NOT FOR $AL£

[fidschi]

Wenn ich mir da einige Beiträge durchlese, kommt mir ja das Lachen.

Da reden einige bei ManU von Kommerzklub und sind selbst Anhänger von Liverpool.

Der englische Rekordmeister ist sicher ebenso Kommerz wie ManU, nur das ManU das letzte Jahrzehnt wirtschaftlich und sportlich wirklich gut gearbeitet hat.

Das ist ja wie wenn ein Austria-Fan Rapid als Wiener Kommerzklub schimpfen würde oder umgekehrt.

Also wenn jemand ManU als Kommerzklub schimpft, dann sollte er wirklich Fan eines Underdogs sein und nicht ein Fan von einem der Topteams, oder eines anderen großen Traditionsvereins.

[Gampern]

MALCOLM GLAZER - OFFICIAL BID

Malcolm Glazer has formally made a fresh bid to buy Premiership giants Manchester United.

The American business tycoon has handed over detailed proposals for a possible takeover of The Red Devils, despite distancing himself from reports that he was planning such a move earlier in the week.

It is the third attempt that Glazer has made to buy the Old Trafford club after failing with two previous bids in the past year.

United chief executive David Gill made clear in December that the club would not entertain further discussions with Glazer unless they received a definite offer from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner.

The North West giants have now confirmed that the American has tabled a detailed takeover proposal, which the club plan to look into further.

"The board of Manchester United stated on December 20 that the Glazer Family Partnership had indicated potential revisions to its previous proposal and that Manchester United did not intend to open discussions on this matter until it had received a definite proposal," a club statement read.

"The board has noted the recent press speculation on this subject.

"The board can confirm it has now received a detailed proposal subject to various preconditions which may form the basis of an offer for Manchester United from Glazer.

"A further announcement will be made in due course."

The news is sure to concern many United supporters who remain opposed to Glazer's plans of taking control of the club.

It also remains to be seen if United's other major shareholders will show an interest in the American's new takeover offer.

Board Confirms Glazer Proposal

The board of Manchester United stated on 20th December that the Glazer Family Partnership ('Glazer') had indicated potential revisions to its previous proposal and that Manchester United did not intend to open discusions on this matter until it had received a definitive proposal.

The board has noted the recent press speculation on this subject.

The board can confirm that it has now received a detailed proposal subject to various preconditions which may form the basis of an offer for Manchester United from Glazer.

A further announcement will be made in due course.

Manchester United PLC

Das Ganze dann auch noch am 47th anniversery setzt dem ja noch die Krone auf!

[Gampern]

A very hostile takeover

Remember last year when Manchester United fans waged a nuisance campaign against the PR firm then advising Malcolm Glazer in his efforts to takeover the club?

How we chuckled when the company was overwhelmed with phone calls, emails and the persistent delivery of pizza.

Well, things have taken an ominous turn. Where once there were subtle hints and pranks there are now out right threats.

If the Glazer family weren't sure whether or not they'd be welcome at Old Trafford as visitors, investors or owners, they'll surely be left under no illusions after militant supporters group, the Manchester Education Committee (MEC), revealed their displeasure at Glazer's latest attempt to assume control of United.

'It is our club and we will be ruthless in protecting it,' read a statement from the group. 'Our previous symbolic actions have been disregarded; we have no choice now but to act with our full capabilities.

'Malcolm Glazer's continued pursuit of Manchester United indicates that he has paid no attention to the wishes of the overwhelming majority of ordinary supporters of the club, or to the warnings he has been given.

'It is therefore clear that the consequences of any takeover bid need fully spelling out for all parties concerned'.

Unfortunately for the MEC, threats - idle or otherwise - seem unlikely to deter Glazer. Little is known about the reclusive 75-year-old, but few succeed in business as he has without a steely determination.

Having had his original bid for the club turned down late last year, Glazer has returned with a new revised offer, thus underlining his resolve.

Although wealthy far beyond the aspirations of most, Glazer actually lacks the financial muscle to make an outright cash offer for the club. It was this fact that made his first bid so unattractive to the board.

The septuagenarian's plan was to borrow the majority of the funds needed from financial institutions using the club as collateral - in other words putting the club in hock.

It is understood that Glazer's original offer for United included selling Old Trafford in a £175 million leaseback deal, agreeing a naming rights deal for the stadium, exploiting the club's fans by hiking up ticket prices and putting even greater emphasis on merchandising and, crucially, by borrowing £500 million from investment bank JP Morgan, a move which would leave the club massively in debt.

