Prince is taking over

[LoughboroBlade]

I generally agree with he view that McCabe wouldn’t sell to an individual that he doesn’t have the club’s interests at heart – he’s after all said it more than once, and his trust in the Prince is presumably why this buy-out clause was in the original deal.

However, to play devil’s advocate for a minute, there are two things that might undermine that view:

1. While the clause was included at the time due to that trust, McCabe’s experience of working directly with the Prince may have altered that level of confidence
2. McCabe’s decision-making and instinct has not always been watertight, as evidenced by the Robson appointment (one that to this day he continues to fail to recognise as an error of judgment)

What I would say is that I’m far happier he might sell to people that we’re all familiar with as being generally reasonable. I’m not overly bothered if he doesn’t pour in millions so long as he doesn’t ruin the club. I’ve seen nothing in how the Prince and his people have acted to date to suggest that they are going to all of a sudden act like the bad bunch of foreign owners we’ve seen elsewhere.

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

I am not ITK, but I heard a rumour from a good source on Twitter that there is a football match at Bramall Lane tomorrow? Can anyone confirm this?

 

[I should coco]

Maybe this is for no other reason than spreading a little of the family's wealth to other countries (I appreciate a lot of what they have will already be outside SA) just in case that rainy day comes where you get home from work to find a man with a gun sitting in your favourite chair and you need to leave quickly. Buying a UK business now would be a lot easier than when you have your cash 'tied up'.
Where would this leave United? Exactly in the same place we are now.

A minor consideration but he could have just bought a nice little health club somewhere that just about breaks even to achieve the same end.

No one in their right mind would 'invest' tens of millions in business renowned for gobbling up owner's money and in a high profile industry at that. You either love football and/or love the publicity or you are a gambler looking to throw six sixes and make the promised land.

 

[UnitedBlade]

I keep seeing posts around maybe he's encouraged his family to invest but I can't see anything that would suggest this is true and seems to be entirely based on nothing but wishful thinking because they have some money. Why would they? What makes you think he is particularly close to anyone within this group? Has he had similar investment in anything else alongside his family?
Ignorant speculation is what led to people moaning about transfer spending for years. When the Prince was originally announced noone from his camp suggested he was a Saudi billionaire, but still the total wealth of the Saudi royal family was highlighted time and time again by fans. Then when we didn't see massive investment it was used as a stick to beat them with.
From everything we know the Prince has a similar level of wealth to McCabe, therefore a power grab without significant additional investors leaves us worse off, and if he gets someone to match him pound for pound then we're in the same boat as we've been in for the past few years just without a lifelong fan steering us who's lost large sums of money keeping us afloat and stayed the course.

Agree with this. His daughter is married to someone close to the previous Crown Prince but he’s been ousted in the new regime. Prince was expected to serve longer in his government post so he’s now out and not on the inside.

His other homes are London and California and as far as I can gather his advisers are often American.

If he is marshalling more funds, I would guess it’s more likely from his previous contacts in investment and sport.

A total guess but unlikely he’s tapping the Royal family for money unless there is someone else very keen on football.

 

[Wards]

I generally agree with he view that McCabe wouldn’t sell to an individual that he doesn’t have the club’s interests at heart – he’s after all said it more than once, and his trust in the Prince is presumably why this buy-out clause was in the original deal.

However, to play devil’s advocate for a minute, there are two things that might undermine that view:

1. While the clause was included at the time due to that trust, McCabe’s experience of working directly with the Prince may have altered that level of confidence
2. McCabe’s decision-making and instinct has not always been watertight, as evidenced by the Robson appointment (one that to this day he continues to fail to recognise as an error of judgment)

What I would say is that I’m far happier he might sell to people that we’re all familiar with as being generally reasonable. I’m not overly bothered if he doesn’t pour in millions so long as he doesn’t ruin the club. I’ve seen nothing in how the Prince and his people have acted to date to suggest that they are going to all of a sudden act like the bad bunch of foreign owners we’ve seen elsewhere.

Pretty much this. Seen enough of the Prince to know he’s a ‘sports’ guy at heart - ok, maybe his knowledge of English football isn’t as good as McCabe’s but he seems to understand what makes a club tick and I think he sees us as a hobby as well as a business venture which should ultimately bode well for the future. He seems to realise that he needs football people around him (Baki et al) and recognises the achievements of the current management set up.

