Blackburn Rovers assure fans over potential investors (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Football RSS Feed Send your news, pictures & videos

Follow @lancstelegraph

Blackburn Rovers assure fans over potential investors

8:33am Monday 6th September 2010 in

By Andy Cryer » Blackburn Rovers reporter

Skip social links
Print
Email
Comments(84)

Blackburn Rovers have assured fans they will leave no stone unturned in their efforts to safeguard the club’s future.

BBC Radio’s ‘5 live Investigates’ made new claims about Indian bidder Ahsan Ali Syed last night.

Ali Syed, head of Bahrain-based Western Gulf Advisory (WGA), has promised Rovers a £300million investment should his bid to buy the club from the Walker Trust succeed and is currently in the process of exploring the club’s finances.

WGA last night declined to comment on the BBC’s allegations and whether or not it would affect their efforts to seize control of the Ewood Park outfit.

It was also revealed last week Ali Syed’s WGA firm had been suspended from trading as the Bahrain authorities carried out their own investigations into their ‘source of funding’.

However, his representatives insisted it would not impact on the Blackburn Rovers takeover because it was a separate entity from the company buying Rovers.

While Ali Syed’s own checks on the club continue, the Lancashire Telegraph understands Blackburn Rovers are currently undergoing their own due diligence on the potential buyers, as they would with any suitor.

These would involve checking their financial situation as well motives for wanting to buy the club as they continue their efforts to make sure the club attract the ‘right owners’.

Ali Syed would also need to pass the Premier League’s stringent ‘fit and proper’ test before being allowed to buy the club.

However, we understand league officials are very confident in Rovers’ own ability to make sure any candidates are suitable owners.

A Rovers spokesman said: "The club has been for sale for some time and, for it to remain competitive in one of the world’s toughest sporting competitions, we accept that new investment is required.

“Equally, the trustees of the late Jack Walker, who are being professionally advised, and the club’s board of directors are acutely aware of the responsibility involved in passing the club to a new owner.

“We are custodians of a club with a proud heritage dating back to 1875 - a founder member of the Football League.”

Meanwhile the Lancashire Telegraph understand there remains significant interest in the club from other parties, with Mumbai businessman Saurin Shah just one potential buyer.

Shah’s group is understood to have been just one of at least two parties who have been in talks with Rovers representatives over the past fortnight as their efforts to sell the club remain ongoing.

Comments(84)

Mike Costa says...
8:45am Mon 6 Sep 10

Mike Costa says:

Two things came out of last nights 5live investigation.

Firstly, Adrian Goldberg is an unpleasant piece of work.

Secondly, as some of us have been saying for the past week or so, Syed is far from the perfect solution for securing Rovers future. His 'fortune' does appear to be based on smoke and mirrors. I wouldnt touch his offer with a bargepole, though Im sure that Kick Out and a few others will still want the takeover to proceed. As Hasslem says - Michael Knighton anyone?

Report this post » Register/Log In »

SouthernRover says...
8:53am Mon 6 Sep 10

Mike Costa, I think "Smoke and Mirrors" sums this guy up perfectly. Nobody knows who he is, even people from his home town. If somebody from your home town had 3-8 billion in wealth, you would know about him. Ive heard enough to say I dont want this guy buying our club!

Report this post » Register/Log In »

gosportdunc says...
8:54am Mon 6 Sep 10

Dont need to Worry !!!! who ever takes over will be sounded right out by both the rovers then the prem ..POMPEY FC STORYS WILL NEVER be aloud to happen again ...

Report this post » Register/Log In »

gosportdunc says...
8:57am Mon 6 Sep 10

Back in the day, 1995 to be precise, Blackburn Rovers won the Premiership and were accused of buying the title.

Laughable really, as this was based on £3m for Alan Shearer and £5m for Chris Sutton plus assorted others, and all thanks to Jack Walker's money.

Today those transfer fees barely cover the wages of a top Premiership player and even the late, lamented Uncle Jack would have difficulty in competing with the billionaire status needed to buy a Premiership team in the 21st Century.

Manchester City have spent over £300m on players in the last two season's to try and become a successful top four team. Rovers are currently on the market for £300m. A bargain.

After the death of Jack Walker ten years ago it was the Walker Trust who took over his affairs, including his interest in Blackburn Rovers.

Now, Rovers were Uncle Jack's pride and joy and he was the driving force behind the club. The rest of the family were never that interested as it clearly didn't sit well within their conventional business empire.

As a result after initially carrying on as normal with the club, including at one time threatening to withdraw funding, subsequently reinstated, the Trustees have actively been trying to sell Rovers for the last three years.

Only in recent months have credible bidders emerged, and currently an Indian billionaire Mr Ashan Ali Syed is carrying out due diligence on the club with the intention of a takeover of around £300m with £100m given to boss Sam Allardyce as a transfer kitty.

As with all Premiership takeovers all sorts of rumours are swirling around our would-be new owner. Dodgy deals, failed companies and suspect business partners are all par for the course, and let's not forget you don't become a billionaire without cutting a few corners.

My reservation is more to do with his motives for buying the club.

He makes all the usual noises for the purchase – in it for the long term, not looking to make a profit on a quick sale, blah, blah.

No, my concern is more a fear of the unknown. Rovers have always looked on themselves a small town cub who punch above their weight, and in the increasing sophisticated world of the Premiership have never lost that connection with the community.

Under the stewardship of chief executive John Williams Blackburn are a well run club who have manageable debt, live within their means and are unlikely ever to take a risk even if it meant relegation. Survival of the club is paramount.

Uncle Jack was a local lad 'made good' and the Trustees have tried to carry on that tradition. Now we are faced with a foreign owner who may not realise the tradition they are inheriting and need to preserve.

I appreciate Rovers can't operate in a time-warp and money talks in the Premiership, and the more you have the more you are likely to survive and prosper in the top flight rather that existing on the margins of relegation every season.

But I only need to look at the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United and Portsmouth to see examples of how it can all go wrong. The former two are still seen as a success but not in the eyes of their supporters who resent what the foreign owners have inflicted on their club.

As for Pompey, they went into administration and almost folded because of the financial mismanagement of a series of overseas owners.

Now I accept risks have to be taken, and quite frankly we need the investment to prevent constant struggles against the drop, and there are some foreign owners who exert a positive influence on proceedings.

My niggles are around some of the comments made by Mr Syed. He claims to have been a Blackburn Rovers supporter for some time…but has never actually been to Blackburn. Fair enough, many of us follow foreign teams without actually seeing them play, but we aren't forking out £300m on a product unseen!

Mr Syed also refused to say who his favourite player was. Perhaps, as a possible owner he doesn't want to be seen to have favourites…or he hasn't a clue who the player's are!

He also feels, as an Indian, he can tap into the Asian communities of Blackburn, thus increasing Rovers fan base at home and on the Indian sub-continent.

The club has constantly been trying to attract the minority communities of Blackburn to Ewood Park with varying degrees of success. Frankly, it will need players coming through from the Asian community to encourage fans to attend games, not just because we have an absent billionaire Indian owner.

We also have ludicrous statements from the Syed camp claiming they will try and attract David Beckham to Ewood Park. There is more chance of Elvis being found alive and well and working in Burger King…

To be fair Syed, should he be successful with his takeover, is happy to continue with the existing management structure and has no plans for wholesale changes.

Presumably though, if Big Sam fails to spend his war chest wisely our impatient Indian owner will certainly look to ring the changes. And frankly I'm not sure I'd trust Sam to spend my £100m!

And what will £100m achieve? Allardyce has admitted that even with this amount of money it won't change Rovers into a top four outfit.

What I can see it doing is changing the whole ethos of the club and in doing so something at Ewood Park will be lost.

But realistically we are fighting against the tide, if Blackburn, or any club for that matter, want to survive in the Premiership they need a rich owner to bankroll their tenure.

Ideally this would be someone with a local connection, but nowadays being a millionaire simply isn't enough so overseas investment is the only way forward.

Of course there is still no certainty of silverware or Premiership survival, for as a Clint Eastwood character once said, "If you want a guarantee, buy a toaster!"

