ALK Capital or Farnell/Elkashashy takeover

[ClaretTony]

Tony you should know from my previous posting that I was being sarcastic

Sorry if I misinterpreted your post

[Claretmisterg]

We’ll have no trouble here.

[BurnleyFC]

as long as they don't get rid of Phil Bird

If we get some Yank commentators in we could celebrate some head goals.

[Steddyman]

Let's stop bickering. It's happening, accept it and move on.

Merry Christmas.

[Top Claret]

It's not done until its done

[Zlatan]

Sorry if I misinterpreted your post

Don’t worry CT, I also did that - never liked League of Gentlemen so I didn’t get the reference either - flipflop’s a nice chap though so I didn’t take it seriously

[gandhisflipflop]

Sorry if I misinterpreted your post

Maybe it’s my fault for not inserting a smiley

[dandeclaret]

Ah, the Orient game.

The only reference point we can use from our long and illustrious history.

The Orient game is as relevant as our glory years of the 60’s, but yet, we don’t refer to that period of time anywhere near as much.

Some fans really need to get with the times, and this small time, insular mentality does much to hold the club back.

Hopefully with this takeover, we will see real progression off the field, which 5 years in the Premier League should have already brought us.

As Bolton and Portsmouth amongst others have shown, an Orient episode is more likely than a period of a team like Burnley being competitive at the too end of the table.

As for progressing off the field, a new training ground, a category 1 academy, decent disabled facilities, and investment into the foundations of scouting and recruitment would say that’s pretty good progression. I sometimes wonder how Burnley fans lack context of just how well the club is doing, when we’re surrounded with the likes of Preston, Blackburn, Bradford, Bolton, Wigan etc.

[ClaretTony]

As Bolton and Portsmouth amongst others have shown, an Orient episode is more likely than a period of a team like Burnley being competitive at the too end of the table.

As for progressing off the field, a new training ground, a category 1 academy, decent disabled facilities, and investment into the foundations of scouting and recruitment would say that’s pretty good progression. I sometimes wonder how Burnley fans lack context of just how well the club is doing, when we’re surrounded with the likes of Preston, Blackburn, Bradford, Bolton, Wigan etc.

We are doing well, remarkably well but it’s how well we can keep doing with the finance we have. Everything you refer to is on the football side of the business which is clearly outstanding. I’d like to see someone come in and improve the commercial side of the club.

[Juan Tanamera]

Totally agree, it’s the same band of old duffer happy clappers who hate change.

Another old duffer here hurtling headlong towards his 70's and would love to see Rightwinger's list of the other old duffers.
Name and shame.

[Vegas Claret]

If we get some Yank commentators in we could celebrate some head goals.

one of the first times I heard an American commentate in the footy they called a corner a "side kick"...............it was also one of the last times I listened to an American commentator !

[Lord_Bob]

BurnleyFC wrote:
If we get some Yank commentators in we could celebrate some head goals.

Or some PKs - not that we ever get 'em.

[IanMcL]

Fingers crossed here.

[Stanbill05]

There are plenty of examples of something like this going badly wrong. I’m naturally cautious which has served me very well over the years, but hasn’t made me a billionaire. Taking risks can be good, but that is exactly what this is. Hopefully this thread doesn’t come back to haunt. I was always comfortable being the paupers/outsiders...knowing we’d be relegated eventually and be fine. Whatever happens, hope that’s still true. If we get another high in the process, even better.

[dandeclaret]

We are doing well, remarkably well but it’s how well we can keep doing with the finance we have. Everything you refer to is on the football side of the business which is clearly outstanding. I’d like to see someone come in and improve the commercial side of the club.

Yep - agree. Often though, businesses try to do too much, and they do loads of things averagely rather than focusing on some key bits and doing them really well. I hope that the club continue to identify the important things they want to do, and just continue to do it really well.

[boatshed bill]

We've done so well with local investors. i'm not sure that we'll be able to dramatically improve on what we already have.
i am a little concerned that we may lose our identity and our links with the local community.

