Thetownend.com

http://www.swindontownfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10341~969568,00.html?
Swindon Town | News | News | Swindon Town Press Release

Oh FFS

Well, it's movement isn't it?

And there's going to be a meeting next week between the two parties?

but it's tuesday. They have no respect for the ancient traditions do they?

my computer's fucked, can you transcribe it here please?

or copy and paste it.

:Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: (if I didn't laugh i'd kill myself)

Swindon Town Press Release

23rd Jan 2007


Swindon Town FC expresses surprise at today's comments from Mike Wilks, as reported in the Swindon Advertiser.

Throughout the autumn the Club waited for Mr Wilks to provide a written proposal. The Club finally received a letter on December 19th which Mr Wilks described in the media as 'an exceptional offer'. The Club and its legal advisors consider there was no substance to his letter whatsoever.

A separate letter was received from Bill Power's lawyers, dated January 15th. The Club's lawyers Clarke Willmott have written to Bill Power's legal representatives, detailing the additional information required before realistic negotiations can commence.

To date, this information has not been supplied, although a conversation has taken place between the respective lawyers.In good faith, the Club, through it's lawyers, are arranging a mutually convenient time for a meeting with Bill Power and his representatives to take place in order to make progress in this matter. It is hoped that this meeting will take place next week.


Interestingly, the letter from Bill Power's lawyers dated January 15th, and referred to by Mr Wilks in his interview with the Swindon Advertiser today, made no specific reference to Mr Wilks or a 'Fans Consortium', but instead refers to 'other potential investors in the Club (who will at present remain anonymous)'. If this is the same group as stated by Mr Wilks it would be inappropriate to liaise with him directly as solicitors are now instructed to deal with this consortium's approach. Accordingly no further communication will be made with Mr Wilks until this is clarified."

clowns

Glass half full guys!

The Club are going to meet with BP and his reps.

Surely a positive step?

thats who i'd want the meet to be between.
its a good step imo as now its on record

yes, good news. a barbed message though, they clearly think that if they throw enough shit then some of it will stick, but the consortium are teflon-coated in comparison to this board.

For sure a positive step as they've made the commitment to meet in writing. Not sure I quite like the tone of their last paragraph towards Mike W though... :?

Yes, that's good news (if it happens, although wait for the announcement of a postponement because all of the directors are in quarantine because of a suspected outbreak of rabies in the board room).

"Oh FFS" was referring to this bit:



How many other groups of investors have they got banging on the farkin door???

 :roll:

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar wrote:

Who is the anonymous party?
Why was Mike left out of the letter?
Are the club and its lawyers just being petty and playing on the wording of a simple letter?
Does this include that the club do not acknowledge this as a Trust and fan’s backed consortium?
Does this really matter in the great scheme of things, provided they cooperate they could be talking to everyone’s favourite light entertainer and fister Mike Barrymore?

It's a step forward as noted, once Mike WIlks has been verified then it looks like proper discussions can start.

Agreed.  But I'm sure MW doesn't give two shits as long as representatives of both sides meet, reach an agreement and finish this once and for all.

This could be the start of the end for the current incumbents! :D

Do you think Mike may have burned his bridges and that it may be best dealt with in the hands of BP and his legal eagles?

Not implying that Mike hasn’t been anything but professional and done things by the book but mike d and his clowns have been incredibly hostile towards Mike and the Trust in the press and perhaps in the interest of progress the men in suits may be able to progress things a little quicker.

The more you consider it the more it’s blatantly a Diamanadis’ swipe at Mike for not negotiating with the un-named.

Sounds like they are saying they will negotiate with Bill Power but not with Mike, (along with the usual stuff trying to portry his actions as amateurish etc).  I don't care who does the negotiations as long as the end result is the current board packing their bags as quickly as possible and FOFWTCF

   :negsy: .......its just not the same....on a Friday I can go out and get hammered, and forget about the nuances of  "a statement"....tonight I mat even have to read it.

Is that rude?

The obvious retort to that is

'Fine.  And we'll negotiate with SSW but not Diamandis.'

And everyone's happy.

Even if Mike Wilks has burned his bridges say with Mike D, Bill Power was recruited by MW to back the fans consortium, any move will be discussed no doubt with MW the same way any move made by SSW will be discussed with Mike D. Effectively this situation just creates a middle man as opposed to having direct contact but it is a way for both parties to move forward. This is assuming that Mike D and SSW still do not want to sign a confidentiality agreement. At the end of the day Bill Power and Phil Emmell would have the final say anyway. Its just a bit of role reversal, whereas I believe MW was going to be a the forefront, Bill Power and Phil Emmell will now be with MW at the back assuming that BP and PE do not name MW as one of the un-named parties.

