Thames Sports Investment

[strap]

The negotiations have been going on, but why the big announcements about Heads of Terms?

Quite simply because a Daily Mail reporter informed SJM/RFC that he had scooped the deal and would be pubilshing an exclusive in the following day's DM. SJM then had the choice of keeping quiet and letting the press put a spanner in the works, (a la Everton deal 2004), or agree with TSI to annouce the HoT before the DM story appeared the next day.

Oh, and quite a few other club Chairmen knew this deal was in the offing long before the press had a sniff. Football is as small and insular an industry as construction is.

[1871 Royal]

Very pleased with things after watching the press conference. When he mentioned European football, my heart skipped a little bit. In my 12 years of supporting this club I would never have thought something like this would happen.

In reality isn't European football (outside the champions league) just drab ties against Eastern European opposition in half empty stadia?

Say Reading did a Fulham, and perhaps reach a UEFA cup (or whatever it's called these days) final, even then there's a lot of dull rubbers to get through on rainy Thursday evenings.

To be honest, I would love to say Reading were in Europe, no matter what European competition its in.

And think of it like this. If we were to get into Europe could lead to attracting better, hungry players which could lead to a higher league finish which could lead to Champions League in about 10 years or whatever.

[urz13]

Very pleased with things after watching the press conference. When he mentioned European football, my heart skipped a little bit. In my 12 years of supporting this club I would never have thought something like this would happen.

In reality isn't European football (outside the champions league) just drab ties against Eastern European opposition in half empty stadia?

Say Reading did a Fulham, and perhaps reach a UEFA cup (or whatever it's called these days) final, even then there's a lot of dull rubbers to get through on rainy Thursday evenings.

To be honest, I would love to say Reading were in Europe, no matter what European competition its in.

And think of it like this. If we were to get into Europe could lead to attracting better, hungry players which could lead to a higher league finish which could lead to Champions League in about 10 years or whatever.

That made me LOL at first - but it's not awfully far fetched. This is surreal

[muddyfeet]

Just watched press conf - exciting times ahead
Cant quite get my head around it yet!

[who are ya?]

Very pleased with things after watching the press conference. When he mentioned European football, my heart skipped a little bit. In my 12 years of supporting this club I would never have thought something like this would happen.

In reality isn't European football (outside the champions league) just drab ties against Eastern European opposition in half empty stadia?

Say Reading did a Fulham, and perhaps reach a UEFA cup (or whatever it's called these days) final, even then there's a lot of dull rubbers to get through on rainy Thursday evenings.

I know what you mean Red but I would certainly want a pizza that action!

Who knows what will happen after investing some dough

[PieEater]

Very pleased with things after watching the press conference. When he mentioned European football, my heart skipped a little bit. In my 12 years of supporting this club I would never have thought something like this would happen.

In reality isn't European football (outside the champions league) just drab ties against Eastern European opposition in half empty stadia?

Say Reading did a Fulham, and perhaps reach a UEFA cup (or whatever it's called these days) final, even then there's a lot of dull rubbers to get through on rainy Thursday evenings.

To be honest, I would love to say Reading were in Europe, no matter what European competition its in.

And think of it like this. If we were to get into Europe could lead to attracting better, hungry players which could lead to a higher league finish which could lead to Champions League in about 10 years or whatever.

I'll be fooked if I can be arsed travelling around Europe to see some crappy team play Reading. Bring back Bury away.

[leicsRoyal]

Not sure what to make of these two statements below.

Taken from a news report in 2005.

January 2005 Residing in Monaco, Bates buys Leeds United, the club's debts having been reduced from £103m to £30m. Leeds is now owned by a trust based in Geneva, the Fortress Sports Fund. Its owners are anonymous.

Taken from an article published in 2004,

Anton Zingarevich is a founder of the Brunei-based Fortress Sports Fund, and Kenwright promised: "It is the ambition of myself and the sports fund to return Everton to its former glory."