Back in the day, 1995 to be precise, Blackburn Rovers won the Premiership and were accused of buying the title. Laughable really, as this was based on £3m for Alan Shearer and £5m for Chris Sutton plus assorted others, and all thanks to Jack Walker's money. Today those transfer fees barely cover the wages of a top Premiership player and even the late, lamented Uncle Jack would have difficulty in competing with the billionaire status needed to buy a Premiership team in the 21st Century. Manchester City have spent over £300m on players in the last two season's to try and become a successful top four team. Rovers are currently on the market for £300m. A bargain. After the death of Jack Walker ten years ago it was the Walker Trust who took over his affairs, including his interest in Blackburn Rovers. Now, Rovers were Uncle Jack's pride and joy and he was the driving force behind the club. The rest of the family were never that interested as it clearly didn't sit well within their conventional business empire. As a result after initially carrying on as normal with the club, including at one time threatening to withdraw funding, subsequently reinstated, the Trustees have actively been trying to sell Rovers for the last three years. Only in recent months have credible bidders emerged, and currently an Indian billionaire Mr Ashan Ali Syed is carrying out due diligence on the club with the intention of a takeover of around £300m with £100m given to boss Sam Allardyce as a transfer kitty. As with all Premiership takeovers all sorts of rumours are swirling around our would-be new owner. Dodgy deals, failed companies and suspect business partners are all par for the course, and let's not forget you don't become a billionaire without cutting a few corners. My reservation is more to do with his motives for buying the club. He makes all the usual noises for the purchase – in it for the long term, not looking to make a profit on a quick sale, blah, blah. No, my concern is more a fear of the unknown. Rovers have always looked on themselves a small town cub who punch above their weight, and in the increasing sophisticated world of the Premiership have never lost that connection with the community. Under the stewardship of chief executive John Williams Blackburn are a well run club who have manageable debt, live within their means and are unlikely ever to take a risk even if it meant relegation. Survival of the club is paramount. Uncle Jack was a local lad 'made good' and the Trustees have tried to carry on that tradition. Now we are faced with a foreign owner who may not realise the tradition they are inheriting and need to preserve. I appreciate Rovers can't operate in a time-warp and money talks in the Premiership, and the more you have the more you are likely to survive and prosper in the top flight rather that existing on the margins of relegation every season. But I only need to look at the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United and Portsmouth to see examples of how it can all go wrong. The former two are still seen as a success but not in the eyes of their supporters who resent what the foreign owners have inflicted on their club. As for Pompey, they went into administration and almost folded because of the financial mismanagement of a series of overseas owners. Now I accept risks have to be taken, and quite frankly we need the investment to prevent constant struggles against the drop, and there are some foreign owners who exert a positive influence on proceedings. My niggles are around some of the comments made by Mr Syed. He claims to have been a Blackburn Rovers supporter for some time…but has never actually been to Blackburn. Fair enough, many of us follow foreign teams without actually seeing them play, but we aren't forking out £300m on a product unseen! Mr Syed also refused to say who his favourite player was. Perhaps, as a possible owner he doesn't want to be seen to have favourites…or he hasn't a clue who the player's are! He also feels, as an Indian, he can tap into the Asian communities of Blackburn, thus increasing Rovers fan base at home and on the Indian sub-continent. The club has constantly been trying to attract the minority communities of Blackburn to Ewood Park with varying degrees of success. Frankly, it will need players coming through from the Asian community to encourage fans to attend games, not just because we have an absent billionaire Indian owner. We also have ludicrous statements from the Syed camp claiming they will try and attract David Beckham to Ewood Park. There is more chance of Elvis being found alive and well and working in Burger King… To be fair Syed, should he be successful with his takeover, is happy to continue with the existing management structure and has no plans for wholesale changes. Presumably though, if Big Sam fails to spend his war chest wisely our impatient Indian owner will certainly look to ring the changes. And frankly I'm not sure I'd trust Sam to spend my £100m! And what will £100m achieve? Allardyce has admitted that even with this amount of money it won't change Rovers into a top four outfit. What I can see it doing is changing the whole ethos of the club and in doing so something at Ewood Park will be lost. But realistically we are fighting against the tide, if Blackburn, or any club for that matter, want to survive in the Premiership they need a rich owner to bankroll their tenure. Ideally this would be someone with a local connection, but nowadays being a millionaire simply isn't enough so overseas investment is the only way forward. Of course there is still no certainty of silverware or Premiership survival, for as a Clint Eastwood character once said, "If you want a guarantee, buy a toaster!" gosportdunc

Report this post » Register/Log In »

kevin e says...
8:58am Mon 6 Sep 10

John Williams and his team of advisors are the people to decide who buys the Club. They have access to facts as opposed to reported information.

.

It is a bit like the transfer window - frustrating for the fans but we can only wait until the Club's current owners make their decision.

Report this post » Register/Log In »

HighburyB&W says...
9:09am Mon 6 Sep 10

As the article says JW and BRFC are doing their own DD that looks like it involves much more scrutiny than the Premier League's new tests.
I trust that the thorough process undertaken will come out with the right result for Rovers and the fans so let's wait until both parties have completed their DD and see the results.
At the moment people are speculating based on media rumours and gossip and let's face it no-one who posts on these pages (despite what they might think) knows the details/background of the proposed deal.

Report this post » Register/Log In »

jackmetickler says...
9:09am Mon 6 Sep 10

Mike Costa wrote:
Mike Costa says: Two things came out of last nights 5live investigation. Firstly, Adrian Goldberg is an unpleasant piece of work. Secondly, as some of us have been saying for the past week or so, Syed is far from the perfect solution for securing Rovers future. His 'fortune' does appear to be based on smoke and mirrors. I wouldnt touch his offer with a bargepole, though Im sure that Kick Out and a few others will still want the takeover to proceed. As Hasslem says - Michael Knighton anyone?

First time I have ever listened to the programme but you cant be a nice investigative journalist now can you.
I thought he dug around quite cleverly... seems more bothered about this mans fitness to run the club than many others who are greedily awaiting the promised millions!!
There is no way this guy is fit.... smoke and mirrors is a good description but as 5 live can only go so far due to litigation when they sum up this bid.... but to anybody without the rose tinted glasses this takeover would be an utter disaster.

Lets get rid and start again.... I realise we might not be the most attractive premiership club as we can at best break even but.....

Report this post » Register/Log In »

hasslem hasslem says...
9:16am Mon 6 Sep 10

kevin e wrote:
John Williams and his team of advisors are the people to decide who buys the Club. They have access to facts as opposed to reported information.

.

It is a bit like the transfer window - frustrating for the fans but we can only wait until the Club's current owners make their decision.

I dont disagree Kevin - the problem seems to be that there aren't any facts about his company.
.
syed will be history by end of the week (prediction).

Report this post » Register/Log In »

kick out says...
9:29am Mon 6 Sep 10

SouthernRover, London and hasslem the rovers board dont have a problem and if there is smoke and fire i think you are all high of it and hasslem when did you become a fortune teller your prediction hopefully will blow away like smoke and get someone innocent stoned.
As the rovers boards said they do carry out there own due diligence so leave it to the professionals not over intelligent prople like you lot on this messageboard.

Report this post » Register/Log In »

kick out says...
9:38am Mon 6 Sep 10

There does not seem to be anything written in any big newspapers about the fact that syed is a fraud only the **** goldberg who was talking like hasslem was giving him an orgy with that karim agent.
So hasslem where did the money come from to buy Mccabe builders please investigate along with all the anti syed fans

Report this post » Register/Log In »

Mani13963 says...
9:42am Mon 6 Sep 10

Seriously guys...why do we have so many people on here saying "get rid of Mr Syed" and "smoke and Mirrors"...

What do any of us actually KNOW about takeovers, financial investment, business law etc?? Everybody, including the half wits who publish this paper are passing judgement on reports that appear to be based on opinion and not fact...

Where are the experts on here?? I call for a Rovers fan with some extended knowledge and/or experience to decypher these interviews..this is our best chance to get near to the truth...

I have 10yrs experience in the police and if this relied.on knowledge of crimial law I would be happy to apply my skills to gain some perspective...but it doesn't, so I can't !!

I just wish people would stop posting their opinions and passing them off as fact because unfortunately many people believe you...more to the point, until we have some facts, we must give any prospective owner the benefit of the doubt as they represent our only realistic longterm chance of survival!!...please call off the witch hunt..let's try to find some facts with tangible records to back it up!

Ps just because he is relatively unknown in his own town does not mean he is a fake....fact: there are more millionaires in Asia than any other continent. Hence why would an Indian billionaire based in Bahrain and Switzerland need to be so well known??

Report this post » Register/Log In »

hasslem hasslem says...
9:46am Mon 6 Sep 10

kick out wrote:
There does not seem to be anything written in any big newspapers about the fact that syed is a fraud only the **** goldberg who was talking like hasslem was giving him an orgy with that karim agent.
So hasslem where did the money come from to buy Mccabe builders please investigate along with all the anti syed fans

try and find any info on mccabe apart from wga press release, there isn't any.
.
the property company doesnt even have a website. not great from a multi million euro business.
.
amazing that the number quoted for mccabe was 300million - that sounds like a familiar number.

