Thames Sports Investment

[Ian Royal]

Yeah, all the indignation at alleged £80m price tags is looking pretty stupid now.

Based on the information we have, limited as it is, either the £80m price tag has been accepted, meaning it wasn't ridiculously high, or it was only that high whilst we were Premier League and they were complaining about something that wasn't reality since we've been back in the Chump.

[Uke]

Kebe, McAnuff, Leigertwood, Robson-Kanu, Manset, Cummings, Baseya, Antonio, Bignall, Walcott and others must really be looking forward to those exhibition matches in our Russian pre-season tours...

Bikey has fond memories of his time in Russia too
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 567053.stm

[No Fixed Abode]

Remember the majority of you said, if big investment comes to the club and you 'buy' success, you won't support Reading anymore?

I'll watch this space.

[melonhead]

indeed- looks to me from the stuff in the press like it "could go to 40 million" which means that is the price on the whole club, and theyve spent 20 million now on 51 %
which would mean that not only has SJM spent the last 22 years working without salary, not taking profits from the club, but he sold at a price which only gets him the money hes spent back

[Ark Royal]

I have to say that after initial scepticism, I was greatly encouraged by Madejski's latest statement.

I was desperately hanging on to the thought that he would never, ever do anything to jeopardize the club, but after seeing car-crash takeovers at other clubs, the fear was this was going to be a big slice of toast that was going to land butter-side down. Felt a lot more reassured after reading that.

It will be interesting to see exactly how much Brian will have to spend in the remaining days of the window; it may give us a little glimpse of what is to come.

[Libertine]

I have to echo what many have said on this thread. Fair play to SJM. He said he wanted to sell, he said he wanted to sell up and wouldn't sell unless the owners were much wealthier than him, then he did it. He took us from the lower level of the leagues up to the PL. He has the club on solid financial footing with us still vying for promotion season in and season out. And now we are on the verge of having an ownership group which will allow us to hold onto our better talent and make investments to the squad where holes appear. He is a man of his word which is not only rare in professional sports but in the world in general.

SJM is da man!!!

[dogzbollox]

I'm happy to say I was wrong in being so cautious, in 2 years' time. In the meantime, until the deal is signed - I'll be wary - yesterday's game couldn't have done much to persuade the new investors that they're doing the right thing and won't have to spend much money to get us into the PL!

However, I would ask that we try and get Doyle on loan (he's on the bench at Wolves so they might let him back!) - with a view to signing him at end of season if Wolves don't want him and also that we make approaches to Hoffenheim now to enquire as to whether we could get Siggy back. Plus try and get Bertrand and that would do me for now.

The man said onwards & upwards not backwards.......

[Royal Lady]

I wouldn't call that backwards. I'd call it prudent purchasing - no need to bed them in as such. Sure, there's a few new faces here since they all moved on, but they know the manager and the back room staff and they know the RFC "way".

[dogzbollox]

Ok so it might not be totally backwards for the club - but it would for them, they are PL/Bundesliga players afterall, career-wise I'm talking about

[Platypuss]

Remember the majority of you said, if big investment comes to the club and you 'buy' success, you won't support Reading anymore?

I'll watch this space.

Quotes or it never happened.

[Arch]

I'll watch this space.

No change there then.

[leicsRoyal]

Fair play to SJM.

He's had so much criticism for not taking the club as far as some fans would like. He took us from the run down Elm Park to a 24,000+ all seater stadium, from a team that was lucky to spend time above the bottom two divisions to the premier league.
He realised his dream and got the town noticed with a top division football club but his dream turned sour when he realised the ludicrous money required to stay in the premier league.

SJM has always said that he would only sell to the investor that could take this club further than he can, I wonder how many offers he has turned down so far for the good of RFC.

He now seems that he has finally found that investor and the delight is apparent in his words. Fingers crossed it will all pan out as he wants.

Exciting times.

[BonBoh]

Not happy about the demise of my club

http://www.rumafia.com/person.php?id=204

This is a profile of Anton Zingarevich's father, Boris. Our club will be used to conceal illicit money. When they've had their fill, they will take what they want and we'll end up like Pompey.

Anyone fancy another 'car park' style petition, only this time to keep our club, not our manager?

[Royal With Cheese]

I'm surprised no one's discussing the expansion of the Mad Stad yet.

[TFF]

Not happy about the demise of my club

http://www.rumafia.com/person.php?id=204

This is a profile of Anton Zingarevich's father, Boris. Our club will be used to conceal illicit money. When they've had their fill, they will take what they want and we'll end up like Pompey.

Anyone fancy another 'car park' style petition, only this time to keep our club, not our manager?

Of course, you're quite right.

If only someone had linked to that article earlier in the thread.

[under the tin]

If Jason Roberts does come in on loan I think it will take him a while to make an impact as he has not played many games in the last year.
I think with the limited funds available to McDermott in this transfer window maybe his main priority will be to use these funds to ensure Kebe stays first.

Kebe has already received an (i would've thought) improved offer, as McD confirmed yesterday. He has a transfer budget on top of this to strengthen the squad it would seem

Which puts our Jimmy in a bit of a quandary.
His bargaining position has been undermined as a direct result of the new money arriving.
Whereas, under the previous regime he knew he was a leading light within the first team at a (relatively) poor football club, the new money arriving makes it eminently possible for the club to buy a replacement, should the player decide to try to stick out for an improved offer.
Jimmy Kebe (can be) very good, but the days of "we have to work with what we've got" (McDermott) seem to be behind us.

[sandman]

Not happy about the demise of my club

http://www.rumafia.com/person.php?id=204

This is a profile of Anton Zingarevich's father, Boris. Our club will be used to conceal illicit money. When they've had their fill, they will take what they want and we'll end up like Pompey.

Anyone fancy another 'car park' style petition, only this time to keep our club, not our manager?

So your accusing this man of having links with the Russian Mafia and you want to antagonise him. Clever.

[Arch]

Not happy about the demise of my club

http://www.rumafia.com/person.php?id=204

This is a profile of Anton Zingarevich's father, Boris. Our club will be used to conceal illicit money. When they've had their fill, they will take what they want and we'll end up like Pompey.

Anyone fancy another 'car park' style petition, only this time to keep our club, not our manager?

Have you actually read that?

Summary:

The Zingarevich brothers own Ilim Pulp, a major player in the Russian timber industry. Various people involved in the Russian timber industry have been beaten, kidnapped, had their buildings burned, etc. It's possible that the Zingareviches may have been involved.... because they are in the industry.

[FiNeRaIn]

Not happy about the demise of my club

http://www.rumafia.com/person.php?id=204

Not particuarly bothered if he's Mafia, its not the same in Russia as it is in the US....its much more common. We aren't talking about the Gambino's here.

If a couple of local business competitors in Moscow get whacked and it results in us buying a good striker and creative midfielder...im not particularly arsed.

[winchester_royal]

Yes.. But then it clearly goes on to state in the article that the Zingarevich brothers are looking to acquire a football club in Berkshire with a view to destroying it.