Confimred new owners of Raeding Footbal Club

[multisync1830]

Which is why they want to get to the port.... If the Oman deal falls through then all those who laughed at Pompey will be eating their words.

In no way is SJM a great poker player, he should never have sold to STI* in the first palace. I never trusted them from the start (see my posts at the time). It was clear from Everton that something wasn't right and I believe that as you say SJM had no choice but to sell. Fortuitously he only sold just over half whether intentionally or not it allowed him influence and to stay as Chairman.

I don't dispute that privately he was livid at being taken in by the conmen and their failure to deliver the promised cash. He would have been informed this around about April/May I would reckon. Publically what else could he say other than "I am not unduly worried". That clearly states something is happening but at the time he was happy all would end well.

If you had a cough, you may be not unduly worried at the moment. It may blow over in a short time. But it doesn't mean it won't become pneumonia and maybe even kill you.


We really don't disagree, both our "versions" match both in terms of timing and narrative. You may have heard more from the man himself.

* one of the few times autocorrect gets to the truth of the matter

The only thing I suspect that is incorrect is the timeline. I believe it was much closer to the deadline date. I suggest we both feel strongly that the worse thing that could have ever happened to the club was that AZ found the second instalment.

As regards conman? Hmm not entirely sure, this implies he/they deliberately set out to con and somehow I don't think so as they would have found the second instalment and proceed to asset strip the club into the blue square league.

Personally unless someone can offer proof, I am willing to give him/them all the benefit of the doubt and say he was a hopeless dreamer who woke up to a financial nightmare.

I found out about this deal (or rather the potential) by a chance encounter around the time the Omani's were over for the friendly. I am certainly not briefed by anyone on the staff!

The upshot is that this is the deal SJM meant by his deep pockets and fingers crossed a healthy future awaits.

[genome]

Alright chaps... met none other than CEO Nigel Howe at the pub!

He said to expect a "big announcement" soon and that there are funds for January.

This is 100% true.

[Dick Habbin's hairdo]

Muscat >>>> Moscow.

[JIM]

Will the new owner keep the manager ???????

[soggy biscuit]

Alright chaps... met none other than CEO Nigel Howe at the pub!

He said to expect a "big announcement" soon and that there are funds for January.

This is 100% true.

sure it wasn't noisy and he said 'wig announcement' and 'fun January'?

[PieEater]

Does "funds for January" mean they've already lined up deals for Pog and McCarthy so we'll have some cash to spend?

[westongeezer]

Funds aint gunna fix this season....

[SPARTA]

Funds aint gunna fix this season....

Do you want us to go up with such an average squad? I don't. We'd only come down with a massive bump (again). Some patience is needed, Adkins needs two windows to bring his own players in and we need to ship out some of the deadwood we have here. Next season is far more realistic, and I'd like any new owner to stick by Nigel Adkins and give him that long to get it right here!

[Terminal Boardom]

Alright chaps... met none other than CEO Nigel Howe at the pub!

He said to expect a "big announcement" soon and that there are funds for January.

This is 100% true.

The announcement will probably be about STs going on sale early or this season's shirts being flogged for a tenner. I have met NH and I don't like the slimy little turd burgler.

[soggy biscuit]

[SPARTA]

‏@STARReading
STAR was pleased to read SJM's statement (reported by BBC) of confidence about the future & believes fans should take reassurance from this.

@STARReading
STAR also welcomes news concerning potential new investment & hopes that matters can be concluded speedily for the benefit of club & fans.

[JIM]

the captain of the titanic said we only hit a bad patch of ice, but I have every confidence in my team to save us. So captain JM +NEW MAN+MR A +BOARD sort this s..t out. soon please,

[Royalwaster]

Alright chaps... met none other than CEO Nigel Howe at the pub!

He said to expect a "big announcement" soon and that there are funds for January.

This is 100% true.

That just sounds so plausible. Did you take a photo of him?

[Cypry]

Has the thought crossed anyone else's mind that Antin isn't necessarily finished at the club?