Report this post » Register/Log In »

hasslem hasslem says...
9:49am Mon 6 Sep 10

kick out wrote:
SouthernRover, London and hasslem the rovers board dont have a problem and if there is smoke and fire i think you are all high of it and hasslem when did you become a fortune teller your prediction hopefully will blow away like smoke and get someone innocent stoned.
As the rovers boards said they do carry out there own due diligence so leave it to the professionals not over intelligent prople like you lot on this messageboard.

its just a prediction, that's all. you on the other hand last week posted that the deal had gone through.
.
i may be wrong, you definitely were.

Report this post » Register/Log In »

SouthernRover says...
9:51am Mon 6 Sep 10

If we base our opinions solely on facts, nothing else, then name one good fact about this guy?! Other than he wants to buy Blackburn! The only facts that exist are all negative, unpaid bills, one of his companies not following the correct legal/business practices in its country etc.

Dont use his company report for facts either, anybody can write their own company report. Even easier when he doesnt have to answer to any shareholders because its his "personal wealth"!

Report this post » Register/Log In »

YarkshahRover says...
10:01am Mon 6 Sep 10

The deal is dead, history, end of.

Report this post » Register/Log In »

BRFC1959 says...
10:01am Mon 6 Sep 10

kick out wrote:
SouthernRover, London and hasslem the rovers board dont have a problem and if there is smoke and fire i think you are all high of it and hasslem when did you become a fortune teller your prediction hopefully will blow away like smoke and get someone innocent stoned.
As the rovers boards said they do carry out there own due diligence so leave it to the professionals not over intelligent prople like you lot on this messageboard.

Kick Out,
I'm just wondering if under your nickname you are one of the Mr. Syed's team or somehow he has got you on his payroll?

Why are you defending blindly what is obvious? and I am not talking about the take over but the list of, let's call it, 'misfortunes' Mr.-Syed has had?
These misfortunes have been duly checked and elaborated and are not false.

From there the rest of the fans we are wondering or like me not willing a person like Mr. Syed to buy our club out. As in my previous posts, I do respect other people opinions and by doing so I have the right to express mine as well and that is Mr. Syed pls do not sell us san castles !!! that might work in the middle east but not in here.

Report this post » Register/Log In »

kick out says...
10:17am Mon 6 Sep 10

YarkshahRover, Ilkley and everyone else lets wait for rovers to come out and tell us the outcome or mr syed.
If the deal was dead everyone would know about it and rovers would say so but even rovers have not come out and said anything . You cannot just believe goldberg and its only bbc who have said it and nobody else.
Mccabe chairman has come out and made a statement and its not on wga website but in the irish papers so they cannot be all wrong

Report this post » Register/Log In »

estebanrey says...
10:24am Mon 6 Sep 10

Search Google for 'Mother teresa Medical negligence' and you'll vene find dirt on her.

Abramovich has a past that makes the Five Live report look pathetic, paying off Russian Olligarchs to further his career, bankrupting an entire Russian province after promising to invest in them (unpaid wages etc).

Look Up Skeik Mansour's brother an his links to Al Queda.

Show me a billionnaire without a chequered past and I'll show you a the flying spaghetti montser....

To those expecting a Billionaire virgin to takeover the club withou as much as parket ticket to his name you'll be waiting a very long time!!!

IF Syed's finances are proved I don't see how any of the 5live report should bother us tbh, he'd be the cleanest Owner in the Prem (with the exception of Dave Whelen possibly)

Report this post » Register/Log In »

Miller11 says...
10:25am Mon 6 Sep 10

Even if Syed does have the money, and lets face it, he doesn’t, the BBC’s findings coupled with his silence after spouting a complete load of rubbish is more than enough to send him packing.
He is a liar. He doesn’t know anything about our club, despite it being “his passion” and he never bothered to attend a match when he was “enjoying family life” in England.
If he did find the money to buy us, do you think his record of non-payment of debts is ok? Perhaps as they are “small” it doesn’t matter? So we will buy a player for 15 million, you will be happy. We will cough up his 80k a week, and you’ll be ecstatic, because obviously mass expenditure and operating at a loss is the best way to run a business! But the stewards, St. Johns ambulance, bar staff... sod their measly wages, they don’t matter. This big time billionaire is above messing about with such trivial little expenses. I’m sure it is fine if you don’t bother paying your tax bill at football clubs either... ask any Pompey fan, sure they will be in total agreement!

Hasslem, I’ve got a plan...
Do you want to buy my business for a billion quid, it is a media distribution company*.
Pay me a pound a month from now on... I am now a billionaire, and you own a billion pound company.
Lets take over some football clubs!!!!

Kickout may very well be on Syed's payroll, along with 10 others! Saurin Shah's pal, WISE FOOTBALL, aka Luis Bernat, who was regularly posting on here a while back has gone very quiet, although the telegraph did confirm he was part of the consortium Shah had put together.

Kickout - What would your all time rovers 11 be?
Please describe your favourite ever rovers goal?
What do you think of Keith Andrews?
Where do you normally sit at Ewood?

*paper round

Report this post » Register/Log In »

28th march 2010, turf moor says...
10:41am Mon 6 Sep 10

Listen why are we all falling out with each other. let the club do there investigations on him and if there is no money behind him then they will look elsewhere so us fans just need to wait and see what happens. like what someone said futher up there is no such thing as a billionaire without a past because lets be honest to become one its a dog eat dog world. let JW and rothchilds do there jobs and shut up worring. we should only be worried about what happens on the pitch and then if there was a problem of the pitch then we voice are opinion.

Report this post » Register/Log In »

BangkokRover says...
11:10am Mon 6 Sep 10

If we had anyone else as Chairman apart from John Williams I would be worried. We all know he cares about Rovers and the legacy of Uncle Jack. He will do what is right for Rovers and nothing else.
Cheers
BangkokRover

Report this post » Register/Log In »

28th march 2010, turf moor says...
11:14am Mon 6 Sep 10

BangkokRover wrote:
If we had anyone else as Chairman apart from John Williams I would be worried. We all know he cares about Rovers and the legacy of Uncle Jack. He will do what is right for Rovers and nothing else. Cheers BangkokRover

do you know why he cares for jack walkers legacy ....... because they both have the same initials.

Report this post » Register/Log In »

Mike Costa says...
11:43am Mon 6 Sep 10

Mike Costa says:

28thmarch2010 etc. That is quite possibly the daftest post ever on here

Report this post » Register/Log In »

kick out says...
11:43am Mon 6 Sep 10

Miller11, Mill Hill the bbc has not even proved he has no money what you going on about.
How do you know the bbc are talking about the same mr syed have they got photos to prove him living in it no they have not.
The only photos that karim guy has shown are the ones showing the house that was left messy nothing proves it was mr syed living in it.
The bbc have not proved he has no money and if he did not have any money he would not be doing due diligence on rovers get that fact straight before you start working for the bbc.
Most of the stuff by goldberg said he has nothing to prove it was mr syed

Report this post » Register/Log In »

Miller11 says...
11:46am Mon 6 Sep 10

kick out wrote:
Miller11, Mill Hill the bbc has not even proved he has no money what you going on about.
How do you know the bbc are talking about the same mr syed have they got photos to prove him living in it no they have not.
The only photos that karim guy has shown are the ones showing the house that was left messy nothing proves it was mr syed living in it.
The bbc have not proved he has no money and if he did not have any money he would not be doing due diligence on rovers get that fact straight before you start working for the bbc.
Most of the stuff by goldberg said he has nothing to prove it was mr syed

What would your all time rovers 11 be?

Please describe your favourite ever rovers goal?

What do you think of Keith Andrews?

Where do you normally sit at Ewood?

Report this post » Register/Log In »

Mike Costa says...
11:55am Mon 6 Sep 10

Mike Costa says:

I think you may have called his bluff there Miller11. I cant see Kick Out being able to answer your straightforward questions. About time he wandered back to where he came from and left us Rovers supporters alone

Report this post » Register/Log In »

kick out says...
12:11pm Mon 6 Sep 10

Mike Costa, Blackburn are you a qualified barrister that is allowing you to make decisions on mr syed i still beleive this deal will happen as it has been mentioned all the other owners have histories and no one besides the bbc have mentioned anything about mr syed.
As brfc london has said there is no smoke without fire and i say you lot are on a high with his smoke.
But on 5th of november there will loads of smoke and fire maybe then you can all jump in it

Report this post » Register/Log In »

Mike Costa says...
12:13pm Mon 6 Sep 10

Mike Costa says:

I'm as much a qualified barrister as you are Kick Off. I'm just a normal Rovers supporter.

What I am not is in the employ of Mr Syed. Can you say the same?