Whilst McCabe remains a bit of a safety blanket and a safe pair of hands, someday that needs to end. I think that in the Prince we may have someone who appreciates the fans interests as well his own.

 

[SelbyBlade]

I am not ITK, but I heard a rumour from a good source on Twitter that there is a football match at Bramall Lane tomorrow? Can anyone confirm this?

Yes and is mentioned on another thread. Obviously the long term ownership of the club and what that it may mean to our community for many years to come shouldn't get mentioned at all.

 

[norfolkblade]

.

Looks like he's been on the Crab Drinks Co. bottled water, freshly bottled in the springs of Chernobyl...

 

[Booker4]

I've got one question to ask in particular, forgive me for my lack of understanding. United have both a club board and a PLC board from memory? Is the Prince buying the club meaning that he takes it lock stock and barrel with McCabe no longer having any involvement - as the statement seems to suggest?

 

[Harry's Game]

Didn’t he try to buy an NFL franchise some years back? This suggest he must have had access to some serious funds somewhere to even consider that sort of move.

 

[Sean Thornton]

Didn’t he try to buy an NFL franchise some years back? This suggest he must have had access to some serious funds somewhere to even consider that sort of move.

I thought he looked at Leeds?

Not Fucking Leeds?

 

[blackydog]

We will be playing in gold next, i'm not liking the news

We'll need bigger shirts to fit his name on.

 

[SelbyBlade]

I'm really worried about the Prince being the sole owner. I wasn't too bothered when he first came in despite the Saudi Governments human rights issues as the Prince makes and sells paper hygiene products. The fact that it was duel ownership which Kevin at the time said is the only way he would work made it acceptable. This meant we kept the continuity of the community which is the rock on which Sheffield United is built. My big worry now is with single ownership of someone not really part of our community, (i.e. not brought up a Blade and was looking at Leeds as a possible investment) we may end up like Chelsea (not the money) in that we become a trinket / toy for the Prince to do his bidding. Chelsea is one of Abramovich's bracelet charms like his Superyacht the Eclipse, Chelsea fans are customers and there to provide an atmosphere and just have to go along for the ride. The pigs have an owner that has to splash his name all over the place, It's not even advertising as you can't go and buy some Chansiri's, it's an ego trip. Do we as Blades have to sell our sole i.e. Sheffield United all of us together to chase the soulless premier league and at best just stay there year after year? I for one am not happy with that scenario and would prefer to stick around the championship than have to give up what makes Sheffield United a fantastic community club.

 

[coolhandluke]

The Prince taking over is part of an overall strategy aimed at total ownership being held by someone else . Once complete the Prince focus's on his Belgian interest and the new owners take over here .

Funny lot these Saudis.

You heard it here first .

 

[Sean Thornton]

I'm really worried about the Prince being the sole owner. I wasn't too bothered when he first came in despite the Saudi Governments human rights issues as the Prince makes and sells paper hygiene products. The fact that it was duel ownership which Kevin at the time said is the only way he would work made it acceptable. This meant we kept the continuity of the community which is the rock on which Sheffield United is built. My big worry now is with single ownership of someone not really part of our community, (i.e. not brought up a Blade and was looking at Leeds as a possible investment) we may end up like Chelsea (not the money) in that we become a trinket / toy for the Prince to do his bidding. Chelsea is one of Abramovich's bracelet charms like his Superyacht the Eclipse, Chelsea fans are customers and there to provide an atmosphere and just have to go along for the ride. The pigs have an owner that has to splash his name all over the place, It's not even advertising as you can't go and buy some Chansiri's, it's an ego trip. Do we as Blades have to sell our sole i.e. Sheffield United all of us together to chase the soulless premier league and at best just stay there year after year? I for one am not happy with that scenario and would prefer to stick around the championship than have to give up what makes Sheffield United a fantastic community club.

Door opened for fish puns everyone. Let's not skate around the subject.

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

Yes and is mentioned on another thread. Obviously the long term ownership of the club and what that it may mean to our community for many years to come shouldn't get mentioned at all.

