Consortiums - Are they always a positive thing

[WJ99mobile]

Bit of a Chat GPT copy and paste but with our current structure, at least there is a head where decisions can be attributed to whether you like them or not, and a point of protest.

There are load of positive examples where it has worked well, but a faceless consortium can not always work positively.

I have more faith with Gareth Bale but that itself is blind optimism

🏴 Portsmouth (2009–2010)
• Background: Portsmouth went through multiple consortium-led takeovers in quick succession.
• What failed:
• Sulaiman Al-Fahim consortium (2009): Took over promising major investment, but the money never materialised.
• Ali Al-Faraj & Falcondrone consortium: Took over next but were effectively a front for financing that never arrived.
• Result: Club went into administration twice, huge debts, and suffered successive relegations.

⸻

🏴 Leeds United (2004 and later)
• Background: The post-Peter Ridsdale era saw Leeds sold to a consortium led by Gerald Krasner.
• What failed:
• Krasner’s group lacked real financial strength; it was more of an attempt to stabilise the club short-term.
• Couldn’t stop the slide: the club was relegated, forced into administration in 2007.
• Later ownership attempts (e.g., GFH Capital, a Dubai-based investment bank consortium, 2012–2014) also failed to deliver promised funds, leading to more turmoil before Massimo Cellino took over.

⸻

🏴 Hull City (2007–2010)
• Background: Owned by a consortium led by Paul Duffen and Russell Bartlett.
• What failed:
• Initially successful (promotion to Premier League).
• Financial mismanagement, failed funding promises, and internal disagreements led to significant debt and near administration after relegation.

⸻

🏴 Notts County (2009)
• Background: Purchased by Munto Finance, supposedly backed by wealthy investors, as part of a consortium.
• What failed:
• Turned out to be smoke and mirrors; the consortium didn’t have the money they claimed.
• Club was left with big debts, saved only by local businessman Ray Trew.

⸻

🏴 Charlton Athletic (2014–2020)
• Background: Belgian owner Roland Duchâtelet initially led a wider network of clubs; then sold to East Street Investments (ESI), a consortium led by Matt Southall and Tahnoon Nimer.
• What failed:
• ESI were plagued by internal conflicts and allegations of mismanagement.
• The takeover collapsed; ownership disputes rumbled through courts.

⸻

🏴 Derby County (2020–2022)
• Background: Owner Mel Morris sold the club to a series of would-be consortiums.
• What failed:
• Spanish businessman Erik Alonso’s consortium never provided proof of funds.
• Club went into administration and suffered points deductions.

[EastbourneBlue]

Bit of a Chat GPT copy and paste but with our current structure, at least there is a head where decisions can be attributed to whether you like them or not, and a point of protest.

There are load of positive examples where it has worked well, but a faceless consortium can not always work positively.

I have more faith with Gareth Bale but that itself is blind optimism




⸻



⸻



⸻



⸻



⸻

With the level of debt etc, it’d have to be a consortium or investment group to buy us wouldn’t it?

Would have to be a seriously rich individual otherwise

[tforturton]

No-one is going is going to buy the club, and take on that massive debt. Unless Tan agrees to write off the debt (or a very big part of it) he’ll never sell it. The club is worth £25m tops - the stadium is our only true asset. Someone might be prepared to pay a bit over the odds, say £35m, and take on a small part of the debt (maybe Dalman’s share), but nobody in their right mind is going to pay over £100m for a League One club, no matter who they are.