Thursday 16 August 2007

Getting ready for a takeover

Charlton have hired City football specialists Seymour Pierce to advise the club on funding options which could include a takeover:
Buyout?

The story gives a number of reasons why an early takeover is unlikely, including timing and the fact that the appointment of advisers may simply to be to comply with Aim market rules. Certainly, value would be maximised if a sale took place when the club regained its Premiership place.

Talk of a Middle Eastern takeover earlier in the year came to nothing, although someone must have leaked the story for some motivation.

We owe a great debt to Richard Murray and his fellow directors for the way in which they have rebuilt the club. However, if Charlton is to be more than a yo-you club in the future it will probably need a bigger injection of funds than they can provide. This is most likely to come from outside the UK and possibly from Asia rather than the US. Red Dragons anyone?

8 comments:

beauzo said...

Didn't Charlton de-list from the AIM cos the cost of compliance outweighed the actual benefits? Can't think that AIM rules could still have any bearing?

Wyn Grant said...

I think that the reasons for leaving AIM were not so straightforward and certainly involved making it easy to facilitate a takeover which according to the club's statement 'may or may not' take place.

Anonymous said...

If it is anything other than AIM compliance, I think the board are doing what is best for the club in looking at all the options available. These guys have achieved more than we could have hoped for and should be applauded.
However, the financial consequences of relegation have highlighted the need for a wealthy benefactor.

Anonymous said...

My understanding is that the Company is still a PLC (variable shareholders)but not listed on the AIM market, so does not need to comply with their rules.
As the article appeared in the press, the Club have passed comment.
All we can do is wait and see. (and spread rumours)

Anonymous said...

If they sell to foreign owners, that's me out. England's top flight has already pretty much been sold down the river - it's the beginning of the end for England as a footballing nation.

Inspector Sands said...

"it's the beginning of the end for England as a footballing nation"

England is about halfway to the end already, isn't it, oh anonymous one?

Anonymous said...

Does it really matter who owns the club so long as it operates with courtesy and professionalism, and does its best to achieve what it can?
It is nice that Charlton's board is made up of long standing supporters. Bur Roman certainly supports Chelski and the Egg supports West Sham, so what is the difference? If they put their money in and want to make it more successful, what is wrong with that?
Charlton is their supporters' club, whether or not we like the chairman, the manager, the pitchside announcer or Marcus Bent.

Anonymous said...

I'm sure that Roman and The Egg will move on to other things just as soon as they realise that putting money into football is like putting it into a bottomless pit. i'm with David Moyes on this one.