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Post by Colin B on Sept 16, 2016 7:01:42 GMT
There was another bid being formulated at the time, and discussions with an interested kassam had begun. Then Merry bowled in and persuaded the other group to stand aside as him and Jim Smith were the dream ticket, and were on the verge of doing the deal. What he never told anyone, until the last one or two days was that it didn't include the stadium!!!
The rest, sadly, is history.............
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Post by ovaltoyou on Sept 16, 2016 7:06:43 GMT
Without going over old ground. FK took over the club by playing to the heart strings of the council. He pulled the wool over their eyes and then when NM came along (with good intentions) saw a way to make more money and so we have the situation today and it is only more money opportunities that will sway FK. I am poor, but I am glad I'm not like him!!
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Post by oufcyellows on Sept 16, 2016 7:36:44 GMT
There was another bid being formulated at the time, and discussions with an interested kassam had begun. Then Merry bowled in and persuaded the other group to stand aside as him and Jim Smith were the dream ticket, and were on the verge of doing the deal. What he never told anyone, until the last one or two days was that it didn't include the stadium!!! The rest, sadly, is history............. What are the other bid at these days ?
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Post by headingtonutd on Sept 16, 2016 10:00:47 GMT
The offer was way before that time I think, in the good old days under kt being in charge. That's what I don't quite get il got out as he was losing so much money, yet taking that offer and making it work would have cut costs massively and put the club on a far better footing. When he did go then yes ur right totally up for him to take the best offer. But both of those offer at that time weren't against not to take control of the stadium It's entirely correct that the original fault lies with Merry the Clown and, to a lesser degree, with his then sleeping investor IL. It should be remembered, though, that IL never intended to run and control the club - he simply put the money up for Merry. Ever since then, the rock and hard place has been much in evidence. Either rent it at a rate that is ball-breaking, especially given that the licence does not include FandB. Or buy it at a price that makes no commercial sense either. Not much point in seeking revenge, though. We have to take the situation as it now is, not as we would have wanted it to be. To that end, I shall be genuinely interested in what OxVox's eventual report suggests, as to how to square that circle. Contrary to popular opinion, I am not wedded to moving away from the Kassam. I came to that view having simply not been able to 'see the way' to a sensible deal. If such a deal does exist, and does not prevent us expanding to a proper 18k plus capacity stadium eventually, then I am all ears. I think that it will involve someone, or some entity, funding the 'gap' between what is commercially viable and what is acceptable to FK. But if OxVox has found such a funding source, then great. For me, the site will always have limitations. And as someone who tends towards the 'big picture' rather than the short term, I think we need to be ambitious and understand how the demographics are moving in our favour as a club. But even the shortcomings of the Kassam from a geographic, transport and parking point of view are as nothing compared to a viable solution - ANY viable solution - and we could certainly cope with those issues far better than with an open-ended extension of current circs. Charlie am I not right in assuming the Kassam is (relatively) easy to expand in terms of capacity? I was taken around the original building site many moons ago and shown plans of the stadium and it was explained at the time that it was being built so that as required the corners could be filled in and that it was possible to raise the capacity to over 20,000. Does anyone else remember the discussions at the time or what the figures were as i'd happily stand corrected? With regards to the other points I totally agree, we could talk all day about where fault lays but when Merry signed that contract we were left in situation we are still struggling with today. No the Kassam is not ideal and parking and transport are problematic but transport could be addressed with the advent of the new station to the science parks. Also if we are able to develop a training facility across the road would there not be potential for overflow there? I have no bias either way and would love to see a modern purpose built stadium somewhere and WE is a mouth watering prospect but I also suspect that the planning discussions at that level would be tortuous and highly political and all of that would be linked to another excruciating wrangle over housing at the Kassam site. My point is that if there is a chance to creatively fund the shortfall between a realistic cost based on revenue (F and B included) and what FK finally agrees to sell for then if we can make it happen it puts us back in control of our destiny to a much greater extent. I mentioned in an earlier post that I think Kassam is sitting collecting money and the site is also a nice land bank for him as he waits to see what happens with regards to planning guidelines on the area. If we owned the ground then surely if the heavens did aline and housing was permitted and WE was given the go ahead then we would be in an even stronger position to cash in and finance the move? And if this happens to be ten years down the line then that will be ten years of rent saved and revenue increased. We would be stronger and much more secure and investors would be far more confident in our standing. We'd have naming rights and issues of daily frustration in dealing with Firoka would be put to bed. The large matter of funding aside, would that not be a workable option for us to move forward?
