Espanyol

[123EasyasBFC]

Everyone’s entitled to their own opinions but I feel like Burnley are some little kids toys from last years birthday and soon or later they’ll be better and shinier new ones to play with and we’ll finish up like the dummies down the M65.

How JJ Watt interacts with fans has absolutely no baring on how successful the clubs are.

Everyone can have an opinion of what they think might happen. In your opinion what makes you think this?

To me the only way Espanyol becoming anywhere near bringing in the same money as Burnley do for finishing bottom of the premier league is by them qualifying for the champions league. They only just stayed up in la liga last season so it seems a stretch to suggest they will reach the champions league.

[ksrclaret]

I’m really pleased that there are people on here who just want JJ to have some fun, but I’m also pleased that there are people who are more suspicious of how the ownership operate.

A difference of opinion here is very healthy.

[Holmechapel]

How JJ Watt interacts with fans has absolutely no baring on how successful the clubs are.

Everyone can have an opinion of what they think might happen. In your opinion what makes you think this?

To me the only way Espanyol becoming anywhere near bringing in the same money as Burnley do for finishing bottom of the premier league is by them qualifying for the champions league. They only just stayed up in la liga last season so it seems a stretch to suggest they will reach the champions league.

And how do we know if we make a profit this season that the money isnt creamed off and re invested in Espanyol,or is that illegal?

[123EasyasBFC]

And how do we know if we make a profit this season that the money isnt creamed off and re invested in Espanyol,or is that illegal?

What does that have to do with JJ Watt going drinking with fans which is the post you initially replied to.

If we make profit and we have been successful then putting money back into Burnley to continuing the success is most likely, but what is the need in worrying and scaremongering on the back of one espanyol win?

[forzagranata]

Probably. He will probably have loads of fun doing it too.

JJ Watt is a great bloke, I've liked him for a lot longer than he's ever heard of Burnley, but if anyone thought there was anything more going on here than Watt being offered a chance to make some money by coming over and enjoying spending time in our town/football club then that's on them.

I've no doubt he is a great bloke - and he was a fantastic NFL player.

But it is still a bit cringe to wrap yourself in Claret and Blue and then decide to wrap yourself in Blue and White.

[NoFixedAbode_Claret]

Johnny Two Hats

[NewClaret]

It really is quite sad seeing Espanyol fans getting so excited online that JJ Watt wore an Espanyol scarf and drank a beer with them.

It's the exact same routine he did when he came into Burnley - just he was drinking on the street in Barcelona and not in the Royal Dyche. Many Burnley fans reacted in the same way.

How fake does this look? And when they buy another club and JJ turns up with a beer in hand - how fake will that look?

I've no problem with celebrity investors or necessarily with multi-club ownership (although there are many potential pitfalls) but I am not sure the 'celebrity fan minority owner' trend can be convincing in the multi-club set up.

If ALK buy a Polish club next is he going to turn up eating pierogi and downing a vodka with their fans?

Probably.

JJ’s role is to bring eyeballs to the club(s). He’ll repeat the trick with each club, learning from what works and what doesn’t.

I like him, he seems a nice, family guy. Intelligent and good experience of elite sport. I’m happy for him to be associated with BFC for a long time and I hope he’s successful in growing our appeal across the pond. He’s about as good an ambassador as you could hope for.

But he supports Burnley because he’s invested. It’s transactional and financially motivated. Surely everyone always knew that?

Anyone who gets upset about him having a beer with fans of another club he’s now invested in, in another country, in another league… just comes across like they didn’t understand that in the first place?

I don’t like MCO at all and I give zero ****s about Espanyol or whichever club is next, just Burnley FC, but I’m certainly not going to start suffering a sibling rivalry along the way. If he keeps promoting us he’s doing his job that he’s there to do, and that’s all I care about.

[Darnhill Claret]

Why should JJ treat Espanyol fans any different to how he treats Burnley fans??

[Holtyclaret]

It’s like when arrived at Burnley five years ago, no dramas whatsoever. They’ve got to get their personalities across and win hearts and minds.

