2008 Author Share Posted April 18, 2008 I would love Liverpool to go to shit. I can stand some of the bullshit or the special ITV ''Classic Anfield European night'' where they place a Celtic song over the PA system and then they are quiet till they score. My mate supports them and he was born and bred in Yorkshire, he's never been to a game and has literally no claim to support them. Despite this he's a decent lad. You`re sooooooooooo narrow-minded it`s scary. Have you ever left your own backyard?...............it`s 2008 you know! explain? guess it's all done to the argument that you shouldn't be able to just choose a team to support really, it should be in the blood. Which is idiotic. You can choose what tv you watch and what you buy in a shop regardless of where they come from..................so why not choose your team? Football went global a long time ago and will continue to go that way and will leave hillbillies behind. It`s a funny thing that such narrow-minded people think it`s not ok to support a club that is not "local".................................yet the same clowns love to dign "foreign" stars and play in Europe. Without our legions of foreign supporters we`d be a small time backwater club like Everton, who, would never want "out of towners" at their games but still think their a big club Just you wait until Stevie gets here Personally, I think supporting a club miles away from where you live is a cop out. You have no idea of the support, the history or the relevance this club has the the local people. I probably wouldn't mind as much if you saw people born in bred in Manchester strolling around in Blyth Spartans gear but you don't. 99.9999999% of the time clubs are chosen by people at the other end of the country purely for success. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bawan 0 Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 (edited) I would love Liverpool to go to shit. I can stand some of the bullshit or the special ITV ''Classic Anfield European night'' where they place a Celtic song over the PA system and then they are quiet till they score. My mate supports them and he was born and bred in Yorkshire, he's never been to a game and has literally no claim to support them. Despite this he's a decent lad. You`re sooooooooooo narrow-minded it`s scary. Have you ever left your own backyard?...............it`s 2008 you know! explain? guess it's all done to the argument that you shouldn't be able to just choose a team to support really, it should be in the blood. Which is idiotic. You can choose what tv you watch and what you buy in a shop regardless of where they come from..................so why not choose your team? Football went global a long time ago and will continue to go that way and will leave hillbillies behind. It`s a funny thing that such narrow-minded people think it`s not ok to support a club that is not "local".................................yet the same clowns love to dign "foreign" stars and play in Europe. Without our legions of foreign supporters we`d be a small time backwater club like Everton, who, would never want "out of towners" at their games but still think their a big club Are you trying to tell me you've never been to a game? How in heavens name did you come to that conclusion from my post?....can you read?.. Kind of ironic that you chose Frank Spenser as your avatar. I go to about 15 games a season. Torres do ya na wtf your talking about? Liverpool are a club that have clearly pressed the self destruct button and are not heading the right way, fair enough it may not have had an effect on the performances, but look at whats happening behind the scenes. Is that what a "big club" should be doing? Edited April 18, 2008 by bawan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zico martin 84 Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 (edited) I would love Liverpool to go to shit. I can stand some of the bullshit or the special ITV ''Classic Anfield European night'' where they place a Celtic song over the PA system and then they are quiet till they score. My mate supports them and he was born and bred in Yorkshire, he's never been to a game and has literally no claim to support them. Despite this he's a decent lad. You`re sooooooooooo narrow-minded it`s scary. Have you ever left your own backyard?...............it`s 2008 you know! explain? guess it's all down to the argument that you shouldn't be able to just choose a team to support really, it should be in the blood. Which is idiotic. You can choose what tv you watch and what you buy in a shop regardless of where they come from..................so why not choose your team? Football went global a long time ago and will continue to go that way and will leave hillbillies behind. It`s a funny thing that such narrow-minded people think it`s not ok to support a club that is not "local".................................yet the same clowns love to dign "foreign" stars and play in Europe. Without our legions of foreign supporters we`d be a small time backwater club like Everton, who, would never want "out of towners" at their games but still think their a big club Are you trying to tell me you've never been to a game? no I'm not, why would I? havent been to a game for quite a while though, why? Edited April 18, 2008 by zico martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 13883 Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 I would love Liverpool to go to shit. I can stand some of the bullshit or the special ITV ''Classic Anfield European night'' where they place a Celtic song over the PA system and then they are quiet till they score. My mate supports them and he was born and bred in Yorkshire, he's never been to a game and has literally no claim to support them. Despite this he's a decent lad. You`re sooooooooooo narrow-minded it`s scary. Have you ever left your own backyard?...............it`s 2008 you know! explain? guess it's all down to the argument that you shouldn't be able to just choose a team to support really, it should be in the blood. Which is idiotic. You can choose what tv you watch and what you buy in a shop regardless of where they come from..................so why not choose your team? Football went global a long time ago and will continue to go that way and will leave hillbillies behind. It`s a funny thing that such narrow-minded people think it`s not ok to support a club that is not "local".................................yet the same clowns love to dign "foreign" stars and play in Europe. Without our legions of foreign supporters we`d be a small time backwater club like Everton, who, would never want "out of towners" at their games but still think their a big club Are you trying to tell me you've never been to a game? no I'm not, why would I? havent been to a game for quite a while though, why? That was for Torres you spanner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zico martin 84 Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 I would love Liverpool to go to shit. I can stand some of the bullshit or the special ITV ''Classic Anfield European night'' where they place a Celtic song over the PA system and then they are quiet till they score. My mate supports them and he was born and bred in Yorkshire, he's never been to a game and has literally no claim to support them. Despite this he's a decent lad. You`re sooooooooooo narrow-minded it`s scary. Have you ever left your own backyard?...............it`s 2008 you know! explain? guess it's all down to the argument that you shouldn't be able to just choose a team to support really, it should be in the blood. Which is idiotic. You can choose what tv you watch and what you buy in a shop regardless of where they come from..................so why not choose your team? Football went global a long time ago and will continue to go that way and will leave hillbillies behind. It`s a funny thing that such narrow-minded people think it`s not ok to support a club that is not "local".................................yet the same clowns love to dign "foreign" stars and play in Europe. Without our legions of foreign supporters we`d be a small time backwater club like Everton, who, would never want "out of towners" at their games but still think their a big club Are you trying to tell me you've never been to a game? no I'm not, why would I? havent been to a game for quite a while though, why? That was for Torres you spanner lol oh yeah, did i sound all defensive and arsey then as well? Knew I shouldn't have got involved Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 13883 Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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