Statement from the club

[Brainman]

I see t'committee have put out another statement to show how important they are.
That's the trouble with commitees. They imagine they matter. So they do something to justify their existence.
Any old stuff will do even if it is pompous and self righteous.

 

[The Norton Cat]

It's not ****e though is it? I know people prefer 'MY VIEW IS THAT FPP WILL BE MAJORITY OWNERS VERY SOON BECAUSE THEY DID A COMPANY WITH THE SOL AS THE ADDRESS' but it's just illogical. If FPP didn't want to do a convertible loan and didn't agree with Donald's potential valuation of those shares, then they would have walked away. The more likely explanation is that they cajoled him into a very favorable deal for them that gives them flexibility in future and involves zero risk for them.

I think they've never intended to own the club outright. Donald etc have consistently talked about investment rather than anything else. It makes sense to me now, and always has done, that their involvement would be similar to their involvement with the Miami Marlins. Initially, I thought it would be similar to the Marlins policy of recruiting young players who've been let go by other clubs but now I think it's more likely that they see themselves as being part of a larger consortium of owners or 'investors'.

 

[Kittenmittons]

I think they've never intended to own the club outright. Donald etc have consistently talked about investment rather than anything else. It makes sense to me now, and always has done, that their involvement would be similar to their involvement with the Miami Marlins. Initially, I thought it would be similar to the Marlins policy of recruiting young players who've been let go by other clubs but now I think it's more likely that they see themselves as being part of a larger consortium of owners or 'investors'.

I don't know about their long term ambitions, but I agree wholeheartedly that it follows the MSD paradigm with the Marlins and actually follows basic investment principles. This is not in their wheelhouse. It's too simplistic to say 'they can hire someone to do it for them' when there is a scarcity of good football executives who would be willing to work in League One. hell, if we were in the PL, there's no guarantee we would get a good CEO with experience necessary to understand the specifics of football. Make the wrong choice, and the trickle down could ruin their investment.

They will see the club from the inside out this way, and by the time to make a decision on converting shares comes around, they'll have more knowledge with which to do it.

 

[Toddius]

It's impossible to work out what Donald is doing ...

... I seriously doubt he knows what his end game plan is tbh.

Methven is still involved somehow, I can just feel it

That club statement looked like something he'd blurt out after a few drinks.


He definitely has it in for RAWA and the fanzines

Thanks for all the information fella.

That statement has Methven all over it. No doubt about it.

 

[Draig]

It's not ****e though is it? I know people prefer 'MY VIEW IS THAT FPP WILL BE MAJORITY OWNERS VERY SOON BECAUSE THEY DID A COMPANY WITH THE SOL AS THE ADDRESS' but it's just illogical. If FPP didn't want to do a convertible loan and didn't agree with Donald's potential valuation of those shares, then they would have walked away. The more likely explanation is that they cajoled him into a very favorable deal for them that gives them flexibility in future and involves zero risk for them.

I don't think that view is ilogical, just simplistic. I agree with your £10million toe in the water theory, although I don't also subscribe to the view that FPP are dead set against being majority shareholders here just because they haven't done that over in the US.

My thinking is that view would only be valid if we were already in the Prem, with the considerable uplift in revenue and club valuation that would entail - yet FPP came to SAFC specifically because they viewed we were likely to achieve just that level with a 'minimal' (to them) outlay. What makes me believe FPP were more likely to want ownership here is the idea of them as investors wanting to create a legacy.

 

[Dave_39]

JOINT STATEMENT RE: STEWART DONALD’S DECISION TO PLACE SUNDERLAND AFC UP FOR SALE
January 9, 2020HomeWise Men Say
The following is a joint statement by A Love Supreme, Red & White Army, Roker Report and Wise Men Say in response to Stewart Donald’s public confirmation that Sunderland AFC is up for sale.