Acting jealous about it is plain odd.

[forzagranata]

I'm certainly not jealous or anything like that.

But its cringe and reveals the fakeness of it all.

That's all.

[Holmechapel]

What does that have to do with JJ Watt going drinking with fans which is the post you initially replied to.

If we make profit and we have been successful then putting money back into Burnley to continuing the success is most likely, but what is the need in worrying and scaremongering on the back of one espanyol win?

The Op was about Espanyol not JJ Watt,might be being Xenophobic but find the all America “ have a nice day” smarminess doesn’t ring true and Pace permanently grinning from ear to ear a bit to cheesy,but each to their own and not going to get into an argument about it and hope in 5 yrs time I’m not saying I told you so.

[NewClaret]

Ah but who's income stream would he be using theirs in La Liga or ours from the Premier League?
The pressure will be really on for us to survive this season, will the board be as patient with Parker as they were with Kompany if we get off to a really sticky start....
Thing is they may have jumped the gun last night if the Spanish authorities don't approve the sale.

Well, that’s the big question and worrying element to the whole MCO model.

Given our experience, I’d say debt is the most likely approach, but I’m not sure if that’s allowed in Spain.

In a scenario where we stay in the Premier League, I can see the temptation for them to use BFC money to support investment in Espanyol. I think that’ll be tempting for them because I think £100m investment in them makes a much bigger impact than it would on us.

Conversely though, unlike some, I actually take some comfort in being part of a bigger group in the relegation scenario. I think then we maybe benefit, if not via financial support, by who we can offload and who we can maybe bring in from them on loan.

I was surprised they were there last night. Given the reported stricter financial regulations in Spain, they must feel very confident that whatever deal they’ve done will pass muster.

[NewClaret]

I'm certainly not jealous or anything like that.

But its cringe and reveals the fakeness of it all.

That's all.

But did you ever think it was real?

[Corway]

I’m pleased Espanyol did so well and got a stunning win. I see no conflict in Pace or Watt enjoying the fruits of their investments with both sets of fans. If we ever play a game against them I wonder which they would pick. Pace used the Glazier model for us and our money and assets his actual investment in us is probably very small.

He and his family surprisingly live here and were integrated into the community so well played for that. There was no doubting his and his wife’s commitment to the clubs success and let’s hope that continues.
It seems a different model has been needed for Espanyol. His loyalties are now divided so it will be interesting to see how that plays out with the new supporters group involved.

For those lauding the £100m investment Companies house records show £40m of that has come from a January debenture loan using the clubs assets as security with a charge placed on guarantors
Burnley FC Holdings
Burnley Football and Athletic Company
Burnley Womens FC
Longside Properties

By Fansara Capital

The lender (debenture holder) has the right to appoint an administrator to take control of the company if it defaults on the loan. This follows the lender calling in the loan for repayment.

The threat of appointing an administrator can often be enough to make a company repay the debt, or agree terms to repay it.

[123EasyasBFC]

I'm certainly not jealous or anything like that.

But its cringe and reveals the fakeness of it all.

That's all.

You come across extremely jealous and especially jealous of the JJ Watt situation, over the time JJ Watt has been involved with the club you have frequently thrown shade at what he’s said in interviews and what he’s been like. If you aren’t jealous or anything like that as you say, why does it bother you so much. It’s bothered you now for over 18 months.

[ashtonlongsider]

Charter Walk needs rebuilding, maybe the plan is to move us to the town centre, then we’ll show ‘em

How come you went if you don’t mind me asking? Did you go in Burnley gear? Just curious if fans recognised the shirts, etc.

I’ll tell you my take away from last night was how relatively easily Pace could elevate Espanyol right up that league. Tresor would make a real impact there, I think, for example. A lot easier than he’ll find doing here with Burnley.

It wasn't me that went NC, it was my son and grandchild, and no, neither of them went in club colours. However, unbelievably, the lad next to him in the stadium had a Burnley training top on. He sent me a photo as proof. Like you i've no doubt if and when AP finally acquires Espanyol they'll make an impact especially given the infrastructure available to them.

