Laurence Bassini confirms Udinese owners the Pozzo family set to take over Watford

Picture: Watford FC/Alan Cozzi Picture: Watford FC/Alan Cozzi

Watford owner Laurence Bassini has confirmed he expects to sell the club and that it could happen within the next 48 hours.

Bassini had previously denied a takeover was on the cards but he has this evening spoke exclusively to the Watford Observer and confirmed he does expect to sell to the family that own Italian club Udinese.

Udinese owner Giampaolo Pozzo has been linked with the Hornets since February but we understand his son Gino is more likely to be the one involved with the running of the club should the takeover happen.

Bassini said: “I can’t confirm that I will definitely leave because I do not know if they have the money for definite. If they do then it could be in the next 48 hours.”

Bassini looks set to leave the Hornets after 15 months and claims there are three other interested parties should the Pozzo family pull out of the deal at the 11th hour.

The Pozzo family own Italian side Udinese and Spanish team Granada and Bassini claims that was a factor.

He said: “He owns two football clubs and has 100 players to pick from and I think that will be a good thing for Watford.”

Bassini took over the club in March last year but insisted his early departure had nothing to do with pressure from the bondholders, and more to do with family.

He said: “I have been here 14 months and I do not see my daughter at the weekends. I like to do everything with her and she doesn’t like football so that is a massive reason [in deciding to sell].”

Bassini claimed the Pozzos had asked him to stay on as a director for six months but he declined.

We understand Bassini had a falling out with Andrew Wilson, the representative of bondholder Lord Ashcroft, and that Wilson claimed the Watford owner had activated an event of default in the offer document relating to the payment of interest.

However, Bassini denies this and insisted all the bondholder payments, which are due each March, and the interest payments are up to date.

He said: “No one has encouraged me to sell and David Fransen said if I didn’t want to sell then I didn’t have to.

“I knew a while ago that I wanted to leave but it had to be to the right person.

“I am not leaving because I should be or because I have been advised to leave. It just takes up too much of my life.”

Bassini claims the Pozzo family will need around £20m to complete the takeover. Just over £7.6m will be needed to pay off the bondholders and the Stanmore businessman claims that he will receive around £12m for the club.

He paid less than half a million pounds for his initial shareholding in the club 15 months ago but claims to have spent between £8m and £10m during his time at Vicarage Road.

Bassini again reiterated “he hasn’t had a penny out of the club” and also claimed to have paid a few members of staff from “his own pocket”.

“You can ask (board members) Stuart Timperley and David Fransen; I never took a penny,” Bassini said.

“The club have done very well in the last year, it is stable and now they are in a good place.

“I have done a lot of work there; they have a new pitch, new seating, tannoy system and the pub. We also signed 11 new players.

“But running a club is a full time job and I want to spend time with my daughter.

“I love the club and the fans. It is a great club and I will continue to support it.”

The Watford Observer understands some businesses had cheques from Watford FC declined in recent weeks.

Bassini claimed it was because he froze the accounts due to the in-fighting behind the scenes.

According to the Hornets owner, he lodged £5m with lawyers so the club could pay its bills but he wanted a debenture to ensure he would not lose the money should he be forced out.

Comments(165)

WFC4ever says...
9:58pm Sun 17 Jun 12

Well hopefully this sale happens smoothly and ofcourse the new owner is in for the right reasons.

mrbankrupt says...
10:08pm Sun 17 Jun 12

Bye Bye Bas,great news for the club.
An owner with real money unlike your monopoly money Bas.
Just do us one favour and take the clappers who have believed your BS for 15months with you.
Hopefully if the new owners come in, a few more season tickets will be sold as well.

The future is bright the future is Yellow

radlettman says...
10:12pm Sun 17 Jun 12

Season ticket x 2 for sale ... any offers ????

aussihornet says...
10:13pm Sun 17 Jun 12

Well Bassini, I think your handling of PR has always had people on your back, badly done, but I think you did have intentions of doing a good job for Watford, I just think we had more issues then you could fix. Thanks for your work so far, hopefully you still have Watford's interests at heart!

buckler says...
10:18pm Sun 17 Jun 12

Where are all the Bas backers ? you know who you are , the wimps that wanted an apology from me for saying this was going to happen! Think i deserve an apology and maybe a place on the board. REAL money coming as i said weeks ago!

radlettman says...
10:20pm Sun 17 Jun 12

aussihornet wrote:
Well Bassini, I think your handling of PR has always had people on your back, badly done, but I think you did have intentions of doing a good job for Watford, I just think we had more issues then you could fix. Thanks for your work so far, hopefully you still have Watford's interests at heart!
If you are in Auz mate you need a reality check...... this guy has had "chancer" stamped all over him from day 1. He has been hanging on for weeks hoping that Marriappa would go. Hold onto Maps till Bassini goes.... or bankrupty looms...

southernhornet says...
10:22pm Sun 17 Jun 12

aussihornet wrote:
Well Bassini, I think your handling of PR has always had people on your back, badly done, but I think you did have intentions of doing a good job for Watford, I just think we had more issues then you could fix. Thanks for your work so far, hopefully you still have Watford's interests at heart!
His handling of PR never helped him, from the start. Whether he personally did a good job or not it is clear that whilst he has been the owner WFC have had a superb on the pitch performance and a really positive off the pitch performance. My gut feeling is that others will have been responsible for all of that, so success in spite rather than becuase of perhaps...

Not Bazzini says...
10:24pm Sun 17 Jun 12

Great news. Thanks for selling our best players. Now wfc will go from strength to strength.

southernhornet says...
10:29pm Sun 17 Jun 12

radlettman wrote:
aussihornet wrote: Well Bassini, I think your handling of PR has always had people on your back, badly done, but I think you did have intentions of doing a good job for Watford, I just think we had more issues then you could fix. Thanks for your work so far, hopefully you still have Watford's interests at heart!
If you are in Auz mate you need a reality check...... this guy has had "chancer" stamped all over him from day 1. He has been hanging on for weeks hoping that Marriappa would go. Hold onto Maps till Bassini goes.... or bankrupty looms...
holding on to Maps til Bassini goes does make sense, but why then have we been able to reject bids and avoid selling him over the last few weeks while Baz is here?!