[ClaretTony]

We've done so well with local investors. i'm not sure that we'll be able to dramatically improve on what we already have.
i am a little concerned that we may lose our identity and our links with the local community.

Why would we lose our indenty? As it stands we have our owners wanting to sell up which is their right. If we can’t improve on what we have then we will just eventually slide back down because there is no investment coming in.

[boatshed bill]

Why would we lose our indenty? As it stands we have our owners wanting to sell up which is their right. If we can’t improve on what we have then we will just eventually slide back down because there is no investment coming in.

I guess it all depends on the attitude of the owners. I've been really impressed by the club's work in the community under the current chairman.
Incidentally, why is he selling up? Has he had enough? Does he see selling to a foreign investor as a step forward for the club?
Genuine questions, I have no idea of what is happening, or what might happen

[ClaretTony]

I guess it all depends on the attitude of the owners. I've been really impressed by the club's work in the community under the current chairman.
Incidentally, why is he selling up? Has he had enough? Does he see selling to a foreign investor as a step forward for the club?
Genuine questions, I have no idea of what is happening, or what might happen

The work in the community has nothing to do with the current chairman. He’s not involved in that.

Why is he selling up? He’s a businessman and will maybe potentially see this as the optimum time to sell.

[boatshed bill]

The work in the community has nothing to do with the current chairman. He’s not involved in that.

Why is he selling up? He’s a businessman and will maybe potentially see this as the optimum time to sell.

OK.

Do you see him differently to Barry Kilby?

[ClaretTony]

OK.

Do you see him differently to Barry Kilby?

I can’t imagine two people more different

[boatshed bill]

I can’t imagine two people more different

OK. Fair enough.
I do get the impression hat Mr Garlick is not "flavour of the month"

[KRBFC]

I know Garlick and the club always liked the “one club, local” bla bla bla but it never felt that way at all, the communication has always been terrible, I never saw any initiatives for fans, it’s always felt like Garlick has simply treat us as customers.

Empty seats that could’ve been used for local under privileged children, one area I want to see ALK work on is capturing the attention of the non white local market, initiatives to get the whole town involved.

Also why are fans badly overcharged in the ground for food and drink? I’d assume the club are well connected to food and drink suppliers yet fans are paying double the price in the ground unless they buy outside (more lost revenue)

[clarethomer]

Also why are fans badly overcharged in the ground for food and drink? I’d assume the club are well connected to food and drink suppliers yet fans are paying double the price in the ground unless they buy outside (more lost revenue)

This is a local fiction. Our in-ground costs are not out of sync with other in-ground costs. Yes they are not supermarket prices but equally there is nothing stopping people taking food into the ground either.

This narrative is funny to read at times but commercially is probably aligned to make a profit given the circumstances they operate. I.E - a supermarket operates 100+hrs a week versus a venue that operates sub 10hrs every 2 weeks. You can't offset fixed costs in the same way.

Nobody forces people to buy in the ground.

[Burnley1989]

The prices are fine, in fact low in comparison to other grounds or venues. I don’t think the prices reflect the area but it is what it is. I go to my office in Gloucester and moan about Peroni being £5.50 when it’s under £4 in Burnley and they all laugh at me

[KRBFC]

This is a local fiction. Our in-ground costs are not out of sync with other in-ground costs. Yes they are not supermarket prices but equally there is nothing stopping people taking food into the ground either.

This narrative is funny to read at times but commercially is probably aligned to make a profit given the circumstances they operate. I.E - a supermarket operates 100+hrs a week versus a venue that operates sub 10hrs every 2 weeks. You can't offset fixed costs in the same way.

Nobody forces people to buy in the ground.

Is the margin the most important thing or not overcharging fans of a “one club, local” team in an incredibly poor town? I’m fine with running to maximise profit but it comes across as hypocritical when MG is trotting out the one club stuff.