The United board, which prides itself on its financial health, dismissed the bid because of its over reliance on debt-financing. The offer of swapping healthy profits and a stable future for the uncertainty of substantial debts was, understandably, not that tempting.

The key difference with Glazer's revised offer is that the sale and leaseback of Old Trafford has been ditched and the level of debt-financing has shrunk to around £300 million.

The £200 million shortfall would be made up by issuing 'preferred stock' guaranteed against Glazer's own 28.1 per cent stake in the club, rather than against the club as a whole.

However, while the 'preferred stock' aspect of the Glazer proposal reduces the initial debt burden, sooner or later Glazer will need to repay the preferred stock investors.

In other words, the net result will be a debt that must be repaid.

It remains unclear whether Glazer, should his bid be accepted, will be able to shift this debt to the club as a whole, or remain liable himself, but the fear must be that United will end up in as much debt under Glazer's revised bid as it would have been under the original.

The Untied board will meet this week to discuss the proposal. The question they must answer is not simply whether a deal would benefit the club's shareholders from a financial point of view, but would it serve the club in years to come - would the club be stronger as a result?

Having taken a stock market listing United became a publicly-listed company and as such its board are obliged to serve the best interests of their shareholders, including listening when a buyer appears with a legitimate offer.

Although listed football clubs are technically companies they are much more than mere businesses. They are representative community assets providing entire regions with pride and promise.

The average fan investing in their club does so, in the main, not to get rich, but to have a say in its future. As a result the average football club shareholder expects their board not simply to protect their investment, but protect their club, its heritage, its future and its fans.

United's board did so last year when they dismissed Glazer's original bid. Can they again? And even if they do what's to stop Glazer dealing directly with Cubic Expression to acquire their 28.9 per cent stake in the club?

Listing on the stock market might have boosted United's coffers and helped them to dominate the sport on and off the field for a decade, but we are now witnessing the down side of mercenary investors in all its repugnant glory.

At the centre of this ugly business seems to be a crucial miscalculation. Glazer regards the fans as an untapped resource that will always be there to exploit and pay his way.

He needs them and their money to make his business plan work - without their combined millions all-important revenue from merchandising and ticket sales will disappear and he will find repaying the cost of a takeover very difficult indeed.

While Glazer is clearly a man not easily dissuaded, he would be wise not to underestimate the determination of United's supporters who are an increasingly informed and motivated group.

Perhaps the Glazer family wouldn't be facing such hostility from United's supporters if they had actually explained their intentions in the past. Instead they have conducted what amounts to a clandestine operation, steadily acquiring a holding in the club before launching a takeover bid.

With no word to the fans it is no surprise they fear the worst: That their club will be ravaged by debt to satisfy the greed of an already rich family. This has guaranteed that a concerted and determined backlash awaits Glazer if he ever takes charge.

Without the support of the fans the financial implication could see Glazer's United in dire financial straights - surely he isn't stubborn enough to risk that, is he?

Quelle: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/feature?id=324461&cc=5739

Mir ist natürlich bewusst, dass das neuerliche Kasperltheater bei gewissen Herren in Korneuburg bzw. U7brunn nicht gerade Weinkrämpfe auslösen wird, aber der nächste Thai kommt bestimmt...

bearbeitet 9. Februar 2005 von Gampern

[Gampern]

We'll Start A New United

Feb 20 2005

Sunday Mirror Simon Mullock

Manchester United fans are planning to form a breakaway club if Malcolm Glazer wins his Old Trafford power struggle.

The coalition of supporters currently trying to thwart Glazer's latest £800million takeover bid will mount an organised campaign of resistance if the American is successful.

And Sunday Mirror Sport can confirm that plans are already at an advanced stage to form a club that will begin life on the bottom rung of the English football ladder to give fans the chance to watch an alternative team founded on old United traditions.

In a remarkable twist to the bitter battle for the hearts and minds of the estimated 50million supporters that United have around the world, we can confirm:

The club name will be FC United;

Old Trafford legend Eric Cantona will be invited to become president and talks have already begun to persuade the Frenchman to come out of his seven-year retirement and play for the club;

Founding members are ready to make a bold enquiry to Manchester City Council about the possibility of playing their home games at the City of Manchester Stadium;

A badge and kit have already been designed for the team;

And founders of the club hope to be able to call on support from at least the 20,000-plus members of Shareholders United - the group set up to keep Old Trafford out of hostile hands.

An application for membership of a league has not been made but FC United would probably look to play in the North-West Counties League - 10 levels below the Premiership.