Report this post » Register/Log In »

eddie the eagle says...
12:18pm Mon 6 Sep 10

I have no knowledge of the world of investments but I do know about Blackburn Rovers.I was just as thrilled when we were promoted from the third division as when we gained promotion to the Premiership,because that was the level we were at and doing well.
Jack took me into a world I thought I'd never see and I thank him for that but without his help we are now finding it hard,HH,Miller and others have been on the same journey and have their feet on the ground.None of us are against a takeover but I think we would all prefer relegation to the clubs future being jepordised by a fly by night whoeven if he has the money his motives are questionable and his plans are built on sand.
It's hard to imagine why any one but the most diehard supporter would want to buy Rovers for the good of the club.I can't see any money to be made honestly whilst safe guarding the clubs future.

Report this post » Register/Log In »

Makasp says...
12:21pm Mon 6 Sep 10

Oh how everyone is getting all giddy over a bobbins BBC report...

I am sure it will of caused my syed a degree of embarrassment, but that is about all. For all those that now appear to think he is penniless, wga statement of accounts is on his website. It states in 2009 a shareholder invested just over a billion pounds for use in developing further business. There are only 2 shareholders 90% mr syed 10% a company which looks to be for holding shares owned by staff a bit like a cooperative. The funding is in the form of liquidity, they have spent half a billion of it last year, in what appears to be loans to companies in exchange for shares - think dragons den.... This is his 133 companies.

Now what is strange is the scale of the investment expansion in such a short time. I.e a jump of 600%. To me and this is where we get speculative this means a recent influx of a serious amount of money. Via inheritance would be my guess. The only other options are banks, highly unlikely as they don't ring fence and want guarantees and or a return which the accounts rule out, and no 1 bank would lend an individual a billion... another investor directly lending money to mr syed - at this level again no chance as what idiot would give him/lend 1.2 billion without it being reflected in an interest in the company
Or it is the largest money laundering operation in history... Highly unlikely... As mr syed would be in for a very long jail term....

For my money his uk debts relate to a property he has used most likely for him or family pre wealth, form some part of an unresolved dispute he was until now unaware of... Hence no response until he finds out what it's all about or contacts his cousin whom he rented the flat for to tell him to get running...

To say that solicitors tried to track him
down is a joke as a google search
brings him up and his address in
Bahrain.. So they clearly are either the worst detectives in the world or tried the London address got no response and gave up..

As for the larger 61k ccj, it's not currently listed under his name so I have no idea what the ccj referred to is and who is claiming to be owed the money?

Oh how everyone is getting all giddy over a bobbins BBC report... I am sure it will of caused my syed a degree of embarrassment, but that is about all. For all those that now appear to think he is penniless, wga statement of accounts is on his website. It states in 2009 a shareholder invested just over a billion pounds for use in developing further business. There are only 2 shareholders 90% mr syed 10% a company which looks to be for holding shares owned by staff a bit like a cooperative. The funding is in the form of liquidity, they have spent half a billion of it last year, in what appears to be loans to companies in exchange for shares - think dragons den.... This is his 133 companies. Now what is strange is the scale of the investment expansion in such a short time. I.e a jump of 600%. To me and this is where we get speculative this means a recent influx of a serious amount of money. Via inheritance would be my guess. The only other options are banks, highly unlikely as they don't ring fence and want guarantees and or a return which the accounts rule out, and no 1 bank would lend an individual a billion... another investor directly lending money to mr syed - at this level again no chance as what idiot would give him/lend 1.2 billion without it being reflected in an interest in the company Or it is the largest money laundering operation in history... Highly unlikely... As mr syed would be in for a very long jail term.... For my money his uk debts relate to a property he has used most likely for him or family pre wealth, form some part of an unresolved dispute he was until now unaware of... Hence no response until he finds out what it's all about or contacts his cousin whom he rented the flat for to tell him to get running... To say that solicitors tried to track him down is a joke as a google search brings him up and his address in Bahrain.. So they clearly are either the worst detectives in the world or tried the London address got no response and gave up.. As for the larger 61k ccj, it's not currently listed under his name so I have no idea what the ccj referred to is and who is claiming to be owed the money? Makasp

Report this post » Register/Log In »

BRFC1959 says...
12:37pm Mon 6 Sep 10

kick out wrote:
Mike Costa, Blackburn are you a qualified barrister that is allowing you to make decisions on mr syed i still beleive this deal will happen as it has been mentioned all the other owners have histories and no one besides the bbc have mentioned anything about mr syed.
As brfc london has said there is no smoke without fire and i say you lot are on a high with his smoke.
But on 5th of november there will loads of smoke and fire maybe then you can all jump in it

What is going to happen on the 5th of November that you apparently know and we do not know ?

Report this post » Register/Log In »

Miller11 says...
12:42pm Mon 6 Sep 10

Come on Kick out. Prove you know ANYTHING about BRFC.
Prove you are not just a little toe rag stuck up Ali Syed's rear end.

What would your all time rovers 11 be?

Please describe your favourite ever rovers goal?

What do you think of Keith Andrews?

Where do you normally sit at Ewood?

Come on! Or do you need something a bit easier??

Report this post » Register/Log In »

BangkokRover says...
12:51pm Mon 6 Sep 10

BRFC1959 wrote:

kick out wrote:
Mike Costa, Blackburn are you a qualified barrister that is allowing you to make decisions on mr syed i still beleive this deal will happen as it has been mentioned all the other owners have histories and no one besides the bbc have mentioned anything about mr syed.
As brfc london has said there is no smoke without fire and i say you lot are on a high with his smoke.
But on 5th of november there will loads of smoke and fire maybe then you can all jump in it
What is going to happen on the 5th of November that you apparently know and we do not know ?

Seriously do you talk any sense? Rovers has not been sold as you told it had been. Now we are supposed to wait till the 5th of Nov. Go find some other people to anony and leave us Rovers fans alone.

Report this post » Register/Log In »

SouthernRover says...
1:11pm Mon 6 Sep 10

Obviously Kick Out is a dear friend of John Williams and they regularly meet at Northcote Manor to discuss the future of Blackburn Rovers over a fine glass of Shiraz.

John Williams likes to maintain the friendship despite the fact that Kick Out can’t appear to spell or communicate in a coherent manner or put together a sensible argument as it takes away the stress of the day to day dealings at the club with a good old fashioned giggle.

In one of these discussions, in between mouthfuls of Fois Grois, JW must have been discussing his plans for Bonfire Night this year, which Kick Out interpreted as “November 5th is the day the takeover will be finalised and we will launch our first bid for Cristiano Ronaldo, who will definitely sign because he has always wanted to live in Darwen”.

Report this post » Register/Log In »

mark from canada says...
1:20pm Mon 6 Sep 10

All you so called know it alls, leave it to the Rovers board and the late Jack Walker's trust to pass judgement on who buys the club. It seems you would rather listen to some left wing guy and slate Syed without knowing any facts yourselves. The club is doing their own due diligence on any takeover bids, and the club will make the right decision in the end not you.

Most of your posts on here regarding this subject, make Blackburn Rovers a laughing stock, the barstools down the road must be having a ball laughing at your posts.

I am certainly not quallified to pass judgement on Syed nor do I have actual facts regarding his businesses or wealth. In the end whoever buys the club will do it for all the right reasons, unless the walkers sell us down the river.

Thank god most of you do not sit as a judge or on jury duty in a court.
Grow up and leave your unproven comments to yourself, if I was Syed I'd be taking some of YOU for liable.

Just wondering if some of you people are racist and thats why you dont want Syed to buy the club? The buyer could be green and come from mars as far as I am concerned as long as it is right for the long term future of Blackburn.

Report this post » Register/Log In »

hasslem hasslem says...
1:21pm Mon 6 Sep 10

SouthernRover wrote:
Obviously Kick Out is a dear friend of John Williams and they regularly meet at Northcote Manor to discuss the future of Blackburn Rovers over a fine glass of Shiraz.

John Williams likes to maintain the friendship despite the fact that Kick Out can’t appear to spell or communicate in a coherent manner or put together a sensible argument as it takes away the stress of the day to day dealings at the club with a good old fashioned giggle.

In one of these discussions, in between mouthfuls of Fois Grois, JW must have been discussing his plans for Bonfire Night this year, which Kick Out interpreted as “November 5th is the day the takeover will be finalised and we will launch our first bid for Cristiano Ronaldo, who will definitely sign because he has always wanted to live in Darwen”.

Kick out has never heard of Darwen - he would probably point to australia, if asked. It could be on Planet Mars for all he knows....then again....as bowie said "is there life on Darwen?"

Report this post » Register/Log In »

mark from canada says...
1:33pm Mon 6 Sep 10

Nothing wrong with Darwen, used to live there. Great for any would be signings (GREAT CURRIES) oh sooo miss them.