QUINNPT says...
10:33pm Sun 17 Jun 12

Don't assume we will not sell with new owners. We may have to as part of the deal, to manouver new players in either here in the UK or from Spain/Italy. If the club is sold to them.

mrbankrupt says...
10:35pm Sun 17 Jun 12

southernhornet wrote:
radlettman wrote:
aussihornet wrote: Well Bassini, I think your handling of PR has always had people on your back, badly done, but I think you did have intentions of doing a good job for Watford, I just think we had more issues then you could fix. Thanks for your work so far, hopefully you still have Watford's interests at heart!
If you are in Auz mate you need a reality check...... this guy has had "chancer" stamped all over him from day 1. He has been hanging on for weeks hoping that Marriappa would go. Hold onto Maps till Bassini goes.... or bankrupty looms...
holding on to Maps til Bassini goes does make sense, but why then have we been able to reject bids and avoid selling him over the last few weeks while Baz is here?!
because 2mil was not enough for bassini/bazzini/ to keep club,he needed more money so he was holding out.
Lets just be thankfull he,s going.
At least the likes of bummerjoe,ab11,corb,
jasonwatford wont show there faces again

aussihornet says...
10:35pm Sun 17 Jun 12

I still think he's treated us Watford Fans poorly! I don't even think I ever saw him in a video Interview, but I'm just hoping he wasn't BS-ing about having Watford's interests at heart!
Didn't stop him tipping £50 when he was in same restaurant as me at Arsenal games. Clearly being Owner had its perks!

Can we get the man on here that got fired for withholding the key to the safe! Clearly had good intentions for our club! We want his side of story!

Great news as long as this goes through! Sooner the better!

radlettman says...
10:40pm Sun 17 Jun 12

Rumour has it that the man holding onto safe keys was linked to head groundsman as we still have to pay for the turf...... we only have a sandpit to play in !!!

Andrew1963 says...
10:41pm Sun 17 Jun 12

I think a tie up with the spanish club could be good news WatFORD Granada has a ring to it. Lets hope Bassini did not make too much money out of the club. Presumably all of next seasons season ticket sales have been mortgaged a la Rangers?

Roger Joslyn says...
10:44pm Sun 17 Jun 12

I spoke to baz twice over the last 15 months and walked away unsure both times. I've always sat on the fence but my gut tells me him leaving and a new owner with their pedegree coming in can only be good for WFC.

mrbankrupt says...
10:45pm Sun 17 Jun 12

radlettman wrote:
Rumour has it that the man holding onto safe keys was linked to head groundsman as we still have to pay for the turf...... we only have a sandpit to play in !!!
better get hoofroyd back then

mrbankrupt says...
10:58pm Sun 17 Jun 12

Thank you Mr Bankrupt, you've saved the club! I vote we name the new stand after you.

Thanks for the offer but Bas has spent millions of his own money building it and calling it the GT stand

Please dont post anymore,this site is for Watford fans

pstannard4 says...
11:11pm Sun 17 Jun 12

In all honesty, he has started two vital things.

1) Get rid of Saracens this season.

2) Start the pitch relaying, SW corner and announce the start of building the new stand.

I think he has done the right thing with selling Watford, Moving on with a family that has the money to contend with.


This Pozzo family is hopefully a start of what is needed. Stabiltiy and money that goes in to the football club to be great again and back in the Premier League.

aussiehorn says...
11:29pm Sun 17 Jun 12

Attn Aussihornet your not that bloke I saw with a watford car sticker ( the one with the L***N shirt ) that was driving around Newcastle NSW . If not there are 3 of us !

Despite the web its still hard to understand whats going on at our club when you live the other side of the world but it does not meean we care any less !

buckler says...
11:36pm Sun 17 Jun 12

strummerjoe wrote:
Caught me out, I'm not a Watford fan like you. Well done you. I just like wasting my time taking the p1ss out of brain dead halfwits.
Where's my apology joey? Proved right again! God your so jealous of our mob, now as MrB has said stay away now. Real Watford fans only not Bassinis bandits, go with him please.

aussihornet says...
11:40pm Sun 17 Jun 12

aussiehorn wrote:
Attn Aussihornet your not that bloke I saw with a watford car sticker ( the one with the L***N shirt ) that was driving around Newcastle NSW . If not there are 3 of us !

Despite the web its still hard to understand whats going on at our club when you live the other side of the world but it does not meean we care any less !
haha, no mate, i'd never ever stoop to the low of wearing that peasant shirt haha!

Based in UK, however I think its pretty funny waking up in Aus, totally oblivious to the latest Mad going on's.

Mad ehh haha?

P.s. to other supporters, by the sounds of it, its Pozzo's son who looks likely to run things....

...here you go son, & nice present for your birthday ;)

buckler says...
11:43pm Sun 17 Jun 12

As a nice leaving present lets name a toilet in the Graham Taylor stand after Basini?

Not Bazzini says...
12:28am Mon 18 Jun 12

Wfc purchase price = 440,000
Sale of players used to fund repayments and running costs.

Sale price = 12,000,000

Looks like the club has been robbed by over £11,000,0000

Who allowed this to happen?

PurpleRalph says...
1:20am Mon 18 Jun 12

Is his daughters name Bentley?

KeithMercer says...
1:25am Mon 18 Jun 12

Well done and a hearty thanks to Mr bankrupt,LD,and Bucks.Its time you clappers apologised and admit you were wrong all along and that the boys were on the money yet again. We will continue to fight for this club ! and ask the questions that need to be asked! even if the answers are not the ones you want to hear.Hopefully now we will have real owners who want to invest and take this club forward both on and off the Pitch.You clappers wont believe it but Watford actually has great potential and can look to establish themselves once again in a ground with four sides.Clappers I am not satisfied with midtable mediocrity and away trips to peterborough even if you are.
So apologise now and get behind the team.