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Post by Colin B on Sept 16, 2016 11:44:21 GMT
It's entirely correct that the original fault lies with Merry the Clown and, to a lesser degree, with his then sleeping investor IL. It should be remembered, though, that IL never intended to run and control the club - he simply put the money up for Merry. Ever since then, the rock and hard place has been much in evidence. Either rent it at a rate that is ball-breaking, especially given that the licence does not include FandB. Or buy it at a price that makes no commercial sense either. Not much point in seeking revenge, though. We have to take the situation as it now is, not as we would have wanted it to be. To that end, I shall be genuinely interested in what OxVox's eventual report suggests, as to how to square that circle. Contrary to popular opinion, I am not wedded to moving away from the Kassam. I came to that view having simply not been able to 'see the way' to a sensible deal. If such a deal does exist, and does not prevent us expanding to a proper 18k plus capacity stadium eventually, then I am all ears. I think that it will involve someone, or some entity, funding the 'gap' between what is commercially viable and what is acceptable to FK. But if OxVox has found such a funding source, then great. For me, the site will always have limitations. And as someone who tends towards the 'big picture' rather than the short term, I think we need to be ambitious and understand how the demographics are moving in our favour as a club. But even the shortcomings of the Kassam from a geographic, transport and parking point of view are as nothing compared to a viable solution - ANY viable solution - and we could certainly cope with those issues far better than with an open-ended extension of current circs. Charlie am I not right in assuming the Kassam is (relatively) easy to expand in terms of capacity? I was taken around the original building site many moons ago and shown plans of the stadium and it was explained at the time that it was being built so that as required the corners could be filled in and that it was possible to raise the capacity to over 20,000. Does anyone else remember the discussions at the time or what the figures were as i'd happily stand corrected? With regards to the other points I totally agree, we could talk all day about where fault lays but when Merry signed that contract we were left in situation we are still struggling with today. No the Kassam is not ideal and parking and transport are problematic but transport could be addressed with the advent of the new station to the science parks. Also if we are able to develop a training facility across the road would there not be potential for overflow there? I have no bias either way and would love to see a modern purpose built stadium somewhere and WE is a mouth watering prospect but I also suspect that the planning discussions at that level would be tortuous and highly political and all of that would be linked to another excruciating wrangle over housing at the Kassam site. My point is that if there is a chance to creatively fund the shortfall between a realistic cost based on revenue (F and B included) and what FK finally agrees to sell for then if we can make it happen it puts us back in control of our destiny to a much greater extent. I mentioned in an earlier post that I think Kassam is sitting collecting money and the site is also a nice land bank for him as he waits to see what happens with regards to planning guidelines on the area. If we owned the ground then surely if the heavens did aline and housing was permitted and WE was given the go ahead then we would be in an even stronger position to cash in and finance the move? And if this happens to be ten years down the line then that will be ten years of rent saved and revenue increased. We would be stronger and much more secure and investors would be far more confident in our standing. We'd have naming rights and issues of daily frustration in dealing with Firoka would be put to bed. The large matter of funding aside, would that not be a workable option for us to move forward? I suspect you weren't at the OxVox members meeting recently, where I presented our findings on exactly your first point. Having spent some considerable time surveying the stadium with a principle from one of the world's leading firms of stadium architects, the answer is emphatically yes. The stadium could be improved and enlarged, without knocking anything down, to around the 20,000/25,000 mark, if required. It is actually more soundly constructed than might be imagined, it is the finishing off and maintenance that has been poorly carried out, but the structure is sound and has considerable potential in the hands of the right people.
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Post by yellows1 on Sept 16, 2016 11:52:41 GMT
Anyone know the factual details on the lease, when was it signed, for how long, finish date??
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Post by headingtonutd on Sept 16, 2016 12:22:55 GMT
Charlie am I not right in assuming the Kassam is (relatively) easy to expand in terms of capacity? I was taken around the original building site many moons ago and shown plans of the stadium and it was explained at the time that it was being built so that as required the corners could be filled in and that it was possible to raise the capacity to over 20,000. Does anyone else remember the discussions at the time or what the figures were as i'd happily stand corrected? With regards to the other points I totally agree, we could talk all day about where fault lays but when Merry signed that contract we were left in situation we are still struggling with today. No the Kassam is not ideal and parking and transport are problematic but transport could be addressed with the advent of the new station to the science parks. Also if we are able to develop a training facility across the road would there not be potential for overflow there? I have no bias either way and would love to see a modern purpose built stadium somewhere and WE is a mouth watering prospect but I also suspect that the planning discussions at that level would be tortuous and highly political and all of that would be linked to another excruciating wrangle over housing at the Kassam site. My point is that if there is a chance to creatively fund the shortfall between a realistic cost based on revenue (F and B included) and what FK finally agrees to sell for then if we can make it happen it puts us back in control of our destiny to a much greater extent. I mentioned in an earlier post that I think Kassam is sitting collecting money and the site is also a nice land bank for him as he waits to see what happens with regards to planning guidelines on the area. If we owned the ground then surely if the heavens did aline and housing was permitted and WE was given the go ahead then we would be in an even stronger position to cash in and finance the move? And if this happens to be ten years down the line then that will be ten years of rent saved and revenue increased. We would be stronger and much more secure and investors would be far more confident in our standing. We'd have naming rights and issues of daily frustration in dealing with Firoka would be put to bed. The large matter of funding aside, would that not be a workable option for us to move forward? I suspect you weren't at the OxVox members meeting recently, where I presented our findings on exactly your first point. Having spent some considerable time surveying the stadium with a principle from one of the world's leading firms of stadium architects, the answer is emphatically yes. The stadium could be improved and enlarged, without knocking anything down, to around the 20,000/25,000 mark, if required. It is actually more soundly constructed than might be imagined, it is the finishing off and maintenance that has been poorly carried out, but the structure is sound and has considerable potential in the hands of the right people. Thanks Colin, that's exactly what I thought. The ground was built to be added to. As I said I was given a tour and shown plans of the original build and I remember them saying it was specifically designed to be added to. Between 20,000 and 25,000 were the figures I remembered but wondered if i'd got that wrong as it seems a good step up. Sadly I missed the meeting and haven't seen the minutes yet. I would love to have gone but will keep an eye open for the next one. Is it possible to get the notes on the meeting somehow?
