Prince is taking over

[Bert]

As for the Prince's capability to own and run a football club, don't forget the naivety of Jim Phipps, one of his first appointed club representatives on the Board. Due to his unwise decision to partake in social media Phipps regularly showed his lack of knowledge of the game.

Plenty of people who do follow football have made total arses of themselves on social media haven't they?

 

[Blade58]

Mate, as far as we know Wilder could be the best thing since sliced bread to him. Imagine from a more positive perspective, if the Prince is serious and as into sport as he claims to be. He has man, who literally performs miracles with 3 thirds of fuck all.

Even if the Prince is being ruthless and wants to make a fortune, wilder is arguably the best chance of making that happen, and at present seems a good gamble to do so without mental investment.

Glass half full for me tbh.

HRH didn’t call CW the Messiah for nowt you know

 

[Pedro's Winger]

Interesting times.
Wonder what the process started by McCabe was which led to the Prince wanting to buy him out.
Given the Prince has been a damp squib so far can't see why he'd suddenly be someone committed to significant investment.

 

[hoylandblade]

وهكذا يبدأ رب الحلقات الاقتباس

 

[Tom Bott]

We have an entire thread about wasted money over the years/decades.

https://www.s24su.com/forum/index.php?threads/biggest-waste-of-money.62184/page-3#post-1607544

The question is not how much money someone has or is prepared to spend but how wisely that money is spent.

You only have to look to South Barnsley to see how spunking 50/100 million can lead to mediocrity.

 

[Tom Bott]

وهكذا يبدأ رب الحلقات الاقتباس

Our new shirt sponsor ?

Or Saudi for 'Crab Industries To Take Control Of SUFC '

 

[JayGreen17]

I'm telling you now if we had still been in League 1 about 90% of the posts would have been positive, We need to be moving onto the next level and if Mcabe can't do this then it's time for a change, there isn't the British owners out their any more, the Prince will not sell our traditions over the river. I think it's safe to say I'm more comfortable about the prince than some of the other foreign owners around and he's had good grounding, 4 years in fact so it's not like he's coming in cold and has no idea.

He also has family members worth billions, maybe he's got them on board, believe me this could be exciting times for the club.

 

[Sean Thornton]

Clearly this statement can and is being taken several ways.

Personally I’m reading “exercising his option” as “it was in the original contract years ago” & now McCabe doesn’t have a choice.

While I agree that McCabe would never sell to someone who wasn’t right for the club, I don’t think he has a choice anymore

Options like that are often available both ways. I have no idea of the terms and conditions in their shareholders agreement but it would be odd for it to be only one way, unless Kevin had his retirement planned out.

 

[Sean Thornton]

On the Saudi subject, can't say I'm too enthused about being fully owned by the Royal Family of a country who have funded ISIS and the spread of radical Islam across the world to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars.

Not exactly great PR for us.

Seemingly happy about McCabe being "ousted" ( utter bollocks) one minute, worrying about Saudi involvement the next. You fool no one.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

It's not like the prince has come into the club overnight and unannounced. He's been involved with the club for the last few seasons so we can take it that McCabe feels secure in this latest development. Hull Coventry and other clubs have had new ownership thrust upon them with little or no knowledge of their backgrounds. We have known about the prince for quite a while now and nothing threatening has come to light thus far so why is there some uncertainty in his role as the new owner.?

I'll worry when Chris Wilder does. I'm sure he'll let us know if things aren't right.

Not sure but as everyone is no doubt thinking 'I hope it goes well'.

Main thing is Wilder is in place and he won't take no shite.

If he drives Wilder out against his wishes then one thing I can promise, he won't be able to turn up at The Lane again.

 

[Tom Bott]

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 ?

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

City fans certainly are a strange bunch. There are clearly some who would rather go back to being fucking wank! As illustrated by the empty seats at big matches especially European Cup matches.

Can’t help feeling some Blades would be exactly the same if we ever got to that level! And it is understandable to some extent. There’s a lot to dislike about top level modern football but the hope of the fan is that your team wins when it plays a match. The eventual result of doing this a lot is that your team will be in the Prem and Champs league.

Or we can now afford to win the Championship and turn down promotion to the diving league and defend the title the following season.

 

[bromtom]

HRH didn’t call CW the Messiah for nowt you know

Not far off really. Obviously doesn't find Wilder "a bit simple"


https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www....h-from-co-owner-prince-abdullah-1-8826230/amp

"I think he is a good guy above everything else. I feel that I can trust him. I have worked with some really big name coaches; Eric Gerets, Cosmin Olaroiu and now Chris. I really like him. I like his attitude, he is honest. He is a great coach but he will grow to be even a better coach"

"He is loyal but ambitious and so are we. We must match those. I say to my friends: ‘I want him to be the next Sir Alex Ferguson.’ I want him to be here for 15 to 20 years.”

 

[Foxy]

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 ?

Would only be a problem if we ended up in the same competition.

 

[Sean Thornton]

Has the Princes offer actually been accepted? Or is all we have a notification that it's on the table?

Genuine question.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

What utter crap. Do you actually think that is going to happen? When has he ever given an indication (in his current role or previous ventures) of being an asset stripper - he is an investor who builds businesses up.

I would suggest he's seeking ownership of the freehold of the assets to enable him to develop them further - why would he do that when he doesn't own them. Is there not also a steep annual rent payable as part of the current agreement?

New bog roll factory?