It's been interesting to see how a lot of people have taken the SJM interview and focused on the "not got access to Anton's diary" element, but have missed where he said "I'm not concerned about the Zingaravich family. They still support Reading and will continue to do so going forward".

Given the speculation about the Omani investment, and how the Sultan is not expected to take a hands on role, I do wonder if there's a "third way" and whether the new investment is not an outright purchase of the club, but an investment in TSI themselves, which will in turn enable TSI to take full control....?

After all TSI is an investment vehicle, it seems obvious to me that they had one of their major backers pull out (assume papa Zingaravich) - is it not reasonable to assume that rather than walk away and take a loss, Anton and Samuelson would simply look for alternative money elsewhere to allow them to keep their project moving forward? All the talk has been of "new investment" after all....

I've got no ITK knowledge in this, but it just struck me that a lot of the coverage of the interview with SJM only took those comments which could be considered negative about Anton into account, but missed much of what he actually said. The Daily Fail goes so far as saying that SJM said that talks were underway with new investors which could lead to Zingaravich selling his share - unless I briefly dropped off during the interview, I don't believe SJM said anything of the sort, did he?

[ZacNaloen]

No it was an unsourced comment, so probably speculation

I have no idea what form any investment will take, I could see it being an investment into TSI rather than the club. Equally I could see it being a full buyout and Anton leaving us to focus on the Hockey Club he's just bought while back in Russia. (which is why I suspect the real reason he's not been here if he's been focusing on that as much as he was on us last year)

[multisync1830]

Has the thought crossed anyone else's mind that Antin isn't necessarily finished at the club?

It's been interesting to see how a lot of people have taken the SJM interview and focused on the "not got access to Anton's diary" element, but have missed where he said "I'm not concerned about the Zingaravich family. They still support Reading and will continue to do so going forward".

Given the speculation about the Omani investment, and how the Sultan is not expected to take a hands on role, I do wonder if there's a "third way" and whether the new investment is not an outright purchase of the club, but an investment in TSI themselves, which will in turn enable TSI to take full control....?

After all TSI is an investment vehicle, it seems obvious to me that they had one of their major backers pull out (assume papa Zingaravich) - is it not reasonable to assume that rather than walk away and take a loss, Anton and Samuelson would simply look for alternative money elsewhere to allow them to keep their project moving forward? All the talk has been of "new investment" after all....

I've got no ITK knowledge in this, but it just struck me that a lot of the coverage of the interview with SJM only took those comments which could be considered negative about Anton into account, but missed much of what he actually said. The Daily Fail goes so far as saying that SJM said that talks were underway with new investors which could lead to Zingaravich selling his share - unless I briefly dropped off during the interview, I don't believe SJM said anything of the sort, did he?

It's a 100% buyout end of.

[Uke]

AZ's previous history doesn't exactly scream 'around for the long term' so it's clearly likely to be an all or 51% deal

Could be fun watching AZ move from job to job over the coming years as he builds on his previous successes

[Cypry]

Has the thought crossed anyone else's mind that Antin isn't necessarily finished at the club?

It's been interesting to see how a lot of people have taken the SJM interview and focused on the "not got access to Anton's diary" element, but have missed where he said "I'm not concerned about the Zingaravich family. They still support Reading and will continue to do so going forward".

Given the speculation about the Omani investment, and how the Sultan is not expected to take a hands on role, I do wonder if there's a "third way" and whether the new investment is not an outright purchase of the club, but an investment in TSI themselves, which will in turn enable TSI to take full control....?

After all TSI is an investment vehicle, it seems obvious to me that they had one of their major backers pull out (assume papa Zingaravich) - is it not reasonable to assume that rather than walk away and take a loss, Anton and Samuelson would simply look for alternative money elsewhere to allow them to keep their project moving forward? All the talk has been of "new investment" after all....