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Post by Colin B on Sept 16, 2016 12:32:32 GMT
If you're a member, they should be in your inbox and were emailed out on the 12 August. If not there is a thread, entitled "Notes from Members Meeting" of the same date, under the OxVox section of this forum, where I think someone posted a link, but there's a lot of other posts on there to wade through and I don't have the time just now to point you to the exact place in that thread.
Hopefully you'll find them one way or another.
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Post by Jem on Sept 16, 2016 13:07:52 GMT
I suspect you weren't at the OxVox members meeting recently, where I presented our findings on exactly your first point. Having spent some considerable time surveying the stadium with a principle from one of the world's leading firms of stadium architects, the answer is emphatically yes. The stadium could be improved and enlarged, without knocking anything down, to around the 20,000/25,000 mark, if required. It is actually more soundly constructed than might be imagined, it is the finishing off and maintenance that has been poorly carried out, but the structure is sound and has considerable potential in the hands of the right people. Thanks Colin, that's exactly what I thought. The ground was built to be added to. As I said I was given a tour and shown plans of the original build and I remember them saying it was specifically designed to be added to. Between 20,000 and 25,000 were the figures I remembered but wondered if i'd got that wrong as it seems a good step up. Sadly I missed the meeting and haven't seen the minutes yet. I would love to have gone but will keep an eye open for the next one. Is it possible to get the notes on the meeting somehow? Hi headingtonutd. I've just sent you a message! Cheers Jem
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Post by ox4eva on Sept 16, 2016 13:46:12 GMT
Why does Charlie not look at putting a consortium together in regards to purchasing the ground?
As he apparently has the contacts and knowledge in regards to this issue. Or at least offer those services to DE?
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Post by charliesghost on Sept 16, 2016 15:04:24 GMT
Why does Charlie not look at putting a consortium together in regards to purchasing the ground? As he apparently has the contacts and knowledge in regards to this issue. Or at least offer those services to DE? A consortium of what/ who? Because presumably the idea is that the club get to control the stadium/ play in it for free. So any such consortium would have to be some remarkably generous-spirited people, to make the club instantly viable and immensely valuable, with no stake in that themselves!! Such people would clearly need not just to be Oxford United fans, but people with so much money spare that they could afford/ want to effectively donate it to another wealthy man in DE. If, on the other hand, they purchased it, and then charged the club a reasonable ROI - say 5 per cent - then the club may not be much better off than it is now. My idea behind WE was to form an Oxfordshire Sports Trust, which would be owned 25 per cent by the YCT (funded thru a contribution from FK for leaving the existing site), 25 per cent by the fans (thru OxVox and and Fans' Bond), 25 per cent by Oxfordshire County Council (guaranteeing a loan), and 25 per cent by one or more external investors, who would gain their ROI from the attached enabling planning permission (hotel and restaurant rents). This would have meant that no future owner of the club could never hock the ground for quick cash, but the club would be allowed to play there for free in perpetuity and enjoy all matchday revenue. Effectively the OxVox and YCT 50 per cent block would mitigate against the interests of the club ever being forgotten.... but there would at least be a commercial mechanism to allow a cash investment from external properties, without affecting matchday revenue. The same programme would not work at the Kassam a) because there would be no contrib from Firoz b) because the enabling planning has already been hoovered up by Firoz, so no ROI for external investors (tho you could get some of this from the conf centre, I guess) In terms of the potential of the Kassam site, yes of course anyone with eyes can see that the space available could hold a stadium of any size you want. But there is a considerable expense: buy it for 14 million and the extra 8000 seats are going to cost you 9 million. That makes the total cost of a 20k capacity stadium 22 million, which would be highish for a new build (with much higher stadium naming rights revenue_ let alone a 20 year-old structure. And then there is the parking. Expanding the stadium is going to eat further parking spaces, and that as the capacity expands. So you'd need car-parks south of Grenoble Road. Which SODC have ruled out (I have checked, and car parks do count as development on green belt). All of which goes to show what? Not that the Kassam site is impossible. In a world of Brexit and a potential Trump presidency, weirder things have happened than us/ OxVox/ OUFC managing to square these circles. But it is far harder and more expensive and more fractious than most casual observers assume. I won't quite say for sure that other clubs have moved to a spanking new stadium in less time than it will take to get the KassStad mess sorted out..... but I will say that that statement is something I am quite happy to place an even money bet of 50 quid with anyone on. When OxVox's magisterial report eventually drops, with its five point plan to buy the Kassam in the next 2 years (which subsequently proves to be correct) I would be genuinely delighted to hold my hands up and pay over the 50 quid to whoever the first punter is who wants to take me up on it. The last time I had such a bet was with a recently deceased poster - RIP - who disagreed vehemently with my assertion that we would get relegated to the basement under FK. I would have loved to have been proved wrong then as well!