 

[Lawrence]

Better get ready for the fan demonstration in a couple of years
Coventry
Hull
Blackburn
Etc.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_owners_of_English_football_clubs

 

[Carlton Blade]

If he owns the club it's in his interests for it to be successful, either to sell on or as a status symbol.

I'm not worried about the Saudi thing. If he was involved in activities subversive to either the Saudi or the UK state I can't imagine he'd have access to enough funds to do what he has in his time outside SA so far.

In terms of the 'soul' of the club - that belongs with the fans not the owner. This isn't London. There isn't endless disposable income to change your customer base. Look how successful Leicester have been in similar circumstances.

In short, I can't see too much changing

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Two things make me feel uneasy about this.

1. The club is in the best nick it's been in for years, there's a great feeling about the club and it doesn't seem like a good time for change. We're on the up.

2. Most clubs that get taken over by a rich foreign owner end up losing their identity in one way or another. E.g. kit change, badge change, stadium change, general feeling of disconnection amongst fans.

One things certain, he won't get away with fucking with the Blades standards, won't be another Hull, the Blades wouldn't allow it.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

I feel as though my life as a Blade is now changing. I don't like or trust foreign ownerships and I have the utmost respect for McCabe for whom I have fought many a battle on here. It was always clear to me that this day would come but nevettheless I am still very sad that the day has arrived.

My enthusiasm for the club is diminished from now. I do not like the shape or integrity of the sport of football in England and believe our working class heritage has been stolen from us.

I didn't 'support' McDonald or Brearley. I didn't respect the Wraggs but supported them. Woolhouse and Hassall never struck a chord with me. I respected and supported McCabe and will miss him. The Prince? Time will tell I suppose but trust takes years in the making. My perceived 'S2 Model' is now a 'Saudi Model' and I don't like it.

McCabe knows Wilder. I suspect, stress 'guess' in fact, the prince might find him a 'bit basic'. Watch out folks. If I was the Prince I'd give Wilder and Knill new contracts first day in control if he wants to provide reassurance.

So many people shit scared of change.

 

[Foxy]

Has the Princes offer actually been accepted? Or is all we have a notification that it's on the table?

Genuine question.

He's activated a clause... The ongoing is the wrangle over other potentially related assets (or 'provisions'), which depending on the terms of the clause, may be the only chips McCabe has to effect the Princes intentions.

Certainly not simple and unless something has changed, I'm surprised the statement has been put out yet.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Yes and there are more Saudi “Princes” than dogs of the same name in Sheffield.

Can't say I ever come across a 'Saudi' when walking the dogs.

 

[Northyorksblade]

Shoes off?

You, Brian and a few others I hear

 

[Pedro's Winger]

I'm telling you now if we had still been in League 1 about 90% of the posts would have been positive, We need to be moving onto the next level and if Mcabe can't do this then it's time for a change, there isn't the British owners out their any more, the Prince will not sell our traditions over the river. I think it's safe to say I'm more comfortable about the prince than some of the other foreign owners around and he's had good grounding, 4 years in fact so it's not like he's coming in cold and has no idea.

He also has family members worth billions, maybe he's got them on board, believe me this could be exciting times for the club.

There's little in what he's done so far that suggests he has a great deal of interest in United or has a great deal of money at his disposal.
Suspect there's more to this than meets the eye and wonder if McCabe initially tried to oust the Prince.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

I'm intrigued by the timing. Why now?
Could have triggered this option when we first got promoted.
Could have done it when we were riding high.
But does it now, when we have slid down the table, will struggle to go up and does it when he can't inject funds until this season is over.

Everything these days seems to happen AFTER the Jan window?

 

[Pedro's Winger]

He's activated a clause... The ongoing is the wrangle over other potentially related assets (or 'provisions'), which depending on the terms of the clause, may be the only chips McCabe has to effect the Princes intentions.

Certainly not simple and unless something has changed, I'm surprised the statement has been put out yet.

It would be strange if McCabe had made it easy for a co-owner to not only buy him out of the football club but also get their hands on the land and buildings.
You'd also think it would be an expensive acquisition.

 

[Northyorksblade]

Sorry, just asked the wife, it is on Facebook, one hour ago, from Jim's account, saying (something like)

"I am glad the statement is now out there, thank you Kevin McCabe for all you have done, god bless, thank you Prince Abdullah for all you have done, good luck for the future, UTB"

Might not be 100% same words, but that is pretty much what she read out to me

Someone asked if he'll be back and he said 'we'll see.'

 

[Blade for Sale]

Was just eating medina when this news broke. Will be curious to see if the riyadh n white wizards finally mecca prophet. We'll behead of the premiership and bedouin well in Europe soon!

 

[Dkc]

Or we can now afford to win the Championship and turn down promotion to the diving league and defend the title the following season.

Somewhat OT but are you allowed to turn down promotion/ Wouldn't that be fantastic. No, our club may be good enough but we don't fancy competing to avoid relegation from the PL thank you very much. We prefer it here in the Championship, where we could realistically win the competition.

 

[Foxy]

It would be strange if McCabe had made it easy for a co-owner to not only buy him out of the football club but also get their hands on the land and buildings.

The ground etc was shifted to be protected and also to make the investment easier, however, there was always some provision for the transfer of those back to the 'football club' (something those who accuse McCabe of trying to steal it away tend to forget).

As I say, now the Prince has chosen to go down this route (sparked by a different happening), they may be McCabe's only real power play depending on the conditions of the clause.