Putting the excitement aside...

[sonic youth]

Where does this leave the takeover?

Let's look at the press release by the board earlier today:

The continued reference to a Fans Consortium appears to be misleading given that Mr Wilkes is stating he has funding available from an unnamed backer, who we understand is American and not a fan of the club.

Are the board really foolish enough to think that those behind the Consortium would come out and say the finances are in place when they're not? What's more, the most recent development would prove them to be at least half wrong - Power is definitely not American! Whether he's a fan of the club or not is questionable.

Have the Trust been informed as to the identity of the proposed backer and if so, have they satisfied themselves as to their credentials? If they have not been provided with the identity of the backer or not checked their credentials the Club would have to ask the Trust why they are endorsing a potential bid with so little information.

Not only are the club incapable of distinguishing between the Trust and the Consortium but they are trying to call the fans bluff there, are they not? Once again, given sudden recent developments, I think that it's obvious that both the credentials AND finances are secured.

Mr Wilkes has chosen to make his proposals, such as they are, through the media and no letter or offer document has been sent or provided to Sir Seton Wills. No evidence has been provided to the Wills family or to the Board to suggest there are sufficient funds available to buy the club and service its working capital requirements.

Unless I'm mistaken, Wilks just stated that he has met with SSW on at least two occassions to negotiate the NDA whereby all private information would remain private and this childish posturing between the two parties would cease, thus leaving both the board and the consortium looking halfway decent.

Furthermore no evidence has been provided to the Board, which suggests Mr Wilkes has, to quote the Trust Press Release, "the wherewithal and the business acumen to stabilise the business and take it forward."

Well, if the board were happy that Mr Power had the "werewithal and business acumen" six months ago, I'm sure they would be satisfied that he still does. How can the board maintain this stance?  Will they have the bollocks to retract this statement?

Clearly none of this changes the fact that the Consortium refuse to negotiate with Diamandis, so where now? Obviously it's excellent news that Power is behind the Consortium but if the board are unwilling to budge then what steps can be taken to avoid this deadlock?

Perhaps I'm being hasty but is now the time to make it clear to the board that we want them out? If a significant number of fans make their voices heard and it becomes abudantly clear that the fans want this takeover to happen, would it leave the board with no option but to agree?

If the finances aren't in place to ensure the future of this football club with the current incumbbent board, surely they would not allow the club to sink without trace when people are waiting in the wings with the finances to cover existing debts as well as further the club's progress.

One thing seems apparent though, Power's departure from the club was clearly not for health reasons if he's willing to return months later - will the truth come out?

[Panda Paws]

All good points, Sonic. I'm up for letting them know that they're no longer wanted if everyone else is. I've got the time on Saturday to chant for quite some time after the match

[TalkTalk]

will the truth come out?

On your marks...get set...

[DV]

on the last point, did anyone really believe the cock and bull about health reasons.

Sure he was far from 100% fit and probably isnt now, dont get me wrong im not saying he wasnt injured.

But there is being too injured to come to work and injured enough to ask for 1.2million quid back....hmmmm

[Panda Paws]

on the last point, did anyone really believe the cock and bull about health reasons.

To be honest, at the time, there was nothing other than that excuse to believe. But, as time went on, and as this lot have been exposed for the shambles that they are, the excuse is looking less and less plausible.

[Summerof69]

I believe Mike Wilks did say the BP is still suffering from his injuries.

Even so, he still wants to help get these A-holes out.

[lebowski]

Mark Devlin has also said that Bill's recovery is taking some time, so I don't doubt it's one of (if not THE) reasons why he stepped away. But the fact that he's backing the consortium suggests that the board weren't totally transparent with their version of events.

Just for a change.

[sonic youth]

The point I was trying to make regarding Power's departure was that it's not as clear-cut and black & white as the board would have us believe. Time has proved that it's far more complicated and if anything should act as a catalyst in the mind's of doubters.

[Simon Pieman]

The point I was trying to make regarding Power's departure was that it's not as clear-cut and black & white as the board would have us believe. Time has proved that it's far more complicated and if anything should act as a catalyst in the mind's of doubters.

Jewish?

[janaage]

Mark Devlin has also said that Bill's recovery is taking some time, so I don't doubt it's one of (if not THE) reasons why he stepped away. But the fact that he's backing the consortium suggests that the board weren't totally transparent with their version of events.

Just for a change.

But Mark D could hardly come out and say his employers were lying cunts and Bill Power'sa currently in training for the next London marathon could he.  To a certain extent even Mr Devlin has to tow the company line.

[Batch]

The reasons for not continuing day to day activities seemed spot on, i.e. due to his injuries.

Never beleived the cock and bull about why he wanted his investment back. Rather I could understand if he wanted to walk away and do something else with his money if it was ammicable. But threatening legal action is hardly a sign of leaving on ammicable terms.

[Reg Smeeton]

I think its important that The Trust are still seen to be engaged in this and as such we should all be pushing ordinary fans to sign up, and get as involved as possible.  By this I mean it should still be seen as a fan's Consortium, as opposed to a businessmans deal, that way a fans rep can justifiably be allocated a place on the Board by election.

[RobertT]

agree Reg, in the rush to offer plaudits it must be remembered we are all involved in this.  Having supporter rep, at proper board level, will be vital for ensuring this sort of situation should not happen again.  You can't protect against bad decisions equalling poor financial performance, but you can at least be sure of knowing what is being done and why.

[DV]

wasnt Power all for a fans rep on the board when he was here the first time?

[Fred Elliot]

wasnt Power all for a fans rep on the board when he was here the first time?

It is part of the mandate that the fans gave the consortium DV



So.............it stands


Bill is right behind it !