TAKEOVER *NOT* CONFIMRED

[rabidbee]

Some more details about the football bill here. It currently includes powers for a regulator to force an owner to sell.

[From Despair To Where?]

But were they criticising him for spending lots of money, or for not spending it well enough? Because if it is the latter, that is still part of the problem.

Pretty sure there was widespread bemusement at the levels of spending vis a vis Moore's contract, signing Baldock, Aluko, Puscas & João. Whether he's spending it well enough kind of goes hand in hand.

[rabidbee]

But were they criticising him for spending lots of money, or for not spending it well enough? Because if it is the latter, that is still part of the problem.

Pretty sure there was widespread bemusement at the levels of spending vis a vis Moore's contract, signing Baldock, Aluko, Puscas & João. Whether he's spending it well enough kind of goes hand in hand.

So the complaints weren’t about the sums but about the quality of the players. Presumably if he had persuaded more talented players to drop a division for those kinds of sums, and that had got us up (as Wrexham have done), few would have complained. But that’s the problem, because so many teams are going for broke but there can only be a few winners.

[Hendo]

Dull point but slightly related to that NFL people alleged bid

Haven’t we let international teams (ie NZ) train there previously. Have we broken planning laws by doing that?

Would the council or whoever be harder on us doing it again potentially closing off a useful income stream?

I wouldn't think so given it is only for a few days - difference would be if it is a permanent move for a club of some description. Way round it I guess would be Reading have to have primary tenancy in any share of Bearwood.

Yeah I wouldn't have thought so either.

Especially if it is during an International break where RFC wouldn't be using it as much when compared with the regular season.

[Greatwesternline]

Some more details about the football bill here. It currently includes powers for a regulator to force an owner to sell.

The full details are here for the legal text https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbill/58-04/0187/230187.pdf

And here are the explanatory notes https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbill/58-04/0187/en/230187en.pdf

Upon my first read through what struck me was:

Ownership removal orders: In certain circumstances, such as when an owner fails to comply with a removal direction without a reasonable excuse, the IFR may make an order to secure that an unsuitable owner is no longer an owner by a specified date. This can include the appointment of trustees with the power to take actions on behalf of the owner

but also

When a club first applies, it is for a provisional operating licence. This allows the club to operate for a fixed period only (up to a maximum of three years initially, with possibility for the IFR to extend beyond this). To obtain a provisional operating licence clubs apply with some basic minimum information and documentation. For example, a business plan containing (amongst other things) financial information, and a personnel statement listing the clubs owners, officers, and senior managers.


So they would have the power to remove a club from an owner, this is seriously powerfull stuff, and overrides some quite fundamental rule of law. This is as nuclear as it gets, Government appropriation of private assets, on par with what the Government did to Roman Abramovich and Chelsea under the umbrella of the sanctions regime.

However, part two suggests there are going to be three years of getting the system of licensing going, so it will be a while before any of this bites in full.

[Silver Fox]

Latest rumour of that there twitter is that Zygi and Mark Wilf - owners of the Minnesota Vikings were one of the 3 bidders. They want to follow the 49ers into owning an English Club (Niners own, or have large stake in Leeds) but also wanted to convert part of Bearwood into a facility for NFL teams to use for London games and/or potentially ahead of an NFL expansion to the UK.

It would be a handy spot for the international development lads too

[Greatwesternline]

Also, the Bill only had its 1st reading today.

So it will take months for it to be passed as an Act. And still then it will take a long time for the Regulator to be up and running. Maybe for the 2025-26 season might be a stretch goal.

[rabidbee]

Leaving aside that the bill will fall after Rishi's shock calling of a GE next week, how likely do you think this would get through Parliament anyway?

[Brum Royal]

Presumably with the (expected) Labour majority post-election this will help move things along quicker/have more positive backing from the MPs

[RG30]

If the Vikings do take over, does that mean we have to chant SKOL at every corner with an Icelandic clap?

[Snowflake Royal]

But were they criticising him for spending lots of money, or for not spending it well enough? Because if it is the latter, that is still part of the problem.

Spending way too much on wages. Spending way too much on fees after an embargo. Way too much on Aluko.

[rabidbee]

Presumably with the (expected) Labour majority post-election this will help move things along quicker/have more positive backing from the MPs

Any legislation not passed before Parliament is dissolved would fall, and would have to be reintroduced as a new bill, from the first reading, by the next government (even if somehow that new government was actually this one again). Labour did say they would make this a red-wall election issue if the government didn't introduce the bill. You have to wonder how keen Labour would be to spend time legislating on this if they get in, over other priorities. If you want to see a new regulator soon, your best bet might be to hope Rishi clings on until January...

[Stranded]

Earnshaw tweeting that there are no meetings today, understands the offers are just with Dai and his people to make a decision.

So don't hold your breath.

[Greatwesternline]

Leaving aside that the bill will fall after Rishi's shock calling of a GE next week, how likely do you think this would get through Parliament anyway?

Yeh the biggest risk to this Bill is time. There are about 14 sitting weeks left till the November election.

But given the opposition support the Bill it will be plain sailing.

If an election happens before it is passed it falls entirely. And i doubt a new football regulator is going to be at the top of Labour's agenda for passing legislation when it comes in. When you've been out of power for 14 years you have more pressing demands on your legislative time.

[Franchise FC]

Leaving aside that the bill will fall after Rishi's shock calling of a GE next week, how likely do you think this would get through Parliament anyway?

Yeh the biggest risk to this Bill is time. There are about 14 sitting weeks left till the November election.

But given the opposition support the Bill it will be plain sailing.

If an election happens before it is passed it falls entirely. And i doubt a new football regulator is going to be at the top of Labour's agenda for passing legislation when it comes in. When you've been out of power for 14 years you have more pressing demands on your legislative time.

When you’ve been in power for 14 years and got the country into such an awful mess I doubt a new football regulator should be anywhere near the top of the agenda

[pea]

The planning condition isn't the barrier people think it is, but it obviously adds a lot more risk for a purchaser who is trying to do something that is likely to attract significant local and political opposition (plus an inevitable 1-2 years worth of delays through the planning/appeal/possibly call-in process).

If sharing the facility 3/4 weeks a year during London NFL games (presumably) is the price to pay for keeping the club on its feet I wouldn't expect Wokingham Council to oppose a variation to it.

[Pepe the Horseman]

The planning condition isn't the barrier people think it is, but it obviously adds a lot more risk for a purchaser who is trying to do something that is likely to attract significant local and political opposition (plus an inevitable 1-2 years worth of delays through the planning/appeal/possibly call-in process).

If sharing the facility 3/4 weeks a year during London NFL games (presumably) is the price to pay for keeping the club on its feet I wouldn't expect Wokingham Council to oppose a variation to it.

She's alive!

[blythspartan]

Earnshaw tweeting that there are no meetings today, understands the offers are just with Dai and his people to make a decision.

So don't hold your breath.

I think we all know how this will end. Radio silence for a few weeks and then takeover talks have collapsed.

[Pepe the Horseman]

A lot of beggars being choosers over on Twitter today.

[windermereROYAL]

Earnshaw tweeting that there are no meetings today, understands the offers are just with Dai and his people to make a decision.

So don't hold your breath.

Where?

https://twitter.com/james_e1871