Legend urges Blackburn Rovers fans to keep open mind over takeover
10:00am Saturday 4th September 2010 in
-
- By Andy Cryer » Blackburn Rovers reporter
Blackburn Rovers legend Bryan Douglas has urged supporters to ‘keep an open mind’ about the club’s takeover saga as the battle to seize control intensifies.
Ahsan Ali Syed’s serious attempts to purchase the Ewood Park outfit, which include promises of a £300million investment, have been shrouded in uncertainty this week after revelations his Bahrain-based firm has been suspended from trading.
The Indian tycoon’s Western Gulf Advisory (WGA) is currently under investigation into its financial practices but is working with the government to clarify transactions and their source of funds.
Syed has already reassured fans the suspension would not affect his potential Rovers investment as WGA was not carrying out any of their investment activities, but concerns around the club have been raised.
‘BBC 5 live Investigates’ will continue their report on Ali Syed’s bid at 9pm tomorrow, where they promise further revelations about the man himself, as they chart his business career and the path that has led to his promised £300m takeover of the club.
Syed’s representatives are not concerned about any findings and insist their process of due diligence - where the books are opened for inspection - is still on track.
A spokesperson though has revealed reports of their due diligence having been completed are ‘premature’ and said: “WGA’s due diligence on the club is still ongoing. They don’t know exactly when it will be complete.”
The Lancashire Telegraph understand though at least two other club suitors have been in negotiations with Rovers representatives in London over the past fortnight, including Mumbai businessman Saurin Shah’s group, as the club remains in demand.
Douglas though, who made more than 500 appearances for the club between 1952 and 1969, insists the club should be left alone as they continue their efforts to make sure they are bought by the right person to take them forward.
He said: “Nobody knows what the latest revelations mean and until they do I don’t think it would be right for anybody to say anything about whether he is the right person or not.
“As far as I am concerned if Mr Syed buys Blackburn Rovers then it is good news because it will mean he has passed all the checks Blackburn Rovers will have carried out on him and all the checks the Premier League will have done. It will be the same with anyone else.
“We have all got to leave this in the capable hands of John Williams. I am sure he has the experience necessary to make the right decisions for the club.
“He will look after the club’s interests, I have no doubt about that.
"Obviously there are question marks over things at the moment but I am not sure any of us are qualified to pass comment at the moment. The club is in safe hands.”
While Mr Ali Syed is understood to be close to completing his own financial exploration of the club, it is understood Rovers are continuing their own due diligence into the potential buyers.
As well as investigating the actual financial position of the buyer, Rovers will also carry out a ‘moral’ due diligence that will look at the motives of any prospective buyer.
It is also understood that while rival bidder Mr Shah, as well as at least one other unnamed interested party, are keeping a lower profile, their own investigations into the club are ongoing.
Mr Ali Syed is still believed to be further ahead in the process but, with no binding deals yet made, Rovers will continue working hard behind the scenes making sure they attract the right buyers for the club.
Douglas said: “We certainly need some investment if we are going to be able to continue to compete in the Premier League.
“John Williams has done a great job keeping us where we are but I’m not sure how long that can continue without more money. Something needs to happen.
“I am worried about the future, I always worry but I still believe whatever Rovers decide will be the best for the club.”
Comments(35)
Rovers0411
says...
11:18am Sat 4 Sep 10
Iii1111
says...
11:22am Sat 4 Sep 10
.
1. Roger Jones
2.Henning Berg
3.Graeme Le Saux
4.Colin Hendry
5. Ronnie Clayton
6.Simon Barker
7.Bryan Douglas
8.Duncan Mackenzie
9. Alan Shearer
10.Chris Sutton
11.Diamen Duff
kick out
says...
11:23am Sat 4 Sep 10
bluenwhite
says...
11:33am Sat 4 Sep 10
Iii1111 wrote:simon garner rather than sutton me thinks
Bryan would be in any Rovers dream team.. . 1. Roger Jones 2.Henning Berg 3.Graeme Le Saux 4.Colin Hendry 5. Ronnie Clayton 6.Simon Barker 7.Bryan Douglas 8.Duncan Mackenzie 9. Alan Shearer 10.Chris Sutton 11.Diamen Duff
bluenwhite
says...