Alfiesballs says...
6:39am Mon 18 Jun 12

I asked my Spanish (Catalan) contact about the Pozzo family, this is the response some of which is I think internet seach. "Son, Gino, is resident in Barcelona and, despite being a Barça fan, they were sniffing around Espanyol in the summer of 2010, but it came to nowt. They own Granada, sold Alexis Sánchez to Barcelona and have their fingers in many pies.
Pozzo, father, was mixed up in the game-fixing scandal in Italy and has now been banned from holding executive posts in Italy, though he does still own Udinense.
He has been with Udinense since 1986 and has scouted the world to pick-up underpaid talent, brought them to Italy and sold them on for profit. He is considered to be a very good owner and people in both Italy and Granada are happy with the support from him.
The father & son team do tread a very fine line, but they don't seem to be thought of as really moving in the deepest shadows of the football world.
Cheers,"

corbindallas says...
7:09am Mon 18 Jun 12

mrbankrupt wrote:
southernhornet wrote:
radlettman wrote:
aussihornet wrote: Well Bassini, I think your handling of PR has always had people on your back, badly done, but I think you did have intentions of doing a good job for Watford, I just think we had more issues then you could fix. Thanks for your work so far, hopefully you still have Watford's interests at heart!
If you are in Auz mate you need a reality check...... this guy has had "chancer" stamped all over him from day 1. He has been hanging on for weeks hoping that Marriappa would go. Hold onto Maps till Bassini goes.... or bankrupty looms...
holding on to Maps til Bassini goes does make sense, but why then have we been able to reject bids and avoid selling him over the last few weeks while Baz is here?!
because 2mil was not enough for bassini/bazzini/ to keep club,he needed more money so he was holding out.
Lets just be thankfull he,s going.
At least the likes of bummerjoe,ab11,corb,

jasonwatford wont show there faces again
Wrong, and NO there is no apology coming or needed from me and others. You really need to read my previous posts properly, I support Bassini and still do whilst he is the current owner of our club for what he has done for Watford the past season, I won't list it all (again) but he has still done more in his 14 months as owner than the previous 3 owners and regardless of what you, Buckler, Lutondown, Alex Hillcroft and any other anti Bas say that FACT will not change. He is the current owner and should be supported whilst he is actually DOING things for the club, as said he was and so get's my support, if he stops doing so then he loses my support, simples! You lot are the jokes as you not only did not support him whilst positive things were actually happening in front of your eye's at the club but also all wanted Sean Dyche OUT remember, or have you really got short memories. As I say and continue to say I support Watford and anyone who wants to make Watford FC a better team and place, it's people like you that make it difficult for anyone with your negatives from day one. Also a warning ' the grass is not always greener on the other side ! One last thing before I leave you lot to ignore the relevant facts AGAIN, if Bassini did not buy the club at the time what was going to happen? Administration and points deduction, = transfer embargo or worse club assets sold which means players GONE cheaper than they are worth, at the end of the day if we survive as a club we would no longer be a Championship club and if anyone thinks that is better than the current you clearly are fools!

corbindallas says...
7:40am Mon 18 Jun 12

buckler wrote:
I personally will be talking to my Italian friends and will be making our club clapper free! You've been warned! As for being robbed blind, please up your eyes and ears?
Thought it was to much to expect a proper answer from you on you headlining posts, just proves my point on your non substance opinions. My eyes and ears are not only up but they are open as well!

grahamwfc says...
7:43am Mon 18 Jun 12

http://en.m.wikipedi
a.org/wiki/Giampaolo
_Pozzo

blokey says...
7:51am Mon 18 Jun 12

Pozzo seems to have a sensible method for running a club. Looks like he is an advocate of the Moneyball philosophy.
But dont rule out some horrible decisions made just to show heis in charge, like sacking existing employees who have good track records

Watfordwes says...
8:08am Mon 18 Jun 12

Something not right here we struggled to get investors to pay peanuts in the past so why would someone pay 20m now?

I hoped Baz was genuine, I did nt come on here praising or criticising him, but he did seem to come good on most of his promises plus the team was holding its own on the pitch. However now the accusations that he was a chancer seem to have legs.

I just hope any future investors have watford's best interests at heart! Remember gt walking away so close to all of this can't simply be coincidence!

pstannard4 says...
8:10am Mon 18 Jun 12

blokey wrote:
Pozzo seems to have a sensible method for running a club. Looks like he is an advocate of the Moneyball philosophy.
But dont rule out some horrible decisions made just to show heis in charge, like sacking existing employees who have good track records
Thats my biggest worry with Sean Dyhce. Yes he had a tricky start to his managerial career at Watford but he turned things around after January and got us to a higher finish then Brendan Rogers and Malky Mackay when they have been in Charge after the successfull Adrian Boothroyd few years

jasonwatford says...
8:18am Mon 18 Jun 12

Dear Mr Bankrupt...hope the wheels on ur hemel house are still turning round ok. I support WFC and what Bassini said he would do he was doing....new players were coming in.....money was made available to Watford Trust....Pub was Re furb...New Pitch is being done...Who knows if his long term projects would have come off...Bas never seems in his business life to follow through so maybe its best to step aside now. I will support new owners if they also do the right thing and we see progress....im sure there be others now thinking we should be buying players out of our league. I do feel sorry for Mr bankrupt and Buckler ( who sometimes is funny ) as they have not much left to moan about. Cmon you horns.

mrbankrupt says...
8:33am Mon 18 Jun 12

KeithMercer wrote:
Well done and a hearty thanks to Mr bankrupt,LD,and Bucks.Its time you clappers apologised and admit you were wrong all along and that the boys were on the money yet again. We will continue to fight for this club ! and ask the questions that need to be asked! even if the answers are not the ones you want to hear.Hopefully now we will have real owners who want to invest and take this club forward both on and off the Pitch.You clappers wont believe it but Watford actually has great potential and can look to establish themselves once again in a ground with four sides.Clappers I am not satisfied with midtable mediocrity and away trips to peterborough even if you are.
So apologise now and get behind the team.
Great quote merc
The cream always comes to the top

mrbankrupt says...
8:43am Mon 18 Jun 12

pstannard4 wrote:
jasonwatford wrote:
Dear Mr Bankrupt...hope the wheels on ur hemel house are still turning round ok. I support WFC and what Bassini said he would do he was doing....new players were coming in.....money was made available to Watford Trust....Pub was Re furb...New Pitch is being done...Who knows if his long term projects would have come off...Bas never seems in his business life to follow through so maybe its best to step aside now. I will support new owners if they also do the right thing and we see progress....im sure there be others now thinking we should be buying players out of our league. I do feel sorry for Mr bankrupt and Buckler ( who sometimes is funny ) as they have not much left to moan about. Cmon you horns.
Don't think Mr Bankrupt is Actually a Watford supporter like us. Doesn't understand that of what you said.

