A supporters’ ‘buy-out’ plan to take over Liverpool FC today said they were hopeful of entering talks with Reds bosses within months.
Currently 16,000 people have pledged money to the ShareLFC project which was launched 18 months ago.
The scheme aims to wrestle back control of £500m-valued Liverpool from its controversial American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.
Today, ShareLFC said calculations had revealed cash promises could total as much as £60m.
And they are hopeful that another 4,000 people pledging money will give them enough financial muscle to start exploratory talks with Liverpool.
Initially, the plan for 100,000 fans to donate £5,000 was agreed to by around 7,000 Reds fans. But earlier this year, it was deemed too expensive and the sum was lowered to £500.
Rogan Taylor, director of the Football Industry Group at the University of Liverpool, and who is heading the scheme, said ShareLFC could enter talks within the next two months.
But with the financial picture at Anfield constantly changing, and suggestions of new investment from Saudis, nothing is certain.
Professor Taylor told the ECHO: “This scheme is not asleep, it is wide awake. The club is well aware of where our project is at.
“The important thing is gaining credibility and confidence, and we do feel the horizons are opening up.
“I am convinced that we are getting to the point where we can put forward a real proposition.
“At that point, our numbers could probably double.”
Overall, ShareLFC is looking to raise £120m equity from fans, £100m investment from a bank and another £100m from a commercial partner.
Whether the suggested £500m would have to be raised, or a lower value for Liverpool may be accepted by Hicks and Gillett, remains to be seen.
The ambitious ShareLFC plan, which has gained interest from 211 different countries, is supported by fans union Spirit Of Shankly.
The member-share scheme is based on a continental-style model, in which fans own a huge stake in the club, similar to the way Barcelona in Spain operate.
Currently 16,000 people have pledged money to the ShareLFC project which was launched 18 months ago.
The scheme aims to wrestle back control of £500m-valued Liverpool from its controversial American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.
Today, ShareLFC said calculations had revealed cash promises could total as much as £60m.
And they are hopeful that another 4,000 people pledging money will give them enough financial muscle to start exploratory talks with Liverpool.
Initially, the plan for 100,000 fans to donate £5,000 was agreed to by around 7,000 Reds fans. But earlier this year, it was deemed too expensive and the sum was lowered to £500.
Rogan Taylor, director of the Football Industry Group at the University of Liverpool, and who is heading the scheme, said ShareLFC could enter talks within the next two months.
But with the financial picture at Anfield constantly changing, and suggestions of new investment from Saudis, nothing is certain.
Professor Taylor told the ECHO: “This scheme is not asleep, it is wide awake. The club is well aware of where our project is at.
“The important thing is gaining credibility and confidence, and we do feel the horizons are opening up.
“I am convinced that we are getting to the point where we can put forward a real proposition.
“At that point, our numbers could probably double.”
Overall, ShareLFC is looking to raise £120m equity from fans, £100m investment from a bank and another £100m from a commercial partner.
Whether the suggested £500m would have to be raised, or a lower value for Liverpool may be accepted by Hicks and Gillett, remains to be seen.
The ambitious ShareLFC plan, which has gained interest from 211 different countries, is supported by fans union Spirit Of Shankly.
The member-share scheme is based on a continental-style model, in which fans own a huge stake in the club, similar to the way Barcelona in Spain operate.
No comments:
Post a Comment