Thames Sports Investment

[RepressedRoyal]

I can hardly believe that I was commenting on a post two days ago saying "of course we are a selling club" and now this. I have to say I am worried by all this carry on folks. I worry for the structure, I worry for McDermott, I worry for the soul of the club, I am just not convinced Russian billionaires are what this club needs. What are we to them? A route to be accepted in British society?

I love this club, I love the fact that we have the moral high ground over Leicester and Portsmouth and all the other scumbags. Despite all the changes in the last 20 years and my indifference to SJM I have always felt that we are a community club and going to Watford away last week made me realise what it is to be a Reading fan, my 15 year old son and I had a great day out with genuine Reading fans even if the football wasn't that great.

Maybe I am getting old and pedantic, but I am not excited by this, I enjoyed an away win at Watford more than I enjoyed getting beaten 4-0 at home by Arsenal surrounded by the Berkshire middle classes in the Upper West who tutted at me when I showed passion for my side. I was born in Reading, I loved this club when Pat Earles and Martin Hicks were here, I loved this club when Gooding, Quinn and Gilkes took us to heights we had never experienced before and I loved this club when Coppell did the unthinkable, it was a momentous period for us all, all achieved in the right way and respected across the nation, a bit like what Swansea are doing now. Yeah, they beat us in the Play Off final, but what a great team, built on the right principles.

Now we are faced with this. I really hope the intentions are good and the club is going on to great things, but someone please tell me where the benefit is for a Russian Billionaire/Gangster to buy our club? How long is it before McDermott is not the right man? How long is it before this guy chucks this particular toy out of his pram? How long is it before the soul of this club is ripped out by a meglomaniac?

I want to be happy, but as someone who has followed this club from Darlington to Plymouth, I fear that someone who doesn't know what it is to be a Royal, is about to rip our club to bits.

I hope I am wrong!

Excuse my grammar, I am a bit p1ssed and emotional right now!

wow thats dull and boring

Gee Thanks

[RepressedRoyal]

Mixed feelings all round then, but I suspect a distinct air of suspicion is the order of the day. In the cold light of day with a sober head, perhaps I shall sit back and hope my concerns are unfounded.

Sh1t....I nearly forgot....we have a game today!!!

[ZacNaloen]

If Anton truly does have an encyclopaedic knowledge of football he would also be the ideal manager for just such a fund, he'd be contacting investors and suggesing they buy into his fund creating actual real money. If the club does well then the value of his shares go and up and so does the money he can ask for from investors "look how much these guys made... With your money we could do more"

There is an element of risk here but lots of sensible businesses do this.

At least thats how I think it works....

[PistolPete]

I find it interesting that in the Mail article it says the son, Anton, was educated in Reading but then went to university in New York.

If that is the case that he went to either a state school or a private school in close proximity to Reading, there must be people among our fans who were at school with him.

He went to Bradfield College.

I went to Bradfield and don't remember anyone of that name, I'm two years older so may be wrong but I'm still 90% sure he wasn't at Bradfield.

[blindedbythelights]

Why is there always one pleb who thinks his opinion is worth a new thread

[Svlad Cjelli]

Why would any businessman who wants to make money invest in a football team?

If it's going to be a richman's toy fair enough, but as an investment vehicle it's a dead loss, because to make it successful you have to pour money in.

[philM]

Re the previous post about the role of a Chairman - there are no statutory rules about the position (apart from the standard Director stuff), it's whatever is in the company's articles of association.

[ZacNaloen]

Ftr im not saying I'm 100% behind this action by the club, I have no idea or any way to really work out how good Anton is at his job. But I do think this is one of the more responsible ways to generate investment and I've been saying for years that if madejski can't afford to invest in rfc from his own pocket alone that this what he should do.

[ZacNaloen]

Why would any businessman who wants to make money invest in a football team?

If it's going to be a richman's toy fair enough, but as an investment vehicle it's a dead loss, because to make it successful you have to pour money in.

Does it have to be though? Most clubs play the short game and chase success too quickly, we've always played the long game and been successful in our own way without building up uncontrollable debt.

[Bandini]

Why would any businessman who wants to make money invest in a football team?

If it's going to be a richman's toy fair enough, but as an investment vehicle it's a dead loss, because to make it successful you have to pour money in.

Of course, they're always useful to launder money that you already have.

[Bandini]

Why is there always one pleb who thinks his opinion is worth a new thread

I guess that's the eighth crucial question.

[blindedbythelights]

I've merged them. Any new threads with endless titangraphs offering nothing and I'll just delete them

[Royal Lady]

I've merged them. Any new threads with endless titangraphs offering nothing and I'll just delete them

When did you become a Mod?!

[Archie's penalty]

Why would any businessman who wants to make money invest in a football team?

If it's going to be a richman's toy fair enough, but as an investment vehicle it's a dead loss, because to make it successful you have to pour money in.

Of course, they're always useful to launder money that you already have.

Power post.

Or maybe instead I should post like the unthinking masses MONEY GIVE IT TO US PLEASE!

Amazing how peoples' heads get turned by money. We really are lost aren't we?

[moo]

I've merged them. Any new threads with endless titangraphs offering nothing and I'll just delete them

When did you become a Mod?!

Down the pub

[rob the royal]

I've merged them. Any new threads with endless titangraphs offering nothing and I'll just delete them

When did you become a Mod?!

probably in the 60s...

[Platypuss]

Why is there always one pleb who thinks his opinion is worth a new thread

Quite.

[Pseud O'Nym]

New Green Park transit system unveiled.

[winchester_royal]

I find it interesting that in the Mail article it says the son, Anton, was educated in Reading but then went to university in New York.

If that is the case that he went to either a state school or a private school in close proximity to Reading, there must be people among our fans who were at school with him.

He went to Bradfield College.

I went to Bradfield and don't remember anyone of that name, I'm two years older so may be wrong but I'm still 90% sure he wasn't at Bradfield.

I too am an OB, although significantly younger. He could have joined for sixth form, which would mean he'd have arrived the year after you left?

It wouldn't suprise me, there was a significant russian presence at Bradfield while I was there.

[winchester_royal]

Well at least the Mail got something right.

JonnyFordham Jonny Fordham
I can confirm McDermot has been to Milan to discuss transfer targets, went last Tuesday #readingfc