Is everyone not missing the point here that a club who had the slightest interest in selling up wouldn't be throwing such childish statements about?


they may have a meeting, but it'll be no more than 'good morning, we'd like to buy the club, because you're shit, you've got no money and we have, and we like fans'.

board: 'thanks for coming, but nah, we like it here even if nobody else likes us here. there's the door'.

What happened to no more statements?

I guess that because the seven days was up, they had to cobble something together.

You might be right.

Then again, you might be wrong.

The way I see it is this

Up until now, the club have refused to meet anyone and we've all been pussyfooting around in case it upsets them.

Well now they're having a meet. If nothing comes off it, I would say that all avenues have been explored with the exception of demonstrating.

We can still come back at them.

They've got nothing left.

Is this the club reverting to a 4-5-1 formation then? Will they force Mike D back for corners or allow him a roaming role in the hole? And as you seem to have a flatback three on the consortium side, does that mean they're playing with nobody up front?

Don't confuse Statements with Press Releases. There is a difference.

Hmmm, I don't understand this...

Interestingly, the letter from Bill Power's lawyers dated January 15th, and referred to by Mr Wilks in his interview with the Swindon Advertiser today, made no specific reference to Mr Wilks or a 'Fans Consortium', but instead refers to 'other potential investors in the Club (who will at present remain anonymous)'. If this is the same group as stated by Mr Wilks it would be inappropriate to liaise with him directly as solicitors are now instructed to deal with this consortium's approach. Accordingly no further communication will be made with Mr Wilks until this is clarified."

It reads to me as "MW isn't referenced in BPs letter; If MW IS still involved in the group mentioned by BP, we won't deal with MW because we have instructed solicitors to deal with BP's group"

Does that just not make sense ?  or have they arsed it up and the start of the 2nd last sentence should read 'If this is NOT the.."

I also think the "Interestingly, " start to that paragraph just sounds like a smug bit of shit stirring, but I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt that its not if we actually see some progress !

I was suprised to see the piece in the Adver in the first place,hasnt everyone been calling for silence  why did MW get involved and release the original piece?

Seems very very pedantic to me.

Heres an idea: meet with BP, PE, MW and anyone else who wants to join the party and ask the fucking stupid questions then rather than on the clubs website and through the local media.

That way the questions you have could be answered in a matter of minutes NOT 2 FUCKING MONTHS OF DICKING AROUND WITH EXPENSIVE LAWYERS

Its so simple it makes my brain hurt

It's very easy to get the impression that both sides can't let it go without trying to have the last word.

if wilks hadn't said anything [about his efforts to arrange a meeting] before the "put up or shut up" deadline passed then it would leave the club open to say that there has been no contact and no meeting, and that would be that.

so this is how I read it....

fuck off trust we dont like you
we'll talk to bill because he can offer us lots of money

Provided we get the fucking club I don't care what form the negotiations take.

Even if sidelined from the process a bit, thank you Mr Wilkes for your continued efforts.  It is much appreciated, as is Powers investment and any others that come on board to help.

I look forward to a day when I can watch the footy and not have to worry quite so much about the shit that happens in a small office somewhere (I have enough of that at work).

I look forward to the day i dont have to wear that stupid hat 8)

'Interestingly' it seems that someone is very pissed off with Mike Wilks and the trust guys (Paul Davies and Andy Ratcliffe being sinisterly singled out with a special out-of-context mention during Diamandis' radio interview.) The statement is encouraging in that a meeting is going to take place at last. Petulant shit like the last para of the statement has no place in brokering a serious takeover deal though and the sooner the club is rid of cunts capable of unprofessional bollocks like that, the better.

I wouldn't piss Andy Ratcliffe if I was at the club, he's a creditor in the CVA you are trying to re-negotiate!

Bollocks, you love it.

You will keep wearing it until the day you die.

I wore it to ride to work tonight :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

I can understand it to an extent, the club have ignored the gentlemans agreement to keep schtum so let's see what the Trust really have to offer.

Those that I've spoken to- particurly Andy- will know that I back this completely but I think he'd agree when I say we need to be kept up to speed on both parties versions of events. God knows the Trust's is more (forgive me) trustworthy.

Hertab - sorry been off getting pissed for the last two hours - FOFWTCF
isn't reallt that rude - FOCK OFF FROM WHERE THEY CAME FROM.  I hope I stop posting this evening cos I've had far too much to drink already

no better time to post

No, no, no. Get another beer and go on a rant!

Bloody hell Sussex I don't need any encouragement - it's only nine oclock and I'm starting to burp wine back down my nose.  Can't work out how that happens!  I'm building up the courage to suggest a thread where we all cdive in and say stuff about the board that is "illegal" and see how long it takes for sonic to remove it!

hes not here but i am, so about 2 seconds  :P

I agree

Information (correct of course, and outside the scope of speculation) should be available for comment.