Apologies, and I wasn't having a go at anyone (I have put several posts up on this myself). I was trying in a light-hearted way to point to the fact that a) boardroom machinations do distract fans (and everyone at the club?), and b) if I had wanted to be serious, I would have started a poll on what is more important to you right now - the Prince/McCabe negotiations, or the Leeds match? I hope Wilder and the players would answer 'Leeds match'.

 

[SelbyBlade]

Door opened for fish puns everyone. Let's not skate around the subject.

your still not getting me in.

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

I'm really worried about the Prince being the sole owner. I wasn't too bothered when he first came in despite the Saudi Governments human rights issues as the Prince makes and sells paper hygiene products. The fact that it was duel ownership which Kevin at the time said is the only way he would work made it acceptable. This meant we kept the continuity of the community which is the rock on which Sheffield United is built. My big worry now is with single ownership of someone not really part of our community, (i.e. not brought up a Blade and was looking at Leeds as a possible investment) we may end up like Chelsea (not the money) in that we become a trinket / toy for the Prince to do his bidding. Chelsea is one of Abramovich's bracelet charms like his Superyacht the Eclipse, Chelsea fans are customers and there to provide an atmosphere and just have to go along for the ride. The pigs have an owner that has to splash his name all over the place, It's not even advertising as you can't go and buy some Chansiri's, it's an ego trip. Do we as Blades have to sell our sole i.e. Sheffield United all of us together to chase the soulless premier league and at best just stay there year after year? I for one am not happy with that scenario and would prefer to stick around the championship than have to give up what makes Sheffield United a fantastic community club.

I don't agree with your conclusion, but you have absolutely hit several nails on the head. For me, part of being a fan is having the dream that one day we can be the best, but at the same time recognising that football has to be enjoyed one game at a time, and the pleasure of it comes from all the good moments in games, even in bad times. The PL is doing its best to take away our dream (I would never subscribe to Sky on principle/because I'm mean (delete as appropriate), but I am not prepared to give in to them yet. The Prince has thus far remained low-key, and I have no idea whether to be optimistic (he gets it, and the club would not be all about him), or pessimistic (he will show his true colours when he has control).

 

[Pedro's Winger]

I'm really worried about the Prince being the sole owner. I wasn't too bothered when he first came in despite the Saudi Governments human rights issues as the Prince makes and sells paper hygiene products. The fact that it was duel ownership which Kevin at the time said is the only way he would work made it acceptable. This meant we kept the continuity of the community which is the rock on which Sheffield United is built. My big worry now is with single ownership of someone not really part of our community, (i.e. not brought up a Blade and was looking at Leeds as a possible investment) we may end up like Chelsea (not the money) in that we become a trinket / toy for the Prince to do his bidding. Chelsea is one of Abramovich's bracelet charms like his Superyacht the Eclipse, Chelsea fans are customers and there to provide an atmosphere and just have to go along for the ride. The pigs have an owner that has to splash his name all over the place, It's not even advertising as you can't go and buy some Chansiri's, it's an ego trip. Do we as Blades have to sell our sole i.e. Sheffield United all of us together to chase the soulless premier league and at best just stay there year after year? I for one am not happy with that scenario and would prefer to stick around the championship than have to give up what makes Sheffield United a fantastic community club.

After two or three years in the Championship, you'd soon change your mind.
We've been close to the Ipswich experience once before and don't want to go back there.

 

[BushBlade]

I don't agree with your conclusion, but you have absolutely hit several nails on the head. For me, part of being a fan is having the dream that one day we can be the best, but at the same time recognising that football has to be enjoyed one game at a time, and the pleasure of it comes from all the good moments in games, even in bad times. The PL is doing its best to take away our dream (I would never subscribe to Sky on principle/because I'm mean (delete as appropriate), but I am not prepared to give in to them yet. The Prince has thus far remained low-key, and I have no idea whether to be optimistic (he gets it, and the club would not be all about him), or pessimistic (he will show his true colours when he has control).

I'd suggest that on the basis no one on here knows how this is going to pan out in the long term, be optimistic because being pessimistic won't change a thing. Someone compared this with Brexit but the big difference is, we don't get to vote on this. What will happen, will happen whether we like it or not.