Report this post » Register/Log In »

eddie the eagle says...
1:44pm Mon 6 Sep 10

mark from canada wrote:
Nothing wrong with Darwen, used to live there. Great for any would be signings (GREAT CURRIES) oh sooo miss them.

Just carry on missing your curry and leave out labeling people you don't know as racists.Just tell me again why you left the land you miss so much.

Report this post » Register/Log In »

wisemen says...
1:47pm Mon 6 Sep 10

Say if the takeover is complete, and he manages to handle the club well, then everyone will be kissing his feet so don't doubt any buyer before they have done anything. the premier league will carry out the fit and proper test anyway so I don't know why people are trying to do this themselves - who are you to decide who is 'fit and proper' to buy the club? What experience do you have in major investment? I'm not saying Ali Syed is the best for Rovers but he should not be doubted because of some stupid media reports. At the moment no one knows anything except Rovers and the buyer

Report this post » Register/Log In »

ERIKS666 says...
1:48pm Mon 6 Sep 10

as this is my first post please go easy on me my farther side of the family are from oswaltwistle and still live there and are followers of rovers as i am.

i have been reading the post recently and it seems that everyone has there own perception of the takeover which you are all intitled to.

i would just like to add my bit.

firstly in regards to WGA (ashan ali syed) reports give him two ages one 36 and the other 41 so could there be a mix up in the right person secondly someone earlier in the posts said there was no website for McCabe Builders where in fact if you google it. It is the first result.

thirdly there was a report by a Ian Kehoe in the irish sunday business post regarding the ivestment of £300m in MaCabe Builders and nothing in anyway to say that WGA has no Funds and MaCabe are still in business so sureley if WGA had no funds to invest MaCabe would be out of business by now.

and finally whoever the suitor is to take over the club then surely Adrian Goldberg the worlds greastest ivestigator NOT would find dirt about them so just let Rothchilds & the Board do there job

as for the earlier questions put to Kickout

1. Brad Friedel
2. David May
3. Hening Berg
4. Stephen Warnock
5. Lucas Neil
6. Stuart Ripley
7. Morten Gamst Pederson
8. David Baty
9. Tugay
10. Alan Shearer
11. Simon Garner / Kevin Gallagher

Keith Andrews has his uses as a substitue but nothing else

used to sit in the Walker Steel Stand Central position and also the riverside stand where my day had a season ticket.

Report this post » Register/Log In »

Miller11 says...
1:55pm Mon 6 Sep 10

wisemen wrote:
Say if the takeover is complete, and he manages to handle the club well, then everyone will be kissing his feet so don't doubt any buyer before they have done anything. the premier league will carry out the fit and proper test anyway so I don't know why people are trying to do this themselves - who are you to decide who is 'fit and proper' to buy the club? What experience do you have in major investment? I'm not saying Ali Syed is the best for Rovers but he should not be doubted because of some stupid media reports. At the moment no one knows anything except Rovers and the buyer

Life long Rovers supporters have more right than anyone to decide who WE think is "fit and proper" to buy OUR club.

The prems fit and proper person test has been proven to be an absolute joke over recent years. Supposedly it has become "more stringent", but that really isn't saying much is it?

Report this post » Register/Log In »

mark from canada says...
1:55pm Mon 6 Sep 10

eddie the eagle... we left the UK because of people like you and the way the country is run, not for the reasons you think. Canada is a multi cultural country and I work with and socialize with all ethnic people. Wanna have my car licence plate BRFC UK?

Report this post » Register/Log In »

Soccerover says...
2:00pm Mon 6 Sep 10

If something sounds too good to be true - it probably is.

Report this post » Register/Log In »

estebanrey says...
2:13pm Mon 6 Sep 10

Miller11 wrote:

wisemen wrote: Say if the takeover is complete, and he manages to handle the club well, then everyone will be kissing his feet so don't doubt any buyer before they have done anything. the premier league will carry out the fit and proper test anyway so I don't know why people are trying to do this themselves - who are you to decide who is 'fit and proper' to buy the club? What experience do you have in major investment? I'm not saying Ali Syed is the best for Rovers but he should not be doubted because of some stupid media reports. At the moment no one knows anything except Rovers and the buyer
Life long Rovers supporters have more right than anyone to decide who WE think is "fit and proper" to buy OUR club. The prems fit and proper person test has been proven to be an absolute joke over recent years. Supposedly it has become "more stringent", but that really isn't saying much is it?

You missed his point, he was pointing out the stupidity of believing one source (Adrian Goldberg) over another (Syed and WGA) when you know NOTHING concrete to base your opinion on.

Report this post » Register/Log In »

SouthernRover says...
2:19pm Mon 6 Sep 10

Wait a sec, as I mentioned before, surely we can only form an opinion based on facts, and the only facts we have are that one of his companies has been ordered to cease trading because it did not follow its home countries business laws, and that he has unpaid debts in this country (however relatively small they are). When some positive facts arise, that will help ease the minds of worried supporters. At the moment, they dont exist!

I really hope he is legit, and that he does everything he says he wants to do, but as "Soccerover" said, if something is too good to be true, it probably is!

Report this post » Register/Log In »

Makasp says...
2:43pm Mon 6 Sep 10

Miller11 wrote:

wisemen wrote: Say if the takeover is complete, and he manages to handle the club well, then everyone will be kissing his feet so don't doubt any buyer before they have done anything. the premier league will carry out the fit and proper test anyway so I don't know why people are trying to do this themselves - who are you to decide who is 'fit and proper' to buy the club? What experience do you have in major investment? I'm not saying Ali Syed is the best for Rovers but he should not be doubted because of some stupid media reports. At the moment no one knows anything except Rovers and the buyer
Life long Rovers supporters have more right than anyone to decide who WE think is "fit and proper" to buy OUR club. The prems fit and proper person test has been proven to be an absolute joke over recent years. Supposedly it has become "more stringent", but that really isn't saying much is it?

Yes and that would be fine if you werent basing all your assumptions on 1 dubious report which has found an unknown ccj - the details of which can only be disclosed to the person owed by law so the BBC have no idea if it is one and the same person, what it relates to or have mentioned the fact it could not have been responded to - hence issued without his knowledge if indeed it was him. You also assume not only its him that owes such money and he ran away without paying it but the reason was he couldnt afford it... If you check the valuation of the property the first company was registered to it sold several years ago for £3.5m and he moved in when he was 26.. The rest is rent and council tax for the same period and propert in 2005.. along with omg a unpaid parking ticket.. The company accounts show him as the overwhelming majority shareholder who has put what can only be his personal/family wealth in for investment which is documented as in the billions, come on this is ridiculous.
The registered companies thing is also a joke... I have 5 companies registered to me 3 of which I did the same with - have an idea, think it will work set the company up, decide against it for whatever reason or more probable for him unlike me complete the work it was set up to achieve and stop operating and leave it for Companies house to close, better for tax reasons and cheaper,or... have to prepare accounts showing no activity and pay an accountant.. cost anywhere from 2-11k. If the companies had gone bust they would have been liquidated i.e. owe money they cannot pay - none are. So they closed without oweing anyone anything. Same for the 2 Canada one's the BBC refers to - so how this relates to a spirral of debt is comical..

[quote][p][bold]Miller11[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]wisemen[/bold] wrote: Say if the takeover is complete, and he manages to handle the club well, then everyone will be kissing his feet so don't doubt any buyer before they have done anything. the premier league will carry out the fit and proper test anyway so I don't know why people are trying to do this themselves - who are you to decide who is 'fit and proper' to buy the club? What experience do you have in major investment? I'm not saying Ali Syed is the best for Rovers but he should not be doubted because of some stupid media reports. At the moment no one knows anything except Rovers and the buyer[/p][/quote]Life long Rovers supporters have more right than anyone to decide who WE think is "fit and proper" to buy OUR club. The prems fit and proper person test has been proven to be an absolute joke over recent years. Supposedly it has become "more stringent", but that really isn't saying much is it?[/p][/quote]Yes and that would be fine if you werent basing all your assumptions on 1 dubious report which has found an unknown ccj - the details of which can only be disclosed to the person owed by law so the BBC have no idea if it is one and the same person, what it relates to or have mentioned the fact it could not have been responded to - hence issued without his knowledge if indeed it was him. You also assume not only its him that owes such money and he ran away without paying it but the reason was he couldnt afford it... If you check the valuation of the property the first company was registered to it sold several years ago for £3.5m and he moved in when he was 26.. The rest is rent and council tax for the same period and propert in 2005.. along with omg a unpaid parking ticket.. The company accounts show him as the overwhelming majority shareholder who has put what can only be his personal/family wealth in for investment which is documented as in the billions, come on this is ridiculous. The registered companies thing is also a joke... I have 5 companies registered to me 3 of which I did the same with - have an idea, think it will work set the company up, decide against it for whatever reason or more probable for him unlike me complete the work it was set up to achieve and stop operating and leave it for Companies house to close, better for tax reasons and cheaper,or... have to prepare accounts showing no activity and pay an accountant.. cost anywhere from 2-11k. If the companies had gone bust they would have been liquidated i.e. owe money they cannot pay - none are. So they closed without oweing anyone anything. Same for the 2 Canada one's the BBC refers to - so how this relates to a spirral of debt is comical.. Makasp

Report this post » Register/Log In »

Blackburn Yoof says...
2:43pm Mon 6 Sep 10

Just popped down to Ewood with an offer of a bag of rusty nails and a half-eaten kit-kat in exchange for control of the club. As negotiations are at a delicate stage i have appointed Kick-Out and Vinjay to act as my advisors. More to follow...