It is a bold move by United fans determined to uphold the beliefs they cherish rather than surrender to a figure they regard as being motivated by greed.

An FC United insider said: "The idea was first put in place when Rupert Murdoch tried to take over the club in 1998 and has now been resurrected.

"We haven't given up on defeating Glazer, but we have to have contingency plans in place. It's like preparing for an evacuation in wartime - you don't want to do it, but there might be no other option.

"People shouldn't think this is some kind of crazy idea. We have already had pledges of money and support from a lot of fans involved in the anti-Glazer campaign and we estimate we would have perhaps 20,000 members from the very beginning. It won't be some daft little club. There are thousands of fans who will refuse to go to home games and will abandon club merchandise and sponsors if Glazer takes control.

"By founding FC United we are announcing a new beginning and with the backing we think we will get, we would hope to be in the Football League in four or five years."

United's fans resurrected the idea after discussions with the group responsible for setting up AFC Wimbledon.

The London club was founded by outraged Wimbledon fans who refused to support the move to become Milton Keynes Dons in 2002 and are currently top of the Ryman League.

If Glazer's takeover plan succeeds, the fans' coalition - Shareholders United, IMUSA, the Manchester Education Comittee and fanzines like Red Issue - will call on supporters to boycott United's home games until the American quits the club.

United currently play to 67,000 packed houses every time they are at home - worth £61.2m a season to the Reds in the latest figures published by Deloitte and Touche - although work is now being undertaken on increasing Old Trafford's capacity to 75,000.

They also hope that if United are no longer playing to capacity crowds, it will have the knock-on effect of inflicting damage on sponsorship deals like the mega-money tie-ups the club currently have with Nike and Vodafone.

Cantona is known to oppose Glazer's takeover bid and has been kept informed of the campaign being waged against the American.

It would be a massive coup for the fans if he took up the offer to lead FC United.

And pressure will also be exerted on Manchester City Council to allow FC United to use the City of Manchester Stadium - a move that is certain to infuriate City fans.

The Lottery-funded stadium must be given up by City for public use for 130 days a year - and there is also the precedent of City allowing United to play at Maine Road after the Second World War because of bomb damage to Old Trafford.

If permission to use Eastlands is denied, the club will turn to Rugby League club Salford City Reds for permission to play games at their Willows home.

The insider added: "AFC Wimbledon have a hard-core support of 3,000, so this would be much bigger - and we are certain that it would do serious damage to the income streams that Glazer wants to exploit.

"We also think we have a right to use Eastlands because the whole thing was built on Lottery money.

"It would be a symbolic return to the roots of Manchester United because the club's first ground was North Road and they also played at Bank Street, which are both close to Eastlands.

"Eric Cantona has pledged his support to the 'Not for Sale' campaign and we will keep him informed of developments regarding FC United."

A prospectus for those fans who want to pledge support for FC United will be in the latest issue of Red Issue, which will be on sale this week. The club can also be contacted at [email protected].

FC United's 8-Point Charter

->An outright refusal to recognise Malcolm Glazer's franchise.

->Ownership of FC United to be held by a supporters' trust.

->All profits to be reinvested in the club.

->FC United will play in red, white and black.

->The club will never carry a sponsor on the front of its shirt, while tie-ups of any kind will only be accepted from reputable companies.

->Support among the youth of Manchester and Salford will be a priority and actively encouraged. Discounts will be available to all Under-18s and OAPs.

->FC United will encourage local businesses whenever possible.

->The club will actively encourage local talent through its proposed Junior Athletic Club.

[Gampern]

Shareholders United Official Response

The Sunday Mirror story about 'FC United' has not been discussed by the SU Board and is not official policy by any means, despite the fact that our name is mentioned throughout the piece. Our viewpoint on this is that we think that we can fight Glazer off without having to go to these lengths, and if it comes to it, as a last resort, the idea has merits. But our focus for now should be on fighting off Glazer and other predators to make sure they do not get our hands on our club.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SOLSKJAER LINED UP FOR BREAKAWAY UNITED

Manchester United supporters will approach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to manage a breakaway club if Malcolm Glazer's £800m bid to takeover at Old Trafford is successful.

A coalition of fans committed to keeping United out of the American's hands have revived contingency plans first drawn up in 1998 when the club was the subject of a bid from BSkyB and intend to draw on the support of members of the Independent Manchester United Supporters Association (IMUSA) and 20,000-strong pressure group Shareholders United (SU).

Solskjaer, currently recovering from a knee injury, has publicly voiced his disapproval to Glazer's bid and was last week unveiled as a patron of SU.

