Fans of a certain age might remember Dick Emery, a comedian who had a career spanning decades essentially based on several 'characters' he portrayed in the Dick Emery show, one such character was a very politically incorrect effeminate 'chap' who would invoke a reaction, usually from quite 'rough' types, by instigating an event where he could use his punch line "ooh you are awful, but I like you" as he slapped them on the back and 'flounced off' in a very non macho manner.
Fast forward to the present day, and one man who will definitely remember the Dick Emery show is Hammers co-owner and minority share holder David Gold, having had the shackles of making no public comments temporarily removed, the venerable octogenarian has rejected as “fabricated and entirely untrue” a claim that Red Bull is ready to bid for West Ham United. The story was tweeted by a twitter account called @Indykalia in which he had suggested he said that the story had come to him from a source close to co-owner David Gold
“It’s astonishing to see things such as this appearing and given my name is attached to it I have to put the record straight. I have absolutely no knowledge of anything like that at all. I have not heard of any interest from Red Bull as far as my involvement is concerned this is not true. It is made up – a complete fabrication. There is no such interest.”
Well, that's not entirely true is it David? Red Bull sounded out the possible purchase of West Ham United 18 Months ago, it is a matter of record, so why deny it unless the information he has received has been somehow censored. Those of a skeptical nature may look at the situation and think that David Gold, no doubt egged on by the other David, is 'doing an Emery', stating that there is no interest, whereas there clearly has been, and feigning annoyance as to how such a 'story' could get in to the public domain, and therein lies the rub, saying one thing, but meaning another. West Ham's precarious Barclays Premier League position is maybe one of the reasons the club have 'put feelers' out regarding a potential take over bearing in mind the club don't know how the season will pan out if and when it restarts.
David Sullivan, the club's majority share holder, is not a popular character at the best of times, possibly resentment might play a large part in his lack of popularity, but he is no fool, especially when it comes to business. When Red Bull DID make an approach about buying the club, their initial offer of £385 Million was rejected out of hand, with a figure of closer to £600 Million being mooted as possibly sufficient. The over the top valuation was seen as a clear hands off message with Sullivan unwilling to sell his 'legacy' cheaply, and quite frankly he has every right to hold out for as much money as he can get, anyone else in the same situation would do the same.
Envious glances have been made in the direction of Newcastle United and the Saudi takeover that is happening at St James Park, but it should be remembered that Mike Ashley has had the club openly on the market for at least three years! He has elected to accept £300 Million instead of the £350 Million that he had been holding out for, but you can bet your bottom dollar that the Saudi Investment company are currently examining as to whether they need to pay even half of the agreed amount due to the Corona Virus pandemic, as it is not clear how far the take over has actually progressed on paper.
If the Toon deal doesn't go through, Newcastle will have effectively alienated their manager Steve Bruce and disenfranchised many of their players that have publicly been earmarked for replacement as soon as the Saudi dollars roll in, well all we can say is 'be careful what you wish for', Hammers own experience with the 'Icelandic' biscuit barons is a salient reminder that things are not always greener on the other side, but someone needs to confiscate David Gold's twitter devices, they are obviously not good for his health. - Ed
Comments
Bit like the statements
If the Olympic stadium seats are further away from the pitch than the Boleyn no way will we move & if 85% of westham fans dislike us we will sell!!
Cant argue with that 65!
Cant argue with that 65!
Not sure that the Icelandic
Not sure that the Icelandic experience is the same. They brought at the time much needed funds and it did attract some great players, regrettably few reached the expectations of the fans. Had the Global Financial Crash not happened Eggy and the Biscuit Boys would still be in place.
I really fear for a Red Bull take over. The move to the LS has been a cultural shock to our club, a move to Red Bull West Ham or Red Bull London (more likely) is a step too far. Why, I think the most noticeable difference between West Ham fans and other London clubs, particularly Chelsea, is that we are either still local to the area or have strong family roots in East London with a classic working class profile. This is not evident at Arsenal, The Bank of England, Tottenham, The Businessmans choice or Chelsea with its zero local support with a fan based scattered around South West London, Middlesex and Surrey.
I have said for years that G&S will sell but its all about the price and they are in no hurry. Simple maths, according to Deloitte a few years ago, if West Ham get ownership of the LS the value of the club trebles. That puts the club up to around a billion. Thats a massive return for G&S. I still maintain that the LS will be sold as the tax payers of London are already feed up with WHU, a prem league side, having subsidised help and a loss making stadium for years to come. Watch this space!
Good post Dartford
You make a very good point that if westham do get the chance to buy it at a pittance then that's probably why sugo are hoding on to it,to make even more dough,my gut feeling has always been that it will be passed down to miss rampant rabbit & the spoilt kids jedward!!
I think you are right about
I think you are right about inheritance 65, its very prestigious to own a prem league footie club but these people worship wealth so a five fold return on investment would be too bigger a prize.
I used to think that the club
I used to think that the club would be handed to sullivans bisto kids,but i dont think they are up to it,i reckon the ground will be bought,it cant carry on as it is indefinitely,but whether its Sugo that gets it im not sure,surely they would get first refusal,once they had it then they would sell,thing is Gold must nearly be 80,Sullivan must be in his seventies also,times running out,they cant go on forever with the club,5 years perhaps,certainly not 10.