Report this post » Register/Log In »

kick out says...
4:12pm Mon 6 Sep 10

Blackburn Yoof,Hasslem,BRFC london,southern rover.
Lets put things into place firstly how can the bbc know he has a ccj against his name when that information is only given in a credit report and is disclosed to the person who has it.
Mccabe builders is a proper firm you over intelligent aliens.
The company mccabe builders have already spoken good of wga which goldberg has not mentioned.
Why has goldberg yesterday in his report not mentioned the investment that was recently done with the building firm.
Golldberf is full of **** in his mouth.
Tell goldberg to get is facts right before he comes on as none of the things goldberg mentioned have any proof.
Im ready to advise you on anything even how to get your kit kat back in case john williams wants to sell it for a billion pounds and put it in the walkers trust and the nails you can give them to the people i mentioned at the starting.
When you mention its too good to true i think whether you are telling the truth

Report this post » Register/Log In »

Robbie says...
4:12pm Mon 6 Sep 10

blimey all this before he has even taken over.. what chance does he or anyone else stand..

i wish the fans would support things for ones, rather than just going on the attack.. they attack players, possible new owners, the board everything, its getting boring now..

Report this post » Register/Log In »

Miller11 says...
4:24pm Mon 6 Sep 10

Kick out - Still no answers?

Robbie - Surely it is better to ask questions now. What should we do? Wait for it to go through, then get all up in arms when the sh!t hits the fan?

Report this post » Register/Log In »

kick out says...
4:32pm Mon 6 Sep 10

Miller when the **** comes put your face at the front so it doesn't hit anyone. surely you are a due diligent expert now that you have decided he is not right and what evidence do you have to say he is not right ? you and all anti syed **** give me some proof and dont say goldberg he can suck his own **** from the back if he can reach it.
Write down each point from your own research and it has to be accurate.

Report this post » Register/Log In »

John Bold says...
4:50pm Mon 6 Sep 10

kick out wrote:
Miller when the **** comes put your face at the front so it doesn't hit anyone. surely you are a due diligent expert now that you have decided he is not right and what evidence do you have to say he is not right ? you and all anti syed **** give me some proof and dont say goldberg he can suck his own **** from the back if he can reach it.
Write down each point from your own research and it has to be accurate.

Wow. Just wow. Kick Out, you have proved yourself on this article to be a complete moron of the highest standard. I don't know whether i have ever read such tripe. (tripe is a delicacy quite popular in lancashire; not sure if you've ever been to lancashire.)
.
your cover as an employee of Mr Syed has obviously been blown, and now you resort to abusing and insulting people. you really are of very low intelligence. please leave and never come back.
.
people with a real interest in the Rovers are not going to be convinced of Mr Syed's suitablity now. his lies have gone beyond belief. please report to him in the morning and tell him he is not welcome and won't be accepted.
.
cheers.

Report this post » Register/Log In »

Blackburn Yoof says...
5:07pm Mon 6 Sep 10

kICK OUT: the point i was trying to make was that anyone can approach the club with an offer and the promise of investment. Surely it would be better for the club and its representatives to carry out 'due diligence' on the prospective buyers before the books are handed over. Mybe they have. However, if the BBC are to be believed then concerns should have been raised a long time ago. There could be a rational explanation for the debts incurred by Mr Syed before he left the UK but we won't know until he speaks out. You don't know the facts, I don't know the facts, only Mr Syed knows the facts. Until then its best not to offer your unstinting support for a takeover that might not even make it past 'the fit and proper persons' test.

Report this post » Register/Log In »

eddie the eagle says...
5:09pm Mon 6 Sep 10

mark from canada wrote:
eddie the eagle... we left the UK because of people like you and the way the country is run, not for the reasons you think. Canada is a multi cultural country and I work with and socialize with all ethnic people. Wanna have my car licence plate BRFC UK?

People like me?you were the one who made remarks about racism with out knowing a single fact about me or others on this site.I to mix with any race or creed with out problem just because I am sceptical about the take over does'nt make me racist you played that card.

Report this post » Register/Log In »

kick out says...
5:15pm Mon 6 Sep 10

Blackburn Yoof, fit and proper test is premier leagues problem also syed might have been told to keep quiet by the rovers board so he does'nt get accused of being something he isnt. good if he stays away from media so they stop making **** up

Report this post » Register/Log In »

horrocksbr says...
5:15pm Mon 6 Sep 10

rovers have been checking everything out about syed for weeks now, he clearly does have the finances and stabilty to offer us or the rovers board would of called talks off a long time ago :)

Report this post » Register/Log In »

hasslem hasslem says...
5:17pm Mon 6 Sep 10

kick out - why no answer to miller's simple questions on where you sit in the ground, what your best ever rovers goal was - christ, come on tell us what rovers strip looks like - that is an easy one for starters.
.
what was the best game ever was it the 5-5 vs Leeds Alexandra or the 4-0 in 86 vs Crystal North End.
.
My favourite was in 2004 - when we murdered Millham United 5-0 away in the cup match....what a game that was - you would have gone to that one?

Report this post » Register/Log In »

hasslem hasslem says...
5:23pm Mon 6 Sep 10

kick out - mr syed's business cv (very short for someone so monied) makes reference to him attending an indian university and the an international university - could you please tell us which ones.

Report this post » Register/Log In »

hasslem hasslem says...
5:28pm Mon 6 Sep 10

Robbie wrote:
blimey all this before he has even taken over.. what chance does he or anyone else stand..

i wish the fans would support things for ones, rather than just going on the attack.. they attack players, possible new owners, the board everything, its getting boring now..

robbie - come on, arent you in the slightest bit worried about this bloke who nobody seems to know anything about.
.
the one thing than can be said is that virtually all who come on here are mad-keen supporters and the biggest fear is that we become the next leeds, pompey or southampton (and several more).....its because we support the team, the club that we are terrified of a wrong 'un racking up at our beloved club.
.
you seriously telling me - that you are taking this bloke at face value and expect us to do the same?

Report this post » Register/Log In »

Miller11 says...
5:38pm Mon 6 Sep 10

Kick out...

1. Ali Syed claims Blackburn Rovers is "His passion". He claims to have followed us since the 1990's, yet he has never set foot on Ewood park - just like you. He cannot name a single Rovers player - just like you.
This is ludicrous considering he spent time living in the UK and money is apparently no object. This is aside from the fact he is considering purchasing the club.

2. He initially stated he was not in it to make money, yet SECONDS later he claimed in years to come he would find a way of doing just that.
So he wants a return on 300 million - his planned level of investment. How on earth will he do this????
The days of easy money being made by investment in football is long gone. There was a brief window of opportunity where people like David Dein, Ken Bates and Martin Edwards did very well. It's just not possible now.
The only chance for another major change is for clubs to be allowed to negotiate their own individual TV deals. THIS WILL NEVER BE ALLOWED! The current system means there is massive inequality between the top flight and all those below. The FA and the Premier League would not allow this gulf to become 4 or 5 teams with the rest completely unable of ever getting close.
The only other way he will make money is by asset stripping us.

3. His claims of attracting Asian supporters are vague, and not at all thought out. If by simply having an Asian owner is going to attract Asian people in their thousands to a club, why have QPR not experienced this? This is without even taking into accounts religious views, the hostility between india and pakistan or any other number of factors. I think to make such assumptions is ignorant and ill-informed.

4. Before he was even anywhere near taking control of the club he is spouting a load of rubbish about signing David Beckham. I expect this is because Beckham is the only footballer he is aware of.
Beckham would not come to Rovers. Even if he did we would have to pay him half a million pounds in wages every week (that warchest is dwindling a bit now, isn't it?). We might add a few thousand to the gate, for a limited spell, but we would not earn a penny through merchandising because of his inevitable image rights deal.