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Post by minime on Sept 16, 2016 15:23:40 GMT
How about the prospect of SD selling Eastleigh and becoming more involved with OUFC? He's a fan and certainly has the financial clout. How about a DE / SD partnership?
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Post by ox4eva on Sept 16, 2016 15:30:49 GMT
Why does Charlie not look at putting a consortium together in regards to purchasing the ground? As he apparently has the contacts and knowledge in regards to this issue. Or at least offer those services to DE? A consortium of what/ who? Because presumably the idea is that the club get to control the stadium/ play in it for free. So any such consortium would have to be some remarkably generous-spirited people, to make the club instantly viable and immensely valuable, with no stake in that themselves!! Such people would clearly need not just to be Oxford United fans, but people with so much money spare that they could afford/ want to effectively donate it to another wealthy man in DE. If, on the other hand, they purchased it, and then charged the club a reasonable ROI - say 5 per cent - then the club may not be much better off than it is now. My idea behind WE was to form an Oxfordshire Sports Trust, which would be owned 25 per cent by the YCT (funded thru a contribution from FK for leaving the existing site), 25 per cent by the fans (thru OxVox and and Fans' Bond), 25 per cent by Oxfordshire County Council (guaranteeing a loan), and 25 per cent by one or more external investors, who would gain their ROI from the attached enabling planning permission (hotel and restaurant rents). This would have meant that no future owner of the club could never hock the ground for quick cash, but the club would be allowed to play there for free in perpetuity and enjoy all matchday revenue. Effectively the OxVox and YCT 50 per cent block would mitigate against the interests of the club ever being forgotten.... but there would at least be a commercial mechanism to allow a cash investment from external properties, without affecting matchday revenue. The same programme would not work at the Kassam a) because there would be no contrib from Firoz b) because the enabling planning has already been hoovered up by Firoz, so no ROI for external investors (tho you could get some of this from the conf centre, I guess) In terms of the potential of the Kassam site, yes of course anyone with eyes can see that the space available could hold a stadium of any size you want. But there is a considerable expense: buy it for 14 million and the extra 8000 seats are going to cost you 9 million. That makes the total cost of a 20k capacity stadium 22 million, which would be highish for a new build (with much higher stadium naming rights revenue_ let alone a 20 year-old structure. And then there is the parking. Expanding the stadium is going to eat further parking spaces, and that as the capacity expands. So you'd need car-parks south of Grenoble Road. Which SODC have ruled out (I have checked, and car parks do count as development on green belt). All of which goes to show what? Not that the Kassam site is impossible. In a world of Brexit and a potential Trump presidency, weirder things have happened than us/ OxVox/ OUFC managing to square these circles. But it is far harder and more expensive and more fractious than most casual observers assume. I won't quite say for sure that other clubs have moved to a spanking new stadium in less time than it will take to get the KassStad mess sorted out..... but I will say that that statement is something I am quite happy to place an even money bet of 50 quid with anyone on. When OxVox's magisterial report eventually drops, with its five point plan to buy the Kassam in the next 2 years (which subsequently proves to be correct) I would be genuinely delighted to hold my hands up and pay over the 50 quid to whoever the first punter is who wants to take me up on it. The last time I had such a bet was with a recently deceased poster - RIP - who disagreed vehemently with my assertion that we would get relegated to the basement under FK. I would have loved to have been proved wrong then as well! Know it's a long shot but thought you may have some other connections of like minded business folk. If they purchased the ground and then put it in trust for OUFC and then came to some agreement on the funds being paid back interest free over a number of years. If this is not feasible then could advice not be offered to DE?, IL was supposed to be looking into the ground issue and this is obviously the biggest factor affecting the club we all love. Just a suggestion like my idea of some kind of share issue.