 

[More Bladier than thou]

As i understand, one of the highest ruling members of saudi arabia died very recently, their wealth is split among the family, perhaps our guy just got a whole lot richer, hence the purchase of blades.

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

I'd suggest that on the basis no one on here knows how this is going to pan out in the long term, be optimistic because being pessimistic won't change a thing. Someone compared this with Brexit but the big difference is, we don't get to vote on this. What will happen, will happen whether we like it or not.

Nice try at cheering me up. Although from my point of view, it was the Brexit vote that made me pessimistic about the country's future, so I don't think I'd trust my fellow Blades to make the right decision on ownership. And I have no idea what the right decision is, anyway. Pessimism is in the DNA, but I still love watching the Blades.

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

As i understand, one of the highest ruling members of saudi arabia died very recently, their wealth is split among the family, perhaps our guy just got a whole lot richer, hence the purchase of blades.

Every cloud...?

 

[Davalon]

I am not ITK, but I heard a rumour from a good source on Twitter that there is a football match at Bramall Lane tomorrow? Can anyone confirm this?

Don't believe everything you hear pal. Some right bullshitters masquerading as ITKers.

 

[Rusty view]

If the Prince is to take over and also has purchased a 50 % stake in KFCO Beerschot Wilrijk are there not rules governing ownership of two clubs ?

Not unless they are competing in the same competition.

 

[BushBlade]

Nice try at cheering me up. Although from my point of view, it was the Brexit vote that made me pessimistic about the country's future, so I don't think I'd trust my fellow Blades to make the right decision on ownership. And I have no idea what the right decision is, anyway. Pessimism is in the DNA, but I still love watching the Blades.

There's a huge amount of revisionism on here at the moment about Kev's reign. For most of the time post Warnock he'd been the subject of a huge amount of criticism, much of it justified. He's been regularly accused of taking money out of the club, of planning to sell BL or redevelop it as student flats/offices etc and move us to an out of town stadium, criticised for selling our best players, for not backing managers, called McSue, McWobblegob but now he's leaving he's Mother Teresa.

The reality is that he doesn't have the money to keep supporting our losses season upon season and we're in a league where every club without parachute payments loses money. Something had to change sooner or later. Now that it has we're just projecting the same fears we had about McCabe onto the Prince.

 

[UnitedBlade]

As i understand, one of the highest ruling members of saudi arabia died very recently, their wealth is split among the family, perhaps our guy just got a whole lot richer, hence the purchase of blades.

The King died in 2015 but I don’t think it works like that despite being a nephew.

There are 2000 Princes and 15000 “Highnesses”. The money more likely went to direct relatives.

 

[Fanny magnet]

Yes odd that because change is ALWAYS good.

-Thatcher in 79
-Robson in 2007
-Donald Trumpton
-Graham Taylor replacing Bobby Robson
-Lesley Judd replacing Val Singleton
-Hot Gossip replacing Pan's People
-Wagon Wheels becoming go kart wheels
-Yuppie flats replacing Wards brewery
-George Lazenby for Scchhhean Connnery
-Mike 'Man City' McDonald
-Weir for Wilson
-Callaghan for Wilson
-Flo for Deane
-Woolford for Murphy

Yours

A Reactionary Old Bastard

My favourite Billy Joel song

 

[Sean Thornton]

Don't believe everything you hear pal. Some right bullshitters masquerading as ITKers.

Source?

 

[FinchleyBlade]

Yes odd that because change is ALWAYS good.

-Thatcher in 79
-Robson in 2007
-Donald Trumpton
-Graham Taylor replacing Bobby Robson
-Lesley Judd replacing Val Singleton
-Hot Gossip replacing Pan's People
-Wagon Wheels becoming go kart wheels
-Yuppie flats replacing Wards brewery
-George Lazenby for Scchhhean Connnery
-Mike 'Man City' McDonald
-Weir for Wilson
-Callaghan for Wilson
-Flo for Deane
-Woolford for Murphy

Yours

A Reactionary Old Bastard

But that is subjective and based on your opinion, some things on that list some people would say were/are a change for the better.

 

[Davalon]

Source?

Somebody called Stephenson on Twitter told me