THE STATEMENT READS:

In our joint statement on the 27th December 2019, we explained it was our desire for the Sunderland owner to sell his stake in the club, so the official confirmation that he intends to find a suitable buyer is welcome news.

Stewart Donald has continued to communicate with us during this process, and has made it clear that he wishes to sell as soon as possible, to the right buyer.

We hope that a changing of the guard will occur as soon as reasonably possible and for a fair price, to people with a long-term plan, who will be able to get Sunderland AFC back where it belongs.

In the meantime, like all Sunderland fans, we will continue to support the team come what may. Throughout the club’s long and proud history, the fans have been the one constant. Through triumphs and many heartaches the one thing SAFC can always be proud of is the passionate, intense and loyal supporters, all with the same goal – to give their full backing to a team we can be proud of.

Supporters have been and always will be the heartbeat of this club, and we’re in this for the long haul.

Sunderland ‘til we die.

http://wisemensay.co.uk/statement090120/

 

[Kittenmittons]

I don't think that view is ilogical, just simplistic. I agree with your £10million toe in the water theory, although I don't also subscribe to the view that FPP are dead set against being majority shareholders here just because they haven't done that over in the US.

My thinking is that view would only be valid if we were already in the Prem, with the considerable uplift in revenue and club valuation that would entail - yet FPP came to SAFC specifically because they viewed we were likely to achieve just that level with a 'minimal' (to them) outlay. What makes me believe FPP were more likely to want ownership here is the idea of them as investors wanting to create a legacy.

Agree with most that, that's my position too in a nutshell. If they do come in as majority shareholders, we will be in the PL or on the cusp. In the meantime they'll keep upping their stake at intervals where they can be comfortable that they aren't biting off more than they want to chew at that point.

 

[Draig]

I think a positive comment would finish Donald off tbh. Currently the fan base is split, partly because there's no obvious white knights riding in. Who does Donald sell to? Will he just maximise his profit and sell us to anyone who will pay? Grass isn't always greener etc. If FPP let it be known that they're interested but only at the price they think is fair? If that was leaked to a respected journalist the fans would turn en masse on Donald, they'd be desperate for him to sell and they'd see any refusal to sell as greed (even if FPP put an unrealistically low value on us). At that point things would get very uncomfortable for Donald and he might be more keen to go. If they want us I think they just have to say the word

In my opinion Danald is now decidedly pissed off at the fans of SAFC and, given that he seems to think SAFC are on a positive financial footing (ie self supporting) he will stay away and let us rot in L3 just to piss us off. Of course, there is the possibility that the team's current resurgence may result in promotion and he then takes the credit for masterminding this then sells up at a profit.

 

[Draig]

JOINT STATEMENT RE: STEWART DONALD’S DECISION TO PLACE SUNDERLAND AFC UP FOR SALE
January 9, 2020HomeWise Men Say
The following is a joint statement by A Love Supreme, Red & White Army, Roker Report and Wise Men Say in response to Stewart Donald’s public confirmation that Sunderland AFC is up for sale.


THE STATEMENT READS:

In our joint statement on the 27th December 2019, we explained it was our desire for the Sunderland owner to sell his stake in the club, so the official confirmation that he intends to find a suitable buyer is welcome news.

Stewart Donald has continued to communicate with us during this process, and has made it clear that he wishes to sell as soon as possible, to the right buyer.

We hope that a changing of the guard will occur as soon as reasonably possible and for a fair price, to people with a long-term plan, who will be able to get Sunderland AFC back where it belongs...

http://wisemensay.co.uk/statement090120/

Meh! 'We aren't backing away from our earlier statement but may have fcuked up a bit so we hope we won't have too much of a screw-up effect on the club's immediate future'

 

[sad-eyed prophet]

JOINT STATEMENT RE: STEWART DONALD’S DECISION TO PLACE SUNDERLAND AFC UP FOR SALE
January 9, 2020HomeWise Men Say
The following is a joint statement by A Love Supreme, Red & White Army, Roker Report and Wise Men Say in response to Stewart Donald’s public confirmation that Sunderland AFC is up for sale.