If Bas is such a bad person why was he spending on the stadium and got the pub referbished (very nice by the way). SD got to a higher finish in the Championship then MM and BR since AB left 4 years ago. I suppose he took us as far as he could.

Mr Bankrupt, go away back to the hole of Kenilworth Road where you came from. Idiot.
hows the Graham Taylor stand coming on ?
Have the staff been paid?
Hows the SW corner coming on ?

Bush Hornet says...
9:04am Mon 18 Jun 12

Hmmm. So a bunch of Italians with no previous connection with the club are going to take over. That's always worked well for Watford. Excuse me if I don't **** with you just yet

garston tony says...
9:04am Mon 18 Jun 12

I don't think LB has been bad for the club, he has continued to 'move it forward' and my only gripe is that he has been a little naïve. But should the sale go through I'll wish him all the best and I hope the new owners with their links to other clubs can help WFC move on.

I cant help not being overly keen on a foreign owner but at least they are from a good footballing background.

Buckler you were wrong in your actual statement about LB and the reasons why he would be selling and I don’t think you gave your promised apology yourself. You're also so wrong in attitude, so childish towards people who have a different opinion.

Oh, and LB isnt robbing the club of anything. He's had to put into the club as its outgoings have been more than it made in the last 15 months in tickets and merchandise and player sales. LB is recouping his money plus between 2-4million, but from the NEW owners NOT the club. If the new owners are happy to pay £20mill then that’s up to them and LB.

jasonwatford says...
9:13am Mon 18 Jun 12

hows the Graham Taylor stand coming on ?
Have the staff been paid?
Hows the SW corner coming on ?

Mr Bankrupt ( prob why u live in a caravan ) The Stand Name was said 2-3 weeks ago ?? SW Corner has has all tendors for the work in and date being agreed to start work. Yes the staff were paid.
If Bas aint got the money thats fine and wants to sell then good no prbs with that or a new owner. I always comment on what i see in front of me not what i dream up and think. As many other on here just leave it and move on. You a keyboard warrior and have no idea of what happens in the real world.

buckler says...
9:23am Mon 18 Jun 12

Clap Clap Clap now Ciao! Got a big meeting this morning with some important Italian friends. CIAO

StephenKilamanjiro says...
9:24am Mon 18 Jun 12

You lot really are a bunch of idiots aren't you. It's always he said she said. Grow up. This is a very positive move for the club.

Mickey Quinn, not so thin says...
9:43am Mon 18 Jun 12

Bas - thanks for stabilising the club in the short time you were here. Please ignore the 3-4 intellectually challenged on here who would not be happy unless you had bankrolled the club to promotion and are "...not satisfied with mid-table mediocrity". With 10,000 plus fans there will always be a few idiots. As you can see the intelligent reasoned comments come from those who appreciate your era and have excused the odd PR hiccup.

Mr Pozzo - please note there are 3-4 names on here who will be on your back if we are not promoted this coming season. I'm sure you'll have coped with worse at Udinese.

llloydwithathirdl says...
9:47am Mon 18 Jun 12

Just go now you awful man.

ChunkeyMonkey says...
10:00am Mon 18 Jun 12

Does anyone know if there is any connection with the Pozzo's and Paladini the ex QPR Board Member?

Mickey Quinn, not so thin says...
10:00am Mon 18 Jun 12

If he makes a capital gain on selling the club that is a GOOD thing. The fact that he may be selling the club for a few £ms shows that, having bought a worthless asset no-one wanted, he has turned it into something of value that others want to buy ? Something Ashcroft couldn't achieve. The fact that he may make a capital gain on it is irrelevant to us. This is not a profit that has in some way been smuggled out of the club, this is purely a reflection of an increase in the value of the club. Had he simply sold players and pocketed the cash (as others have suggested and he denied) the club would be worth LESS as a business now than when he bought it ??

tonupchris says...
10:04am Mon 18 Jun 12

It seems that Bas has a bit of a record of not following things through so maybe this is a good thing. I have a friend who is a journalist in Italy and said this will be a good move for Watford but that he did have a bit of a shady past.
For those that have delighted in Bas leaving and that they feel as though they have made this happen, you are deluded! There is absolutely no chance whatsoever that your ramblings on here or any other site have swayed his decision. As a so called clapper (still no idea what this is) if you look what's happened here in the last 14 months then I struggle to see what he did wrong.
New players, new pitch, made more money from Saracens, new pub and also not just accepting any bids for our players. He came in when nobody else wanted to and is handing over the club in a far better position.
If he makes a couple of quid out of this then so be it.
With regards to the safe, why did this employee feel he had the right to refuse to hand over the keys.
I will back people who seem to be doing the right thing for our club. He could however do with some PR lessons!
I am still waiting for those that have always knocked Bassini to say what he has done wrong.
Onwards and upwards though and hopefully Mr Pozzo (if he comes in) will have as much success here as he's had elsewhere.
COYGB

Alex Hillcroft says...
10:07am Mon 18 Jun 12

HMRC looking into non payment of NI and other tax issues??

StephenKilamanjiro says...
10:09am Mon 18 Jun 12

Exactly, well said Mickey. He put his money where his mouth was and is going to make a profit. He is going to sell to a group of people who have experience in dealing with football clubs. Expect to see an influx of foreign youngsters coming through the books. The Pozzo's were very interested in the Acadamy and the mechanisms of how it would work for the club. We don't know if they are going to spend money, but we know it's going to be better that The Non Dom Lord and LB.

Alex Hillcroft says...
10:22am Mon 18 Jun 12

strummerjoe wrote:
Not Bazzini wrote:
Wfc purchase price = 440,000
Sale of players used to fund repayments and running costs.

Sale price = 12,000,000

Looks like the club has been robbed by over £11,000,0000

Who allowed this to happen?
Thick. Not even the tiniest grasp of the figures. He's 'robbing' the club of about £2m, and fair play to him. If Pozzo had been around when Ashcroft wanted out, he wouldn't have made anything. But he wasn't, was he? And I didn't see Buckler (with his 'successful business' ) LD, Mr B KM et al stepping into the breach back at the start of 2011. ****.
A typically inane comment from Joe. Do you really think it's valid that a because someone didn't offer to buy the club they have no right to voice an opinion on the behaviour of the owner? I've never played in goal for Watford but I can still see that Loache is crap. Likewise I've never bought a football club, but anyone with a shred of business acumen could see from the off that with his mirky business history, his failure to reveal the source of his funding and the convoluted share structure he put in place to compete his takeover, Baz was likely to be a disaster. Please have the good grace to accept that your long standing defence of Baz - seemingly based on the few baubles he has tossed (the pub refurb, pitch, a walk round the stadium before matches) means that, at best, you are naive. If I was in a less charitable mood there are other words I could use to describe you and the other nit-wits who post on here with such high-minded and unshakable belief in their ill-considered and ill-informed opinions.

