Clowes buys Pride Park

[swaledale]

So it seems from various sources that David Clowes completed the purchase of pride park last Friday.

He has now also advanced a loan to the club, to enable them to operate and prepare for the new season. These seem to be verifiable actions.

There is also in the DET but not elsewhere, a report that he has made a bid for the club (makes sense why buy just the ground?), is currently being assessed by the EFL as a"fit and proper person" will enter into an exclusive agreement today and has a deadline to complete the takeover by next Wednesday.

Not sure how realistic that is, but even if the actual takeover is delayed, I cannot see why he would put forward the funds to enable the club to operate, if he wasn't serious.

I also like how this guy does business, not a word until what he intends has actually been completed.

If he does complete and IMO its 85% certain he will, then I'd say we ahve dodged a bullet with CK and hopefully this time around have a local owner who is looking to operate on a realistic level rather than throw money around hoping to hit the big time and be a fan's hero.

Mind you if he saves the club, he will be a local legend anyway.

[Andy_Faber]

So it seems from various sources that David Clowes completed the purchase of pride park last Friday.

I like how this guy does business, not a word until what he intends has actually been completed.

.

Agreed. Polar opposite of CK

[Geoff Parkstone]

Aha, OX then

[MadAmster]

People online asking why he hasn't clowesed the deal yet

[swaledale]

haha, well if he gets it done next week, he is a smart operator.

I see this as a unifying thread which removes any mention of the former git who said he wanted to buy the club, but never produced the money?

[ramAnag]

haha, well if he gets it done next week, he is a smart operator.

I see this as a unifying thread which removes any mention of the former git who said he wanted to buy the club, but never produced the money?

But do you see it as a possible joint operation with either Ashley or Appleby? Some prospect in all this seems to have certainly upset Rooney.

[wessoram]

But do you see it as a possible joint operation with either Ashley or Appleby? Some prospect in all this seems to have certainly upset Rooney.

I'm not sure if it's a possible joint operation, or it's a short term operation, that paves the way for another interested party for the longer term.
This mornings news, that the ground had been purchased and an offer placed for the club, was the most positive news we have had since September, and the next thing Rooney wants to leave. Seems strange.

[Geoff Parkstone]

I suspect Wazzer was involved in the CK deal - certainly he and his agent seem to have been. Who knows he may have had some skin in that planned game. Once that fell through his position could have become untenable, especially if the next bunch of new owners didnt fancy such a high profile, high cost unit on the books. Also how long does the bet 365 sponsorship deal run for?

[StensonRam]

32red

[swaledale]

But do you see it as a possible joint operation with either Ashley or Appleby? Some prospect in all this seems to have certainly upset Rooney.

I don't read it that way and there is nothing anywhere either through gossip or tinternet that suggests that. Seems to me Clowes has outflanked everyone.

I'm still extremely sceptical that Ashley has at anytime had serious interest. The only proof has been that lawyers letter, which did not mention who their client was.

Appleby certainly was, but the purchase of the ground seems to have stymied that approach.

What makes me laugh, is obviously somebody leaked the Clowes ground purchase a few weeks ago, but Clowes kept quiet and it all went away.

He seems a intelligent and capable chap, he seems to prefer to get things done rather than talking about them on social media or the press. He has made a firm statement of intent, he has provided a loan so the club can operate as a going concern pending takeover, frankly at this moment in time he deserves fans gratitude. The future? Well at least it looks as if there will be one.

Rooney's departure is odd, but as has been said, seems linked to he shall not be named failed takeover bid.

I'm not bothered about a new manager, at least we won't be Rooney's Derby any more.