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Post by oufcyellows on Sept 16, 2016 15:53:30 GMT
How about the prospect of SD selling Eastleigh and becoming more involved with OUFC? He's a fan and certainly has the financial clout. How about a DE / SD partnership? Been asked before, he said he would rather just be a fan like everyone else. Would help if and when asked but currently only interested in running Eastleigh . He did suggest a fund raising plan somewhere on here where he would put in a certain amount of fans raise the rest
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Post by minime on Sept 16, 2016 16:14:47 GMT
How about the prospect of SD selling Eastleigh and becoming more involved with OUFC? He's a fan and certainly has the financial clout. How about a DE / SD partnership? Been asked before, he said he would rather just be a fan like everyone else. Would help if and when asked but currently only interested in running Eastleigh . He did suggest a fund raising plan somewhere on here where he would put in a certain amount of fans raise the rest But wasn't he part (or all) of the second party that tried to purchase from IL, which instead got sold to DE?
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Post by oufcyellows on Sept 16, 2016 16:19:04 GMT
He was. But got a lots of stick from fans telling him what he should spend his money on, and u will have to ask him, but I'm sure he said he'd rather stay as a fan than become involved. I'll see if I can find the thread for u, Stewart explains his reasons and suggested the funding in it
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Post by oufcyellows on Sept 16, 2016 16:21:32 GMT
Eastleigh Didn't conclude on the 10% and although I paid for it DE has refunded me. I helped when I was asked but things are going really well and DE has plenty of funds without me I am sure .Therefore I can spend my money elsewhere (like everyone else) and just enjoy being a fan which is ideal for me, and I am sure for Darryl. With regard to the other clubs you mention I am planning on spending a huge sum of money on Eastleigh as its my bit of fun and is something that is a challenge to me. I am sure you spend your hard earned money on your hobbies. I am happy to redevelop the site with whatever I can get planning permission wise to help the club by self sufficient. More stands plus hotels, commercial etc etc and try and get the club as far up the football pyramid as possible. I have probably spent about £6-£7 million so far and I am sure that I will end up spending an awful lot more than that. With regard to Northampton - despite all the rumours - I am considering spending about £24,000 with them on sponsorship as KT has asked me to do so for next season. That is a token gesture to a friend. I spent more on Wolves which no one mentions - but have now stopped completely. So moving forward I will spend a lot of money on Eastleigh, I might sponsor Northampton a token amount - only whilst KT and DB is there. With regard to OUFC if I was ever needed, which I am sure won't be the case with DE, then being involved at Eastleigh won't affect my ability to help. In fact OUFC's biggest financial challenge is owning the Kassam - I would be surprised if any OUFC fan would contribute more than me. I am sure that makes me as big an OUFC fan as lots of die hards, even if I don't make as many games as I used to. r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?url=http%3A%2F%2Fyellowsforum%2Eco%2Euk%2Fpost%2F620896%2Fthread%2F24186&share_tid=24186&share_fid=98885&share_type=t&share_pid=620896
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Post by oufcyellows on Sept 16, 2016 16:29:03 GMT
Exciting Plans? I saw Darryl yesterday - how much money has he got to run our/his club? Didn't ask him and none of my business but he is generously giving what he feels comfortable with for the sole benefit of OUFC. I would take the view though that he is doing a great job and spending huge sums in trying to make OUFC successful, inclusive and available to everyone. He was extremely passionate and talking long term plans - can't really expand obviously but i was vey enthused but he is thinking long term and willing to spend his hard earned money on OUFC. We can't ask anymore than that and he may not get everything right (almost though!) but he and Cheryl (who is a great credit to him) are working extremely hard. There is always stuff to improve but I don't think we can ask anymore of him than what he is giving. Onto the Ground We know this is difficult but vital. It is something that I feel we as fans should try and help and support Darryl with. I do not know about the real likelyhood of moving but if Firoz Kassam is willing to pay us to leave to maximise his potential revenue on the site - which makes perfect sense to me - then seriously exploring other options is sensible and would not take long and I am sure this would be considered. However if we can't move or indeed feel it more beneficial to stay then I would approach the purchase on the basis that Firoz Kassam has regularly pointed out over the last 18 months that he is the custodian of the club and wants to safeguard the club - on that basis an offer from the club and fans has to be what he wants as fan involvement secures this. The deal I would try and get if we stayed therefore is as follows:- 1) Agree a purchase price of £10 million - don't know its true value but guessing. Sure Darryl values at less and Kassam values at more. 2) The council give Firoz the spare land by the school and value it at £5 million to develop we take on the loan from the council for this at favourable terms. Really should be a £3 million gift to the club in return for community projects and £2 million repaid at say 3.5% 3) Firoz can then develop the site including this extra land where he can make more money allowing him the return he wants and enabling him to let the club have the stadium at the £10 million along with the corners and fourth stand land so the club can develop post sale. 4) The remaining should be raised by 5000 fans offering £1000 per person - £5 million. I will start and offer to cover 1000 fans minimum - If we could then find another 10 fans to cover £200,000 each that would leave us actually needing 2000 to cover £1000 and we would be there. Darryl would then be free to use his funds to strengthen the team rather than have it sucked into the land. The club could own 50% (the money put forward by the council and the fans the other 50% which they had raised). If there was a shortfall or Darryl wanted control he could maybe put in some to make up the difference - or persuade the more significant investors to do more ( I am sure they would!!!). Therefore the council get the houses they need and a community club. Firoz makes his money and helps his reputation and the club gets the ground with minimal financial exposure and is not stuck with huge mortgage payments and we then kick on. I do not know the correct asking price but there is definitely the bones of a deal there that may work for all. There you go Oxvox - what do you reckon Eric Read/Simon Bradbury - I voted for you, make it happen please !!! It does feel like the time is now with the heightened interest with Wembley etc and all the parties just needing pulling together r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?url=http%3A%2F%2Fyellowsforum%2Eco%2Euk%2Fpost%2F584342%2Fthread%2F23307&share_tid=23307&share_fid=98885&share_type=t&share_pid=584342
