ALK Capital or Farnell/Elkashashy takeover

DCWat · Post by **DCWat** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 4:42 pm

Were they not the preferred choice of McCabe and was this not a reason for his fall out with the co chairman / owner, or have I made that up?

Chester Perry · Post by **Chester Perry** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 4:42 pm

ALK are the type of Private Equity business that I have been posting about most of the year on the MMT thread - you may consider given their technology ownership that they see Burnley as a perfect vehicle for vertical integration and proving of their technology - much in the same way as operates at Brentford and Brighton - the difference being that the owners of Brentford and Brighton are life-long fans of their clubs.

I am naturally cautious when it comes to our club, like many - for now I am going to look to look into the experience and Real Salt Lake to see if I can learn anything

Steddyman · Post by **Steddyman** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 4:43 pm

From this quote on their website, Burnley seems like ideal club for them given our investment and achievements in community engagement:

'Businesses are built-in communities and serve as a way to improve the people and facilities around them. ALK holds and invests in companies with strong commitments to communities and looks to weave their investments even further into the fabric of the community.'

Chester Perry · Post by **Chester Perry** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 4:44 pm

Vegas Claret wrote: ↑
Wed Sep 23, 2020 4:39 pm
does anyone know why they failed in their pursuit of Sheff Utd ?

Easy - McCabe lost the court case of ownership

lucs86 · Post by **lucs86** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 4:44 pm

BenWickes wrote: ↑
Wed Sep 23, 2020 4:38 pm
From what I've heard they want to invest in the local and wider (NW) region. Hence the council meetings.

In what way? In other football teams, other sports?

CrosspoolClarets · Post by **CrosspoolClarets** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 4:46 pm

Alan Pace is very big on technology in football, so I would expect data driven analytics to become even more high profile and in the Covid-19 era that may be the way forward, let us be honest our scouting recently has been 2 out of 10, tops. Dyche would seem to fit right in with this way of thinking.

He has apparently been trying to buy a Premier League club for at least 18 months and narrowly failed to buy the Blades last year. I say him, but I don’t know if he would be the “owner” or a front man for an investor group.

Personally, we are hanging on by our fingertips at the moment, a deal like this could give us another ten years at the top table. It may not, but the way I see it, we have nothing to lose.

Vegas Claret · Post by **Vegas Claret** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 4:49 pm

CrosspoolClarets wrote: ↑
Wed Sep 23, 2020 4:46 pm
Alan Pace is very big on technology in football, so I would expect data driven analytics to become even more high profile and in the Covid-19 era that may be the way forward, let us be honest our scouting recently has been 2 out of 10, tops. Dyche would seem to fit right in with this way of thinking.

He has apparently been trying to buy a Premier League club for at least 18 months and narrowly failed to buy the Blades last year. I say him, but I don’t know if he would be the “owner” or a front man for an investor group.

Personally, we are hanging on by our fingertips at the moment, a deal like this could give us another ten years at the top table. It may not, but the way I see it, we have nothing to lose.

yeah he is the guy behind AIscout

Leisure · Post by **Leisure** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 4:51 pm

jrgbfc wrote: ↑
Wed Sep 23, 2020 4:40 pm
As others have pointed out, a company like this would be getting involved to try and make money out of the club. They certainly wouldn't care too much about the long term future of Burnley FC, which worries me a bit.

But they will only benefit financially if the club is successful!

Vegas Claret · Post by **Vegas Claret** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 4:51 pm

my only fear in any of this is that they takeover and say "we want our own man to manage the team" and they get rid of Dyche in some grand statement and bring in someone like Zola !!! That would be suicide for them to do that

ClaretMov · Post by **ClaretMov** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 4:52 pm

If it improves the club and moves us forward I'd welcome anything.

BenWickes · Post by **BenWickes** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 4:53 pm

lucs86 wrote: ↑
Wed Sep 23, 2020 4:44 pm
In what way? In other football teams, other sports?

