South African bond man bids for Toon (possibly).

Posted on October 7th, 2009 | 61 Comments |

No, not that sort of bond man
No, not that sort of bond man
Some newspapers are reporting that a South African businessman is now interested in Newcastle United.

I rather suspect this could be a case of ‘here we go again’ as bids are rumoured and then fall by the wayside but you never can tell with this sort of thing – very occasionally a rumour turns out to be true.

Anyway, this particular rumour has a wealthy South African bond dealer supposedly having met the representatives of Barclays Bank who are involved in the sale of Newcastle United.

This bond dealer is allegedly represented in this country by solicitors Mishcon de Reya and at least one journalist – the Birdman at the Mirror – claims a ‘form of due diligence’ has already been completed by the South African.

The Mail, however, seems to think that no due diligence has been undertaken and warns that we could face a delay of many weeks while it’s completed.

Both papers claim that this new bidder is another spanner in the works for Barry Moat and his efforts to buy the club and is likely to delay matters while Ashley considers the new interest.

My instinct is that this rumour will eventually just fizzle out. I think if Barry Moat doesn’t buy the club in the coming months then we may as well forget about it being sold until next season. Although I’m just guessing of course.

NUFCBlog Author: Hugh de Payen I'm a baby-boomer of the punk rock persuasion, currently exiled in Somerset for crimes committed in a previous life where locals keep trying to poison me with something called 'scrumpy'. Hates sprouts, coat-hangers, Cilla Black, ornaments, Steven Seagull movies and 50 Cent (he's not worth 10). Hugh de Payen has written 634 articles on this blog.

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Comment on this post

61 Responses

  1. Dubious leak of information from a source ( llambias?) to the press, another pr exercise by Ashley whilst he plots to keep the club?

  2. Where have these people been for the last few months? Suddenly they appear from nowhere – has it been that much of a secret that NUFC is for sale? Even with all of the side issues, if they were at all serious they would have got involved earlier. I’m neither shaken nor stirred by this!

  3. I dunno,

    the thought i might have to pay KK £25 mil for something i had no part in might have put people off just a bit………

  4. DC on ssn says these south africans have always been in for the club,plus there is a few more groups in for the club.anyone getting deja vue

  6. what’s with all these bookie adverts ? – i once lost £1 on the 1978 grand national sweepstake and could have become addicted – shame on you mr ticket.

  8. MOONDUST says:
    October 6, 2009 at 10:47 pm
    Batty have you moved over to the dark side now
    <<<< theres better winde ups on here ie stardust and the miserible get worky

  10. Whats the consensus on the Trust that is launched today?

    I have mixed views – especially that NUSC are involved – though as of late somebody must have joined with more awareness as their website and militant approach has been tamed somewhat.

    I just get the feeling its an opening the stable door after the horse has bolted scenario. They are way down the pecking order – the only circumstances I can see it succeeding is if we have a poor season and if no one buys us short term.

  11. Batty – cheers for the email – my blackberry is down so I will reply on here.

    In answer to your question I think it would be difficult to organise an event in short order to show Ashley that some of us appreciate what he has done – I will look at it for you – I dont know if it will change his mind and have him stay but theres always a chance.

    And yes, Keegan should have fought his corner but thats old news, and I agree with you he should never be allowed to set foot in the stadium again.

    Cheers

  12. Stardust – whether they are able to do anything short-term I’m not sure, but if it’s run in the right way, then surely nobody could argue with the principles?

  13. Stardust, I think the NUST’s initial aim is to buy a stake in the club rather than buy it outright. As far as I understand it they are prepared to offer the £20m or so they’ve accumulated to help a new owner purchase the club and thereby guarantee fan influence through their 20% holding.

  14. Agree BBM – Trusts tend to find common ground and enable a balance view – something which has been missing (especially NUSC who formed in a maelstrom – drum roll UTD11 to pull me up on maelstrom lol) – and I also like the fact that the buy in is 20k – enough to make people en masse consider the implications of a spend culture.

    If you have say 5000 investors of 20k it also means there are 5000 Ambassadors advocating a prudent approach – which enables mass market infiltration at the ground level – communication being the key.