[Grumps]

Is the margin the most important thing or not overcharging fans of a “one club, local” team in an incredibly poor town? I’m fine with running to maximise profit but it comes across as hypocritical when MG is trotting out the one club stuff.

Name me a Premier league club with cheaper on ground food or drink..

[dandeclaret]

I know Garlick and the club always liked the “one club, local” bla bla bla but it never felt that way at all, the communication has always been terrible, I never saw any initiatives for fans, it’s always felt like Garlick has simply treat us as customers.

Empty seats that could’ve been used for local under privileged children, one area I want to see ALK work on is capturing the attention of the non white local market, initiatives to get the whole town involved.

Also why are fans badly overcharged in the ground for food and drink? I’d assume the club are well connected to food and drink suppliers yet fans are paying double the price in the ground unless they buy outside (more lost revenue)

Aren't our tickets constantly the cheapest in the league? Haven't they been frozen for years? I suppose they could have put those up 5-10% Per year, and then given back through amazing initiatives, like free coaches to Newcastle for one game.

[KRBFC]

Name me a Premier league club with cheaper on ground food or drink..

Ours should be the cheapest by a long way, given our location, attendances and the absolute crap they sell.

[boatshed bill]

Ours should be the cheapest by a long way, given our location, attendances and the absolute crap they sell.

Food at the ground has to be about as unimportant as it gets. Just don't buy it

[dandeclaret]

Seems some fans want it every way up..... want investment in more players, but prices for what THEY pay has to be cheap, because it's Burnley.

It doesn't work like that, and if the new owners decide to "Maximise Commercial Opportunities", then expect ticket prices, offering of food and drink - and their prices" all to become a part of that opportunity, along with the corporate stuff and sponsorship opportunities (they may find even more sponsors that are disliked).

[Red Fox Rocks Socks]

Seems some fans want it every way up..... want investment in more players, but prices for what THEY pay has to be cheap, because it's Burnley.

It doesn't work like that, and if the new owners decide to "Maximise Commercial Opportunities", then expect ticket prices, offering of food and drink - and their prices" all to become a part of that opportunity, along with the corporate stuff and sponsorship opportunities (they may find even more sponsors that are disliked).

Stan put it best. Some fans want champagne tastes on beer money

[ClaretTony]

Is the margin the most important thing or not overcharging fans of a “one club, local” team in an incredibly poor town? I’m fine with running to maximise profit but it comes across as hypocritical when MG is trotting out the one club stuff.

The One Club For All stuff comes from Hart. He used it with the community and brought it across.

[Spijed]

Seems some fans want it every way up..... want investment in more players, but prices for what THEY pay has to be cheap, because it's Burnley.

It doesn't work like that, and if the new owners decide to "Maximise Commercial Opportunities", then expect ticket prices, offering of food and drink - and their prices" all to become a part of that opportunity, along with the corporate stuff and sponsorship opportunities (they may find even more sponsors that are disliked).

A friend of mine supports Spurs and they pay nearly £900 for a season ticket.

[TsarBomba]

Food at the ground has to be about as unimportant as it gets. Just don't buy it

Not as easy as that though, is it?

I live 5 hours away. And I’ve been late for a number of games over the past 10+ years, sometimes travelling up straight after a shift.

I rocked up at the demolition of Notts Forest in 2009 at HT, and had no choice but to buy something on the Turf.

The selection is poor and definitely overpriced for what it is. I would have no issue paying more for better selection/quality, which really shouldn’t be difficult considering the fantastic local produce available to Burnley.

Like it or not, the modern football fan and family of four want and expect an experience more in line with Spurs than us. Bars, street food, live entertainment, there’s so much more we can do to entice punters to spend money at the Turf and increase revenue.

And still we have this mentality that a warm,flat beer and a boiling hot pie that burns your mouth suffices.

[KRBFC]

Not as easy as that though, is it?

I live 5 hours away. And I’ve been late for a number of games over the past 10+ years, sometimes travelling up straight after a shift.

