Post by QPR Report on Jun 26, 2009 6:39:02 GMT
This is Notts County
Notts chairman calls for Trust to give takeover go-ahead
Friday, June 26, 2009,
THIS weekend will give those undecided Supporters Trust members a final chance to weigh up their options.
Back the proposed takeover by Middle East Consortium Munto Finance – or stay as it is with the Trust having a majority shareholding.
On Thursday night, John Armstrong-Holmes called a forum for all fans to ask questions, to clear up any lingering doubts they had.
Most in the Wheeler's Bar were fans with no affiliation to the Trust. They descended upon Meadow Lane because they are excited about what could lie ahead. After years in the doldrums, who could blame them?
But also in the 400-strong audience were supporters sceptical because of a lack of details filtering through.
A repetitive theme cropped up. How much are they investing? And who are these people behind Munto?
Armstrong-Holmes made it clear before the meeting such questions would not be answered, honouring a confidentially agreement.
These were private people, simply in it for the good of the club, the audience was told. The kudos of seeing the world's oldest football team rise up the leagues was the drive.
Multi-million pound takeover was about as detailed as it got.
The chairman opened the proceedings admitting he knew people might not like him, admitting to being an abrasive character.
But he said this was no ego trip, no lie. Instead, the fans had to trust him when he said this was the best deal the club had seen in its 147-year history. Giving it the go-ahead should be a no-brainer.
One fan stood up and stated if something seems too good to be true, it usually is.
Armstrong-Holmes was quick to dismiss such an accusation. And he stated it was about time people put the club first.
It was not just Haydn Green that saved the club from administration, not just the Trust, he stated. The Supporters Club played a massive part, as did every Magpies fan who dipped into their own pocket.
Applause from the crowd was being sent his way before he added: "This is a football club and not a social experiment.
"The question is future or no future? If it stays as it is, it has no future."
"When I came in as chairman in September 2007 this was a shambles of a club, the consequence of a number of years.
"Around March there was an enquiry from the Middle East and we had to work very, very carefully, quietly and confidentially.
"If it is approved, Munto will call a press conference and tell the world what they are going to do, but they believe until such time it is not prudent to come forward.
"You are going to be staggered with what their plans are for this football club.
"There is very little (in it for Munto). They want to take the world's oldest football club up the leagues, into the Championship and ultimately the Premiership.
"How much money I cannot tell you but we have proof of funds. It is the most substantial in the club's history. And they have a bank guarantee. It is cast iron."
Armstrong-Holmes made it clear if Munto fail to fulfil the investment agreed over the next five years, the bank would. It was already in writing.
"The people we are dealing with are the most honourable people I have ever met. Anything owed to Haydn Green's estate they will honour," he added.
"We have met the people in the Middle East and they have told us of their vision.
"They want us in the Championship within four years in the 2012/13 season. That will be our 150th anniversary."
If this was about selling the dream, Armstrong-Holmes was winning.
In Wheeler's Bar, his words were being greeted by spontaneous applause. Not by everyone, but a majority.
The sceptics, though, were far from being won over. Why the secrecy?
Why talk money, answered the chairman. Already agents had been on the telephone, wanting big money for players, since the takeover talk started. Why play into their hands?
If the sceptics are right, then why on earth would Armstrong-Holmes make it out to be something it isn't?
The club is asking the Trust to gift its 60% shareholding to Munto to allow what is plotted as a new glorious era to begin.
If it went through and he was wrong, surely the chairman would not be able to show his face in Nottingham again?
A question along those lines was thrown at him. Armstrong-Holmes offered a smile.
"On my head be it but believe me, I am laughing from ear to ear," he said.
"I feel I have achieved everything I could for this club and I am putting it in the hands of people who can really, really kick it on. I would never take the risk (of putting it in danger).
If the Trust gives it the go-ahead in the ballot that ends on Monday, it will pave the way for a new era.
And after years of upset for Magpies fans, you can only hope everything Armstrong-Holmes preached to them on Thursday night comes to fruition.