5. He is going to expand the stadium. Anyone with an IQ in double figures can see what a ridiculous idea this would be.

6. He lied about his educational background.

7. He does not appear to be a billionaire, despite his claims. McCabe builders is hardly McAlpines or Wimpeys is it? Very little information about his other business activities, except for WGA which has been forced to cease trading. Oh, sorry, he is going to use the Swiss arm for the Rovers deal, maybe that will be run legitimately!
His accounts were torn apart by a professor of economics on 5 live investigates. Many questions were raised.

8. He does not pay his debts. He is an immoral thief at worst, and careless at best. Not the sort of man I want running my football club. Had these debts been an oversight on his behalf, why did he not use a tiny, tiny fraction of his vast wealth to settle them to save himself from these awkward questions and bad publicity? Don't give us any of that garbage about wanting photographic evidence... it will make you seem even more ridiculous.

9. His silence speaks volumes. Surely a man with his wealth can afford some decent PR people, actually, he doesn't need them, as these revelations are all lies according to you. Why hasn't he spoken out to deny them? Why isn't there a news story about how he is taking legal action against the BBC?
Oh, I remember! Last time he made a public denial he was once again proved to be a liar the very next day!

Now instead of coming back with your usual illegible drivel, could you please answer the questions I have put to you three times already on this page?

Kick out... 1. Ali Syed claims Blackburn Rovers is "His passion". He claims to have followed us since the 1990's, yet he has never set foot on Ewood park - just like you. He cannot name a single Rovers player - just like you. This is ludicrous considering he spent time living in the UK and money is apparently no object. This is aside from the fact he is considering purchasing the club. 2. He initially stated he was not in it to make money, yet SECONDS later he claimed in years to come he would find a way of doing just that. So he wants a return on 300 million - his planned level of investment. How on earth will he do this???? The days of easy money being made by investment in football is long gone. There was a brief window of opportunity where people like David Dein, Ken Bates and Martin Edwards did very well. It's just not possible now. The only chance for another major change is for clubs to be allowed to negotiate their own individual TV deals. THIS WILL NEVER BE ALLOWED! The current system means there is massive inequality between the top flight and all those below. The FA and the Premier League would not allow this gulf to become 4 or 5 teams with the rest completely unable of ever getting close. The only other way he will make money is by asset stripping us. 3. His claims of attracting Asian supporters are vague, and not at all thought out. If by simply having an Asian owner is going to attract Asian people in their thousands to a club, why have QPR not experienced this? This is without even taking into accounts religious views, the hostility between india and pakistan or any other number of factors. I think to make such assumptions is ignorant and ill-informed. 4. Before he was even anywhere near taking control of the club he is spouting a load of rubbish about signing David Beckham. I expect this is because Beckham is the only footballer he is aware of. Beckham would not come to Rovers. Even if he did we would have to pay him half a million pounds in wages every week (that warchest is dwindling a bit now, isn't it?). We might add a few thousand to the gate, for a limited spell, but we would not earn a penny through merchandising because of his inevitable image rights deal. 5. He is going to expand the stadium. Anyone with an IQ in double figures can see what a ridiculous idea this would be. 6. He lied about his educational background. 7. He does not appear to be a billionaire, despite his claims. McCabe builders is hardly McAlpines or Wimpeys is it? Very little information about his other business activities, except for WGA which has been forced to cease trading. Oh, sorry, he is going to use the Swiss arm for the Rovers deal, maybe that will be run legitimately! His accounts were torn apart by a professor of economics on 5 live investigates. Many questions were raised. 8. He does not pay his debts. He is an immoral thief at worst, and careless at best. Not the sort of man I want running my football club. Had these debts been an oversight on his behalf, why did he not use a tiny, tiny fraction of his vast wealth to settle them to save himself from these awkward questions and bad publicity? Don't give us any of that garbage about wanting photographic evidence... it will make you seem even more ridiculous. 9. His silence speaks volumes. Surely a man with his wealth can afford some decent PR people, actually, he doesn't need them, as these revelations are all lies according to you. Why hasn't he spoken out to deny them? Why isn't there a news story about how he is taking legal action against the BBC? Oh, I remember! Last time he made a public denial he was once again proved to be a liar the very next day! Now instead of coming back with your usual illegible drivel, could you please answer the questions I have put to you three times already on this page? Miller11

Report this post » Register/Log In »

Stone Island says...
6:20pm Mon 6 Sep 10

kick out wrote:
Miller when the **** comes put your face at the front so it doesn't hit anyone. surely you are a due diligent expert now that you have decided he is not right and what evidence do you have to say he is not right ? you and all anti syed **** give me some proof and dont say goldberg he can suck his own **** from the back if he can reach it. Write down each point from your own research and it has to be accurate.

More drivel from the LIAR.

Report this post » Register/Log In »

The ball is round so pass it! says...
6:42pm Mon 6 Sep 10

hasslem hasslem wrote:

Robbie wrote:
blimey all this before he has even taken over.. what chance does he or anyone else stand..

i wish the fans would support things for ones, rather than just going on the attack.. they attack players, possible new owners, the board everything, its getting boring now..
robbie - come on, arent you in the slightest bit worried about this bloke who nobody seems to know anything about.
.
the one thing than can be said is that virtually all who come on here are mad-keen supporters and the biggest fear is that we become the next leeds, pompey or southampton (and several more).....its because we support the team, the club that we are terrified of a wrong 'un racking up at our beloved club.
.
you seriously telling me - that you are taking this bloke at face value and expect us to do the same?

Well said Robbie. The above report says the Walkers are fully aware of their resposibilities in selling the club on. This means if he can't prove he has the dosh he won't be allowed to buy the club.
.
Hasslem - you are either going to be 100% right or 100% wrong! But lets leave it to the experts for now.
.
I hope we get proof of £100m waiting to be invested in the team and Mr Syed signs a contract stating he will never take loans secured against rovers to help buy them now or in the future. Would you be happy then?
.
How sick would we look if he goes elsewhere after eading these negative comments and does invest £300m!!

Report this post » Register/Log In »

kick out says...
7:02pm Mon 6 Sep 10

Syed Ali's spokeswoman Julia Thiem has responded to the allegations made in the BBC Five Live investigates. Talking exclusively to BRFCS Ms Thiem confirmed that they "take the allegations made by BBC Radio 5 very seriously. Unfortunately the report contained a number of factual inaccuracies and misleading statements, which are damaging to both WGA and Mr Ahsan Ali Syed. We are currently investigating these discrepancies and will be responding accordingly".

More on this developing story soon.

Report this post » Register/Log In »

Woody Riversider says...
7:28pm Mon 6 Sep 10

Let any chuffing scabbard attempt to purchase MY club with ill intentions & I will man the barricades.

Simple.

It won't happen. As much as the Walkers want out they will not sell J. Walkers legacy for BRFC out.

Simple.

Just on the proposed Sayed takeover ? How weird to be in debt for the piffling amounts considering the supposed vast amounts of wealth he as ?!!! If he cannot pay these 'household debts' then how the hell does one manage an established football club such as Blackburn Rovers ?

Oh well !!

Arte et labore

Report this post » Register/Log In »

Miller11 says...
7:35pm Mon 6 Sep 10

kick out wrote:
Syed Ali's spokeswoman Julia Thiem has responded to the allegations made in the BBC Five Live investigates. Talking exclusively to BRFCS Ms Thiem confirmed that they "take the allegations made by BBC Radio 5 very seriously. Unfortunately the report contained a number of factual inaccuracies and misleading statements, which are damaging to both WGA and Mr Ahsan Ali Syed. We are currently investigating these discrepancies and will be responding accordingly".

More on this developing story soon.

Vinjay has posted this word for word elsewhere.

You and him go on about this Julia Thiem like we should all know who she is...

Talking exclusively to a messageboard... says it all really!

STILL NO ANSWERS!

Report this post » Register/Log In »

kick out says...
7:37pm Mon 6 Sep 10

Woody Riversider, Blackburn
You talk like you know everything. He is innocent until proven guilty.
You are not to decide that never mind your football club it is syed's club now so go away.
Go and give goldberg a blow job he needs it he was asking for a woody wood pecker
security word was woody knob

Report this post » Register/Log In »

kick out says...
7:42pm Mon 6 Sep 10

Miller11, Mill Hill
When it does come out and they prove you wrong don't support syed after that.
There will be a statement issued shortly .
what do you mean who is julia you knew her before these allegations or were you working for goldberg on a council estate.

Report this post » Register/Log In »

Miller11 says...
7:57pm Mon 6 Sep 10

kick out wrote:
Miller11, Mill Hill
When it does come out and they prove you wrong don't support syed after that.
There will be a statement issued shortly .
what do you mean who is julia you knew her before these allegations or were you working for goldberg on a council estate.

Answer the questions I put to you earlier!