THE STATEMENT READS:

In our joint statement on the 27th December 2019, we explained it was our desire for the Sunderland owner to sell his stake in the club, so the official confirmation that he intends to find a suitable buyer is welcome news.

Stewart Donald has continued to communicate with us during this process, and has made it clear that he wishes to sell as soon as possible, to the right buyer.

We hope that a changing of the guard will occur as soon as reasonably possible and for a fair price, to people with a long-term plan, who will be able to get Sunderland AFC back where it belongs.

In the meantime, like all Sunderland fans, we will continue to support the team come what may. Throughout the club’s long and proud history, the fans have been the one constant. Through triumphs and many heartaches the one thing SAFC can always be proud of is the passionate, intense and loyal supporters, all with the same goal – to give their full backing to a team we can be proud of.

Supporters have been and always will be the heartbeat of this club, and we’re in this for the long haul.

Sunderland ‘til we die.

http://wisemensay.co.uk/statement090120/

Cheers mate for putting that up.
Imo,the statement adds **** all to the situation.

 

[SAFCDRUM]

JOINT STATEMENT RE: STEWART DONALD’S DECISION TO PLACE SUNDERLAND AFC UP FOR SALE
January 9, 2020HomeWise Men Say
The following is a joint statement by A Love Supreme, Red & White Army, Roker Report and Wise Men Say in response to Stewart Donald’s public confirmation that Sunderland AFC is up for sale.


THE STATEMENT READS:

In our joint statement on the 27th December 2019, we explained it was our desire for the Sunderland owner to sell his stake in the club, so the official confirmation that he intends to find a suitable buyer is welcome news.

Stewart Donald has continued to communicate with us during this process, and has made it clear that he wishes to sell as soon as possible, to the right buyer.

We hope that a changing of the guard will occur as soon as reasonably possible and for a fair price, to people with a long-term plan, who will be able to get Sunderland AFC back where it belongs.

In the meantime, like all Sunderland fans, we will continue to support the team come what may. Throughout the club’s long and proud history, the fans have been the one constant. Through triumphs and many heartaches the one thing SAFC can always be proud of is the passionate, intense and loyal supporters, all with the same goal – to give their full backing to a team we can be proud of.

Supporters have been and always will be the heartbeat of this club, and we’re in this for the long haul.

Sunderland ‘til we die.

http://wisemensay.co.uk/statement090120/

Yip. They still don't speak for me!

 

[Billy Batts]

Cheers mate for putting that up.
Imo,the statement adds **** all to the situation.

This. Notice there's nothing on there that states "we must also stress, we realise our views are our own and not representing the whole fanbase who may hold a different view". Something like that.

 

[Sheep Farmer]

I would say the likelihood of the extreme interpretations of FPP's motives (they want it all now vs they only want Donald and not the club) are the least likely to be correct. Golden rule in scenarios where you have those two poles is to assume something in-between until proven otherwise. That's why I think them being happy to wait and see and assume a minority interest if all goes well is the most likely. Also... it's exactly what they did when all options were on the table.

For example, the loan terms. People are assuming charges and interest etc, but we don't know either exist depending on circumstances. This just isn't your standard loan from the bank. We shouldn't assume either of those things on any scale. I would also add one really crazy thing that I have never seen mentioned - if Donald took $12m and converted it to GBP in early November, he'd actually have made a profit of a few hundred grand just by the leap in currency.

eg: $12m at the time = £9.35m
today £9.35m = $12.25m

But that's by the by, my point is that because the loan is not really designed to 'just be a loan', it could well not be subject to traditional loan rules during the life of it. That means not repaying at regular intervals during the term the way we would on a small secured loan, or having fixed charges, and I think the idea of it having the entire interest calculated up front and added is very very far-fetched. Even SBC didn't do that, put it that way.