StephenKilamanjiro says...
10:28am Mon 18 Jun 12

Alex Hillcroft wrote:
strummerjoe wrote:
Not Bazzini wrote:
Wfc purchase price = 440,000
Sale of players used to fund repayments and running costs.

Sale price = 12,000,000

Looks like the club has been robbed by over £11,000,0000

Who allowed this to happen?
Thick. Not even the tiniest grasp of the figures. He's 'robbing' the club of about £2m, and fair play to him. If Pozzo had been around when Ashcroft wanted out, he wouldn't have made anything. But he wasn't, was he? And I didn't see Buckler (with his 'successful business' ) LD, Mr B KM et al stepping into the breach back at the start of 2011. ****.
A typically inane comment from Joe. Do you really think it's valid that a because someone didn't offer to buy the club they have no right to voice an opinion on the behaviour of the owner? I've never played in goal for Watford but I can still see that Loache is crap. Likewise I've never bought a football club, but anyone with a shred of business acumen could see from the off that with his mirky business history, his failure to reveal the source of his funding and the convoluted share structure he put in place to compete his takeover, Baz was likely to be a disaster. Please have the good grace to accept that your long standing defence of Baz - seemingly based on the few baubles he has tossed (the pub refurb, pitch, a walk round the stadium before matches) means that, at best, you are naive. If I was in a less charitable mood there are other words I could use to describe you and the other nit-wits who post on here with such high-minded and unshakable belief in their ill-considered and ill-informed opinions.
Typical, firstly, LB is not going to get anywhere near £12m reported. That's what he wants, I don't think he will get it. The club hasn't been robbed of anything, just like any business needs capital to satisfy running costs. Watford sold players, which is fair enough. Some people need to look at the bigger picture...some really silly people and comments on here...

Mickey Quinn, not so thin says...
10:35am Mon 18 Jun 12

Alex Hillcroft wrote:
strummerjoe wrote:
Not Bazzini wrote:
Wfc purchase price = 440,000
Sale of players used to fund repayments and running costs.

Sale price = 12,000,000

Looks like the club has been robbed by over £11,000,0000

Who allowed this to happen?
Thick. Not even the tiniest grasp of the figures. He's 'robbing' the club of about £2m, and fair play to him. If Pozzo had been around when Ashcroft wanted out, he wouldn't have made anything. But he wasn't, was he? And I didn't see Buckler (with his 'successful business' ) LD, Mr B KM et al stepping into the breach back at the start of 2011. ****.
A typically inane comment from Joe. Do you really think it's valid that a because someone didn't offer to buy the club they have no right to voice an opinion on the behaviour of the owner? I've never played in goal for Watford but I can still see that Loache is crap. Likewise I've never bought a football club, but anyone with a shred of business acumen could see from the off that with his mirky business history, his failure to reveal the source of his funding and the convoluted share structure he put in place to compete his takeover, Baz was likely to be a disaster. Please have the good grace to accept that your long standing defence of Baz - seemingly based on the few baubles he has tossed (the pub refurb, pitch, a walk round the stadium before matches) means that, at best, you are naive. If I was in a less charitable mood there are other words I could use to describe you and the other nit-wits who post on here with such high-minded and unshakable belief in their ill-considered and ill-informed opinions.
So Mr Hillcroft what has he done wrong exactly tio make him "a disaster"? If he's pocketed lots of cash from the club why is it worth more than when he bought it and why does he claim he "hasn't taken a penny out of the club" with claims that other directors can confirm this ? He was clearly in it for a capital gain when no-one else was prepared to buy us. If he achieved it, good on him. Who cares what his source of funding was or that he had a poor business track record. This will be irrelevant if he now sells.

McHornet says...
10:41am Mon 18 Jun 12

We have to understand that LB is a businessman. He sees WFC as a commodity! He buys for cheap sells for high. Like a property developer, he buys a flat for £100k, new Carpet, new Kitchen, lick of paint etc... sells for £150k! Business is Business! We are supporters, we will always get the poo end of the stick! we just have to blindly follow... your opinion, good or bad means nothing!

Deal with it!

KeithMercer says...
10:42am Mon 18 Jun 12

Alex Hillcroft wrote:
strummerjoe wrote:
Not Bazzini wrote:
Wfc purchase price = 440,000
Sale of players used to fund repayments and running costs.

Sale price = 12,000,000

Looks like the club has been robbed by over £11,000,0000

Who allowed this to happen?
Thick. Not even the tiniest grasp of the figures. He's 'robbing' the club of about £2m, and fair play to him. If Pozzo had been around when Ashcroft wanted out, he wouldn't have made anything. But he wasn't, was he? And I didn't see Buckler (with his 'successful business' ) LD, Mr B KM et al stepping into the breach back at the start of 2011. ****.
A typically inane comment from Joe. Do you really think it's valid that a because someone didn't offer to buy the club they have no right to voice an opinion on the behaviour of the owner? I've never played in goal for Watford but I can still see that Loache is crap. Likewise I've never bought a football club, but anyone with a shred of business acumen could see from the off that with his mirky business history, his failure to reveal the source of his funding and the convoluted share structure he put in place to compete his takeover, Baz was likely to be a disaster. Please have the good grace to accept that your long standing defence of Baz - seemingly based on the few baubles he has tossed (the pub refurb, pitch, a walk round the stadium before matches) means that, at best, you are naive. If I was in a less charitable mood there are other words I could use to describe you and the other nit-wits who post on here with such high-minded and unshakable belief in their ill-considered and ill-informed opinions.
Spot on Alex!
keep up the good work, some on here just continue to bury their heads in the sand and do not want to admit they were wrong.
CIAO !