Don't think they can invest in another club, could be wrong on that. From what I know which is the very basics. They sought meetings with local and county council authorities a good while ago now about their plans after initial talks with BFC. One would assume some sort of involvement in other business. I'm not au fait with it other than knowing the night before the Blades game that those meetings had been fruitful and an announcement was due soon. I was told that the night before the Blades game and posted as such. An announcement was made about eToro and Dafabet but was informed that wasn't the announcement. It's all on the Sheff Utd match thread. From what I gather, Greater Manchester and the NW is attractive. That's all I know.

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 4:54 pm

Vegas Claret wrote: ↑
Wed Sep 23, 2020 4:39 pm
does anyone know why they failed in their pursuit of Sheff Utd ?

Would have been very difficult buying them given the problems with the then two joint owners

Vegas Claret · Post by **Vegas Claret** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 4:55 pm

jrgbfc wrote: ↑
Wed Sep 23, 2020 4:40 pm
As others have pointed out, a company like this would be getting involved to try and make money out of the club. They certainly wouldn't care too much about the long term future of Burnley FC, which worries me a bit.

Investment companies are exactly what it says on the tin - they invest for success then sell for a higher value. I would much rather be run by an investment firm with a serious business plan than some random rich bloke who could get bored at any moment - that's when you see the major issues.

Firthy · Post by **Firthy** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 4:55 pm

I don't think the club would be in danger of losing it's identity, other clubs with backers haven't. If we are to progress and become more successful then yes we do need backers, the biggest worry is how much say they'd have in the running of the club, the manager we have and any future signings.

Vegas Claret · Post by **Vegas Claret** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 4:55 pm

ClaretTony wrote: ↑
Wed Sep 23, 2020 4:54 pm
Would have been very difficult buying them given the problems with the then two joint owners

yeah I was just reading about it, not something I had previously paid much attention too.

What are you thoughts CT, investment required at this stage ?

Burnleyareback2 · Post by **Burnleyareback2** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 4:57 pm

Investment isn’t something I have demanded either.

My concern from any investor is how do they make a profit out of a club like Burnley?

Land we own isn’t valuable, we won’t get 50k a week on the gate. So how do you make the sort of profit needed to attract an investor?

Examples of how this can go wrong exist further down the M65

Leisure · Post by **Leisure** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 4:57 pm

Vegas Claret wrote: ↑
Wed Sep 23, 2020 4:51 pm
my only fear in any of this is that they takeover and say "we want our own man to manage the team" and they get rid of Dyche in some grand statement and bring in someone like Zola !!! That would be suicide for them to do that

So they're highly unlikely to do it!

Vegas Claret · Post by **Vegas Claret** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 5:00 pm

Leisure wrote: ↑
Wed Sep 23, 2020 4:57 pm
So they're highly unlikely to do it!

I agree !! But let me have one irrational fear Leisure !!

Steve-Harpers-perm · Post by **Steve-Harpers-perm** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 5:01 pm

Spend all summer moaning about lack of investment now start moaning about potential investment! This forum never disappoints!

warksclaret · Post by **warksclaret** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 5:01 pm

Would Garlick remain on the Board-thats important to most fans. We definitely need the prospect of investment-we have been running on EMPTY too long, luckily we have had a good driver

Vegas Claret · Post by **Vegas Claret** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 5:02 pm

Burnleyareback2 wrote: ↑
Wed Sep 23, 2020 4:57 pm
Investment isn’t something I have demanded either.

My concern from any investor is how do they make a profit out of a club like Burnley?

Land we own isn’t valuable, we won’t get 50k a week on the gate. So how do you make the sort of profit needed to attract an investor?

Examples of how this can go wrong exist further down the M65

not really, they knew nothing about football, potted all the people that did and brought in their own superstar Shebby !!

These guys are specifically sport investors, the guy heading it up is Alan Pace......have a read of this, they know about football !!

https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/alk- ... ayer-lens/

Spijed · Post by **Spijed** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 5:03 pm

When Venky's took over Rovers they got rid of Big Sam....

And appointed Steve Kean...

That worked out well for them!