So the likelihood is there may be a small penalty or interest charge after a month, but it'll almost certainly be offset by gains in currency.

Personally think small interest but relatively large penalty, They've spent a fair bit of time and effort setting this up and to make nothing out of it because SD goes for early repayment would seem very strange. Penalty could easily be 2% of loan = 0.25 on 12.25. So no great gain but no great cost either.

 

[Sheep Farmer]

I don't know about their long term ambitions, but I agree wholeheartedly that it follows the MSD paradigm with the Marlins and actually follows basic investment principles. This is not in their wheelhouse. It's too simplistic to say 'they can hire someone to do it for them' when there is a scarcity of good football executives who would be willing to work in League One. hell, if we were in the PL, there's no guarantee we would get a good CEO with experience necessary to understand the specifics of football. Make the wrong choice, and the trickle down could ruin their investment.

They will see the club from the inside out this way, and by the time to make a decision on converting shares comes around, they'll have more knowledge with which to do it.

Well done for correct usage of "paradigm" and making me look it up - doesn't mean what I thought it did

 

[ned_werby]

JOINT STATEMENT RE: STEWART DONALD’S DECISION TO PLACE SUNDERLAND AFC UP FOR SALE
January 9, 2020HomeWise Men Say
The following is a joint statement by A Love Supreme, Red & White Army, Roker Report and Wise Men Say in response to Stewart Donald’s public confirmation that Sunderland AFC is up for sale.


THE STATEMENT READS:

In our joint statement on the 27th December 2019, we explained it was our desire for the Sunderland owner to sell his stake in the club, so the official confirmation that he intends to find a suitable buyer is welcome news.

Stewart Donald has continued to communicate with us during this process, and has made it clear that he wishes to sell as soon as possible, to the right buyer.

We hope that a changing of the guard will occur as soon as reasonably possible and for a fair price, to people with a long-term plan, who will be able to get Sunderland AFC back where it belongs.

In the meantime, like all Sunderland fans, we will continue to support the team come what may. Throughout the club’s long and proud history, the fans have been the one constant. Through triumphs and many heartaches the one thing SAFC can always be proud of is the passionate, intense and loyal supporters, all with the same goal – to give their full backing to a team we can be proud of.

Supporters have been and always will be the heartbeat of this club, and we’re in this for the long haul.

Sunderland ‘til we die.

http://wisemensay.co.uk/statement090120/

As I said over the road - a parcel of self-congratulatory ****e. They should wind their necks in.

 

[SAFCDRUM]

As I said over the road - a parcel of self-congratulatory ****e. They should wind their necks in.

It literally is just a few blokes from each party just writing a letter and making it on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of Sunderland fans. Load of nonsense.

 

[Bigmackem]

SAFC fans should set up a subcommittee to say that we will not indulge the Four fanzines concerned to speak on the fans behalf EVER !!! ,this came totally out of the blue as if on a whim . I have never seen any canvassing for opinions either for or against the owner and as I said on an earlier post they should not be allowed to be spokespersons for the supporters . We are now 25% of the way through the January transfer window and still in with a chance of automatic promotion let alone the play offs and the four fanzines are destabilising the club at a crucial juncture, what on earth possessed you to do this . We all should be behind the team and talking about Football not ownership issues halfway through the season as it is counter productive.

 

[Nostradamoose]

This. Notice there's nothing on there that states "we must also stress, we realise our views are our own and not representing the whole fanbase who may hold a different view". Something like that.

Unfortunately that would require a degree of self awareness which both parties are lacking.

 

[DH4]

Played right into Donald's hands here ; divide and conquer. Whilst fanzines and fans with nowt to do with fanzines argue amongst themselves Donald carries on doing much the same thing with the added bonus of a ready made excuse not to spend in the transfer window. Tories do it all the time e.g. making out that the unemployed are the problem and not unemployment per se. Classic.

 

[Blond Bombshell]

Aye she did mention it

Wasted on here marra