11:34am Sat 4 Sep 10
kick out wrote:Like any one listens to you KN@B. The club has been bought my ars@
yes exactly hasslem, BRFC london and all the other knobs against the takeover he has mentioned no one including the bbc **** is qualified to make a decision on who is right and wrong. He has said if takeover happens then he will be the right man
kick out
says...
11:56am Sat 4 Sep 10
That man goldberg from bbc i think his problem is that syed may be his long lost relative and he did not give him any money.
That bbc **** is going to say the same **** in his programme that he mentioned in his article the other day.
bbc is trying to get its rating up and get more viewers to see this programme as goldberg has nothing else to talk about.
The due diligence is done from both sides so see what happens with that before you shitmouth's start your own views
Rovers0411
says...
12:01pm Sat 4 Sep 10
kick out wrote:Using expletives does nothing to support your arguments, it merely demonstrates a lack of intelligence.
yes bluenwhite as i said club will be bought by the right person you are not qualified to decide that.
That man goldberg from bbc i think his problem is that syed may be his long lost relative and he did not give him any money.
That bbc **** is going to say the same **** in his programme that he mentioned in his article the other day.
bbc is trying to get its rating up and get more viewers to see this programme as goldberg has nothing else to talk about.
The due diligence is done from both sides so see what happens with that before you shitmouth's start your own views
Iii1111
says...
12:09pm Sat 4 Sep 10
Rovers0411 wrote:a very very nice chap:)
kick out wrote: yes bluenwhite as i said club will be bought by the right person you are not qualified to decide that. That man goldberg from bbc i think his problem is that syed may be his long lost relative and he did not give him any money. That bbc **** is going to say the same **** in his programme that he mentioned in his article the other day. bbc is trying to get its rating up and get more viewers to see this programme as goldberg has nothing else to talk about. The due diligence is done from both sides so see what happens with that before you shitmouth's start your own viewsUsing expletives does nothing to support your arguments, it merely demonstrates a lack of intelligence.
bluenwhite
says...
12:20pm Sat 4 Sep 10
kick out wrote:YESTERDAY you said it had gone through, same as some of your previous rubbish, thats why your opinion counts for nothing
yes bluenwhite as i said club will be bought by the right person you are not qualified to decide that. That man goldberg from bbc i think his problem is that syed may be his long lost relative and he did not give him any money. That bbc **** is going to say the same **** in his programme that he mentioned in his article the other day. bbc is trying to get its rating up and get more viewers to see this programme as goldberg has nothing else to talk about. The due diligence is done from both sides so see what happens with that before you shitmouth's start your own views
kick out
says...
12:34pm Sat 4 Sep 10
Iii1111, zxc and all the other over intelligent people like hasslem.
You lot think you are barristers who know the ins and outs of a takeover.
Get up and wake up and see you are all tossers who have nothing to do besides coming on here and talking as if you have done a due diligence on syed and know everything about him.
As for anyone commenting back on this message **** off and get a life
kick out
says...
12:42pm Sat 4 Sep 10
If there was anything to come out it would have been in the papers and no one has heard anything so goldberg stop talking about your long lost relative.
hasslem hasslem
says...
12:53pm Sat 4 Sep 10
.
Also I am apparently accused of being against the takeover. I don't - I am merely questioning the feasability of Mr. Syed's proposition seeing as nobody can seem to trace the source of his wealth or investments. Equally nobody has seem him at Ewood, and now we understand he (and his firm) are helping the Bharain Government with their investigation (is that like helping the police with their inquiries over here?).
.
Finally, a small point, if 5-live were interested in upping their rating and just want more viewers to see this programme.....then you think they would put in on TV, rather than Radio.
.
I do have an open mind on any takeover and that open mind is swayed on the basis of FACTS that are ut in front of me. Then I can make a rational analysis and try to understand what is good and bad about the movers and shakers. After what seemed like initial optimism about Mr. Syed - I am now incredibly pessimistic about his ability to takeover the club on the terms he has outlined and also his motives for doing so.
eddie the eagle
says...
1:00pm Sat 4 Sep 10
kick out wrote:Syed and Goldberg a marriage made in heaven.