Does Samuelson work out of Geneva?

[1871 Royal]

Would love to follow my team to deepest darkest Europe.

Plus Stoke have got Valencia in this round so IN for a trip to Spain!

[RepressedRoyal]

Speed would be a legitimate cause for concern if the money had been dangled and JM said yes with no further questions, I guess I got spooked by rumours that JM has got money problems. The well constructed press conference has made me feel better, but are you saying you have no concerns at all Winchester?

I wouldn't say I have no concerns, my main one now is that it'll all breakdown after all this excitement, but I've got faith in SJM that he will always do right by the club.

And tbh, just look at how old excited the old man has got about it all. We've seen more of him in the last couple of days than we have in the last 5 years. He clearly thinks it's the real deal, and I don't sense any trepidation on his part.

And I like the sound of Anton, he doesn't seem like one of these foreign owners who wants to be treated like a king, the fact that he spent hours&hours talking to Brian about the team etc..

I've just got a good feeling about it all, I suppose some will be nervous about it, but I genuinely think we've got a lot to be excited about in the coming years.

If nothing else it's exciting, and deary me did this season need something to bring it our of dourness.

Fair enough...in all honesty it excites me as well, mainly for the reasons you express, you are right it could all fall through yet, but if it does it will be for the right reasons for the club. I suppose my greatest fear is/was that they might do mini United and borrow against the asset to fund the purchase, leaving us with a higher interest on the debt that SJM charged, that would really leave us in the sh1t. Though I guess SJM and the advisers around him have not allowed that to happen in the deal. Can someone make sure I have go the facts right here, because I am a little lost or dumb as you call me Winchester

1/ Russians have paid £25 million for 51% share?
2/ That leaves 49% or just over £24 million in shares left?
3/ Who owns the 49% is it SJM?
4/ Madjeski is currently owed £25 million in loans...is that correct?
5/ If the Russians complete a total buy out in March who get's the additional £24 million?
6/ If it is Madjesji, that is f*cking good return and more than an act of a Knight
7/ Most critically- CAN THE RUSSIANS BORROW AGAINST THE ASSETS TO FUND the takeover?

This may have all been said before, if it has can someone direct me to the post to reassure me.

Cheers

[Royal Rother]

So, all those years that Madejski "invested" in the club turned out to be loans. Anybody can loan money. I'd have more respect had he invested as he implied he was doing. Could it be that the reason he struggled to sell before was that no one was prepared to repay his loans? Very, very disappointing. Typical false messiah stuff I guess.

Sorry, can't carry on catching up without commenting on this... This is a joke right?

[wolsey]

So, all those years that Madejski "invested" in the club turned out to be loans. Anybody can loan money. I'd have more respect had he invested as he implied he was doing. Could it be that the reason he struggled to sell before was that no one was prepared to repay his loans? Very, very disappointing. Typical false messiah stuff I guess.

Sorry, can't carry on catching up without commenting on this... This is a joke right?

Sadly, in his mind, it's a worry

[who are ya?]

IN for a trip to Belarus

[winchester_royal]

Speed would be a legitimate cause for concern if the money had been dangled and JM said yes with no further questions, I guess I got spooked by rumours that JM has got money problems. The well constructed press conference has made me feel better, but are you saying you have no concerns at all Winchester?

I wouldn't say I have no concerns, my main one now is that it'll all breakdown after all this excitement, but I've got faith in SJM that he will always do right by the club.

And tbh, just look at how old excited the old man has got about it all. We've seen more of him in the last couple of days than we have in the last 5 years. He clearly thinks it's the real deal, and I don't sense any trepidation on his part.

And I like the sound of Anton, he doesn't seem like one of these foreign owners who wants to be treated like a king, the fact that he spent hours&hours talking to Brian about the team etc..

I've just got a good feeling about it all, I suppose some will be nervous about it, but I genuinely think we've got a lot to be excited about in the coming years.