SGr · Post by **SGr** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 5:04 pm

Vegas Claret wrote: ↑
Wed Sep 23, 2020 5:02 pm
not really, they knew nothing about football, potted all the people that did and brought in their own superstar Shebby !!

These guys are specifically sport investors, the guy heading it up is Alan Pace......have a read of this, they know about football !!

https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/alk- ... ayer-lens/

Definite hints of a bit of moneyball with that scouting platform. Not necessarily a criticism from me, I’ve felt for a while the only way we can keep our heads above water financially in this division is through player trading.

Darthlaw · Post by **Darthlaw** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 5:04 pm

Would certainly test Dyche’s prevalence for the correct mentality in his footballers. Such a company with ties into this scouting software would no doubt want to prove concept of their system, no doubt acquiring players for Dyche to fit into a team.

I could see Dyche walking as his control is weakened.

claretblue · Post by **claretblue** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 5:05 pm

Vegas Claret wrote: ↑
Wed Sep 23, 2020 4:51 pm
and they get rid of Dyche in some grand statement and bring in someone like Zola !!!

no one would be daft enough to that!

snapcrackleandpop · Post by **snapcrackleandpop** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 5:05 pm

Spijed wrote: ↑
Wed Sep 23, 2020 4:10 pm
Likewise. You only have to look at Villa and Fulham to see that big investments are no guarantee of success.

But we have a far superior manager.

BenWickes · Post by **BenWickes** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 5:07 pm

Burnleyareback2 wrote: ↑
Wed Sep 23, 2020 4:57 pm
Investment isn’t something I have demanded either.

My concern from any investor is how do they make a profit out of a club like Burnley?

Land we own isn’t valuable, we won’t get 50k a week on the gate. So how do you make the sort of profit needed to attract an investor?

Examples of how this can go wrong exist further down the M65

From what I understand. We're a low risk investment. They're looking to invest in the surrounding area. Your main concern may be Turf Moor rather than the investment part.

rufus lumley · Post by **rufus lumley** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 5:07 pm

You mean agent Keane.

Gordaleman · Post by **Gordaleman** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 5:09 pm

martin_p wrote: ↑
Wed Sep 23, 2020 4:32 pm
Not really, it’s the type of company that is potentially taking over that gives me the worries and that’s out in the open so worthy of comment. If this was someone how had an interest in football and specifically Burnley Football Club rather than just making money then I’d be happier.

Well I wouldn't worry too much yet as it's unlikely to happen any time soon. This company will want overall control and Mike Garlick has always said that the current board would only consider a takeover for less than 50%.

Vegas Claret · Post by **Vegas Claret** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 5:10 pm

SGr wrote: ↑
Wed Sep 23, 2020 5:04 pm
Definite hints of a bit of moneyball with that scouting platform. Not necessarily a criticism from me, I’ve felt for a while the only way we can keep our heads above water financially in this division is through player trading.

and that is how they will make their money, put the value of the club up and then probably sell it once we've won the league

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 5:10 pm

Vegas Claret wrote: ↑
Wed Sep 23, 2020 4:55 pm
yeah I was just reading about it, not something I had previously paid much attention too.

What are you thoughts CT, investment required at this stage ?

Mixed feelings I would say. I'm a fan of almost 60 years (article ready next month) but I can see the problems we have without investment. It's all about getting the right investment. I do think though that it is now obvious to everyone that all is not well at the club.

DCWat · Post by **DCWat** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 5:10 pm

Darthlaw wrote: ↑
Wed Sep 23, 2020 5:04 pm
Would certainly test Dyche’s prevalence for the correct mentality in his footballers. Such a company with ties into this scouting software would no doubt want to prove concept of their system, no doubt acquiring players for Dyche to fit into a team.

I could see Dyche walking as his control is weakened.

Could scouting software not also include profiles of the individuals themselves?

Spiral · Post by **Spiral** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 5:13 pm

People can't truly believe in their community 'aspirations', can they? I mean, come on. Don't roll over for money making f.uckers so easily. Have a bit more self respect than that. Receive their money if you will, but don't be so gullible as to believe they actually give a pi$$ about the place. Council meetings? Ha! Box ticking exercise.

