Thursday, 4 January 2006, 14:00 GMT
Take-over for Owls?
"Sheffield Wednesday is attracting interest from a multi-millionaire businessman who wants to buy the club.

Wednesday Chairman Dave Allen has told us he's due for talks later this month with a Chinese casino owner who he describes as a "multi multi millionaire."

The meeting between the pair will take place in a fortnight in London where they'll begin discussions about a possible take-over.

Allen has previously stated that potential investors would need around £25 million to buy the club and would need a 51% stake in order to assume complete control but the scattering of the club's shares has so far been a stumbling block.

Between them the board have 30%, with fans' group Wednesdayite holding 10%. But they've so far rejected Allen's offer to buy them back."

- BBC Sheffield

This was mentioned on Look Leeds ,by the orange bird.
I hope it is true and he pours loadsa dosh into the club.

...mentioned on Look Leeds ,by the orange bird...
:hihi: Class.

Would anyone commit to pumping millions of £ into a club with only a 40% shareholding (assuming 'Wednesdayite' sell their 10%)?

What's the nature of the remaining 60%? Is it, as I have always been led to believe, scattered amongst multiple shareholders and therefore difficult to amalgamate? And if so, how likely is an Abramovich style takeover?

I like the bit where it says they are talking to somebody who wants a club for a hobby, what’s he going to do when he gets bored of his hobby.

:hihi: :hihi:

The 85p each, price negotiated by 'Mester' Richards would be tasty? I'd given up hope but now there's a Chinese lantern!

I like the bit where it says they are talking to somebody who wants a club for a hobby, what’s he going to do when he gets bored of his hobby.

:hihi: :hihi:

We've yet to find out what will happen if and when Abramovich gets bored of football ... something tells me that all this money he "gave" to the club will turn out to be repayable, if he should ever decide to bugger off.

:hihi: Class.

Would anyone commit to pumping millions of £ into a club with only a 40% shareholding (assuming 'Wednesdayite' sell their 10%)?

What's the nature of the remaining 60%? Is it, as I have always been led to believe, scattered amongst multiple shareholders and therefore difficult to amalgamate? And if so, how likely is an Abramovich style takeover?

I think the managers have actually got 50% of the shares in total, which if wednesdayites 10%, assuming the sell, make 60%. But this still doesn't seem like a huge amount.

I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Someone should invest in Wednesday. We're a better investment than Reading or Wigan.

A rich investor may seem like a great idea, but ultimately it means your club selling its soul to be a rich man's plaything, and when he gets bored or runs out of money, you've had it.

Someone should invest in Wednesday. We're a better investment than Reading or Wigan.

You’re not though are you!! Not saying that cos I’m a blade but Wigan and Reading have FAR more potential than Wednesday!! Training grounds for starters, and a very very well establish youth teams and academy.. it ok them putting paying off 80% of your debts but you need route foundations to even start thinking about premiership or playoffs

40% is well enough for a take over....just look at the voting figures at the last agm, infact 30% is enough.

I hope its better than his mate with 100 million who was interested, and if he could not convince his mate dont hold your breath.

But on saying that, i am sure casino people know casino people, so i am not sure if that is a good thing or not ? ?

We've yet to find out what will happen if and when Abramovich gets bored of football ... something tells me that all this money he "gave" to the club will turn out to be repayable, if he should ever decide to bugger off.

In a rare interview on TV Abramovich said he wanted to pass Chelsea on to his son as a legacy, as his son looked about 12 years old I think he will be around for a while yet.

A good sign is that he goes to all the games, he shows emotion during the game and he visits the players in the changing room after the game, the bad thing is Chelsea have reported losses of 140 million this year and don’t expect to break even until 2010.

As you say what will happen if he walks away?

As you say what will happen if he walks away?


The losses are secured

As you say what will happen if he walks away?


The losses are secured


By who..... ?

I wonder...Casino owner wanting to invest in a soccer club in a city that may be in the running for a super-casino at some point! :)

Hmmmmm.......couldn't possibly be connected.

I wonder...Casino owner wanting to invest in a soccer club in a city that may be in the running for a super-casino at some point! :)

Hmmmmm.......couldn't possibly be connected.

possibly but the massive casino hopefully if built in sheffield will be at the SUFC's ground.. planning permission already been given if this does come to sheffield

Malky......the secured answer was the quick answer......Strange this but when one of the directors answered the question, the answer was this (as far as i can remember).... the money is already there put to one side in an holding fund.....remember, all these deals will be over a number of years in installments........for instance the deal with akinbadbye.... the £750,000 is reported to be about the same amount that united owe.

possibly but the massive casino hopefully if built in sheffield will be at the SUFC's ground.. planning permission already been given if this does come to sheffield

Ahhh...I didn't realise they would plan on sticking it in an existing location - I envisaged it being bult somewhere out towards Meadowhell. Thanks for the info. :)

You’re not though are you!! Not saying that cos I’m a blade but Wigan and Reading have FAR more potential than Wednesday!! Training grounds for starters, and a very very well establish youth teams and academy.. it ok them putting paying off 80% of your debts but you need route foundations to even start thinking about premiership or playoffs

All of those things would be helped by investment. We have fans at least. Wigan's current situation is a joke. Money to spend, premeirship status, no fans.

All of those things would be helped by investment. We have fans at least. Wigan's current situation is a joke. Money to spend, premeirship status, no fans.


Well ... it SHOULD be a joke. The sad fact is, nowadays, you don't need fans. Fans don't contribute all that much money to the overall coffers. In fact, given an Abramovich-type, a club's probably better off without them.

Sorry state of affairs, indeed.