I rocked up at the demolition of Notts Forest in 2009 at HT, and had no choice but to buy something on the Turf.

The selection is poor and definitely overpriced for what it is. I would have no issue paying more for better selection/quality, which really shouldn’t be difficult considering the fantastic local produce available to Burnley.

Like it or not, the modern football fan and family of four want and expect an experience more in line with Spurs than us. Bars, street food, live entertainment, there’s so much more we can do to entice punters to spend money at the Turf and increase revenue.

And still we have this mentality that a warm,flat beer and a boiling hot pie that burns your mouth suffices.

Absolutely, the cost isn’t the problem if the selection/quality is better.

[Zlatan]

Absolutely, the cost isn’t the problem if the selection/quality is better.

Definitely this. The pies at other grounds are far superior for a similar price. And the type of food on offer is also varied too.

[Danieljwaterhouse]

This is a local fiction. Our in-ground costs are not out of sync with other in-ground costs. Yes they are not supermarket prices but equally there is nothing stopping people taking food into the ground either.

This narrative is funny to read at times but commercially is probably aligned to make a profit given the circumstances they operate. I.E - a supermarket operates 100+hrs a week versus a venue that operates sub 10hrs every 2 weeks. You can't offset fixed costs in the same way.

Nobody forces people to buy in the ground.

So many on here have no idea about business, but bemoan EVERY goddamn thing the club does!

[Danieljwaterhouse]

Or alternatively, the naivety of some fans is astonishing.. I truly hope my cynicism is unfounded, but you'll pardon me if I judge this one on outcomes.

It’s a small football business, you simply cannot asset strip a club the size of Burnley even with its various assets. If you put this as an investment strategy to your potential investors, you’d be laughed out of the room, building and into the street.

The initial plans that have been outlined by those who have access to the bid further dispel this. Add the access they want to the wider economic powerhouse then give me a reason, any reason that they’d asset strip?!

[Danieljwaterhouse]

You need to understand that a lot of us older Clarets still remember the horrendous times leading to the Orient game and the dangers that are always present when ambitious plans go wrong, perhaps our attitude has held the club back but Barry Kilby, and the current chairman ensured we were stable and never in danger of getting into serious trouble. If BK in particular give the new owners his blessing that will do for me.

There are safeguards built into the premier league structure that make it almost impossible for cowboys to get their hands on a club in that league. Hence why there’s so many in the Championship that happen.

As I’ve said and we should all know, the Premier-league is a entertainment business first and it will do all it can to protect that.

[ClaretTony]

And still we have this mentality that a warm,flat beer and a boiling hot pie that burns your mouth suffices.

That sums it up for me. Really poor choice and those black based pies

[Danieljwaterhouse]

Daniel, I'm not sure you can call Fatboy and others comments abhorrent ("disgusting, repugnant"). There are so many people really concerned about this. The lack of any meaningful benefactors names, delays, that they appear to be American (with 200 years of shafting foreigners for personal financial greed).
I don't think it's disgusting that people are worried, or sceptical, especially after the delays.
Others have commented on delays '& silence of board.
1. takeovers are sensitive, we all get that bit.
2. delays /' silence suggest to me there are financial / ethical / other worries from the board, which worries me.

hopefully you won't find this opinion disgusting or repugnant, I really hope the Mr Pace is upping his bid, getting together a lot of nice investors to pump in £500 million into the squad, whilst promising to keep the wage bill capped, looking to appoint an expert board of people who know football and invest in grassroots and Burnley women's football.

I could well be an investor, I could have invested 2 million of my personal fortune. I see it as a sound financial strategy worth the risk against a future return/reward.

Would I tell you? Likely not. Does that by default make me an devious asset stripper? Absolutely not.

[bfcjg]

That sums it up for me. Really poor choice and those black based pies

Come on Tony, black pies matter

[fatboy47]

By all means judge this situation on the masses of rumour, speculation, and patchy information that's being splurged around......but as I said, I'll judge it on outcomes.