Leisure · Post by **Leisure** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 5:15 pm

Vegas Claret wrote: ↑
Wed Sep 23, 2020 5:10 pm
and that is how they will make their money, put the value of the club up and then probably sell it once we've won the league

and the Champions League!

Darthlaw · Post by **Darthlaw** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 5:16 pm

DCWat wrote: ↑
Wed Sep 23, 2020 5:10 pm
Could scouting software not also include profiles of the individuals themselves?

Sure.

The question arises when you have a bit of a rogue who has good stats / potential. A scouting firm will want to show they can unearth the next gem for proof of concept and/or to sell on for a profit.

The interest of the ownership could easily override that of the managers desire to prove their product.

Imagine someone like Ravel Morrison earlier in his career, though.

It’s not unreasonable to suggest Dyche could bring them in line (like Barton), but whether he’d be happy to relinquish that control? Who knows.

BenWickes · Post by **BenWickes** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 5:17 pm

Spiral wrote: ↑
Wed Sep 23, 2020 5:13 pm
People can't truly believe in their community 'aspirations', can they? I mean, come on. Don't roll over for money making f.uckers so easily. Have a bit more self respect than that. Receive their money if you will, but don't be so gullible as to believe they actually give a pi$$ about the place. Council meetings? Ha! Box ticking exercise.

It's called due diligence and was at the request of BFC. They may/may not care about the local community but they still have to persuade parties, not just BFC about their intentions.

scouseclaret · Post by **scouseclaret** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 5:17 pm

Natural to be sceptical about their motivations, but ultimately they'll only make money by making the club more successful.

If the plan is to use the club as a showcase for their AI scouting systems and bring through undiscovered talent, then that would seem to fit very well with the identity of the club. I imagine its something that SD might find appealing as well.

SGr · Post by **SGr** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 5:17 pm

Comparisons with Fulham and Villa are unrealistic if we’re assuming this lot are in it for the money, as opposed to status.

jedi_master · Post by **jedi_master** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 5:18 pm

If this comes through....

Hiya Kieran Trippier, how you doing?

Chester Perry · Post by **Chester Perry** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 5:18 pm

DCWat wrote: ↑
Wed Sep 23, 2020 5:10 pm
Could scouting software not also include profiles of the individuals themselves?

Their are already legal cases going on around GDPR and players not being paid for the data that has been collated and used on them (there is a belief it is in a similar context to image rights)

Danieljwaterhouse · Post by **Danieljwaterhouse** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 5:20 pm

I should rise above it, I should be the bigger person, and I shouldn’t bask in the disappointment of those who belittle, BUT now it’s in the media.....

I’ll start taking apologies....

Paul Waine · Post by **Paul Waine** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 5:21 pm

Burnleyareback2 wrote: ↑
Wed Sep 23, 2020 4:57 pm
Investment isn’t something I have demanded either.

My concern from any investor is how do they make a profit out of a club like Burnley?

Land we own isn’t valuable, we won’t get 50k a week on the gate. So how do you make the sort of profit needed to attract an investor?

Examples of how this can go wrong exist further down the M65

Let's start by saying until a few minutes ago I'd never heard of ALK Capital or Alan Pace. However, this investment can make sense for everyone. From ALK's angle they will make their money in the opportunities that arise in the Northern Powerhouse. Ownership of Burnley will be part of the "facilitation" of their presence in the area. Who knows, it might be the start of building a Ribble Silicon Valley - there's lots on here who have already got the ability to use a key board, maybe add to programming skills and creative skills and the Weavers' Triangle of Burnley will start to dominate the digital world.

From his LinkedIn profile, Alan Pace studied for his MBA in Barcelona in the early 90s - and was introduced to the "beautiful game" at the Nou Camp. His investment banking experience, with Lehman Bros, 1994-2006 and Citi, 2008-2019, will be an asset, not just for leading ownership of BFC, but also for investment in the Northern Powerhouse. (His business experience isn't a "million miles" away from Mike Garlick's and John B's).