Regarding the goldberg programme he has to fill up his programme with something the tosser. If there was anything to come out it would have been in the papers and no one has heard anything so goldberg stop talking about your long lost relative.
Billypieman
says...
1:35pm Sat 4 Sep 10
kick out
says...
1:58pm Sat 4 Sep 10
It seems only 5 live is the only person on his case.
With you being very intelligent like you say does the due dilligence process not detect the person being dodgy or is mr goldberg doing the due dilligence for the walkers trust.
The due dilligence is carried out on both parties and if there was anything to come out then it would have and that tosser goldberg will be making something up.
He needs to show evidence that no other paper in the world has got and only he has got that syed is not right and as if the walkers are going to go on his story they are carrying out there own due dilligence and if they see no problem then you or anyone else cannot stop the deal from going through.
You are just reading media reports and making your own stuff up about syed.
Let the parties involved decide.
It does seem funny that goldberg all of a sudden wants to talk about blackburn rovers
Bangkok Rover
says...
2:03pm Sat 4 Sep 10
Iii1111
says...
2:14pm Sat 4 Sep 10
kick out wrote:Congratulations kick-out you’ve managed to spell diligence wrong four times…IF someone had done due dilligence (your spelling) on you..you’d have been locked up and unable to use a computer long ago..but, you make me smile:)
Hasslem the facts are that if there was anything dodgy then how come no business newspapers and the gulf daily news has reported anything. It seems only 5 live is the only person on his case. With you being very intelligent like you say does the due dilligence process not detect the person being dodgy or is mr goldberg doing the due dilligence for the walkers trust. The due dilligence is carried out on both parties and if there was anything to come out then it would have and that tosser goldberg will be making something up. He needs to show evidence that no other paper in the world has got and only he has got that syed is not right and as if the walkers are going to go on his story they are carrying out there own due dilligence and if they see no problem then you or anyone else cannot stop the deal from going through. You are just reading media reports and making your own stuff up about syed. Let the parties involved decide. It does seem funny that goldberg all of a sudden wants to talk about blackburn rovers
kick out
says...
2:33pm Sat 4 Sep 10
kick out
says...
2:37pm Sat 4 Sep 10
Tetley Drinker
says...
2:41pm Sat 4 Sep 10
1. Tim Flowers
2. Bill Eckersley
3. Bob Crompton.
5. Mike England
6. Ronnie Clayton
7 Bryan Douglas
8. Roy Vernon.
9, Alan Shearer
10 Danny O Shea
11Syd Puddefoot.
Manager : Kenny Dalglish.
3 Premier League/ First Division titles and one FA Cup amongst that lot and around 150 England caps.
They would win one or to games;-)
Tetley Drinker
says...
2:46pm Sat 4 Sep 10
4. Peter Dobing.
Stone Island
says...
4:04pm Sat 4 Sep 10
kick out wrote:You gave us breaking news yesterday, didn't you? You told us yesterday, that the takeover was COMPLETE. Sky news still hasn't caught up with this story yet. Unless it was a 'story', in which case, that would make you a LIAR!
Also one more thing normally skysports are first ones that give breaking news and they dont seem to say anything on mr syed.
elsbells
says...
4:32pm Sat 4 Sep 10
Im sure alot of people will be wanting to know what is envolved.
kevin e
says...
5:08pm Sat 4 Sep 10
bed and breakfast man_!
says...
6:32pm Sat 4 Sep 10
hasslem hasslem wrote:This where you fall down Mr Hasslem, You see you are on the outside of Mr Syed's circle and inside this coar of the deep deep inner , Most inner circle thats within this deep circle of trusted men that can give snippets of news that the club was sold yesterday is the one and only Kick out.
Apparently according to one wise sage the takeover had happened yesterday. Obviously Kick Out is very close to Mr Syed's inner (non trading - but still operating) sanctum. . Also I am apparently accused of being against the takeover. I don't - I am merely questioning the feasability of Mr. Syed's proposition seeing as nobody can seem to trace the source of his wealth or investments. Equally nobody has seem him at Ewood, and now we understand he (and his firm) are helping the Bharain Government with their investigation (is that like helping the police with their inquiries over here?). . Finally, a small point, if 5-live were interested in upping their rating and just want more viewers to see this programme.....then you think they would put in on TV, rather than Radio. . I do have an open mind on any takeover and that open mind is swayed on the basis of FACTS that are ut in front of me. Then I can make a rational analysis and try to understand what is good and bad about the movers and shakers. After what seemed like initial optimism about Mr. Syed - I am now incredibly pessimistic about his ability to takeover the club on the terms he has outlined and also his motives for doing so.