Only time will tell if there was real reason to be sceptical.
www.thisisnottscounty.co.uk/news/Notts-chairman-calls-Trust-takeover-ahead/article-1111442-detail/article.html
Notts chairman calls for Trust to give takeover go-ahead
Friday, June 26, 2009,
THIS weekend will give those undecided Supporters Trust members a final chance to weigh up their options.
Back the proposed takeover by Middle East Consortium Munto Finance – or stay as it is with the Trust having a majority shareholding.
On Thursday night, John Armstrong-Holmes called a forum for all fans to ask questions, to clear up any lingering doubts they had.
Most in the Wheeler's Bar were fans with no affiliation to the Trust. They descended upon Meadow Lane because they are excited about what could lie ahead. After years in the doldrums, who could blame them?
But also in the 400-strong audience were supporters sceptical because of a lack of details filtering through.
A repetitive theme cropped up. How much are they investing? And who are these people behind Munto?
Armstrong-Holmes made it clear before the meeting such questions would not be answered, honouring a confidentially agreement.
These were private people, simply in it for the good of the club, the audience was told. The kudos of seeing the world's oldest football team rise up the leagues was the drive.
Multi-million pound takeover was about as detailed as it got.
The chairman opened the proceedings admitting he knew people might not like him, admitting to being an abrasive character.
But he said this was no ego trip, no lie. Instead, the fans had to trust him when he said this was the best deal the club had seen in its 147-year history. Giving it the go-ahead should be a no-brainer.
One fan stood up and stated if something seems too good to be true, it usually is.
Armstrong-Holmes was quick to dismiss such an accusation. And he stated it was about time people put the club first.
It was not just Haydn Green that saved the club from administration, not just the Trust, he stated. The Supporters Club played a massive part, as did every Magpies fan who dipped into their own pocket.
Applause from the crowd was being sent his way before he added: "This is a football club and not a social experiment.
"The question is future or no future? If it stays as it is, it has no future."
"When I came in as chairman in September 2007 this was a shambles of a club, the consequence of a number of years.
"Around March there was an enquiry from the Middle East and we had to work very, very carefully, quietly and confidentially.
"If it is approved, Munto will call a press conference and tell the world what they are going to do, but they believe until such time it is not prudent to come forward.
"You are going to be staggered with what their plans are for this football club.
"There is very little (in it for Munto). They want to take the world's oldest football club up the leagues, into the Championship and ultimately the Premiership.
"How much money I cannot tell you but we have proof of funds. It is the most substantial in the club's history. And they have a bank guarantee. It is cast iron."
Armstrong-Holmes made it clear if Munto fail to fulfil the investment agreed over the next five years, the bank would. It was already in writing.
"The people we are dealing with are the most honourable people I have ever met. Anything owed to Haydn Green's estate they will honour," he added.
"We have met the people in the Middle East and they have told us of their vision.
"They want us in the Championship within four years in the 2012/13 season. That will be our 150th anniversary."
If this was about selling the dream, Armstrong-Holmes was winning.
In Wheeler's Bar, his words were being greeted by spontaneous applause. Not by everyone, but a majority.
The sceptics, though, were far from being won over. Why the secrecy?
Why talk money, answered the chairman. Already agents had been on the telephone, wanting big money for players, since the takeover talk started. Why play into their hands?
If the sceptics are right, then why on earth would Armstrong-Holmes make it out to be something it isn't?
The club is asking the Trust to gift its 60% shareholding to Munto to allow what is plotted as a new glorious era to begin.
If it went through and he was wrong, surely the chairman would not be able to show his face in Nottingham again?
A question along those lines was thrown at him. Armstrong-Holmes offered a smile.
"On my head be it but believe me, I am laughing from ear to ear," he said.
"I feel I have achieved everything I could for this club and I am putting it in the hands of people who can really, really kick it on. I would never take the risk (of putting it in danger).
If the Trust gives it the go-ahead in the ballot that ends on Monday, it will pave the way for a new era.
And after years of upset for Magpies fans, you can only hope everything Armstrong-Holmes preached to them on Thursday night comes to fruition.
Only time will tell if there was real reason to be sceptical.
www.thisisnottscounty.co.uk/news/Notts-chairman-calls-Trust-takeover-ahead/article-1111442-detail/article.html