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Post by minime on Sept 16, 2016 16:32:16 GMT
Eastleigh I spent more on Wolves which no one mentions Disgusting man. f*ck Him!
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Post by oufcyellows on Sept 16, 2016 16:35:59 GMT
Eastleigh I spent more on Wolves which no one mentions Disgusting man. f*ck Him! I should think it is pennies compared to what he has already put into Oufc over the years. Including buying us players
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Post by charliesghost on Sept 16, 2016 16:54:35 GMT
Exciting Plans? I saw Darryl yesterday - how much money has he got to run our/his club? Didn't ask him and none of my business but he is generously giving what he feels comfortable with for the sole benefit of OUFC. I would take the view though that he is doing a great job and spending huge sums in trying to make OUFC successful, inclusive and available to everyone. He was extremely passionate and talking long term plans - can't really expand obviously but i was vey enthused but he is thinking long term and willing to spend his hard earned money on OUFC. We can't ask anymore than that and he may not get everything right (almost though!) but he and Cheryl (who is a great credit to him) are working extremely hard. There is always stuff to improve but I don't think we can ask anymore of him than what he is giving. Onto the Ground We know this is difficult but vital. It is something that I feel we as fans should try and help and support Darryl with. I do not know about the real likelyhood of moving but if Firoz Kassam is willing to pay us to leave to maximise his potential revenue on the site - which makes perfect sense to me - then seriously exploring other options is sensible and would not take long and I am sure this would be considered. However if we can't move or indeed feel it more beneficial to stay then I would approach the purchase on the basis that Firoz Kassam has regularly pointed out over the last 18 months that he is the custodian of the club and wants to safeguard the club - on that basis an offer from the club and fans has to be what he wants as fan involvement secures this. The deal I would try and get if we stayed therefore is as follows:- 1) Agree a purchase price of £10 million - don't know its true value but guessing. Sure Darryl values at less and Kassam values at more. 2) The council give Firoz the spare land by the school and value it at £5 million to develop we take on the loan from the council for this at favourable terms. Really should be a £3 million gift to the club in return for community projects and £2 million repaid at say 3.5% 3) Firoz can then develop the site including this extra land where he can make more money allowing him the return he wants and enabling him to let the club have the stadium at the £10 million along with the corners and fourth stand land so the club can develop post sale. 4) The remaining should be raised by 5000 fans offering £1000 per person - £5 million. I will start and offer to cover 1000 fans minimum - If we could then find another 10 fans to cover £200,000 each that would leave us actually needing 2000 to cover £1000 and we would be there. Darryl would then be free to use his funds to strengthen the team rather than have it sucked into the land. The club could own 50% (the money put forward by the council and the fans the other 50% which they had raised). If there was a shortfall or Darryl wanted control he could maybe put in some to make up the difference - or persuade the more significant investors to do more ( I am sure they would!!!). Therefore the council get the houses they need and a community club. Firoz makes his money and helps his reputation and the club gets the ground with minimal financial exposure and is not stuck with huge mortgage payments and we then kick on. I do not know the correct asking price but there is definitely the bones of a deal there that may work for all. There you go Oxvox - what do you reckon Eric Read/Simon Bradbury - I voted for you, make it happen please !!! It does feel like the time is now with the heightened interest with Wembley etc and all the parties just needing pulling together r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?url=http%3A%2F%2Fyellowsforum%2Eco%2Euk%2Fpost%2F584342%2Fthread%2F23307&share_tid=23307&share_fid=98885&share_type=t&share_pid=584342Although a little muddled in places, this (together with a recent post by Essex Yellows) is the only thing I have read on the subject that really 'gets' what the issues are and what a plausible solution might be. Let me put some more flesh on it. How about, in place of an either/ or solution, a Trust entered into a J Venture with FK which aimed to move the stadium (thus making FK substantial extra sums) but guaranteed a purchase price in the event that permission was turned down? That would mean that both parties were aligned, speaking with one voice to all the councils, with clarity that OUFC would end up owning it's own ground in 3 years whatever happens. But recognising that there needs to be a potential 'upside' for FK to engage in a potential downside. If the ideal solution was explained in terms of what is right for the county as a whole, if it engaged with action groups fighting Chalgrove, if it purported to bring extra commercial rates into a new district council, on land previously designated industrial. Wel, under those circs who is going to stand out against a properly-run PR campaign with an Oxfordshire wrapper around it all? Just saying....
