Thames Sports Investment

[roadrunner]

Reading between the lines, Jay's an idiot

Alright Mystic fecking Meg.

[Royal Lady]

Reading between the lines, Jay's an idiot

Alright Mystic fecking Meg.

Don't get rattLOLed gr8 m8!

[MM]

It's a new (and on the face of it exciting) development in a game that is always evolving.

We can't be certain it will work out and there is always a risk of 'false promises' when negotiating a deal, but I feel confident that SJM wouldn't risk his credibility by entering in to such an agreement without expecting it to bring more pros than cons.

We don't have to change too many of the things that usually work well for us and created the identity that attracted this investment. Such as (1) continuity & stability on and off the pitch and behind the scenes (2) development and acquisition of Academy/youth/hungry young talent with good characters (3) low key approach with diligent hard work and integrity etc.

However, an additional (financial) boost here and there on top of being in a position to support our manager (hopefully for some time McD) in both retaining our existing assets and in terms of strengthening, must surely make us a stronger club. As fans, isn't that really all we can ask for?

[FiNeRaIn]

Jesus, you can certainly take from that there is a desire to be promoted by the end of next season. And from that you can take the implication that McDermott may be in a bit of trouble if he can't achieve that.

It's not like anyone is saying he's got a bomb with a timer ticking down planted in his skull.

And lets face it, in football, being a manager and knowing you've got at least 18 months to achieve something with new backing is damn good going.

I've heard these new people are not going to mess around at all. There won't be too much this window but we will see 1/2 coming in for some decent money without going overboard. However in the summer regardless of what division we are in, there will be some serious, serious additions to the squad. I've heard silly names being thrown around but im cautious about them..too good to be true.

LOL - where have you "heard" this?

Can't divulge source, its not someone directly employed by the club but they are very much on the scene. Just watch the show unfold is all im saying. It'll be a good summer.

[roadrunner]

Reading between the lines, Jay's an idiot

Alright Mystic fecking Meg.

Don't get rattLOLed gr8 m8!

That wasn't rattled. More of a how "How did he work it out?"

[Bandini]

Bandini, if this gets the team promoted, unless a price has already agreed, presumably madejskis shares will be worth more and therefore he'd get more money when the option is taken up?

If it's ( ) an option, then I would have thought that the price would already have been agreed.

[ZacNaloen]

Gotcha

[Barry the bird boggler]

TSI Official Statement

Thames Sports Investment Ltd, a newly-founded private investment company, are very pleased to have signed Heads of Agreement with Sir John Madejski on Friday to acquire a significant holding in Reading Football Club. Our agreement is now subject to due diligence and the normal procedures from the Football League. The transaction is due to complete in March 2012, but the Heads of Agreement, as agreed with Sir John Madejski, includes providing Reading Football Club with some limited funding now to enable Brian McDermott and Nick Hammond to strengthen the playing squad during this January transfer window. TSI have met with Brian, Nick Hammond and the club to begin this process. TSI is also delighted that Sir John Madejski has agreed to remain Chairman of Reading Football Club until at least 2014, and to become Life President if and when he decides to step down. TSI wishes to emphasise that Reading Football Club's management team will remain unchanged, as will the fundamental policies of the club, including prudent fiscal management. Since Sir John Madejski took over at Elm Park in 1991 this club has rightly earned a first class reputation, on and off the pitch. TSI value and respect the ethos and approach held by everyone associated with Reading - the Chairman, staff, players and supporters. TSI's financial support aims to allow the club to retain its best players and acquire additional players as the football management team see fit. It will also enable the club to expand and further improve its successful Academy and scouting operations.

[Ian Royal]

Gotcha

Potentially a fixed price option set for 18 months? Which could explain a real push to get promoted in that time so they get big value for money and SJM's way of ensuring they're here to take the club to the next level quickly and it really benefits the club?

Just thinking out loud. Pure speculation obviously.

[soggy biscuit]

BOOM BOOM Blarmski
BOOM BOOM Blarmski

[Bandini]

50 pages without breaking a sweat, TBM. But you might have to work harder for the next 50, what with the threat of breakaway threads.

[RoyalBlue]

I think that's reading a lot between the lines. SJM's too careful with words to say something that sounds like a promise we will get promoted; he's just trying to temper expectations but make it clear that the ambition is to get into the Premier League. I'm fairly shocked that people would already talk about getting rid of Brian - he has been absolutely superb so far, and aside from losing one rather large game, can't be faulted.

Also, re SJM not having any power as chairman: people do realise that the chairmen of most companies don't actually own the whole company?

But equally are extremely likely to be fired if the majority of the shareholders turn against them! If TSI get 51% of the total shareholding they will be that majority.

Not sure where the 75% of shares to control a club come from as 51% is a majority in any democracy. It might be that 75% is the point when the holder can compulsorarily buy all other shares?

[1871 Royal]

50 pages without breaking a sweat, TBM. But you might have to work harder for the next 50, what with the threat of breakaway threads.

I can see it getting to 100 without breaking a sweat to be honest. I would like to say that I think it will easily pass 150 by March.

[ZacNaloen]

Say the club is given being given 10 million to spend now, would you expect the club to go out and spend all that money on player fee's. Not worrying about the additional wages, confident that there is some protection coming in the summer for that.

Or would you hope that they spend 4 million on player fee's and use the rest to budget for their wages.

Discuss.

(2 pages minimum 10 words per post.)

[mr_number]

BOOM BOOM Blarmski
BOOM BOOM Blarmski

This raises a valid issue. Will we not have to change to become the Red Armski under our new glorious leader?


(Really doubt we'll have as much as 10 million extra investment before the deal is completed - eveen if it's virtually certain to go ahead, that's a lot of money to risk...)

[LoyalRoyal22]

Im bored at work. Have we signed anybody yet? I work with alot of jealous Derby fans(work at EMA)

[robinsfriday]

So then, what have I missed? Have been away all weekend...

[1871 Royal]

We lost to Hull.

[who are ya?]

So then, what have I missed? Have been away all weekend...

We've won the League basically

[ZacNaloen]

(Really doubt we'll have as much as 10 million extra investment before the deal is completed - eveen if it's virtually certain to go ahead, that's a lot of money to risk...)

The figures are largely irrelevent, I'm just asking if you'd prefer the club to spunk the money on a couple of expensive players and not worry about their wages or not