Alex Hillcroft says...
10:49am Mon 18 Jun 12

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
Alex Hillcroft wrote:
strummerjoe wrote:
Not Bazzini wrote:
Wfc purchase price = 440,000
Sale of players used to fund repayments and running costs.

Sale price = 12,000,000

Looks like the club has been robbed by over £11,000,0000

Who allowed this to happen?
Thick. Not even the tiniest grasp of the figures. He's 'robbing' the club of about £2m, and fair play to him. If Pozzo had been around when Ashcroft wanted out, he wouldn't have made anything. But he wasn't, was he? And I didn't see Buckler (with his 'successful business' ) LD, Mr B KM et al stepping into the breach back at the start of 2011. ****.
A typically inane comment from Joe. Do you really think it's valid that a because someone didn't offer to buy the club they have no right to voice an opinion on the behaviour of the owner? I've never played in goal for Watford but I can still see that Loache is crap. Likewise I've never bought a football club, but anyone with a shred of business acumen could see from the off that with his mirky business history, his failure to reveal the source of his funding and the convoluted share structure he put in place to compete his takeover, Baz was likely to be a disaster. Please have the good grace to accept that your long standing defence of Baz - seemingly based on the few baubles he has tossed (the pub refurb, pitch, a walk round the stadium before matches) means that, at best, you are naive. If I was in a less charitable mood there are other words I could use to describe you and the other nit-wits who post on here with such high-minded and unshakable belief in their ill-considered and ill-informed opinions.
So Mr Hillcroft what has he done wrong exactly tio make him "a disaster"? If he's pocketed lots of cash from the club why is it worth more than when he bought it and why does he claim he "hasn't taken a penny out of the club" with claims that other directors can confirm this ? He was clearly in it for a capital gain when no-one else was prepared to buy us. If he achieved it, good on him. Who cares what his source of funding was or that he had a poor business track record. This will be irrelevant if he now sells.
Do bounced cheques to creditors, apparent late payments to staff, squabbles with staff over access to the company safe, rumours of HMRC interest etc etc not cause you any unease?

Mickey Quinn, not so thin says...
11:19am Mon 18 Jun 12

Alex Hillcroft wrote:
Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
Alex Hillcroft wrote:
strummerjoe wrote:
Not Bazzini wrote:
Wfc purchase price = 440,000
Sale of players used to fund repayments and running costs.

Sale price = 12,000,000

Looks like the club has been robbed by over £11,000,0000

Who allowed this to happen?
Thick. Not even the tiniest grasp of the figures. He's 'robbing' the club of about £2m, and fair play to him. If Pozzo had been around when Ashcroft wanted out, he wouldn't have made anything. But he wasn't, was he? And I didn't see Buckler (with his 'successful business' ) LD, Mr B KM et al stepping into the breach back at the start of 2011. ****.
A typically inane comment from Joe. Do you really think it's valid that a because someone didn't offer to buy the club they have no right to voice an opinion on the behaviour of the owner? I've never played in goal for Watford but I can still see that Loache is crap. Likewise I've never bought a football club, but anyone with a shred of business acumen could see from the off that with his mirky business history, his failure to reveal the source of his funding and the convoluted share structure he put in place to compete his takeover, Baz was likely to be a disaster. Please have the good grace to accept that your long standing defence of Baz - seemingly based on the few baubles he has tossed (the pub refurb, pitch, a walk round the stadium before matches) means that, at best, you are naive. If I was in a less charitable mood there are other words I could use to describe you and the other nit-wits who post on here with such high-minded and unshakable belief in their ill-considered and ill-informed opinions.
So Mr Hillcroft what has he done wrong exactly tio make him "a disaster"? If he's pocketed lots of cash from the club why is it worth more than when he bought it and why does he claim he "hasn't taken a penny out of the club" with claims that other directors can confirm this ? He was clearly in it for a capital gain when no-one else was prepared to buy us. If he achieved it, good on him. Who cares what his source of funding was or that he had a poor business track record. This will be irrelevant if he now sells.
Do bounced cheques to creditors, apparent late payments to staff, squabbles with staff over access to the company safe, rumours of HMRC interest etc etc not cause you any unease?
Honest answer is "yes" but see explanation in the article and i prefer to base my views on facts rather than rumours. If the facts later show that Bas was in default on interest payments and effectively pushed out then I'd accept that. Likewise the HMRC "rumours". I think we were all (clappers and non clappers) concerned about his business track record and motives for buying the club but many of us were prepared to judge him on what he delivered. No disasters (other than PR) so far that I can see. No plans to relocate the club, no fire sale of players.....Will we be more comfortable being owned by the Pozzos ? Deeper pockets and experience of running clubs but no local link... Also noted in the comments above
"....Pozzo, father, was mixed up in the game-fixing scandal in Italy and has now been banned from holding executive posts in Italy, though he does still own Udinese"

Worrying ? On the whole I believe the sale would be beneficial to the club but we will have to see what happens and as with Bas, judge based on performance.

The Rover says...
11:32am Mon 18 Jun 12

IMHO LB rescued the club from possible administration at a time when there was no-one else willing to put money in, and no other offers on the table.

He has not done a bad job, and the club is definately in a better position now than when he bought it. (pitch, pub etc.)

If he makes money on the sale then so be it. Afer all, he is a businessman, and the bought the cub to make a profit.

New Italian owners could be good, especially given the links with other clubs. Nothing wrong with a bit of match fixing as long as we dont get found out and end up getting promoted ;-)

Alex Hillcroft says...
11:35am Mon 18 Jun 12

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
Alex Hillcroft wrote:
Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
Alex Hillcroft wrote:
strummerjoe wrote:
Not Bazzini wrote:
Wfc purchase price = 440,000
Sale of players used to fund repayments and running costs.