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Post by charliesghost on Sept 16, 2016 16:58:21 GMT
Exciting Plans? I saw Darryl yesterday - how much money has he got to run our/his club? Didn't ask him and none of my business but he is generously giving what he feels comfortable with for the sole benefit of OUFC. I would take the view though that he is doing a great job and spending huge sums in trying to make OUFC successful, inclusive and available to everyone. He was extremely passionate and talking long term plans - can't really expand obviously but i was vey enthused but he is thinking long term and willing to spend his hard earned money on OUFC. We can't ask anymore than that and he may not get everything right (almost though!) but he and Cheryl (who is a great credit to him) are working extremely hard. There is always stuff to improve but I don't think we can ask anymore of him than what he is giving. Onto the Ground We know this is difficult but vital. It is something that I feel we as fans should try and help and support Darryl with. I do not know about the real likelyhood of moving but if Firoz Kassam is willing to pay us to leave to maximise his potential revenue on the site - which makes perfect sense to me - then seriously exploring other options is sensible and would not take long and I am sure this would be considered. However if we can't move or indeed feel it more beneficial to stay then I would approach the purchase on the basis that Firoz Kassam has regularly pointed out over the last 18 months that he is the custodian of the club and wants to safeguard the club - on that basis an offer from the club and fans has to be what he wants as fan involvement secures this. The deal I would try and get if we stayed therefore is as follows:- 1) Agree a purchase price of £10 million - don't know its true value but guessing. Sure Darryl values at less and Kassam values at more. 2) The council give Firoz the spare land by the school and value it at £5 million to develop we take on the loan from the council for this at favourable terms. Really should be a £3 million gift to the club in return for community projects and £2 million repaid at say 3.5% 3) Firoz can then develop the site including this extra land where he can make more money allowing him the return he wants and enabling him to let the club have the stadium at the £10 million along with the corners and fourth stand land so the club can develop post sale. 4) The remaining should be raised by 5000 fans offering £1000 per person - £5 million. I will start and offer to cover 1000 fans minimum - If we could then find another 10 fans to cover £200,000 each that would leave us actually needing 2000 to cover £1000 and we would be there. Darryl would then be free to use his funds to strengthen the team rather than have it sucked into the land. The club could own 50% (the money put forward by the council and the fans the other 50% which they had raised). If there was a shortfall or Darryl wanted control he could maybe put in some to make up the difference - or persuade the more significant investors to do more ( I am sure they would!!!). Therefore the council get the houses they need and a community club. Firoz makes his money and helps his reputation and the club gets the ground with minimal financial exposure and is not stuck with huge mortgage payments and we then kick on. I do not know the correct asking price but there is definitely the bones of a deal there that may work for all. There you go Oxvox - what do you reckon Eric Read/Simon Bradbury - I voted for you, make it happen please !!! It does feel like the time is now with the heightened interest with Wembley etc and all the parties just needing pulling together r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?url=http%3A%2F%2Fyellowsforum%2Eco%2Euk%2Fpost%2F584342%2Fthread%2F23307&share_tid=23307&share_fid=98885&share_type=t&share_pid=584342Although a little muddled in places, this (together with a recent post by Essex Yellows) is the only thing I have read on the subject that really 'gets' what the issues are and what a plausible solution might be. Let me put some more flesh on it. How about, in place of an either/ or solution, a Trust entered into a J Venture with FK which aimed to move the stadium (thus making FK substantial extra sums) but guaranteed a purchase price in the event that permission was turned down? That would mean that both parties were aligned, speaking with one voice to all the councils, with clarity that OUFC would end up owning it's own ground in 3 years whatever happens. But recognising that there needs to be a potential 'upside' for FK to engage in a potential downside. If the ideal solution was explained in terms of what is right for the county as a whole, if it engaged with action groups fighting Chalgrove, if it purported to bring extra commercial rates into a new district council, on land previously designated industrial. Wel, under those circs who is going to stand out against a properly-run PR campaign with an Oxfordshire wrapper around it all? Just saying.... Sorry - to pre-empt Mark Sennett, the answer to my rhetorical question is 'Bob Price' who would rather keep the football club on his patch, throw his hands up in the air about lack of developable sites inside the City boundary and force the District Councils to go on taking his quotas, thus meaning that he doesn't have to face NIMBY protests from his own voters. But I don't see why Oxford City Council's Labour Group's personal interests should over-rule the rest of the entire county's.