However, we are approaching a vital stage and we have to trust the legal bods to do the right thing.

We still may have a case for NDA's being signed and therefor information will be sketchy for a period.

Whilst the phrasing of today's statement is somewhat strange, I feel that agreeing to meet is a quantum leap in the process.

Quite what the club have against the Trust and Mike is completely beyond me, but I would quite happily staple my bottom lip to both my eyelids if it meant that this deal was brokered and Heads of Agreement signed

 8)

 :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Why the fuck does that happen.

Happened to me in the middle of Il Capricorno's

She wasn't impressed !

 :?

I feel so silly now  :roll:

Go and stand in the corner with your hands on your head !

Yes I will. And im taking my dunces hat with me!

Fred it just seems to happen once you've had about a bottle and a half - whoosh down th nose it drips - thank god I'm not after a shag!  Whits - just a joke I've no wish to land you in the shit by going on about goat sucking thieves etc  Not wishing to go off thread but are you still ok for finding for TEF.  Some of us have joined since the last fund raising posts and would be up for chipping you a few sovs to keep things going

donations can be made at anytime through paypal using - http://www.thetownend.co.uk/donate.html

we're down to the coppers at the moment so anything you can give would go down very well

I shall be donating to the cause this Saturday

Dont have paypal Sir Digby Chicken Ceasar so will cough up the greenbacks in the Merlin !

I just made you a special emoticon

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d35/flammableben/dunce.png

It took me long time.

Can we put that in the available emoticon for us all to use when someone is being spasticated ?

the one in marlborough or somewhere else?

ace restaurant

Will chip in Whits - am working miles away from Swindon and TEF is worth it's weight in gold - keep up the good work

will do in a bit

Old Town, next to what used to be The Bell

and it truly is a remarkable dining experience (not as good as Ben's Dad's though   :wink: )

Aslong as it meets Sonic and Whits crazy emoticon seal of approval. I might draw some more.

Its in Old Town I think, near Fusion

Go Go Go young fella !

I love it when the old chap (owner I thnk) tries to serve you.  By god, don't be wanting speed, but bless him, he's great.  Always have a good meal in there and some nice wine.

The quality of the food is ace Rob !

I'm guessing it's an Italian? Nothing in Swindon will be Marios that place is fantastic. Also staggering distance from a few clubs.

*beat

Il Capricano, while not being anything to do with our Board, is the bees knees of Italian in Swindon, although I haven't tried La Dolce Vita yet, which I hear equally good things about.

Is that the one that used to be The Rockin Emporium Rob ?

Wiggly Cunt  :D

*And I can edit yours

 :--

No that's Fratellos, La Dolce Vita was the chemist just around the corner and the laundrette's.

Ah yes

I like a meal in Fabios the other decent Old Town Italian feeding station after Il Capricorn and Marios, very pleasant all three, cheapish and offer a decent drop of chianti.

Quite nice, but it is the only Italian I have been to in Swindon so nothing to compare to.  I would say it is not as good Sasso's in Kingsclere,  but only Whits (and amyone reading this from Newbury) are likely to give a fuck.

Fabios is defo the best IMO.

How the hell did this turn into an Italian Restuarant Review Post?

 :shock:  :ontopic:  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

What i want to know is this..........How many of you cunts have had Kebabs recently.?

Just wondering like :P (is that racsist)

I ate greek cunts when i went on holiday............And apart from the odd oohhhs and aahhhs :shag:  they both loved it!
Could that be defamotory towards greeks?

:shrug:

 :twisted:

it seems highly unlikely unless you went to mikanos (sp) rather than liabalous (sp)

Am I the only who finds kebabs disgusting pissed or sober??

no you're not. does it stop you eating them though?

yes...cos I don't like them!

I love kebabs in any state. mmmmmmmmmmmm

Did you mean labiaolous Bennett? I could see what you were trying to do there :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Kebabs are great. Sober or otherwise. mmmmmmm

only gays and liars know how to spell that word  8)

chicken kebabs are gert lush innit

My record is three kebabs in one day. That was special. It's all about the classic lamb doner though. none of that lightweigh pansy chicken stuff.

Mental note to self: "Stop looking at Club Press Release" thread in the hope of getting any news whatsoever even vaguely relating to teh club :?  8)

Back on topic......

I do not seriously beleive that this meeting will yield anything, I suspect the club will send their lawyers and there will not be any Wills present to negotiate with so it will just be a play for time.

They are trying a dividing tactic by trying to hint that Bill & Mike are not working together

They will be happy to meet Bill though and discuss his "investment / shareholding" in the holding company not a takeover.

