Gemmill 34505 Posted June 19, 2006 Share Posted June 19, 2006 Shepherd to hit bids with right hook Chairman Freddy Shepherd is confident of beating off any bids for control of Newcastle following the news Sir John Hall has been approached. News that former chairman Hall, now club president, has received an approach to sell his holding has sparked fresh suggestions that ownership of the Magpies could change hands. However, insiders at St James' Park have insisted privately that Shepherd could repel any such move. A statement was released to the Stock Exchange by Newcastle PLC on Monday morning following speculation over the weekend that American hedge fund Polygon has been working with investment bank UBS for several months on a buy-out proposal. The statement said: "The board of Newcastle United PLC notes recent press speculation and confirms that it has today been informed by Sir John Hall representing Wynyard (Guernsey) Limited, which owns approximately 28.8% of Newcastle United PLC, that it has received expressions of interest to acquire its shareholding, which may or may not lead to the disposal of its stake. "A further announcement will be made if appropriate." Hall's son Douglas, currently deputy chairman at St James', is linked to a further 13% stake, while Shepherd Offshore recently upped its holding to 27.29%. It is not the first time the man who took control of the club in 1991 after an acrimonious battle has been offered the opportunity to sell up. Reports last summer suggested a Malaysian group and another British-based investor were ready to fight it out for his stake. Metrocentre developer Hall succeeded Gordon McKeag at the helm of the struggling club and having drafted in former player Kevin Keegan as manager, sparked a drive which propelled Newcastle into the big time. By the time he stood down as chairman to be succeeded by Shepherd in December 1997, the Magpies had twice finished runners-up in the Premiership and had embarked upon their first Champions League campaign. It was Hall who, 10 years ago, provided Keegan with the then world record £15million to buy Alan Shearer, and the big spending has continued under Shepherd. Newcastle PLC reported an operating profit of £2.7million for the six months to January 31, 2006, down £5.8million on the previous period. However, they spent £28million on Michael Owen, Albert Luque and Nolberto Solano during the same six months. 150577[/snapback] How is Shepherd going to repel a bid for Hall's shares? Do a particularly unpleasant fart in the board room doing negotiations? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted June 19, 2006 Share Posted June 19, 2006 We do own the ground itself, just not the land on which it sits. 150548[/snapback] Fat load of use that is when you dont own the land that it's built on! 150564[/snapback] The land is on a long-term lease from the City Council iirc. 150569[/snapback] Oh aye, I dont doubt we have the right to be there-we're not gippos ffs! But I mean from the point of view of an asset stripper moving in. I dont think we represent a major opportunity to venture capitalists tbh. We have a good source of income compared to most clubs but our liabilities are massive (managable but genuinely massive) and we don't have much in the way of saleable assets. 150576[/snapback] I was just clarifying things, ok numbnuts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manc-mag 1 Posted June 19, 2006 Share Posted June 19, 2006 Having said all that if Hall does sell us out to Americans then he should have his Knighthood taken back off him and his Sunderland season ticket given back to him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.../\......\o/... 0 Posted June 19, 2006 Share Posted June 19, 2006 How is Shepherd going to repel a bid for Hall's shares? Do a particularly unpleasant fart in the board room doing negotiations? 150579[/snapback] Like something out of Family Guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom_NUFC 0 Posted June 19, 2006 Share Posted June 19, 2006 I'm backing FS at the minute. Better the devil you know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom_NUFC 0 Posted June 19, 2006 Share Posted June 19, 2006 Comments from financial experts on Radio 5. Polygon's motives would be to make as much of a profit as they can, as quick as they can. They are NOT in the market in a Football Club for Footballing interests. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo 133 Posted June 19, 2006 Share Posted June 19, 2006 Comments from financial experts on Radio 5. Polygon's motives would be to make as much of a profit as they can, as quick as they can. They are NOT in the market in a Football Club for Footballing interests. 150611[/snapback] Surely the best way of making a club profitable is to make them successful ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted Maul 0 Posted June 19, 2006 Share Posted June 19, 2006 Comments from financial experts on Radio 5. Polygon's motives would be to make as much of a profit as they can, as quick as they can. They are NOT in the market in a Football Club for Footballing interests. 150611[/snapback] I don't believe that Fat Fred or Dougie are paticularly intrested in the footballing side of things either, only the dividends. I highly doubt anything will come out of this. If SJH wasn't willing to sell up to a British based investor last year, who probably had better intentions footballing wise than Polygon then I can't see him selling up now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob W 0 Posted June 19, 2006 Share Posted June 19, 2006 FFS likes being "the Big Man" - who would talk to him if he just took the money and ran? No more meetings in exotic locations, no more meeja types sucking up to him, no jet............ just a reasonably well off NE Businessman .................... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemmill 34505 Posted June 19, 2006 Share Posted June 19, 2006 I'll email my nerdy mate who works in financial services and see what he reckons. 150542[/snapback] Got this in response, which is pretty useless. "I saw this yesterday and it struck me as really odd. Unless they are looking to short the shares - although presumably Hall wouldn't sell to them if that was the case? I can only imagine that they have some strategy to increase the value of the shares and then sell out. But hedge funds dont tend to hold positions for long - perhaps a year max, so this seems strange as well. Sorry to not be much help on this but it doesn't seem logical." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted Maul 0 Posted June 19, 2006 Share Posted June 19, 2006 (edited) The Beeb refer to it as an "American-backed consortium" so is it entirely possible that the takeover is being financed by members of the hedge fund yet has nothing to do with the actual hedge fund itself? Edited June 19, 2006 by David Icke - Son of God Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob W 0 Posted June 19, 2006 Share Posted June 19, 2006 some of them wil stay in for 3-4 years but there is still theproblem that they are aiming to make 15-20% per year rate of return and there just isn't that upside at SJP Even if you could sell the ground for redevelopment (which they can't) I doubt they could make serious $$$ at NUFC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted June 19, 2006 Share Posted June 19, 2006 Betting scam I reckon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Park Life 70 Posted June 19, 2006 Share Posted June 19, 2006 The Beeb refer to it as an "American-backed consortium" so is it entirely possible that the takeover is being financed by members of the hedge fund yet has nothing to do with the actual hedge fund itself? 150658[/snapback] What about the Casino deal? If they knew that was on, that would be a big incentive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted Maul 0 Posted June 19, 2006 Share Posted June 19, 2006 So what are we dealing with here? Is it a group of people who are willing to invest time and money in the club or just an amateurish hedge fund that thinks they could make quite a bit of dosh when in actual fact, they can't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweetleftpeg 0 Posted June 19, 2006 Share Posted June 19, 2006 Fat Fred PR stunt. Gets a big bad US consortium who's motives are unethical to bid for the club then rides into their press conference dressed like a big fat white knight on a donkey declaring 'the deal is off..I will save the club!' I'm taking the piss...or am I. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pertoon 0 Posted June 19, 2006 Share Posted June 19, 2006 Time will tell. Those who want the Halls and Shepherd out and think almost anyone would be better, may unfortunately be about to get a rude awakening. 150207[/snapback] I'm one of those who firmly beleive that there are ups and downs to our current administrators but rest assured they are infinately preferable to some US hedge fund. They are agressive and will seek almost instant returns (ie ticket price hikes). Doug and Fred may be in this to make cash, but it's in the form of a long-term family interest. A hudge fund would want high returns and a sale somewhere down the road. Our long-term interests would not be a consideration. 150252[/snapback] That is exactly what I think too 150254[/snapback] And me. I suppose we are dreaming to think that the club could be taken over by a lifetime dedicated fan who wants Chelski style success and gives us value for money at the same time. Remember though whoever owns the club and that includes the present set up if they invest huge wads of money they are entitled to something back. Our Fred comes in for a lot of stick i know but at least he cares for the club more than some anonymous group of Yanks who are only interested in making a fast buck. Above all else the club should stay in British hands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isegrim 8872 Posted June 19, 2006 Share Posted June 19, 2006 I think it's just a PR stunt from Fat Fred (or LM). He knows that hardly any fan seriously want a takeover by an American hedge fond. I can already hear "Walking in a Shepherd wonderland" chants sung at the next match... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt 0 Posted June 19, 2006 Share Posted June 19, 2006 I think it's just a PR stunt from Fat Fred (or LM). He knows that hardly any fan seriously want a takeover by an American hedge fond. I can already hear "Walking in a Shepherd wonderland" chants sung at the next match... 150722[/snapback] There's PR and there's fraud. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Park Life 70 Posted June 19, 2006 Share Posted June 19, 2006 So what are we dealing with here? Is it a group of people who are willing to invest time and money in the club or just an amateurish hedge fund that thinks they could make quite a bit of dosh when in actual fact, they can't. 150664[/snapback] The amount of interest they have shown means they are pretty sure there is money to be made for themselves. What strategies they put in place and how things affect the club is hard to gage till we see the whites of their eyes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted June 20, 2006 Share Posted June 20, 2006 Fat Fred PR stunt. Gets a big bad US consortium who's motives are unethical to bid for the club then rides into their press conference dressed like a big fat white knight on a donkey declaring 'the deal is off..I will save the club!' I'm taking the piss...or am I. 150676[/snapback] The sound of a nail being hit squarely on its head. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bombadil 0 Posted June 20, 2006 Share Posted June 20, 2006 Fat Fred PR stunt. Gets a big bad US consortium who's motives are unethical to bid for the club then rides into their press conference dressed like a big fat white knight on a donkey declaring 'the deal is off..I will save the club!' I'm taking the piss...or am I. 150676[/snapback] The sound of a nail being hit squarely on its head. 150882[/snapback] And people will fall for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted June 20, 2006 Share Posted June 20, 2006 Fat Fred PR stunt. Gets a big bad US consortium who's motives are unethical to bid for the club then rides into their press conference dressed like a big fat white knight on a donkey declaring 'the deal is off..I will save the club!' I'm taking the piss...or am I. 150676[/snapback] The sound of a nail being hit squarely on its head. 150882[/snapback] And people will fall for it. 150886[/snapback] Already have tbh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Park Life 70 Posted June 20, 2006 Share Posted June 20, 2006 Fat Fred PR stunt. Gets a big bad US consortium who's motives are unethical to bid for the club then rides into their press conference dressed like a big fat white knight on a donkey declaring 'the deal is off..I will save the club!' I'm taking the piss...or am I. 150676[/snapback] The sound of a nail being hit squarely on its head. 150882[/snapback] That's just ridiculous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted June 20, 2006 Share Posted June 20, 2006 Fat Fred PR stunt. Gets a big bad US consortium who's motives are unethical to bid for the club then rides into their press conference dressed like a big fat white knight on a donkey declaring 'the deal is off..I will save the club!' I'm taking the piss...or am I. 150676[/snapback] The sound of a nail being hit squarely on its head. 150882[/snapback] That's just ridiculous. 150888[/snapback] We'll see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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