I've got no ITK knowledge in this, but it just struck me that a lot of the coverage of the interview with SJM only took those comments which could be considered negative about Anton into account, but missed much of what he actually said. The Daily Fail goes so far as saying that SJM said that talks were underway with new investors which could lead to Zingaravich selling his share - unless I briefly dropped off during the interview, I don't believe SJM said anything of the sort, did he?

It's a 100% buyout end of.

Fair enough, just found the "will continue to do so going forward" a bit odd...

[multisync1830]

Has the thought crossed anyone else's mind that Antin isn't necessarily finished at the club?

It's been interesting to see how a lot of people have taken the SJM interview and focused on the "not got access to Anton's diary" element, but have missed where he said "I'm not concerned about the Zingaravich family. They still support Reading and will continue to do so going forward".

Given the speculation about the Omani investment, and how the Sultan is not expected to take a hands on role, I do wonder if there's a "third way" and whether the new investment is not an outright purchase of the club, but an investment in TSI themselves, which will in turn enable TSI to take full control....?

After all TSI is an investment vehicle, it seems obvious to me that they had one of their major backers pull out (assume papa Zingaravich) - is it not reasonable to assume that rather than walk away and take a loss, Anton and Samuelson would simply look for alternative money elsewhere to allow them to keep their project moving forward? All the talk has been of "new investment" after all....

I've got no ITK knowledge in this, but it just struck me that a lot of the coverage of the interview with SJM only took those comments which could be considered negative about Anton into account, but missed much of what he actually said. The Daily Fail goes so far as saying that SJM said that talks were underway with new investors which could lead to Zingaravich selling his share - unless I briefly dropped off during the interview, I don't believe SJM said anything of the sort, did he?

It's a 100% buyout end of.

Fair enough, just found the "will continue to do so going forward" a bit odd...

Nothing has been signed from what we are led to believe so anyone official talking about it or even hinting too directly has the potential to upset the apple cart. Hence comments are hazy and liable to be misinterpreted. SJM isn't really a seasoned spin doctor so needs to be extra cautious and his mind must have been working overtime working out how to answer without answering.

He needs someone like Tony Blair who would have smarmed a 2 hour interview which on the face of it would reveal everything but when the interviewer listened back told him absolutely zilch.

[themadstad]

Which is why they want to get to the port.... If the Oman deal falls through then all those who laughed at Pompey will be eating their words.

In no way is SJM a great poker player, he should never have sold to STI* in the first palace. I never trusted them from the start (see my posts at the time). It was clear from Everton that something wasn't right and I believe that as you say SJM had no choice but to sell. Fortuitously he only sold just over half whether intentionally or not it allowed him influence and to stay as Chairman.

I don't dispute that privately he was livid at being taken in by the conmen and their failure to deliver the promised cash. He would have been informed this around about April/May I would reckon. Publically what else could he say other than "I am not unduly worried". That clearly states something is happening but at the time he was happy all would end well.

If you had a cough, you may be not unduly worried at the moment. It may blow over in a short time. But it doesn't mean it won't become pneumonia and maybe even kill you.


We really don't disagree, both our "versions" match both in terms of timing and narrative. You may have heard more from the man himself.

* one of the few times autocorrect gets to the truth of the matter

The only thing I suspect that is incorrect is the timeline. I believe it was much closer to the deadline date. I suggest we both feel strongly that the worse thing that could have ever happened to the club was that AZ found the second instalment.

As regards conman? Hmm not entirely sure, this implies he/they deliberately set out to con and somehow I don't think so as they would have found the second instalment and proceed to asset strip the club into the blue square league.

Personally unless someone can offer proof, I am willing to give him/them all the benefit of the doubt and say he was a hopeless dreamer who woke up to a financial nightmare.

I found out about this deal (or rather the potential) by a chance encounter around the time the Omani's were over for the friendly. I am certainly not briefed by anyone on the staff!

The upshot is that this is the deal SJM meant by his deep pockets and fingers crossed a healthy future awaits.

Fair play there, but do you have any proof of what you are saying is genuine.

You state this knowledge of what is happening. A Sultan, buying into Reading? Seems bizarre and the very little media suggests this is fan speculation.