I hope this comes off for Mike Garlick and John B and all of Burnley Football Club, including Sean Dyche, the players and the fans. It will make everything that little bit more exciting watching the Millwall game this evening.

UTC

ŽižkovClaret · Post by **ŽižkovClaret** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 5:21 pm

We need investment to maintain our current level, nevermind move onwards.

I can see how, with our newly minted Cat 1 Academy, we would be looked at as an ideal breeding ground for the development of talent they can identify. We have a track record in McNeil of taking undervalued players and turning them into one of the top young EPL talents.

Chester Perry · Post by **Chester Perry** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 5:22 pm

SGr wrote: ↑
Wed Sep 23, 2020 5:04 pm
Definite hints of a bit of moneyball with that scouting platform. Not necessarily a criticism from me, I’ve felt for a while the only way we can keep our heads above water financially in this division is through player trading.

There is a significant opinion in the analytics sphere that Burnley are very good at it, if a little out of the norm in what they do (a necessity for it's size and budget), a club with that kind of reputation would be a good partner for what ALK does with it's technology development

ŽižkovClaret · Post by **ŽižkovClaret** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 5:25 pm

Chester Perry wrote: ↑
Wed Sep 23, 2020 5:22 pm
There is a significant opinion in the analytics sphere that Burnley are very good at it, if a little out of the norm in what they do (a necessity for it's size and budget), a club with that kind of reputation would be a good partner for what ALK does with it's technology development

We are open to it, at the least, which somewhat belies the stereotypical view of the town.

Just imagine what the board thought, even more than what we believed, when that bloody banner went over the Etihad with this in mind

Darthlaw · Post by **Darthlaw** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 5:26 pm

Paul Waine wrote: ↑
Wed Sep 23, 2020 5:21 pm
His investment banking experience, with Lehman Bros, 1994-2006

I hope he wasn’t anything to do with mortgages

BenWickes · Post by **BenWickes** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 5:28 pm

Danieljwaterhouse wrote: ↑
Wed Sep 23, 2020 5:20 pm
I should rise above it, I should be the bigger person, and I shouldn’t bask in the disappointment of those who belittle, BUT now it’s in the media.....

I’ll start taking apologies....

Can you clarify you didn't text me last week during the Sheff Utd game Daniel

People on that thread seem to think we know each other. We just seem to have information from different fields that correlates.

JohnMac · Post by **JohnMac** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 5:31 pm

The Board under Mike Garlick, together with the playing and admin team have been fantastic and put the Club in a position many of us thought to be impossible.

The uncertainty of future income streams and paucity of our Board compared to many of puts us in a position where we may no longer be able to sustain a Premier League club without significant outside investment.

I also fear relegation under current conditions would leave us unable to mount another promotion campaign because of financial restrictions.

Paul Waine · Post by **Paul Waine** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 5:32 pm

warksclaret wrote: ↑
Wed Sep 23, 2020 5:01 pm
Would Garlick remain on the Board-thats important to most fans. We definitely need the prospect of investment-we have been running on EMPTY too long, luckily we have had a good driver

Mike G owns 49.x% and John B owns 28.x% - just under 80% between them. I'd assume it depends on the shape of the deal for everyone. Maybe ALK buys out all the 20% shareholders, and also buys a further 60% from Mike G and John B, leaving them with 20% between them. If that is the case, MG (and JB) could both remain on the board. Or, maybe one of both feel it's time for them to hand over to the new owners, with ALK bringing in other investors.

Exciting times for Burnley.

Chester Perry · Post by **Chester Perry** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 5:34 pm

ZizkovClaret wrote: ↑
Wed Sep 23, 2020 5:25 pm
We are open to it, at the least, which somewhat belies the stereotypical view of the town.

Just imagine what the board thought, even more than what we believed, when that bloody banner went over the Etihad with this in mind

That initial 24 hours from when it occurred probably did more to improve the image/standing of the club around the world than much of our time in the Premier League, particularly our captain.