The "inner-circle" has always been open to any Albion fans who as wanted to help the club, be it through Bring Home the Albion, Falmer For All, Alive & Kicking whatever. It is an absolute myth it is a closed shop. There has always been an open-door policy and I am sure Dick, Martin and others would happily converse with any Albion fan they met in the street in the same way they do with the so-called "inner-circle".
Just as every Albion fan owes Dick a massive debt of gratitude for saving our club, so too do we to the likes of Liz Costa, Sarah Watts, Paul Samrah, John Baine, Bill & Jan Swallow, Paul Whelch, Tim Carder, Adrian Newnham, Lord B (and the many, many others) who have given a huge amount of their time, money and much more to help this football club achieve what it has in the last 12 years. So too the likes of Norman Cook, Billy Brown and other shareholders, who contributed to keeping the club afloat (1997-2005).
As an aside, having already had lengthy discussions with Tony Bloom, the club will continue to operate in a very open way with the fans. Obviously, in the same way as under Dick's watch, there will be things that can't be made public, but the supporters will continue to have a say in the running of this club.
With regard to the controlling-interest question. Yes, this ultimately goes against the promise made when Dick took over in 1997. But at the time, that was made in good faith, and probably without the foresight that an Albion fan would be able to make such grand gesture to the football club. And here we are not talking about somebody investing in the club to use it as a money making vehicle (like Manchester United and Liverpool).
The important thing is that Dick has given his blessing to Tony, along with the rest of the club's directors. On a personal note, I for one would be happier for the club to be taking this option than delaying the stadium because bank funding is not accessible due to the global credit crunch. When you look objectively, the huge sum being poured in is the next best thing to Tony simple giving the club the money as a gift, and no-one could expect him to do that.
The money Tony has already converted to shares (£18m) is an investment in the club, which of course he will only be able to get back what someone is willing to pay him for those share. The money going in the form of loans are interest-free (that in itself will save the club millions in interest payments) and, very importantly, unsecured. They are not repayable until 2023, but then only if the money is there to repay them.
In short, this secures the club's future, as it means we have a mortgage-free brand-new stadium on the way...
Just as every Albion fan owes Dick a massive debt of gratitude for saving our club, so too do we to the likes of Liz Costa, Sarah Watts, Paul Samrah, John Baine, Bill & Jan Swallow, Paul Whelch, Tim Carder, Adrian Newnham, Lord B (and the many, many others) who have given a huge amount of their time, money and much more to help this football club achieve what it has in the last 12 years. So too the likes of Norman Cook, Billy Brown and other shareholders, who contributed to keeping the club afloat (1997-2005).
As an aside, having already had lengthy discussions with Tony Bloom, the club will continue to operate in a very open way with the fans. Obviously, in the same way as under Dick's watch, there will be things that can't be made public, but the supporters will continue to have a say in the running of this club.
With regard to the controlling-interest question. Yes, this ultimately goes against the promise made when Dick took over in 1997. But at the time, that was made in good faith, and probably without the foresight that an Albion fan would be able to make such grand gesture to the football club. And here we are not talking about somebody investing in the club to use it as a money making vehicle (like Manchester United and Liverpool).
The important thing is that Dick has given his blessing to Tony, along with the rest of the club's directors. On a personal note, I for one would be happier for the club to be taking this option than delaying the stadium because bank funding is not accessible due to the global credit crunch. When you look objectively, the huge sum being poured in is the next best thing to Tony simple giving the club the money as a gift, and no-one could expect him to do that.
The money Tony has already converted to shares (£18m) is an investment in the club, which of course he will only be able to get back what someone is willing to pay him for those share. The money going in the form of loans are interest-free (that in itself will save the club millions in interest payments) and, very importantly, unsecured. They are not repayable until 2023, but then only if the money is there to repay them.
In short, this secures the club's future, as it means we have a mortgage-free brand-new stadium on the way...
Last edited:
