New Everton Owners: The Friedkin Group

[Ferguson1878]

I think it’s all a bit murky. The Times report suggests that the inheritors of the shareholding of our former chairman have potentially lost £5 million. That said somewhere else I read that the last purchase by Moshiri from our former chairman had been at a price of around £8500 per share and that morally that price ought to have then been offered to all small shareholders at that time?

So kenwrights family lost out on a few mill ? Maybe these Friedkins arent so bad

 

[billypatrick]

We have three shares in the family, bought them back when they were around the £1,200 mark from Blankstone Sington so brokered probably on behalf of another blue selling up, no money would have gone into or out of the club. We’ve been able to go to agm’s and have had some access to extra tickets for games, so some return on that initial investment. Most of all we feel like we have a stake in the club - at the time it probably amount to the value of Osman’s toenail but it was something. Never bought them as an investment or been bothered what they might be worth, although we’re obviously much happier EFC remains a going concern rather than a candidate for administration based on how things looked a few months ago - when the shares really would have been worth nothing. So I’m grateful for your concern Dave but I’m not in any way angry about it.

 

[Exeter_Gently]

Prior new owners, I shared a view repeatedly to judge them by actions, not words.

They made that point themselves upon purchasing the club.

They've only been here just over a month.

I'm surprised we're on 24th January without any transfers, especially when the manager is saying we need 2-3 this window.

Still, I think we'll see 2 or 3 come in before the deadline closes. They need to protect their asset, without hamstringing us too much from the summer.

I'm a tad surprised how quiet background staff recruitment seems to have been. Appreciate CEOs can take a little while, but at some point you'd figure we'll see big changes. That said, I expected the same under Moshiri and it never happened. I was vocal back then it was a mistake, I hope TFG don't repeat it. Stability sounds nice, but they shouldn't worry about perceptions about chaotic yee-haw cowboys - the club doesn't need stability when your stabilising mediocrity.

The transfer one is a bit unfair.

A changed of manager was always going to change things,2nd surely its up the recruitment department to push on with transfers not TFG?

 

[Joey66]

The transfer one is a bit unfair.

A changed of manager was always going to change things,2nd surely its up the recruitment department to push on with transfers not TFG?

Very hard to purchase players when Beto & Keane are still in the squad ....

 

[pfim]

The transfer one is a bit unfair.

A changed of manager was always going to change things,2nd surely its up the recruitment department to push on with transfers not TFG?

TFG sets the stage and is responsible for the club's fortunes. This is no different than Moshiri. Certainly some things are out of their control, but it's their decision to leave Thelwell in this role and ultimately they're responsible for his results. If he can't get 2-3 incomings over the line, it begs the question of why he is here and why he was allowed to stay, which are all fair.

He may well be out the door Feb 1 anyway, but if he can't get some players in he's definitely gone. I don't see the point of keeping a DoF on an expiring contract outside a transfer window, we're better off not having one than a lame duck.

 

[Jacko93]

When the new owners cut a deal with the previous owner to hand him £3,000 per loan share it's not being even handed is it? I suspect when they have their meeting with the owner's representatives next week that'll be the shareholder's association's approach.

Overall the Everton small shareholders via the ESA have had a very involved history with the club and this looks like a way to not only see them off but also to make them, as individuals, suffer a financial hit. That will buy TFG no goodwill in the future whatsoever. For the sake of offering to buy out all those desperate not to take a massive loss they're going to jeopardise good relations.

What's that old saying about being kind to people on the way up...

If the value of the share at that point was £3000, then any shareholder had the opportunity to sell, assuming they had a buyer. If they didn't sell, then they're accepting all consequences of a massive share redistribution.

If the value of Everton ever reached £5bn, allowing all shares to be valued at what you think they should get, should they sell then, or sell if it reaches £7bn valuation? I'd hope that if they do you suggest that for the good of Everton, they sell on at at the £5bn valuation prices.

Or is this a story created by one fella who bought extra shares for his kids (to total 200, how many kids has he got?) and is now having a whinge. The fella is a business man, a fairly successful one by all accounts. He should have known better than to buy shares when all this was going on. Had we gone to the wall and his shares were worth zero, who would he have to blame?

At least John Blain is just saying, we've had a few questions, and we'll ask them when we have the opportunity. An opportunity that has seemingly been granted.

You seem to be getting worked up over some fella that lives in South Africa that has a spare couple of £k, which, by his own admission he can cover anyway, he'd just rather not. If he bought them for his sons, they still have them. If he was buying Everton shares as an investment for his sons, then he needs to do more research on Everton.

I understand that your all about protecting the working class, which is admirable and I admire it. I share that view vehemently. But, the person in that article isn't really, as far as I can see, working class. Those that might be most affected by this, were they to sell on, don't really seem to have much of an issue with it. They have mostly bought for sentimental reasons and to be a part of the club. Many may not have even bought the shares themselves and they have been passed down through family.

 

[GrandOldTeam]

It's not surprising to me that not much has changed in terms of staff. Watts will be there guiding the ship. And if Dyche had gotten a few results, he'd still be the manager. I'm not sure it's wise to come in the middle of a relegation scrap and make wholesale changes, Dyche forced their hand. The real work, just like with the squad, will come later.

Having said all of that, we need 2-3 incomings this window to help cement our place in the league. If that doesn't happen, heads will roll.

They may well have people lined up, possibly having to handle notice periods and possibly not allowed to announce until such period is completed.

They have not been able to offer a role until late December, and with holidays etc, could well still be negotiating exits.

They are not stupid people, they will not make this investment and allow chaos to continue.

I heard all this early days with Moshiri too.

As I say, time will tell but if they don't make sweeping changes within their first few months, they'll be repeating the mistake I said Moshiri would make.