What you need to do is get in this inner circle, The deep deep inner circle the one that is so deep in the inner circle that you are shoulder to shoulder with Mr Syed himself then you will have reached the top step in life.........
Hope this info helps Mr Hasslem........
28th march 2010, turf moor
says...
6:38pm Sat 4 Sep 10
Bangkok Rover wrote:I agree with you completely you get people like kick out complaining about 5 live but if you was a true and passionate rovers fan kick out then you should be happy that all these checks are being carried out to ensure are beloved rovers dont become another portsmouth.
Well done the Rovers for doing their own 'moral due diligence'. That coupled with the Premier League's tougher rules should stop us selling out to a Shinawatra type with dirty money. The BBC investigation can only help make the process as thorough as possible as the spotlight is on. If Syed comes through all of that - and I hope he does - then we can all be very happy indeed!
bluenwhite
says...
6:48pm Sat 4 Sep 10
kick out wrote:still talking sh@t kick out!! Im still waiting for the news from sky that we have been taken over, as you reported yesterday.
Also one more thing normally skysports are first ones that give breaking news and they dont seem to say anything on mr syed.
I notice you keep ignoring the fact you know nothing
Stone Island
says...
6:53pm Sat 4 Sep 10
jack01
says...
2:50am Sun 5 Sep 10
I for one am sickened that the bbc are doing this using honest peoples licence fees, but i suppose the concept of a 'hidden agenda' springs to mind here.
hasslem hasslem
says...
8:44am Sun 5 Sep 10
Sox
says...
9:54am Sun 5 Sep 10
http://www.bbc.co.uk
/news/business-11163
004
jack01
says...
5:59pm Sun 5 Sep 10
hasslem hasslem wrote:Hmmm, what a remarkable coincidence that every other takeover in premier league history has taken place smoothly without people from the bbc going out and digging dirt.
what hidden agenda?
The bbc would have us believe that syed is some kind of fraudster on the run from the uk authorities, when the reality is the man controls a company worth hundreds of millions if not billions.
After some initial suspicion as to the motives of goldberg and his employers the latest installment in the 'discredit syed' campaign has confirmed to me that these people are intent on destroying syed's reputation. Hence why they have gone as far as finding a problem with the condition of mr syed's apartment, mailbox and other desperate findings that really don't prove anything to me other than the bbc have issues with this proposed takeover.
If goldberg carries out similar investigations into other premier league owners financial activities then i won't be as suspicious of the corporation, but i very much doubt such investigations as we are seeing at the moment will ever be repeated with any other football club. I'd like to know why.
rggraham1947
says...
7:49pm Sun 5 Sep 10
Iii1111 wrote:What? No Keith Newton, Mike England, Mike Ferguson? You have a short memory!
Bryan would be in any Rovers dream team.. . 1. Roger Jones 2.Henning Berg 3.Graeme Le Saux 4.Colin Hendry 5. Ronnie Clayton 6.Simon Barker 7.Bryan Douglas 8.Duncan Mackenzie 9. Alan Shearer 10.Chris Sutton 11.Diamen Duff
eddie the eagle
says...
9:32pm Sun 5 Sep 10
More Football stories
- Lowe: Rovers must stay up for town
- Slew scores in Blackburn Rovers reserve draw
- Yakubu is ‘bargain of season’
- Samba’s return to be delayed, reveals boss
- Businessman bids to set up fans’ trust Rovers takeover, but Venky’s insist they won’t sell
- Blackburn Rovers players to meet fans
- Kean hails Blackburn Rovers' first half display
- FULL TIME: Blackburn Rovers 3 QPR 2
- HALF TIME: Blackburn Rovers 3 QPR 0
- TEAM NEWS: Blackburn Rovers v QPR
OPEN MIND: Bryan Douglas
Most popular
Local Information
Enter your postcode, town or place name
phoebesgrandad says...
10:53am Sat 4 Sep 10