Takeover or Turnover?

By Bristol Boy

So there I was having a cup of tea and some toast with Mrs Bristol Boy when a text followed closely by a phone call comes in: 'Rumours of a takeover from a consortium of Foreign businessman.'

Good news or bad? The way forward or the road to ruin? Well, first of all, let’s look at the “facts” as they are reported in various Sunday Newspapers.

Foreign businessmen obviously established in this country and football supporters who regularly attend Premiership Football. I like that.

They want a controlling interest. Well, if I was putting £40m into City or anything else for that matter, so would I, so I’m not concerned about that.

Looking at Foreign investors overall record in our game, we probably do them a disservice by disrespecting their intentions when one views their record at Pompey, Chelsea, Fulham and Man Utd. Even Blackpool appear to be on the up after decades in the doldrums.

Then there’s Romanov (just to balance the discussion).

Liverpool HAD to sell out if they wanted to compete at the very top level. Just pause for a moment and think about that. LIVERPOOL.

As far as suspicion goes, the British view seems to be that we can do everything better than Johnny Foreigner and this probably has more to do with this than any hard evidence. If you look at Knighton & Risdale or even those recently jailed at Exeter as examples of what British Chairman, nay fans, can do, then it may prompt a rethink.

Then look at John Majdeski who took Reading from a status similar to Brentford to a club that we have to look up to and one that has regularly poached the cream of our best young talent and one that may do so again with Cole Skuse looking set to move in the near future. Another look at the Jacks: Walker & Hayward at Blackburn & Wolves. There is further evidence that it’s all about the person, not nationality or location however, that’s a separate and it seems, unrelated issue, so let’s just park it.

Clubs like Middlesbrough, Blackburn, Fulham, Reading, Portsmouth & Bolton have moved past us when once they were our competitors and even smaller clubs. Of those, three were lead by local men and two by Foreigners. Two have completely new stadiums.

We are all, well I am, sick to death of hearing about our catchment area and what a big club we are. That other word, 'potential' will no doubt rear it’s ugly head for the umpteenth time.