Post by Macmoish on May 21, 2011 10:49:41 GMT
Wales online
Sam Hammam wants to return to Cardiff City
* by Terry Phillips, Western MailFORMER Cardiff City chairman Sam Hammam has outlined his desire to return to the Bluebirds.
Hammam has responded to Cardiff’s failure to make the Premier League by confirming he wants to join the club’s Malaysian investors in their quest for top-flight football.
“We cannot waste time,” he declared. “We should agree now and take our football club forward together.
“The club does not have a football leader to steady the ship. Richard Branson has a sign on his desk saying ‘Lead, follow or Get Out of The Way,’ while my message is slightly different.
“I say ‘Lead, follow or share’ – and I am more than willing to work alongside the Malaysian investors.”
Hammam bought Cardiff City in 2000 and took out £24m in loan notes from the company Langston during a six-year stay – and that debt has not yet been paid.
There was an option to pay £10m to clear it by the end of last year.
If that had happened Cardiff would have still had to pay £5m if they were promoted to the Premier League and £5m for stadium naming rights if a sponsor was brought in.
That option was not taken up and Hammam says he is now ready to write off that debt – if he is given the chance to return and take overall charge of all football matters, working alongside the manager.
The Malaysians, says Hammam, could retain control of all financial matters and he would work to a budget.
Hammam is currently in the Lebanon, but is prepared to fly in as soon as possible and set up base at the club’s Vale of Glamorgan training camp.
“Decisions must be made – and fast,” said Hammam, who has been in regular contact with Bluebirds chairman Dato Chan Tien Ghee.
“We must not let this drag on through the summer. Everybody who loves Cardiff City wants to see this situation sorted out and then the football club can look to the future.
“They should either pay Langston what is owed or let me back on board.
“I have football knowledge and I can contribute to the football side.”
www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/cardiff-city-fc/2011/05/21/sam-hammam-wants-to-return-to-cardiff-city-91466-28735195/
Sam Hammam wants to return to Cardiff City
* by Terry Phillips, Western MailFORMER Cardiff City chairman Sam Hammam has outlined his desire to return to the Bluebirds.
Hammam has responded to Cardiff’s failure to make the Premier League by confirming he wants to join the club’s Malaysian investors in their quest for top-flight football.
“We cannot waste time,” he declared. “We should agree now and take our football club forward together.
“The club does not have a football leader to steady the ship. Richard Branson has a sign on his desk saying ‘Lead, follow or Get Out of The Way,’ while my message is slightly different.
“I say ‘Lead, follow or share’ – and I am more than willing to work alongside the Malaysian investors.”
Hammam bought Cardiff City in 2000 and took out £24m in loan notes from the company Langston during a six-year stay – and that debt has not yet been paid.
There was an option to pay £10m to clear it by the end of last year.
If that had happened Cardiff would have still had to pay £5m if they were promoted to the Premier League and £5m for stadium naming rights if a sponsor was brought in.
That option was not taken up and Hammam says he is now ready to write off that debt – if he is given the chance to return and take overall charge of all football matters, working alongside the manager.
The Malaysians, says Hammam, could retain control of all financial matters and he would work to a budget.
Hammam is currently in the Lebanon, but is prepared to fly in as soon as possible and set up base at the club’s Vale of Glamorgan training camp.
“Decisions must be made – and fast,” said Hammam, who has been in regular contact with Bluebirds chairman Dato Chan Tien Ghee.
“We must not let this drag on through the summer. Everybody who loves Cardiff City wants to see this situation sorted out and then the football club can look to the future.
“They should either pay Langston what is owed or let me back on board.
“I have football knowledge and I can contribute to the football side.”
www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/cardiff-city-fc/2011/05/21/sam-hammam-wants-to-return-to-cardiff-city-91466-28735195/