Real acid test will of course be the summer.

The transfer one is a bit unfair.

A changed of manager was always going to change things,2nd surely its up the recruitment department to push on with transfers not TFG?

The ultimate responsibility is on the owners.

I don't think the below is at all 'unfair'

I'm surprised we're on 24th January without any transfers, especially when the manager is saying we need 2-3 this window.

Still, I think we'll see 2 or 3 come in before the deadline closes. They need to protect their asset, without hamstringing us too much from the summer.

They didn't rock up out the blue - they've known they're buying the club for a long time. TFG aren't new to football, and the club have recruitment/DOF in place. It's not like everything starts from 0 when they bought the club.

The transfer window opened 24 days ago. The window closes in 10 days. If it closes without transfers, watch how many people will be 'unfair'. If this club go down, and we neglected this window, watch how many people will be 'unfair'

 

[Exeter_Gently]

TFG sets the stage and is responsible for the club's fortunes. This is no different than Moshiri. Certainly some things are out of their control, but it's their decision to leave Thelwell in this role and ultimately they're responsible for his results. If he can't get 2-3 incomings over the line, it begs the question of why he is here and why he was allowed to stay, which are all fair.

He may well be out the door Feb 1 anyway, but if he can't get some players in he's definitely gone. I don't see the point of keeping a DoF on an expiring contract outside a transfer window, we're better off not having one than a lame duck.

I respect your opinion but don't agree.

It's the middle of season...you'd be sacking Thelwell and bringing in a whole new recruitment department half way through a season? Don't forget the small matter of the manager changing.

 

[davek]

If the value of the share at that point was £3000, then any shareholder had the opportunity to sell, assuming they had a buyer. If they didn't sell, then they're accepting all consequences of a massive share redistribution.

If the value of Everton ever reached £5bn, allowing all shares to be valued at what you think they should get, should they sell then, or sell if it reaches £7bn valuation? I'd hope that if they do you suggest that for the good of Everton, they sell on at at the £5bn valuation prices.

Or is this a story created by one fella who bought extra shares for his kids (to total 200, how many kids has he got?) and is now having a whinge. The fella is a business man, a fairly successful one by all accounts. He should have known better than to buy shares when all this was going on. Had we gone to the wall and his shares were worth zero, who would he have to blame?

At least John Blain is just saying, we've had a few questions, and we'll ask them when we have the opportunity. An opportunity that has seemingly been granted.

You seem to be getting worked up over some fella that lives in South Africa that has a spare couple of £k, which, by his own admission he can cover anyway, he'd just rather not. If he bought them for his sons, they still have them. If he was buying Everton shares as an investment for his sons, then he needs to do more research on Everton.

I understand that your all about protecting the working class, which is admirable and I admire it. I share that view vehemently. But, the person in that article isn't really, as far as I can see, working class. Those that might be most affected by this, were they to sell on, don't really seem to have much of an issue with it. They have mostly bought for sentimental reasons and to be a part of the club. Many may not have even bought the shares themselves and they have been passed down through family.

I didn't have one rich shareholder in mind when posting.

I've stated throughout that there are people with one or two shares who are going to get burnt here with the devaluation of their shares.

Why should they take a £3k-to-£6k loss on their script that they've held for years?

There surely has to be another way of squaring this off.

I suspect we might see a compromise.

 

[pfim]

I respect your opinion but don't agree.

It's the middle of season...you'd be sacking Thelwell and bringing in a whole new recruitment department half way through a season? Don't forget the small matter of the manager changing.

They'll be gone in the summer in this scenario, what exactly would they be working towards? Better to get your next staff in and working before the summer window opens.

 

[davek]

Dave, that's nonsense. Read it again or have someone with some financial literacy read it to you.

What?

 

[LEONARD]

I'd be much happier if they sold all of their stake in Roma, and we were their sole concern.

 

[davek]

We have three shares in the family, bought them back when they were around the £1,200 mark from Blankstone Sington so brokered probably on behalf of another blue selling up, no money would have gone into or out of the club. We’ve been able to go to agm’s and have had some access to extra tickets for games, so some return on that initial investment. Most of all we feel like we have a stake in the club - at the time it probably amount to the value of Osman’s toenail but it was something. Never bought them as an investment or been bothered what they might be worth, although we’re obviously much happier EFC remains a going concern rather than a candidate for administration based on how things looked a few months ago - when the shares really would have been worth nothing. So I’m grateful for your concern Dave but I’m not in any way angry about it.

I'm glad you're in that position mate. Genuinley so.

But you're not every small shareholder and others take a different view...which is why the SA have pushed for a meeting to question TFG.

 

[Thomasc]

I'm glad you're in that position mate. Genuinley so.

But you're not every small shareholder and others take a different view...which is why the SA have pushed for a meeting to question TFG.

He’s politely telling you that you are talking bollicks as usual.

Take the hint thicko.

 

[Drico]

A lot of shareholder picked up their shares well before they were £3,500 or whatever. You're confusing the issue here. This isn't a punt on the horses and these small shareholders are not hedge fund investors. They're fans who wanted to feel closer to the club and become involved and they're getting punished for it.

This is terrible optics. TFG have got off to a very rocky start here.

I'm not confusing any issue. Anybody buying shares as an "investment" knows that share value rises and falls. They might feel shabbily treated, but that's no concern of non-shareholders. Happily, many of the affected shareholders bought a single share as a sentimental token of their love for the club and won't be selling it anyway (unless forced). We spent three decades under the thumb of a fan "who wanted to feel closer to the club and become involved" - and he nearly destroyed the club in the process. No sympathy from me whatsoever.

I agree with you about the Friedkins, though. They have indeed got off to a rocky start. Moyes back as manager and no new signings is not what any forward-thinking observer would have hoped for a month ago.