I sincerely hope your obvious optimism is well founded.


Edit.... In reply to DJW

[Vegas Claret]

I could well be an investor, I could have invested 2 million of my personal fortune. I see it as a sound financial strategy worth the risk against a future return/reward.

Would I tell you? Likely not. Does that by default make me an devious asset stripper? Absolutely not.

lend me a tenner

[WalkdenClaret]

I could well be an investor, I could have invested 2 million of my personal fortune. I see it as a sound financial strategy worth the risk against a future return/reward.

Would I tell you? Likely not. Does that by default make me an devious asset stripper? Absolutely not.

Thanks Daniel, good luck if you are. I posted about your use of the the word abhorrent to describe people who concerns about lack of investor info and delays.

Many people link my comments with a local ownership obsession. I've used the word twice, and I'll repeat, I personally would be happy to see Burnley receive investment from anyone, so long as they're personally rich and happy to risk a bob or two (although I am very wary of Americans, but see that some are doing well for clubs, Elliot Management Corp at AC Milan). Similarly, (B@stards praise warning !) I think the long view of Venky's has been largely successful apart from some pretty big, early mis-steps.

[CrosspoolClarets]

Like it or not, the modern football fan and family of four want and expect an experience more in line with Spurs than us. Bars, street food, live entertainment, there’s so much more we can do to entice punters to spend money at the Turf and increase revenue.

And still we have this mentality that a warm,flat beer and a boiling hot pie that burns your mouth suffices.

Last year I went to San Francisco Giants baseball. The variety and quality of food, drink and merchandise inside the ground was unbelievable. I felt envious of the locals at the thought of coming back to the Turf after that (not the quality of the sport, the rest of it). It was such a good family day out by comparison.

The irony of it is that food in general is so much better quality in the UK compared to the US. But for our sport and leisure it is terrible - football grounds, theatres, cinemas. All very poor. Most just serving fast food, sugary soft drinks and cheap beer.

It isn’t impossible to change, but enough fans would have to demand it for it to happen.

[NewClaret]

Last year I went to San Francisco Giants baseball. The variety and quality of food, drink and merchandise inside the ground was unbelievable. I felt envious of the locals at the thought of coming back to the Turf after that (not the quality of the sport, the rest of it). It was such a good family day out by comparison.

The irony of it is that food in general is so much better quality in the UK compared to the US. But for our sport and leisure it is terrible - football grounds, theatres, cinemas. All very poor. Most just serving fast food, sugary soft drinks and cheap beer.

It isn’t impossible to change, but enough fans would have to demand it for it to happen.

Totally agree. The whole “Matchday” experience is terrible. Not just here but most other football clubs too. Stuck in the 90’s. Needs a huge modernisation and wouldn’t be particularly expensive/ difficult to achieve. Hope ALK pick up on that.

[dsr]

Last year I went to San Francisco Giants baseball. The variety and quality of food, drink and merchandise inside the ground was unbelievable. I felt envious of the locals at the thought of coming back to the Turf after that (not the quality of the sport, the rest of it). It was such a good family day out by comparison.

The irony of it is that food in general is so much better quality in the UK compared to the US. But for our sport and leisure it is terrible - football grounds, theatres, cinemas. All very poor. Most just serving fast food, sugary soft drinks and cheap beer.

It isn’t impossible to change, but enough fans would have to demand it for it to happen.

San Francisco Giants have the advantage that they budget for 100,000 people with a nine hour total buying period over 3 days. We have 20,000 people for less than an hour buying period, with perhaps no game for a fortnight.

[Targetman]

I could well be an investor, I could have invested 2 million of my personal fortune. I see it as a sound financial strategy worth the risk against a future return/reward.

Would I tell you? Likely not. Does that by default make me an devious asset stripper? Absolutely not.

If you are thinking of investing 2 million of your personal fortune I would seriously consider ditching your "insider information contact" for someone who could offer much better advice regarding the club's financial strategies.

2 million is a lot to risk Daniel.