    My fear with trusts and the like – they are often chaired by those who eventually take advantage of their position for self interest – human nature and all that.

  16. If I were them Hugh – I would want to get as near to 29% as possible (providing there are multiple shareholders holding the remaining 71%) – I think 20m is in no mans land.

    They will be a minority shareholder with no real influence at 20m – also they need running by a very astute financial and commercial chair – as basically they could see their investment disappear and diminish each year they didnt for example come up with a chunk of investment equivalent pro rata to the principal.

    Also if the Chair is experienced enough – if the new principal engages in shenanigans – they could in effect launch a leveraged buy out.

  21. Stardust says:
    October 7, 2009 at 12:05 pm

    “In answer to your question I think it would be difficult to organise an event in short order to show Ashley that some of us appreciate what he has done”

    Greggs could sort out the custard pies.

  22. Its really funny Worky how batty on email is very pro club – whereas on here he likes to have a laugh and joke – He says he laughed at the mob since day 1

  23. Stardust says:
    October 7, 2009 at 12:05 pm
    Batty – cheers for the email – my blackberry is down so I will reply on here.

    In answer to your question I think it would be difficult to organise an event in short order to show Ashley that some of us appreciate what he has done – I will look at it for you – I dont know if it will change his mind and have him stay but theres always a chance.

    And yes, Keegan should have fought his corner but thats old news, and I agree with you he should never be allowed to set foot in the stadium again.

    Cheers
    <<<<<< you had me in stitches lol

  24. Stardust says:
    October 7, 2009 at 1:51 pm
    Its really funny Worky how batty on email is very pro club – whereas on here he likes to have a laugh and joke – He says he laughed at the mob since day 1
    <<<<<< lol

  26. stardust if only every 1 new the truth ive saved your emails what you sent me but i wont kiss and tell dont worry my freind lol

  27. By the way, SSN reports on there being 5 interested parties to buy the club are complete and utter bullsh1t!

    David Craig gets his info directly from Llambias and we all know that Kim Jong-il has more of an affinity with the truth that him.

    This is yet another ridiculous attempt to weedle anybody else out of the woodwork. Ayone remember ‘at least 2 bids of £100m’?

    Fckin idiots and totally shamateur-ish.

  32. Stuart79 says:
    October 7, 2009 at 2:46 pm

    “David Craig gets his info directly from Llambias and we all know that Kim Jong-il has more of an affinity with the truth that him.”

    Stuart, I’ve always had a sneaking suspicion that Kim Jong-il will be our next owner.

  43. worky ile send you the emails what ive had of stardust and you can oot him if y want cos ive already killed billy

  44. batty says:
    October 7, 2009 at 3:08 pm

    “well do you post on eds blog”

    He’s signed a contract for this ‘blog now batty. We’re going to be like Man City!

  45. batty says:
    October 7, 2009 at 3:10 pm

    “worky ile send you the emails what ive had of stardust and you can oot him if y want cos ive already killed billy.”

    I’ll send you my e.mail batty.

  47. batty says:
    October 7, 2009 at 3:14 pm
    worky do you know who stardy realy is ?

    Forest Gump?

  49. batty – i agree with you – we do need a new owner – just like that arab man down in man city.

  53. workyticket says:
    October 7, 2009 at 3:22 pm
    Stuart79 says:
    October 7, 2009 at 3:18 pm

    “Forest Gump?”

    LOL. I just knew that you’d have a suggestion there, Stuart!

    It was an open goal!

  56. well one of directors fits your profile stardust – just round the corner from me , i’ll pop in tomorrow for a cuppa and a chin-wag – we’ll see if we can put the world to rights.

  59. Roy – Battys right – its me – tell you what I you dare come round to mine tomorrow – be prepared to fight – as soon as you walk in the door if you dont punch me I am gonna punch you first – before you even speak. Warning get the dig in first – ask questions later.

  60. hey man dickie – calm ya passions there’s ne need for that attitude now is there ?…anyway i’m twice the size of yer so take the first swing and if i aint hit the deck you best do a disapearing act sharpish.

    …bit of advise get your dodgy comb over sorted hahaha