Thai owners

[3points]

Samrit may have set up the BIG Pte entity to own the shares in Reading. But then, when he decided not to be formally involved he probably sold the shares of Pte for Narin. These type of websites are often out of date, as it depens where the information is being pulled from. Even Companies House is not always up to date as people "forget" to file information

[Forbury Lion]

There are members of the wider Thai group with very good football knowledge

Would that be Samrit who signed the injured Anton Ferdinand for Thai Police then realised he had missed the registration deadline for the Thai league so had to farm him out to Reading instead?

No, as pointed out he's not involved currently.

Not a shareholder and not involved are not the same thing.... By winder Thai group I assumed we were talking beyond shareholders and including their advisers, employees or business contacts.

[Nameless]

Nigel Howe very specifically said Samrit was not involved (I think he added the caveat 'currently').

If you want to stretch 'involvement' to business contacts I would suggest that would allow us to assume Bill Gates, Carlos Slim and Warren Buffet could potentially be 'involved' !!

In any case I wouldn't rely on Samrit for the footballing input to the owners.

[Forbury Lion]

In any case I wouldn't rely on Samrit for the footballing input to the owners.

But would the owners consult Samrit?

[Nameless]

I guess we'll have to ask them....

He's clearly had involvement, but I believe there are people with a little more credibility than him who are close to the owners.
Whether that actually means they will get things right is a whole other matter of course.

[RoyalBlue]

So after all the talk of Clarke wanting to get transfer business done early in this window, we now find out that he still doesn't know what, if any, budget he has got. What's more, he's not meeting with the Thais to discuss till next week!

As for those ostriches who claim Madejski won't let anything bad happen to the club - he already did! What's more, at the time that we are told all the stupid business was done, Madejski still owned a 49% stake but didn't/couldn't do anything about it.

Now he he has got his money off the Thais and owns sod all of the club, will he be that bothered? And even if he is (and I accept that he might be), what can he do to stop the Thais doing exactly what they want? Ironically the supporters probably have more power now (still virtually sod all) because at least we pay money across to the club to attend games etc.

[howser]

Not particularly concerned about the lack of new blood yet, there is a lot of transfer news, as always, being thrown to the press by agents looking to get their men in a new club. I have to admit though am a bit surprised that the new season transfer budget has yet to be decided, I would have thought that with Sir John as co-chairman that it wouldn't need a "Thai meeting" to sort this ?

Would hope that Anton will pitch up and watch a game sometime I am sure he will get a warm welcome..........

[Nameless]

RB- not having a 'budget' hasn't actually stopped us talking to players, or offering new contracts.
Maybe it's the same as it ever was, there is no 'budget'. Managers didn't have 'budgets' when SJM was in charge.

Glad to see you still have the same CD in your Walkman though....

[Delboy]

This is just rubbish paper talk by a journalist making up stories , the club will have done its budget for next season. I think with the large amount of players out of contract at clubs, wages not fees will be the issue.

[Sutekh]

I would presume that budget talks have been had previously and that these talks next week are to advise the owners on the specifics of what is needed to clinch the players that are required following initial negotiations.

However, if these are to be the first discussions on budget then that is absolutely ludicrous.

[Still Hate Futcher!]

The decision to sell real ale via the West Berks tent restored my faith in football.

+1.

[Todd Margaret]

Does anyone read Thai? Ultras the Cop just posted this article about BIG and Samrit. The way I read this through Google Translate is that there's really big trouble with the BIG...

http://www.thairath.co.th/content/503141

[Ian Royal]

The most telling thing about the article isn't whether there's any truth to it in the slightest, but that the local football journalist is publishing negative stories about our continued ineptitude and decline, rather than good news stories about how things are going to improve. Whilst this may be bullshit and poor / misinformed research doesn't change that this is the focus and there must be at least some background reason for it.

[Nameless]

Maybe the local journals don't have any inside info these days . In the absence of anyone tipping them off they have to go with stuff like 'we don't know if the manager does or doesn't have any money to spend'.
You could argue that the club should keep the press supplied with good news stories, but probably a sign that in these internet days the local press are pretty much out of the game.

[Todd Margaret]

Does anyone read Thai? Ultras the Cop just posted this article about BIG and Samrit. The way I read this through Google Translate is that there's really big trouble with the BIG...

http://www.thairath.co.th/content/503141

This story is out in English this morning... Samrit's Police United assets are frozen...

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/webmobi ... 61729.html

In an older story, looks like he has a gangster out to get him too...

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/815 ... lice-help/

[winchester_royal]

Thank god the FL scared him off

[Ian Royal]

Thank god the FL scared him off

I wouldn't get too cocky, he's clearly involved with our owners even if he isn't one.

[72 bus]

I don't think this will end well for Reading Fc

[Royal Lady]

Yep - going to be a very tough season I reckon - so hope I'm proved wrong about the owners but sadly was right about Anton

[multisync1830]

AZ had his heart in the right place and whilst he eff'ed the club he (IMHO) set out with good intentions. I believe he genuinely thought he would get bailed out as and when and could raise the money he promised. Of course he was a bit of a Walter Mitty in hindsight but I don't feel he was malicious.

RFC was left in a terrible state. Far far worse than most know or would believe. Once AZ had left the building, the thought was a couple of years and the club will see it drag itself out of the mire but only with good management and prudence. The Thai takeover has changed that but

My take:
1)Last season was a getting to know you and for Gods sake don't get relegated.(tick)
2)This season is Bearwood spades in ground and for Gods sake don't get relegated
3)Season after is if right where are we now (still in Championship) Bearwood completed
4) Still in championship car park development starts
5)Season after is lets go forward

I struggle to assume a take over is immediately followed by massive success unless it's done by throwing vast sums of money. That option is no longer available now a days to clubs so it's going to be a gradual process. They also have to pay for upgrading the facilities which for the last 5 years + have been left to soldier on without the necessary funds made available.

I believe the Thai's were surprised at how expensive owning a football club is and how much they need to invest. They need time to come to terms with costs and necessary investment both on and off the field. Wanting them to go too fast too soon is asking for another TSI debacle

My main concern is once all the development of Hogwood and the carpark etc has been well and truly completed what will keep the Thai's interest? Hopefully the hotel now being owed by them, the use of the club as a show case for their other businesses, as a EU HQ and finally hopefully a fondness for the club although that last one remains to be seen. As it stands I believe they deserve the benefit of the doubt but recommend keeping a very close eye on any developments