Perhaps fan's need to up the ante ??

Maybe they could have the meeting at these different restaurants. At the very least we will know where the best Italian cuisine is in Swindon

But Si Pi would you trust Newbury et al if they told you where to eat?  I doubt I would.

I find it remarkable that they are publishing such petty, needless statements on the official site at the same time a trying sell themselves to potential sponsors (also on the official site)!

Seems bizarre.

But don't forget the most important issue here...the CVA.  Every day that passes is another day closer to D-Day for the board.  Another day when they need to decide how on earth they are going to extricate themselves from the hole they find themselves in.

It's only a hunch, but I have a strong feeling that the board are behaving in the way are for much the same reason that a poker player pretends he has a good hand when he's been dealt some duds.  When Bill (with or without Mike Wilks) does meet up with the board & their reps, it's going to be Bill that has the bargaining power - and not vice versa.

Yeah.

Tape the gun behind the toilet.

Don't forget to drop it before you leave.

Walk out. Don't run.

i like a good kebab,my top choices are gorse hill grill, and the van at the rugby club.the one on vic hill is the one i use if in town and thats decent too.
fabios is my fav italian but i aint had a bad one in swindon to be fair

i honestly think its an encouraging press release. they are going to talk at least thats a fucking start! we haven't had that for 2 whole months so thats good news. time will tell if the board find the takeover bid appropraite i suppose. they may want to talk about investment but surely when BP was offered the chance to take full control of the club before the plane crash (if this is to be believed) they would be interested. i hope thats the case anyway.

van at the rugby club, good choice!!

I'm struggling to fully comprehend this...

The board are refusing to talk/negotiate with Mike Wilkes but are happy to talk/negotiate with Bill Power.

As Bill is already a shareholder (according to the club) and Mike isn't, aren't they effectively still refusing to negotiate with the Consortium?

Which isn't good news.

Yeah Fred will probably leave several items off the minutes. Probable a 3 course meal of several or something.

Yes ........................ and I would do it intentionally just because you were involved  :wink:

 :scribe:

If any other minute takers would like to step up to the plate then ace !!!

 :evil:


(sorry, had a shit day !)

 Clearly Maverick should put himself forward for minute taking duties....that way he might not have time for posting crap on message boards.

just made the point on thisis that Maverick was lucky to get as full a set as was issued at an Open forum, particularly as Bowden arrived an blew the agenda apart.  Taking minutes is the shittiest job in the world FACT

Seconded.

Anally retentive wanker. A good qualification for a councillor*








* DISCLAIMER

Not all councillors are anally retentive wankers - in fact I know a handful who aren't.

Chris Van Roon is ace



FACT !

Ok, let's play "Name The Good Councillor"!

Right...

Keith Williams
Rod Bluh
Andy Harrison
CVR (as per Fred)
Mike Dickinson
Stan Pajak

Er. Oh. Um.

Well that's 6 out of 59 I suppose.

10%...

I tend to agree TT

Mr Bluh was cool when I met him in the CGH

CVR offered his support (within the contraints of his position) at the initial forum at the Railway Village.

My Mum and Dad, now 75 have had some "local issues" and Chris visited them at home and could not have been more courteous.

And he took there issues away and sorted them, themn reported back.

Now that to me is what a good local counciller is all about IMHO

You've forgotten that Martin bloke who wants everything closed down

The new statement appears to backtrack a bit stating that they will speak to Mike Wilks should he have a revised approach. By this I would insist that MW approaching the club through BP solicitors etc stating that MW can talk on BP behalf.

what about the guy I work with Pete Green*something or other*

Ermmm   he wasn't on TT's list Sonic

My thoughts exactly Mr Slim

I honestly hope it isn't lip service

Peter Greenhalgh (pronounced Green-halchhhh for some unknown and presumably pretentious reason  :wink: )

He's ok I suppose. Generally headed in the right direction and has some ideas about Swindon but he keeps coming out with  the odd stupid comment and proposal which annoys me (and lots of others) intensely.

Alright as a bloke though, has bought me the odd beer or two unprompted.

Haven't we all !

 :wink:

No...

Mr Concrete.

Inflexible. No heart. Solid in his rhetoric and (no offence Si) a complete money man.

Yeah, he fought for Shaw F0rest but I have come to realise that it was because it was his pet project. Events since about what should be up there have grated badly with SFPG.

His stance on the club's stadium plans were correct (money man).

However, I can't forgive him for his backing for the West Swindon school closures and I hate him for his proposal to close Lower Shaw Farm.

Definitely not on my list (maybe the hit version).

Wasn't Nick Martin the bloke who kept slagging off the club in the press?

Indeed he was.