COLUMNIST JOE JENNINGS
Persistent Investment Fibs?
Comments (13) : I feel the need to expand on my initial Investment Issues Article. I feel it is appropriate to provide a broader insight to what Chris Samuelson has said to me by e.mail. Initially, I discovered his e.mail address from the company he has a major stake in, Mutual Trust, based in Brunei. My extended researched suggested the e.mail was genuine.
Since the first e.mail received, I have been told:
?I did not arrange Robert Earl, that was a friend of Bill?s, and I don?t see that source investing new money. We have two investors ready to invest and I hope that we will conclude an agreement that will be part buying some existing shareholders but mainly new money into the club of about £25 million to start with, virtually all of that would be to strengthen the squad for a push for a high finish and Champions League. The new stadium is promising and we have one party showing a lot of interest in the naming rights.
?If a ground-share was done, it would have to on an equal basis. There would need to be a separate stadium company owned independently from the two clubs with each club leasing the ground on exactly the same terms. The clubs may also be shareholders of the stadium company but again only on equal terms and it would be all in the open so no-one can challenge it and equality was assured. A change of ownership at Liverpool brings a change of attitude towards the ground-share, as they are very commercial.
'I have a pot of money to take over that person?s shares, to subscribe to a £25 million debenture and to finance the part of the new stadium that will need financing. The £25 million would be for players.
?I will let you know when I can but there is a major move afoot that will at last provide £25 million+ for new players (and any money generated by the sale of James Beattie etc.). The same transaction will help considerably with a new stadium. This is indeed a new investor that would take out the old Gregg shares (23.2%) and invest a further £25 million now with more available, he would also bring more than one sponsor/naming rights party to the table
?A midfielder from Villarreal; an Argentinean international is keen to come in the summer and his signature would no doubt trigger others. He has played at Goodison before so there is a link. He wants to play for an upcoming side in the Premier League...'
Above are just the eye-raising topics discussed. Overall, I feel the information Samuelson has provided to me suggests that he is actively seeking new investment for Everton Football Club. Or is he merely ?having me on??
Who knows, but it certainly contradicts the ?no investment interest? line by the club. Although 75% of the topics raised by Samuelson have yet to reach fruition, they are certainly positive, if genuine. The Riquleme issue was brought up by Samuelson in early February, which suggests, if true, he certainly has a huge insight to events at EFC, even transfer targets. Regarding Riquleme, I suppose we can fantasize about an Arteta / Riquelme partnership. I wouldn?t hold my breath, however...
Reader Comments
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What motive would I have in attempting to mislead Evertonians about potential investment. The emails I have receieved have came from the horses mouth, whether true or bullshit. Simple as
In your first posting on the subject you freely admitted that when you first contacted the erstwhile Mr Samuelson you were brusque and abusive to him... and yet... you got the fullsome reply from him that you did.
Now in situations like this I ask myself what is plausible and what is not and I have to say the following:
* it does not seem plausible to me that a high-flying finanacial wheeler dealer such as Mr Samuelson, who probably receives 100s of emails and other paper correspondence daily would give a second glance to an abusive emails from an unknown Everton supporter such as yourself.
* it does not seem plausible, even if he did read it, that he would then set aside some time to give you the detailed reply that he did.
* it does not seem plausible that a successful business man such as Mr Samuelson would denigrate and slander in print any one, let alone powerful business men, to a complete stranger such as yourself for fear of expensive litigation that could result.
* it does not seem plausible, given the club’s statements on FSF and Mr Samuelson in particular, that he continues to talk to our CEO on a daily basis about ANYTHING related to the club
* it does not seem plausible, given his position and relationship with EFC, that Mr Samuelson would have the insight and knowledge his emails to you reveal about the club’s transfer policy, be it players arriving or players leaving
So, taken all together, I reach two simple conclusions:
1) either you are being deceived by an elaborate hoax
or
2) you yourself are perpetuating a hoax
Now which ever is true, I don’t give any credence at all that the correspondence you are sharing with us truly comes from Chris Samuelson. It just smacks of some idealised wish list a romance-writing Evertonian has come up with... and the world just ain’t that perfect.
PS How did I do as Sylvester Stallone?
But wasnt sparticus played by chris samuelson too?
Private Eye, as you may or not know, tend not to print stuff they cannot back up in court. They have also reported that Gaydamak tried to buy EFC before moving on to Pompey.
I am convinced we are not that unattractive a proposition, we have a lot of potential for an investor, but believe that BK is blocking investment for the simple reason that he doesn’t want someone else to take control and claim any future glories that may come about with investment.
MK Dons anybody?
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1 Posted 20/07/2007 at 08:09:25
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