A blueprint for the new team with the working title of FC United, which is to be revealed in fanzine Red Issue this week outlines how in the event of a takeover fans will boycott a Glazer-owned United and switch support to a Manchester-based club that would begin life in the North West Counties League - ten levels below the Premiership.

Talks have already begun with United legend Eric Cantona about assuming a playing role for FC United, which would be owned by a democratically-run supporters' trust.

An FC United source said: "The plans will only be implemented in the event Glazer manages to force through his takeover and until that happens, everyone involved will do their damnedest to prevent it.

"For now, Manchester United is still our club, and it's the fervent hope of everyone that it remains so. However, announcing this now is to show both United fans and Glazer that we won't simply roll over and accept the fact should he ever defeat the opposition.

"Once the club has been founded moves will be made to attract personalities sympathetic to the cause. Following the patronage of Shareholders United by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and the support of Eric Cantona in the Not For Sale campaign, both would be approached in the belief that they would accept playing/managerial positions."

Those behind FC United have taken advice from supporters of AFC Wimbledon who founded their club after Wimbledon were moved to Milton Keynes and re-branded as MK Dons. They are keen to point out that while AFC Wimbledon attract crowds of around 3,000 FC United could expect support on a much larger scale.

"It was only last month that we were exposed to the warming tale of Exeter City, while the achievements of AFC Wimbledon and its supporters are the ultimate inspiration," the source added.

"Wimbledon have already made their way from the Combined Counties League to the Isthmian League where they are top of Division One. Should, as expected, they gain promotion they'll start next season only two divisions below the Football League."

[Starostyak]

Founding members are ready to make a bold enquiry to Manchester City Council about the possibility of playing their home games at the City of Manchester Stadium.

Auch wenn der Artikel quasi sofort "dementiert" wurde, könnte ich das nicht verstehen - nochmal in einem Stadion mit den Citizens?!

[Gampern]

Auch wenn der Artikel quasi sofort "dementiert" wurde, könnte ich das nicht verstehen - nochmal in einem Stadion mit den Citizens?!

Es geht um ein bisschen mehr als nur "nochmal in einem Stadion mit Shity!"

[Starostyak]

ahm ja, das hab sogar ich kapiert, hab die Artikel durchaus vollständig gelesen. Aber was ich nicht ganz kapiere: ein "neuer" alter Verein, back to the roots quasi, und dann will man sich mit diesem *cough* Abschaum nochmals ein Stadion teilen?!

Noch dazu, wo man ja grade die Hardcore-Supporter mitnehmen will...

sollte ich aber irgendwas überlesen haben bzw. falsch verstanden, bitte um aufklärung

[Gampern]

Glazer gets majority stake in Manchester United

LONDON (Reuters) - U.S. sports tycoon Malcolm Glazer gained a majority stake in Manchester United on Thursday and launched a bid for the rest of the shares, valuing the English soccer club at 790 million pound ($1.5 billion).

Red Football Ltd, acting on behalf of Glazer, said it had agreed to buy a 28.7 percent stake in Manchester United from the club's leading shareholder, Irish race horse magnates John Magnier and J.P. McManus, for 300 pence a share to add to his existing 28.1 percent stake.

As a result of the deal with the Irish, Glazer will hold around 56.9 percent in the world's richest soccer club and in accordance with UK takeover rules is required to launch a bid for the rest of the club.

"Glazer is in the driving seat, although he's had to go a bit hostile without the board's approval," said Richard Bullas, fund manager at Rensburg Investment Management. Rensburg holds some Manchester United shares in its small-cap fund.

Shares in Manchester United were up 12.8 percent at 299p by 1320 GMT.

Quelle Reuters

[Gampern]

[...] The bid comes five days ahead of the 17 May deadline when Mr Glazer had to make known whether he planned to bid.

Mr Glazer is now 18% short of the 75% of shares he needs for the offer to go unconditional.

'Aggressive'

If he gets 75% plus one share, United could be delisted from the stock exchange and Mr Glazer could transfer his debt onto the club.

If he can get to 90% plus one share, he can make a compulsory purchase and scoop up the other 10% of the club's shares.

United's rallied 34.25 pence, or 12.9%, at 299.25p shortly after the announcement.

Two weeks ago the club board said it could not recommend Mr Glazer's takeover proposals to shareholders because his business plan appeared to be too "aggressive".

His first two offers were rejected by the board, on the grounds that his plans relied too heavily on borrowed money.

"A further announcement containing more detailed terms of the offer will be made shortly," Red Football said in a statement.