Sale price = 12,000,000

Looks like the club has been robbed by over £11,000,0000

Who allowed this to happen?
Thick. Not even the tiniest grasp of the figures. He's 'robbing' the club of about £2m, and fair play to him. If Pozzo had been around when Ashcroft wanted out, he wouldn't have made anything. But he wasn't, was he? And I didn't see Buckler (with his 'successful business' ) LD, Mr B KM et al stepping into the breach back at the start of 2011. ****.
A typically inane comment from Joe. Do you really think it's valid that a because someone didn't offer to buy the club they have no right to voice an opinion on the behaviour of the owner? I've never played in goal for Watford but I can still see that Loache is crap. Likewise I've never bought a football club, but anyone with a shred of business acumen could see from the off that with his mirky business history, his failure to reveal the source of his funding and the convoluted share structure he put in place to compete his takeover, Baz was likely to be a disaster. Please have the good grace to accept that your long standing defence of Baz - seemingly based on the few baubles he has tossed (the pub refurb, pitch, a walk round the stadium before matches) means that, at best, you are naive. If I was in a less charitable mood there are other words I could use to describe you and the other nit-wits who post on here with such high-minded and unshakable belief in their ill-considered and ill-informed opinions.
So Mr Hillcroft what has he done wrong exactly tio make him "a disaster"? If he's pocketed lots of cash from the club why is it worth more than when he bought it and why does he claim he "hasn't taken a penny out of the club" with claims that other directors can confirm this ? He was clearly in it for a capital gain when no-one else was prepared to buy us. If he achieved it, good on him. Who cares what his source of funding was or that he had a poor business track record. This will be irrelevant if he now sells.
Do bounced cheques to creditors, apparent late payments to staff, squabbles with staff over access to the company safe, rumours of HMRC interest etc etc not cause you any unease?
Honest answer is "yes" but see explanation in the article and i prefer to base my views on facts rather than rumours. If the facts later show that Bas was in default on interest payments and effectively pushed out then I'd accept that. Likewise the HMRC "rumours". I think we were all (clappers and non clappers) concerned about his business track record and motives for buying the club but many of us were prepared to judge him on what he delivered. No disasters (other than PR) so far that I can see. No plans to relocate the club, no fire sale of players.....Will we be more comfortable being owned by the Pozzos ? Deeper pockets and experience of running clubs but no local link... Also noted in the comments above
"....Pozzo, father, was mixed up in the game-fixing scandal in Italy and has now been banned from holding executive posts in Italy, though he does still own Udinese"

Worrying ? On the whole I believe the sale would be beneficial to the club but we will have to see what happens and as with Bas, judge based on performance.
So because Baz - or anyone else -says something that makes it a 'fact' does it?

Hilarious that Bi-Polar is using the "leaving to spend more time with my family" line so routinely trotted out by anyone who jumps before they are pushed!

Mickey Quinn, not so thin says...
11:42am Mon 18 Jun 12

Alex Hillcroft wrote:
Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
Alex Hillcroft wrote:
Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
Alex Hillcroft wrote:
strummerjoe wrote:
Not Bazzini wrote:
Wfc purchase price = 440,000
Sale of players used to fund repayments and running costs.

Sale price = 12,000,000

Looks like the club has been robbed by over £11,000,0000

Who allowed this to happen?
Thick. Not even the tiniest grasp of the figures. He's 'robbing' the club of about £2m, and fair play to him. If Pozzo had been around when Ashcroft wanted out, he wouldn't have made anything. But he wasn't, was he? And I didn't see Buckler (with his 'successful business' ) LD, Mr B KM et al stepping into the breach back at the start of 2011. ****.
A typically inane comment from Joe. Do you really think it's valid that a because someone didn't offer to buy the club they have no right to voice an opinion on the behaviour of the owner? I've never played in goal for Watford but I can still see that Loache is crap. Likewise I've never bought a football club, but anyone with a shred of business acumen could see from the off that with his mirky business history, his failure to reveal the source of his funding and the convoluted share structure he put in place to compete his takeover, Baz was likely to be a disaster. Please have the good grace to accept that your long standing defence of Baz - seemingly based on the few baubles he has tossed (the pub refurb, pitch, a walk round the stadium before matches) means that, at best, you are naive. If I was in a less charitable mood there are other words I could use to describe you and the other nit-wits who post on here with such high-minded and unshakable belief in their ill-considered and ill-informed opinions.
So Mr Hillcroft what has he done wrong exactly tio make him "a disaster"? If he's pocketed lots of cash from the club why is it worth more than when he bought it and why does he claim he "hasn't taken a penny out of the club" with claims that other directors can confirm this ? He was clearly in it for a capital gain when no-one else was prepared to buy us. If he achieved it, good on him. Who cares what his source of funding was or that he had a poor business track record. This will be irrelevant if he now sells.
Do bounced cheques to creditors, apparent late payments to staff, squabbles with staff over access to the company safe, rumours of HMRC interest etc etc not cause you any unease?
Honest answer is "yes" but see explanation in the article and i prefer to base my views on facts rather than rumours. If the facts later show that Bas was in default on interest payments and effectively pushed out then I'd accept that. Likewise the HMRC "rumours". I think we were all (clappers and non clappers) concerned about his business track record and motives for buying the club but many of us were prepared to judge him on what he delivered. No disasters (other than PR) so far that I can see. No plans to relocate the club, no fire sale of players.....Will we be more comfortable being owned by the Pozzos ? Deeper pockets and experience of running clubs but no local link... Also noted in the comments above
"....Pozzo, father, was mixed up in the game-fixing scandal in Italy and has now been banned from holding executive posts in Italy, though he does still own Udinese"

Worrying ? On the whole I believe the sale would be beneficial to the club but we will have to see what happens and as with Bas, judge based on performance.
So because Baz - or anyone else -says something that makes it a 'fact' does it?

Hilarious that Bi-Polar is using the "leaving to spend more time with my family" line so routinely trotted out by anyone who jumps before they are pushed!
"So because Baz - or anyone else -says something that makes it a 'fact' does it?"

No, but its more likely to be fact than "rumours" or some of your "opinions".

The Crimson Avenger says...
11:51am Mon 18 Jun 12

buckler wrote:
Clap Clap Clap now Ciao! Got a big meeting this morning with some important Italian friends. CIAO
Ha Ha looks like the old Bucker has joined the ranks of the happy clappers. I’d like to welcome you to our club. How long for though I wonder.

buckler says...
3:05pm Mon 28 May 12
Rumours flying about that Bankrupt Bas has not met payments and found out to be a phoney and potless! Gone by the weekend! Will put an end to all this backing him up if true, some serious Humble Pie and apologies coming soon! I'm loving it!

Over 3 weeks late and trying to take credit what will this old bucker do next.

I predict SD will leave as will the whole of the current squad and the new owner(Giampaolo Pozzo ) if he does buy the club will sell it. Remember you heard it first here. If it takes 5 or 50 years I’ll be correct.