[claretonthecoast1882]

I’ve already done more than holding them to account on the internet I’ve joined BFCISA who I know number membership in the hundreds and growing rapidly. Groups of supporters properly organised and motivated by the right reasons can have a positive effect for club owners. Maybe you should also join from the coast.

Highly unlikely I will be joining. I have no idea of their intentions or needs, nor do I recognise the few names I have seen mentioned that are involved in it. For all I know it could be like the action group set up by those down the road when they decided they needed something similar due to not liking their owners. The ring leader as well as a figure who withdrew his club sponsorship then had their silence bought with a few free tickets.

What are these "right reasons" because at the minute it comes across a bit like the "I don't like the current owners group" This forum represents a very small percentage of Burnley fans. Membership in the 100s could mean what 200 people, yet there will be 20,000 at the match Saturday.

If they managed to achieve something such making sure that what happened this summer with the fans in the cricket field is handled a lot better next time then great but I am not someone who looks to find fault in anything the club does there are better things to do in life. Nobody I know has ever contacted asking if I am joining and by that I take it nobody has joined, it was certainly never mentioned at any stage on Saturday on the train to and from London or while in any pub. Granted there was probably 20 - 25 of us in total so again a small percentage of fans but I feel this group has nothing like a significant number.

If people involved genuinely wanted to improve things so everyone was happy then great but I don't get that feeling.

[Anonymous Claret]

Seeing JJ having a pint with the Espanyol fans or Pace posting from the stadium strangely makes their interaction’s with the Burnley fans feel somewhat disingenuous.

Yes, it's all theatre. Pace and Watt are nothing but actors.

[ClaretTony]

Highly unlikely I will be joining. I have no idea of their intentions or needs, nor do I recognise the few names I have seen mentioned that are involved in it. For all I know it could be like the action group set up by those down the road when they decided they needed something similar due to not liking their owners. The ring leader as well as a figure who withdrew his club sponsorship then had their silence bought with a few free tickets.

What are these "right reasons" because at the minute it comes across a bit like the "I don't like the current owners group" This forum represents a very small percentage of Burnley fans. Membership in the 100s could mean what 200 people, yet there will be 20,000 at the match Saturday.

If they managed to achieve something such making sure that what happened this summer with the fans in the cricket field is handled a lot better next time then great but I am not someone who looks to find fault in anything the club does there are better things to do in life. Nobody I know has ever contacted asking if I am joining and by that I take it nobody has joined, it was certainly never mentioned at any stage on Saturday on the train to and from London or while in any pub. Granted there was probably 20 - 25 of us in total so again a small percentage of fans but I feel this group has nothing like a significant number.

If people involved genuinely wanted to improve things so everyone was happy then great but I don't get that feeling.

So you haven't bothered to read anything about it, but your assumptions couldn't be further from the truth.

[Targetman]

I went to the stadium in June for the England game and yes its tidy and new but just reminded me of the soulless lego grounds we have in this country.
Give me a ground like the Turf that's part of the town and surrounded by pubs any day!

I was also there for the England game, as you say its a tidy looking stadium.

We were speaking with a couple of locals in a bar nearby before the game, they told us that the ground is only filled when they play Barcelona, they said even when they are at home to Real Madrid the ground isn't full.

[forzagranata]

Worth remembering that as of today, ALK/Velocity/Pace etc haven't actually completed the takeover of Espanyol.

The club is still in the hands of the Chinese owners while the Spanish sports ministry body (CSD) evaluate the takeover and issue an approval.

[BurnleyFC]

Looks like they’re getting one of our most promising youngsters and a player with genuine pace on loan for the rest of the season.

Great

[Pickles]

Looks like they’re getting one of our most promising youngsters and a player with genuine pace on loan for the rest of the season.

Great

Can think of a few reasons why people might be skeptical about the whole thing. I wouldn't count Espanyol taking Koleosho off us as one of them though.