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Post by myles on Sept 16, 2016 17:48:23 GMT
Sorry - to pre-empt Mark Sennett, the answer to my rhetorical question is 'Bob Price' who would rather keep the football club on his patch, throw his hands up in the air about lack of developable sites inside the City boundary and force the District Councils to go on taking his quotas, thus meaning that he doesn't have to face NIMBY protests from his own voters. But I don't see why Oxford City Council's Labour Group's personal interests should over-rule the rest of the entire county's. Quotas like this, you mean: www.witneygazette.co.uk/news/14748906.Oxford_s_neighbours_agree_to_shoulder_14_300_more_homes_to_help_meet_demand_in_city/?
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Post by oufcyellows on Sept 16, 2016 18:01:19 GMT
Surley while Bob price not wanting us to move may not be the best news for WE. This and the article above mean he's more likely to put pressure on sodc to build on that land ?
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Post by eighteen93 on Sept 16, 2016 18:23:42 GMT
Sorry - to pre-empt Mark Sennett, the answer to my rhetorical question is 'Bob Price' who would rather keep the football club on his patch, throw his hands up in the air about lack of developable sites inside the City boundary and force the District Councils to go on taking his quotas, thus meaning that he doesn't have to face NIMBY protests from his own voters. But I don't see why Oxford City Council's Labour Group's personal interests should over-rule the rest of the entire county's. Quotas like this, you mean: www.witneygazette.co.uk/news/14748906.Oxford_s_neighbours_agree_to_shoulder_14_300_more_homes_to_help_meet_demand_in_city/?That's big news isn't it?!
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Post by leftcornerlondonrd on Sept 16, 2016 18:28:13 GMT
Council won't ever help fund buying the stadium. Too busy creating roadworks and repairing that square thingy again and again by the railway station!
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Post by charliesghost on Sept 16, 2016 19:27:35 GMT
That's big news isn't it?! All expected. SODC have decided to go against what everyone else thinks, for reasons of their own, and provide their allocation at Chalgrove. Given who is doing who the favour, you can see why Bob Price has no 'pull' anywhere else in the county. He is the one with the begging bowl. So the idea of him 'pressurising' SODC on anything is ludicrous, not least because he is from the 'other' party. The person most likely to be able to pressurise SODC is the leader of the County Council....
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Post by oufcyellows on Sept 16, 2016 19:38:12 GMT
That's big news isn't it?! All expected. SODC have decided to go against what everyone else thinks, for reasons of their own, and provide their allocation at Chalgrove. Given who is doing who the favour, you can see why Bob Price has no 'pull' anywhere else in the county. He is the one with the begging bowl. So the idea of him 'pressurising' SODC on anything is ludicrous, not least because he is from the 'other' party. The person most likely to be able to pressurise SODC is the leader of the County Council.... What Ian hudspeth the massive Oufc fan you mean ? Isn't this exactly why all "major players" are being brought together and spoken to by oxvox? Isn't WE also green belt land, and not in their current local plan, same as Grenoble road, but in a plan that hasn't yet been fully passed ?
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Post by minime on Sept 16, 2016 20:41:00 GMT
That's big news isn't it?! All expected. SODC have decided to go against what everyone else thinks, for reasons of their own, and provide their allocation at Chalgrove. Given who is doing who the favour, you can see why Bob Price has no 'pull' anywhere else in the county. He is the one with the begging bowl. So the idea of him 'pressurising' SODC on anything is ludicrous, not least because he is from the 'other' party. The person most likely to be able to pressurise SODC is the leader of the County Council.... SODC are not just building in Charlgrove though. New developments going up all over SODC land
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Post by manorlounger on Sept 16, 2016 21:02:28 GMT
The above comments all highlight the essential problem, the only person/organisation with a clear, predetermined and inflexible position is. . . . .FK. Profit is his motive and sole raison d'etre.
Until there is an outcome which provides profit in the magnitude he expected, then we go nowhere.
One slim chance is that OCC finally call FK to task and give him notice on his neglect of the Priory and act to enforce. Maybe, just maybe, he will pull back and settle at a price that is affordable. (I doubt very much that that will happen)
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