If nothing else it's exciting, and deary me did this season need something to bring it our of dourness.

Fair enough...in all honesty it excites me as well, mainly for the reasons you express, you are right it could all fall through yet, but if it does it will be for the right reasons for the club. I suppose my greatest fear is/was that they might do mini United and borrow against the asset to fund the purchase, leaving us with a higher interest on the debt that SJM charged, that would really leave us in the sh1t. Though I guess SJM and the advisers around him have not allowed that to happen in the deal. Can someone make sure I have go the facts right here, because I am a little lost or dumb as you call me Winchester

1/ Russians have paid £25 million for 51% share?
2/ That leaves 49% or just over £24 million in shares left?
3/ Who owns the 49% is it SJM?
4/ Madjeski is currently owed £25 million in loans...is that correct?
5/ If the Russians complete a total buy out in March who get's the additional £24 million?
6/ If it is Madjesji, that is f*cking good return and more than an act of a Knight
7/ Most critically- CAN THE RUSSIANS BORROW AGAINST THE ASSETS TO FUND the takeover?

This may have all been said before, if it has can someone direct me to the post to reassure me.

Cheers

I never called you dumb, just hinted that your post was, and that was a tad harsh I'll admit.

1. Yes.
2. 49% left yep. The price for those we're not sure of the agreement, or if one has been made.
3. Yep
4. Not sure, check the accounts, but Samuelson seemed to imply the club was debt free so maybe they've reached an agreement.
5. They won't, they're only completing the 51% in March.
6. Madejski will get any money coming from the sale because he owns the club.
7. Someone else will know more about this than me, but I don't think so, or at least if they do it will show up on the club's balance sheet. Plus I don't think they need to since they have investors with money anyway. Plus Madejski wouldn't let them.

[Ian Royal]

1) will pay £25m. Not have.

[winchester_royal]

1) will pay £25m. Not have.

By that logic

3) Will do, currently owns em all

[Red]

IN for a trip to Belarus

If you want to go to Belarus, then go to Belarus. And if you want to watch a football match there, then look up a team and go and watch them.

Don't w8 around for Reading FC to play there, even with the Russian cash you may be w8ing a fair while.

[ZacNaloen]

Not sure what to make of these two statements below.

Taken from a news report in 2005.

January 2005 Residing in Monaco, Bates buys Leeds United, the club's debts having been reduced from £103m to £30m. Leeds is now owned by a trust based in Geneva, the Fortress Sports Fund. Its owners are anonymous.

Taken from an article published in 2004,

Anton Zingarevich is a founder of the Brunei-based Fortress Sports Fund, and Kenwright promised: "It is the ambition of myself and the sports fund to return Everton to its former glory."

Does Samuelson work out of Geneva?

Well obviously it's the same organisation,.

That said doesn't matter anyway, Bates owns Leeds outright now. And from what I understand the way Leeds was owned up until last year was several companies owning less than 10% of the club. So Fortress Sports must have been a minority or out of the picture prior to last year as well.

[Ian Royal]

1) will pay £25m. Not have.

By that logic

3) Will do, currently owns em all

Thought it was fairly important to correct that the money hasn't been paid yet, didn't bother reading the rest of your answers that closely as I didn't think there was a lot I could probably add to them.

[Royal Rother]

So, all those years that Madejski "invested" in the club turned out to be loans. Anybody can loan money. I'd have more respect had he invested as he implied he was doing. Could it be that the reason he struggled to sell before was that no one was prepared to repay his loans? Very, very disappointing. Typical false messiah stuff I guess.

Sorry, can't carry on catching up without commenting on this... This is a joke right?

Sadly, in his mind, it's a worry

I really honestly don't follow. Did some people genuinely expect his loans NOT to be repaid? That he would not get that money back? That he would write it off when he sold his shares? How odd.

I must be missing something.

[Ian Royal]

stupidity?
unbelievable naivity?
basic lack of understanding of "investment" and business?