Report this post » Register/Log In »

Woody Riversider says...
8:03pm Mon 6 Sep 10

kick out wrote:
Woody Riversider, Blackburn
You talk like you know everything. He is innocent until proven guilty.
You are not to decide that never mind your football club it is syed's club now so go away.
Go and give goldberg a blow job he needs it he was asking for a woody wood pecker
security word was woody knob

Shut your fcking stupid mouth you little no mark.

I will decide who takes over MY/OUR club & if you knew of history then you would know just what is meant by this.

You little runt.

Arte et labore

Report this post » Register/Log In »

Miller11 says...
8:05pm Mon 6 Sep 10

Woody Riversider wrote:

kick out wrote:
Woody Riversider, Blackburn
You talk like you know everything. He is innocent until proven guilty.
You are not to decide that never mind your football club it is syed's club now so go away.
Go and give goldberg a blow job he needs it he was asking for a woody wood pecker
security word was woody knob
Shut your fcking stupid mouth you little no mark.

I will decide who takes over MY/OUR club & if you knew of history then you would know just what is meant by this.

You little runt.

Arte et labore

Spot on Woody. He is this toss pot Syed's employment I reckon. He doesn't know the first thing about our club!

Report this post » Register/Log In »

kick out says...
9:42pm Mon 6 Sep 10

Woody Riversider, Blackburn
Yeah right you going to decide it has already been decided and you were not informed.
Oh my god what you going to do now you **** there is no way they are going to ask you who to sell it to.
Do you own rovers? bollucks

Report this post » Register/Log In »

kick out says...
9:46pm Mon 6 Sep 10

Miller11, Mill Hill
I hope you dont support rovers if syed does buy.
i will drive you to dingle park and all the others.
brfc london has to start the fire hasslem needs to smoke and miller can get high

Report this post » Register/Log In »

eddie the eagle says...
9:57pm Mon 6 Sep 10

MILLER:there is enough to worry about regarding Mr Syed but to suggest he would employ Kickout now I am worried.He can't answer your questions because he only gets to go on the special days they have for schools.

Report this post » Register/Log In »

kick out says...
10:05pm Mon 6 Sep 10

eddie the eagle, chorley
Let me get something straight the takeover will go through and as things look the allegations against syed will be untrue . Then i will drop you and the rest of them to whichever demented unit you want to go to.
You eagle keep worrying but try not to worry others they might have to go to special needs classes.
No one is worried at the end of the day i don't want the club to be sold to anyone but until he comes out and tells us what happened stop making things.
up.
So eagle when you back at nursery as hasslem and miller want to play with the sand

Report this post » Register/Log In »

eddie the eagle says...
10:24pm Mon 6 Sep 10

It's late when you've school in the morning!

Report this post » Register/Log In »

hasslem hasslem says...
11:32pm Mon 6 Sep 10

kick out wrote:
eddie the eagle, chorley
Let me get something straight the takeover will go through and as things look the allegations against syed will be untrue . Then i will drop you and the rest of them to whichever demented unit you want to go to.
You eagle keep worrying but try not to worry others they might have to go to special needs classes.
No one is worried at the end of the day i don't want the club to be sold to anyone but until he comes out and tells us what happened stop making things.
up.
So eagle when you back at nursery as hasslem and miller want to play with the sand

still no details about your supporting history.
.
equally, no english in the sentence.

Report this post » Register/Log In »

Millsy LV 4 26 says...
1:39am Tue 7 Sep 10

Dick Out and BinGay are the same person.

Syed- See Your Entitlement Diminish.

PEACE

Millsy ( see that there! My real name).

Report this post » Register/Log In »

MJ Rover says...
1:53am Tue 7 Sep 10

The thing we should all remember, and have faith in, is that we have a very reliable man at the helm of our club in John Williams. We have to trust him, as well as the other directors and trustees, to do th right thing for the future of the club. I'm sure that they have not been so careful with the club's finances in recent years to then turn around and sell the club to the first person who comes along with an offer. I don't know anyhing about business, takeovers or anything related to them. But I do know that those involved in the decision on Rovers' side have the best interests of the club and its future at stake. Maybe Mr. Syed will be the right man, maybe he won't. But they will have done their research before deciding either way.

Report this post » Register/Log In »

Robbie says...
8:00am Tue 7 Sep 10

hasslem hasslem wrote:

Robbie wrote: blimey all this before he has even taken over.. what chance does he or anyone else stand.. i wish the fans would support things for ones, rather than just going on the attack.. they attack players, possible new owners, the board everything, its getting boring now..
robbie - come on, arent you in the slightest bit worried about this bloke who nobody seems to know anything about. . the one thing than can be said is that virtually all who come on here are mad-keen supporters and the biggest fear is that we become the next leeds, pompey or southampton (and several more).....its because we support the team, the club that we are terrified of a wrong 'un racking up at our beloved club. . you seriously telling me - that you are taking this bloke at face value and expect us to do the same?

yes and no..

yes, its a little scary that something we have had for 20ish years is about to change. yes, the reports are scary. but no, because i trust the club to do full checks and find the right buyer, and no because i trust the FA's new rule, i also dont take everything said by the bbc on face value, if they stick hard prove under my nose, then i will start to panic

we will be fine, we will be bought out, not everyone will like the buyer, but we all need to unite and support the club and new buyers, even if we dont like them.

end of the day we are BLACKBURN ROVERS fans, and we need to support the club, not moan about every single little thing

Report this post » Register/Log In »

bburnrover says...
9:03am Tue 7 Sep 10

I just wondered what would happen to the Jack Walker annual legacy donation the club receives if it was under new ownership?

Report this post » Register/Log In »

bburnrover says...
9:03am Tue 7 Sep 10

I just wondered what would happen to the Jack Walker annual legacy donation the club receives if it was under new ownership?

Report this post » Register/Log In »

hasslem hasslem says...
9:08am Tue 7 Sep 10

Robbie wrote:

hasslem hasslem wrote:

Robbie wrote: blimey all this before he has even taken over.. what chance does he or anyone else stand.. i wish the fans would support things for ones, rather than just going on the attack.. they attack players, possible new owners, the board everything, its getting boring now..
robbie - come on, arent you in the slightest bit worried about this bloke who nobody seems to know anything about. . the one thing than can be said is that virtually all who come on here are mad-keen supporters and the biggest fear is that we become the next leeds, pompey or southampton (and several more).....its because we support the team, the club that we are terrified of a wrong 'un racking up at our beloved club. . you seriously telling me - that you are taking this bloke at face value and expect us to do the same?
yes and no..

yes, its a little scary that something we have had for 20ish years is about to change. yes, the reports are scary. but no, because i trust the club to do full checks and find the right buyer, and no because i trust the FA's new rule, i also dont take everything said by the bbc on face value, if they stick hard prove under my nose, then i will start to panic

we will be fine, we will be bought out, not everyone will like the buyer, but we all need to unite and support the club and new buyers, even if we dont like them.

end of the day we are BLACKBURN ROVERS fans, and we need to support the club, not moan about every single little thing

support the new owner - by all means but NOT IF HE IS A CHARLATAN.
.
Remember those pompey fans getting autographs of Sulamain al-Fahim last season?....bet they are delighted they got behind him now.

Report this post » Register/Log In »

John Bold says...
9:19am Tue 7 Sep 10

kick out - straight question - are you in the employ of Syed?

Report this post » Register/Log In »

Rovers0411 says...
10:53am Tue 7 Sep 10

bburnrover wrote:
I just wondered what would happen to the Jack Walker annual legacy donation the club receives if it was under new ownership?

All depends on the terms of the Trust Deed that established Jack Walker's Trust. However, the terms have never been put in the public domain (rightly so) so we will never know other than by what appears in the club accounts in future years.

Report this post » Register/Log In »

More Football stories

INTEREST: Ahsan Ali Syed

INTEREST: Ahsan Ali Syed

Most popular

Comments on Blackburn Rovers stories following the Jerome Anderson interview with Sky Sports have been frozen on this website after the Lancashire Telegraph received a letter from Mr Anderson’s solicitors. However, later tomorrow (Friday) we are setting up a new facility for readers to post their comments on Blackburn Rovers at (insert email address here). The LT will continue to allow fair and even robust comments on this subject acknowledging the depth of feeling of supporters and their right to express their opinions as long as these comments are lawful and obey our house rules . But we refuse to accept defamatory and unproven accusations of criminal or other wrongful activity which break the rules governing the comments facility.

Get Adobe Flash player

Local Information

Enter your postcode, town or place name

House prices » Schools » Crime » Hospitals »

Local Businesses

Jobs

Search jobs in and around Lancashire
Search Now »
Dating

Find the right person for you
Search Now »
Homes

Search houses, flats, and all properties
Search Now »
Cars

Search new & used cars in and around Lancashire
Search Now »