@PragueAddick - City were not even playing in Europe prior to their oil money arriving, so it's not like these families only buy massive clubs.
Fair point, but we'd be kidding ourselves if we compared ourselves to City even so, as an acquisition which would make the Western world look more favourably on Abu Dhabi as a nation. But that's OK. If it is true that they are in F1, but under the radar, then that tells us that they invest in sport for their own purposes rather than as PR for the wider nation.
To play devil's advocate... I'm not saying they are going to go gung ho and throw a lot of money at us... But a team in Manchester or a team, potentially, in the Royal Borough of Greenwich? I think one would look more favourable competing at the top to the other
And on the flip side, even if they are investing for their own entertainment purposes, I'd hazard a guess that the type of people they would be entertaining aren't going to be swayed by Luton at home
And on the flip side, even if they are investing for their own entertainment purposes, I'd hazard a guess that the type of people they would be entertaining aren't going to be swayed by Luton at home
Well, yes, I'd certainly agree with this second point, if indeed they are as serious as they seem. Less sure about your previous point though; every football fan in the world had heard of Manchester United long before the FAPL was invented. I think the London thing is sometimes a bit overdone.
Then there is the Valley. I was kind of taking comfort from the fact that no rumours have surfaced yet about a new stadium associated with the bid. AFAIK there isn't an obvious site in the Royal Borough any more. I'm always wary of Lee Amis remark in 2013 "It's always a property play". For that reason I'd be happy if they just want to get us into the FAPL, and fill the Valley as it is. Nowadays that is enough to create a profitable business, which wasn't yet true for most FAPL clubs in 2013.
And on the flip side, even if they are investing for their own entertainment purposes, I'd hazard a guess that the type of people they would be entertaining aren't going to be swayed by Luton at home
Well, yes, I'd certainly agree with this second point, if indeed they are as serious as they seem. Less sure about your previous point though; every football fan in the world had heard of Manchester United long before the FAPL was invented. I think the London thing is sometimes a bit overdone.
Then there is the Valley. I was kind of taking comfort from the fact that no rumours have surfaced yet about a new stadium associated with the bid. AFAIK there isn't an obvious site in the Royal Borough any more. I'm always wary of Lee Amis remark in 2013 "It's always a property play". For that reason I'd be happy if they just want to get us into the FAPL, and fill the Valley as it is. Nowadays that is enough to create a profitable business, which wasn't yet true for most FAPL clubs in 2013.
So would 99% of people on this forum (including me). However if this is ADBE money, as I think it probably is, then I don't see how we can be regarded as a viable investment when you look at the risk vs reward profile in cash terms. Even as a lower-prem team, is that really going to be all that entertaining for the clientele we are talking about, even if they do turn a moderate profit. Yes I probably am getting over excited, but I can't see them not rolling the dice here and properly going for it. Consolidate in Jan and make sure we are more than safe and then I think seeing who we are sponsored by come next season will give us a bit of insight into how this is going to play out, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if it is by one of the Sheikh's firms, in a record ever sponsorship deal.
And on the flip side, even if they are investing for their own entertainment purposes, I'd hazard a guess that the type of people they would be entertaining aren't going to be swayed by Luton at home
Well, yes, I'd certainly agree with this second point, if indeed they are as serious as they seem. Less sure about your previous point though; every football fan in the world had heard of Manchester United long before the FAPL was invented. I think the London thing is sometimes a bit overdone.
Then there is the Valley. I was kind of taking comfort from the fact that no rumours have surfaced yet about a new stadium associated with the bid. AFAIK there isn't an obvious site in the Royal Borough any more. I'm always wary of Lee Amis remark in 2013 "It's always a property play". For that reason I'd be happy if they just want to get us into the FAPL, and fill the Valley as it is. Nowadays that is enough to create a profitable business, which wasn't yet true for most FAPL clubs in 2013.
Merry Christmas mate. Re stadium, I think someone has mentioned a plan to rotate the pitch 90 degrees?
I'm just a bit worried about how much public money is going to be diverted into capital spending on our new stadium. I mean, obviously it will be great to be playing home games in the 100,000 capacity Abu Dhabi National Stadium ( "The Abu Valley"). But I hope we don't get embroiled in years' worth of FOI requests.
Fair point, but we'd be kidding ourselves if we compared ourselves to City even so, as an acquisition which would make the Western world look more favourably on Abu Dhabi as a nation. But that's OK. If it is true that they are in F1, but under the radar, then that tells us that they invest in sport for their own purposes rather than as PR for the wider nation.
Just nitpicking @PragueAddick and @Chizz a bit, so apologies for that, but Abu Dhabi isn’t a nation. It’s an Emirate in the UAE and also the capital city of both said Emirate and Country.