BBC

[ianrush]

Tschuldigung für den Sinnlospost, aber das muss jetzt sein :

hihi

Aber jetzt mal ernst :

Wenn McManus und Magnier wirklich verkauft haben haben wirs wohl bald mit den Manchester Pirates zu tun. Ausserdem werden die Kartenpreise nochmals saftig nach oben schnalzen, immerhin muss United jetzt das abwerfen, was Glazier investiert hat. Mein Beileid, auch wenns United trifft !

bearbeitet 12. Mai 2005 von ianrush

[Gampern]

Laut Reuters hält Glazer durch den Erwerb der Aktien von Dobson (6,45%) und ein paar kleinerer Shareholder mittlerweile um die 70%!

[Zehner]

United-Fans:

[Tom.]

(goal.com)

Manchester United fans are in uproar following the news that that US business tycoon Malcolm Glazer has launched a formal takeover bid for the club after upping his share of the club to 70 per cent by securing the 28.7 per cent stake of Irish racing tycoons JP McManus and John Magnier.

Fans gathered outside Old Trafford on Thursday evening to vent their fury at Glazer’s persistent – and, it seems, successful – attempt to acquire their club.

Nick Towle, chairman of fans’ pressure group, Shareholders United, said he had ripped up his season ticket.

"I am very sad - I still love the club but I refuse to put a penny into the company. And I believe as many as 20,000 fans may also leave Man Utd."

An estimated 2-3,000 fans gathered at the stadium after hearing the news. Some marched around the ground with a huge "Not For Sale" banner, and there was also a "sit-down" protest with fans blocking a main road next to Old Trafford. Effigies of Glazer and season-ticket renewal forms were also burned in gestures of defiance.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "There have been some arrests for public order offences.

"The protest has been fairly peaceful, but the group were warned under the Public Order Act to move on and clear the site."

Supporters are deeply concerned about the level of debt involved in Glazer’s bid and they are anxious about the implicationsfear for United's future.

Oliver Houston, vice chairman of Shareholders United, told BBC Radio Five Live that Glazer is "no Roman Abramovich".

Chelsea’s Russian billionaire owner, Abramovich, has invested over £200m in players since taking over at Stamford Bridge, and his input has helped another key acquisition – manager Jose Mourinho – to bring the championship title to Chelsea for the first time in 50 years.

But Houston predicts a rather different scenario at United. He said: "He’s not turning up with a suitcase full of his own cash.

"He is, in effect, asking Manchester United fans to pay for his takeover, to pay for increased ticket prices and increased merchandising."

Shareholders United, which represents 17 per cent of the club’s stockholders, still hopes to prevent Glazer reaching the 75 per cent level of shares he needs to make his offer unconditional. At 75 per cent he will essentially own the club and can convert his debt into the club’s debt.

But Towle admitted: "It’s looking like an uphill battle for us."

Fellow member of Shareholders United, journalist Michael Crick - biographer of United manager Sir Alex Ferguson - believes Glazer’s "hard-nosed business record" spells danger.

He said: "He is going to be much keener to boost profits, particularly as he’s going to have to borrow so much to buy the club.

"I can only see that it’s the fans who are going to lose out here in a big way."

MP Tony Lloyd, who represents Manchester Central and is also a Manchester United shareholder, told Five Live:

"I’m a very modest shareholder, I wish I had more so that I could do my best to block what I think is an unwelcome bid.

"I think most football supporters in this country will see this as being an undesirable move because it’s not in the interests of the game of football."

Sports minister Richard Caborn added: "Whoever owns Manchester United is a commercial decision, but anyone seeking to buy the club would be foolish not to take account of the views of the fans.

"I hope Mr Glazer sets up constructive discussions with the club, its supporters and employees, as well as the footballing authorities, as soon as possible.

"It is important that the club continues to play its central role in English football in the years to come."

Jules Spencer, chairman of the Independent Manchester United Supporters Association, proposes a radical course of action.

"If this is to be the end then we will go down kicking and screaming," he said.

"If Glazer does get control, then we will up sticks and form a new club which will continue the traditions and heritage and the legacy of 125 years of Manchester United.

"We don’t want Malcolm Glazer, we want a club run for the fans - and that is what we will do."

Meanwhile, one of the club’s former managers, Tommy Docherty, said: "Manchester United’s heart and soul has been sold today - it has changed for ever."

Schlimm, was da passiert-alle Proteste der Fans dürften umsonst (gewesen) sein...

[Tom.]

edit...

bearbeitet 14. Mai 2005 von Tom.