Actually there is an awful lot of strong circumstantial evidence. They key though is understanding what is reliable and what isn't and coupling it with what makes sense and what doesn't.
I am not trying to pour any cold water on anything. I believe the takeover WILL happen, I believe even a few million to spend on players will be enough for Warnock to do the business anything more a bonus. I could not be happier about it all however I don't believe for a second that LUST know any more than you or I and I fail to see how that is pouring cold water on anything?
Sorry I don't believe they know who the ones in talks are, how do you explain this quote last week by them "We don't know how many are talking to the club right now". It might be one of those contacted by them it could be someone totally different, they have said they don't know, they can guess like the rest of us...
I was just referring to some of the nay-sayers in general, I wasn't intending to single you out. You're entitled to your opinion and your beliefs but I've had dealings with some of them and they absolutely DO know more than you or I. I think just how much will come out in due course.
Give some reliable information, please as I want it to be true... LUST are not reliable yet, after this my opinion hopefully will change but so far they have not got anything to back them up... The club are saying "investment"... YEP are churning rumours and rolling out randoM experts that are not involved. WHAT AM I MISSING..... I WANT TO BELIEVE!!!!
The word "investment" is legal speak. Technically a takeover is investment, but they are simply buying enough shares to takeover control of the club. There is a lot more to it than simply what LUST are saying. Basically you are just ignoring every single piece of evidence to make up your own bullshit theory that has absolutely no backing apart from your own imagination. And a hell of a lot has happened in that week, including LUST coming out saying they believe it is one of the groups they have spoken to that are buying us, presumably because that's what they've been told by the same group.
I like the way LUST have been dealing with this so far, and if it all turns out to be true (wich im thinking it will) i think it will be a great thing for the club, new investors that have spoken to the Supporters trust, great way to "interact" with the board and the investors will know what to expect. Infact i know its a little bit early, but im gona have a little dance
For the doubters - take a look at this - Man City's statement on investment uses very similar terminology to that issued by the club: http://www.mcfc.co.uk/News/Club-news/2008/September/Club-statement-re-takeover Also have a look at Lorimer's article tonight in the YEP. He even mentions the work takeover - and he's a director of the club. Have a look at why someone would need to undergo the fit and proper person's test for the FL, or under what circumstances due diligence is undertaken, or even what is meant by the term "period of exclusivity". There's lots of info out there - have a look at some of it. It's a takeover.
No need to make it personal Simon, I just doubt Bates is ready to give up control... OK Here is how I see the next few days going... We will get investment from a "group" Ken Bates will have reduced ownership to about 29%. The groups investors will want to stay out of the limelight and leave the day to day running of the club to Ken Bates. As they will own more that 10% they will need to be declared fit & proper but as Shaun Harvey is on the board of the Football League I doubt that it will cause too many problems & they will no doubt respect their wishes in remaining unknown. When we get promoted Ken will sell his 29% of the club. Its worth noting at this point that Ken only had 29% of Chelsea which he sold to Abramovich, the FSA investigated claims that he controlled the trusts that owned the rest of Chelsea but the investigation was halted and nothing was found... WHY AM I SO CYNICAL...? because it has happened before...
You need to be buying 30% of shares to have to undergo the fit and proper persons test, and where has this happened before? Ken buying the club from himself is a completely different situation. You are just making things up and saying "well none of this other stuff can be true, because it doesn't match up with my imaginary scenario". And it's hard not to make it "personal" when it's you're idea I'm disputing. Of course I'm not trying to insult you, just argue against what you've been saying on this topic.
I hope I am wrong, but Man City using the term Investment in statement is hardly proof. The test you mentioned applies to anyone who controls 10% or more... Actual Club Statement: "A confidentiality clause prevents the club from making any further comment. However, our discussions with them have left us very comfortable that they have the financial resources to support the club and that they will have no issues in satisfying the requirements of the Football League's Owners and Directors Test, unlike many of the previous approaches we have had to endure." Should have read: "We don't want too many questions so we have a confidentiality clause, the people we are putting forwards will get through the tough tests Shaun & I have arranged at the Football league, those other richer foreign investors that LUST suggested, well they were not the right sort if you know what I mean... Kept insisting on me leaving... I know can you believe it, I only asked for 40 million and the right to invest it off shore and they no & I had to go...!"
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/oct/07/fit-and-proper-person-test It's definitely over 30%. As for the rest I give up trying to convince, but we'll all know come next week - Monday I reckon.
I am having a drink or several tonight on the basis that a) if this is all true then I may as well start celebrating early b) if it is not all true and we find we still have KB, I may as well start "celebrating" that news early, too c) I like alcohol I commend this approach to others who seem to be getting a little tense about all this. Calm down, - its only the future of LUFC at stake.
Something surely has to be announced on Monday, speculation is more rife than ever. Even I'm becoming more optimistic about starting a new Batesless era! But I still can't get rid of the small feeling in the back of my mind that 'this is Leeds United and it's all gonna go tits up'.
Some people just can't stand others being ahead of them, can they? I am saddened by some of the anti-LUST arguments being put forward on here, it just shows the posters in a really bad light. It also appears that ol' Ken has been ill rather a lot recently, but especially when there is a court case with questions to answer! He has to go this year because of cashflow because we have cut off his money supply. Whether this takeover goes through or not, it will happen this season Well done to those with the balls to take action and especially to LUST who chose to give their time freely to be a voice for the fans of Leeds United and to take all the flak it entailed, not only from the board by by so-called LUFC supporters too
