Howdy Peeps, Its the eve of a new season.... After months of speculation, Hisham Al Rayes, chief executive of Gulf Finance House, has come clean about the Bahrain-based bankâs intentions towards the Mighty Whites. He wants to sell, it has always ben his intentions to do so, and would want to do so in 12-18 months. Al Rayes is the man who has ultimate control of Unitedâs destiny after his UK subsidiary, Gulf Finance Capital, bought Leeds for less than £28 million in December. After one of the most turbulent periods in the clubâs recent history, which has resulted in former owner, Ken Bates, exiting Elland Road, Al Rayes has revealed he is seeking to sell a controlling interest in United while retaining what he refers to as an influential âminority stakeâ. GFH currently owns more than 80% off the clubâs issued share capital. He said: "New investors will come into the club, some directly and some under the GFH name. This will further extend opportunities for Leeds United and further bring resources to the club. "To clarify, we are a private equity house â we create funds and create value and then achieve a good return." Whilst on the subject of GFH, they are in the process of agreeing to buy back Elland Road.... Realistically, who expects us to pick anything up at the Brighton game. What do we reckon the score will be?
Morning!! We always guessed it was a buy and sell for a profit "investment" by GFH. Key thing is when they sell that the new owners GFH select have plenty money spare to build the squad into a quality one. GFH will only sell once we get to Prem, its the only way they will realise a profit. To increase the value of their investment, they also need to own ER and TA, so the move to buy the stadium fits into their plan. We will beat Brighton, massive crowd celebrating no Bates and roaring the boys on will be worth two goals!! MOT!!
Morning Elland. Its the first game of the season. All players from both sides will want to impres. It will be madness and mayhem for an hour or so with our crowd having a very important part to play. In the same way that a team that no one likes me to mention had "welcome to hell" on the tunnel of their ground, perhaps a suitably hostile reception for Brighton will help our cause. That said, I think it will be a 1-1 draw. On GFH, I'll believe them buying back the ground and possibly Thorp Arch when it happens. But we really do seem to be moving in the right direction. If we don't win the league with 100 pts or more, a top 6 finish will suffice, as much to show progress as anything else. Going forward, we are finally getting a good crop of youngsters coming forward to build on whatever we achieve this season. Should save us having to spend money on players coming to the end of their careers and looking at us to top up their pensions.
Morning Billy, agree, lets just hope that the more attractive package of Leeds Utd lures super rich investors
Morning all I think your club has finally turned the corner and things from now on will only be positive But dont expect it to be fixed over-nite cos its going to take a few years but i think you have found your feet at last
I feared a 0-1 against Brighton, starting to think the feel good factor and the large crowd might make that a 1-1. Given what has (not) happened with the squad in the summer, any result thats an improvement on the same game last year would be good news. I am going to have trouble focusing on woprk for the next two days - buying back ER would be huge, first - its a sign serious money is being put in, and you onloy do that if you want a serious cluib at the end of it, second - it frees up spend going forwards, that would have gone on rent, for the team. (If anyone understand the fair play rules, comment also - I assume it helps them, also, if we cut out the rental expense? But irrespetice of this, it means the business has more cash flow each year going forwards)
It was obvious that they were short term and in it for the money, especially last week when we were told that we would be promoted within 2 years. Oh yes it was easy to say when you know you aint going to be here. On a positive note though, I'm chuffed that things are moving at pace behind the scenes. TA is being sorted and it looks like money is coming in to buy back ER, which means GFH's investment will get a serious boost when it comes to selling their stake. The value of the club will rocket and what with no more Bates and the rest of the sleaze brigade, its all positive stuff. BMD just needs a bit of cash to sort out the squad. Brighton are slightly behind where they want to be because of the Gus situation and the new bloke coming in late. Lost a couple of top players but brought in new replacements who need bedding in. 3-0 Leeds. If we put the photos of some of our crap players on the Brighton dressing room, will we get done for putting **** in the oppositions room
Morning all A a bank trying to make a large profit shock horror. Seriously what they've done over the past few weeks has been brilliant and the thought of owning ER again is pretty damn cool. Finally the season starts it's been a stupidly long summer with no football thank god it's the World Cup next year. As for the Brighton score I'm going for a 1-1 draw
Nah its me Billy i think its becoming clear now with your new owners. basically i think they found a club which was broken,and are out to mend it and make a profit. Seems they want to do this over the next couple of years.Sell off the majority shares getting their dosh back hold a small minority (purchased with their profit) Let someone else take the reins and just sit back and possibly earn a few bob extra. Sounds sweet to me. You fans just need to hope they find an investor with loads of dosh to push you on Seems like a good plan.....
Morning elland with all thats been happening in the last week or so I think something major investment wise is going to happen ? Maybe the red bull rumor was no bull? Im at the match tomorroe and I think with all the fan base returning we will win 2or 3-1 well hope so . Mot
Morning guys, whats happening? Obviously I'd be happy with ER being bought back, that would be a HUGE step in making this club great again. It would do so much for everyone concerned. However I will wait to get excited about it until it actually happens. Anyone mentioned this yet: http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/spor...les-loan-strangers-out-of-his-plans-1-5915277 McDermott saying that he doesn't want to use the loan market unless its a deal to sign the player after the loan. Personally I think its a good policy to have
Morning all. Could hardly sleep last night, saw the rumours just before bedtime. Please God let this be true.
Morning all This is far too much excitement for me to take, rumoured massive investments, buying ER back, season starting tomorrow. Like most others have said, I'll believe it when I see it, but the BBC aren't usually in the business of publishing hearsay. It would be amazing if it gets announced before the game tomorrow, would be a 30k strong party at Elland Road!
