Thats my team because?

[caller]

Bates nearly ruined the club but got lucky, Chelsea fans in the main will only love him though. Fair enough in the end I guess, the way it worked out.

I don't think there's too much wrong with what you wrote. I'm not sure Bates got lucky as such though, but yes, he had over-extended and a potentially difficult period was facing the club.

Bates always understood that a club that had top facilities, potential external earnings (the hotels, banqueting etc), that was on a prime site, nearest to the centre of the right parts of London was always going to be an attractive proposition for an investor.

But yes, we got lucky with who it turned out to be, that he bought it lock, stock and barrel and removed it from the market it was listed on.

I'm not aware of the technicalities, but his loans/grants have been formalised in a different way now, which basically clears the debt by the club.

No sign of him pulling out so far, he regularly attends, is often at Cobham, and since there, the club has continued and expanded its globalisation around the world and are now one of the big hitters in football. Just the capacity at the Bridge to be resolved now, or a new ground, which is being explored. Think how much the Bridge is worth as prime real estate!

Also, Chelsea are playing in Bkk this summer, I think on 24 July (can't confirm date)?

[Super Joe]

No, I can't see him leaving soon either. At least until a CL, so he might retire there

And if you ride your luck and it comes off, like it did for Bates, then you're a star. And then there's your Peter Ridsdale's

SJ

[Big Boy]

And then there's your Peter Ridsdale's

SJ

Who?

[richard]

And then there's your Peter Ridsdale's

SJ

SJ

Please don't swear on the forum

LUFC supporter

[redzonerocker]

I'm not aware of the technicalities, but his loans/grants have been formalised in a different way now, which basically clears the debt by the club.

& how massive those debts are, nearly £500 million in the past 14 months

the club has continued and expanded its globalisation around the world and are now one of the big hitters in football.

delusions of grandeur

unfortunately, history & respect can't be bought

[Big Boy]

And then there's your Peter Ridsdale's

SJ

SJ

Please don't swear on the forum

LUFC supporter

Mr Ridsdale is the Green Army's knight in shining Green & White armour. He's the gentleman who has come to our aid and is doing a fantastic rescue job for absolutely no financial gain whatsoever.

When he arrived we were warned that he was football's answer to Satan. In fact he is a perfect gentleman, working hard for the salvation of the Green Army. Whether it is retribution for evil deeds in a previous life, I don't care. He's doing right by us.

[caller]

& how massive those debts are, nearly £500 million in the past 14 months

delusions of grandeur

unfortunately, history & respect can't be bought

Source for the debt being?

And its a 106 years worth of history actually.

Isn't this all a bit sanctimonious? You know, Highbury and its marble halls and the history of being the wealthiest club in England. That was all built on the price of admission paid by the peasants back in the 30's, I suppose? No, it couldn't have been, we had a bigger ground and got bigger crowds. In reality it came from your wealthy benefactors. Its always been wealthy benefactors, its just that ours are now wealthier than yours.

[redzonerocker]

Source for the debt being?

living beyond your means as a football club? ie paying over the top wages & transfer fees

And its a 106 years worth of history actually.

& before mr A arrived, 1 top flight championship win in 95 years

You know, Highbury and its marble halls and the history of being the wealthiest club in England.

the richest club? that's debatable
in real terms we probably are now though.

& history? plenty of that just not in the last 5 years

In reality it came from your wealthy benefactors. Its always been wealthy benefactors, its just that ours are now wealthier than yours.

mr A is a benefactor now is he?
& just for the record, we have TWO billionaires on our board

if we were/are a wealthy club we certainly didn't splash the cash in an obscene manner.

so, would i like to see us go down the chelski/man c route & buy anyone & everyone?
pay £150/200 grand a week wages?
& then rely on some wealthy foreign businessmen to foot the bill? . . . NO!

as frustrating & annoying as the last five years have been on the field, we had to move with the times.
bigger ground etc etc
we did it remaining self sufficient & still being able to compete at the top end of the table.
something to be proud of imo

NOW, it's time to start winning trophies again

[Jimbob]

So... Take Arsenal in point
A French coach
Multi national playing squad and some English players
Sponsorship by Middle east Airline
EPL TV rights sold worldwide

Fans fill the stadium to give colour to the televised games but its the world wide audiences that now count.
However fans come from around the world now to be able to say 'I saw my team play' to satisfy the heart.

(May there be more upcoming Adams, Smiths and Georges for England)

[caller]

& just for the record, we have TWO billionaires on our board

Yes, one a russian and one an american I believe, and both have steadily increased their shares in the club, so that only one or two - apart from each other - can stop a takeover.

And of course, you are still richer than Chelsea, so stop bleating!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ownership_of_Arsenal_F.C.