How many billionaire addicks exist in the world ? I think some people need to manage expectations slightly
Just you I think mate
Well I’m not on the list of people that want the new owners to be minted 9th generation charlton fans mate. Everything this lot have said so far tick the right boxes for me.
@lordromford thanks for the heads-up, must confess to being staggeringly ignorant about that part of the world
@Redrobo, same to you, old son. If you are trying to set me up for a whoosh with that post, you can eff right off :-)
@CAFCsayer I get where you are coming from, and you could well be on the money, but I'm an old Charlton git, and I don't dare to believe, not yet anyway.
Let is be clear, there is a potential chairman who used to be a football agent and has, as one might expect, decent PR skills and a desire to do well for himself financially.
The primary investment vehicle is run by the man who runs the private family office of one of the six ruling families of an oil state. His job is to diversify the oil money into long term investments that are successful reputationally and financially.
I’m sure he may have had some failures along the way but I am also sure he is not where he is by having failed often.
Let’s just hope we get rid of Duchatelet soon and then if there are issues with the new plans, let us engage with the new owners at an appropriate time with any concerns.
I would not expect any regime to be perfect. Anyone who does probably needs to visit their doctor.
At the end of the day why would ANYONE buy a Championship football club, a division where clubs make horrible losses?
There are a TINY number of owners who happen to be be fabulously rich AND genuinely support the club, but the rest of the them are doing it for more complicated motives, whether ego, personal or national prestige, politics, the desire to tap the PL money bucket etc. That is the reality of modern day football, and unless you can find a local billionaire who stood on the Covered End in his youth, the only likely option for a new owner.
Let is be clear, there is a potential chairman who used to be a football agent and has, as one might expect, decent PR skills and a desire to do well for himself financially.
The primary investment vehicle is run by the man who runs the private family office of one of the six ruling families of an oil state. His job is to diversify the oil money into long term investments that are successful reputationally and financially.
I’m sure he may have had some failures along the way but I am also sure he is not where he is by having failed often.
Let’s just hope we get rid of Duchatelet soon and then if there are issues with the new plans, let us engage with the new owners at an appropriate time with any concerns.
I would not expect any regime to be perfect. Anyone who does probably needs to visit their doctor.
At the end of the day why would ANYONE buy a Championship football club, a division where clubs make horrible losses?
There are a TINY number of owners who happen to be be fabulously rich AND genuinely support the club, but the rest of the them are doing it for more complicated motives, whether ego, personal or national prestige, politics, the desire to tap the PL money bucket etc. That is the reality of modern day football, and unless you can find a local billionaire who stood on the Covered End in his youth, the only likely option for a new owner.
I came pretty close on a couple of occasions..............but sadly no cigar!
For people that can't see twitter we have, today, issued £21.5 worth of new shares. What does that mean?
I’m no economist. But it seems clear that some sort of financial/economic activity is taking place. Probably to do with the club. I’d recommend getting that verified by someone else.
For people that can't see twitter we have, today, issued £21.5 worth of new shares. What does that mean?
I’m no economist. But it seems clear that some sort of financial/economic activity is taking place. Probably to do with the club. I’d recommend getting that verified by someone else.
Brilliant. I'll admit that I'm no economist either, but I think you might be right. Furthermore, I think the amount of economic activity involved could be somewhere around the £21m-£22m mark.
Comments
Then there is the Valley. I was kind of taking comfort from the fact that no rumours have surfaced yet about a new stadium associated with the bid. AFAIK there isn't an obvious site in the Royal Borough any more. I'm always wary of Lee Amis remark in 2013 "It's always a property play". For that reason I'd be happy if they just want to get us into the FAPL, and fill the Valley as it is. Nowadays that is enough to create a profitable business, which wasn't yet true for most FAPL clubs in 2013.
Race is October 2023.
Just nitpicking @PragueAddick and @Chizz a bit, so apologies for that, but Abu Dhabi isn’t a nation. It’s an Emirate in the UAE and also the capital city of both said Emirate and Country.
@Redrobo, same to you, old son. If you are trying to set me up for a whoosh with that post, you can eff right off :-)
@CAFCsayer I get where you are coming from, and you could well be on the money, but I'm an old Charlton git, and I don't dare to believe, not yet anyway.
There are a TINY number of owners who happen to be be fabulously rich AND genuinely support the club, but the rest of the them are doing it for more complicated motives, whether ego, personal or national prestige, politics, the desire to tap the PL money bucket etc. That is the reality of modern day football, and unless you can find a local billionaire who stood on the Covered End in his youth, the only likely option for a new owner.
Well this is, umm, intresting!!