Well as for LB lets look at the actual facts available , not rumour, insult and libellous comments.


He was the only person willing to take on the club at a time when it could have gone bankrupt. Of course I could be wrong and he fought off bids from a multitude of others.


The team finished in the top half of the table. Now for those who say he had nothing to do with that, how many of you would have blamed him if we were relegated. All of you.


The pitch is being replaced.


The Red Lion is open.


The club’s position is now sound enough that it looks attractive to another buyer.

That all sounds good to me.

Oh and you old Bucker my mate if you’d like to meet me for a cup of coffee and a chat about life the universe and everything I’m at the Gintas Gym Exchange Road every Saturday between 3 and 5 pm (when we are not playing at home) just ask for Matey.

akureyri says...
11:53am Mon 18 Jun 12

So now the man who rescued us from the infighting directors and the threat of administration is going, and I hope the keyboard guerrillas think they have any responsibility for this, who are the anti-Bas group going to hate next? The new owners?

Harrydownunder says...
12:05pm Mon 18 Jun 12

Why was my post removed? no swearing.... I simply said "Bye Bye Bas"

Then I might have given the web address for the hornets down under for the fellow Aussie Hornets on here. Is that not allowed?

buckler says...
12:06pm Mon 18 Jun 12

Same old Buckler , always right and a true hero now to most real Watford fans! Can't wait to hear my name being chanted soon!

Harrydownunder says...
12:06pm Mon 18 Jun 12

Tell yer story walking Baz. You certainly won't be missed.
I am delighted he is selling the club, before he bankrupts yet another business.

Harrydownunder says...
12:10pm Mon 18 Jun 12

Found my post, sorry..... Was too early obviously.....

Alex Hillcroft says...
12:14pm Mon 18 Jun 12

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
Alex Hillcroft wrote:
Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
Alex Hillcroft wrote:
Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
Alex Hillcroft wrote:
strummerjoe wrote:
Not Bazzini wrote:
Wfc purchase price = 440,000
Sale of players used to fund repayments and running costs.

Sale price = 12,000,000

Looks like the club has been robbed by over £11,000,0000

Who allowed this to happen?
Thick. Not even the tiniest grasp of the figures. He's 'robbing' the club of about £2m, and fair play to him. If Pozzo had been around when Ashcroft wanted out, he wouldn't have made anything. But he wasn't, was he? And I didn't see Buckler (with his 'successful business' ) LD, Mr B KM et al stepping into the breach back at the start of 2011. ****.
A typically inane comment from Joe. Do you really think it's valid that a because someone didn't offer to buy the club they have no right to voice an opinion on the behaviour of the owner? I've never played in goal for Watford but I can still see that Loache is crap. Likewise I've never bought a football club, but anyone with a shred of business acumen could see from the off that with his mirky business history, his failure to reveal the source of his funding and the convoluted share structure he put in place to compete his takeover, Baz was likely to be a disaster. Please have the good grace to accept that your long standing defence of Baz - seemingly based on the few baubles he has tossed (the pub refurb, pitch, a walk round the stadium before matches) means that, at best, you are naive. If I was in a less charitable mood there are other words I could use to describe you and the other nit-wits who post on here with such high-minded and unshakable belief in their ill-considered and ill-informed opinions.
So Mr Hillcroft what has he done wrong exactly tio make him "a disaster"? If he's pocketed lots of cash from the club why is it worth more than when he bought it and why does he claim he "hasn't taken a penny out of the club" with claims that other directors can confirm this ? He was clearly in it for a capital gain when no-one else was prepared to buy us. If he achieved it, good on him. Who cares what his source of funding was or that he had a poor business track record. This will be irrelevant if he now sells.
Do bounced cheques to creditors, apparent late payments to staff, squabbles with staff over access to the company safe, rumours of HMRC interest etc etc not cause you any unease?
Honest answer is "yes" but see explanation in the article and i prefer to base my views on facts rather than rumours. If the facts later show that Bas was in default on interest payments and effectively pushed out then I'd accept that. Likewise the HMRC "rumours". I think we were all (clappers and non clappers) concerned about his business track record and motives for buying the club but many of us were prepared to judge him on what he delivered. No disasters (other than PR) so far that I can see. No plans to relocate the club, no fire sale of players.....Will we be more comfortable being owned by the Pozzos ? Deeper pockets and experience of running clubs but no local link... Also noted in the comments above
"....Pozzo, father, was mixed up in the game-fixing scandal in Italy and has now been banned from holding executive posts in Italy, though he does still own Udinese"

Worrying ? On the whole I believe the sale would be beneficial to the club but we will have to see what happens and as with Bas, judge based on performance.
So because Baz - or anyone else -says something that makes it a 'fact' does it?

Hilarious that Bi-Polar is using the "leaving to spend more time with my family" line so routinely trotted out by anyone who jumps before they are pushed!
"So because Baz - or anyone else -says something that makes it a 'fact' does it?"

No, but its more likely to be fact than "rumours" or some of your "opinions".
Why?

Mickey Quinn, not so thin says...
12:54pm Mon 18 Jun 12

Alex Hillcroft wrote:
Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
Alex Hillcroft wrote:
Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
Alex Hillcroft wrote:
Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
Alex Hillcroft wrote:
strummerjoe wrote:
Not Bazzini wrote:
Wfc purchase price = 440,000
Sale of players used to fund repayments and running costs.

Sale price = 12,000,000

Looks like the club has been robbed by over £11,000,0000

Who allowed this to happen?
Thick. Not even the tiniest grasp of the figures. He's 'robbing' the club of about £2m, and fair play to him. If Pozzo had been around when Ashcroft wanted out, he wouldn't have made anything. But he wasn't, was he? And I didn't see Buckler (with his 'successful business' ) LD, Mr B KM et al stepping into the breach back at the start of 2011. ****.
A typically inane comment from Joe. Do you really think it's valid that a because someone didn't offer to buy the club they have no right to voice an opinion on the behaviour of the owner? I've never played in goal for Watford but I can still see that Loache is crap. Likewise I've never bought a football club, but anyone with a shred of business acumen could see from the off that with his mirky business history, his failure to reveal the source of his funding and the convoluted share structure he put in place to compete his takeover, Baz was likely to be a disaster. Please have the good grace to accept that your long standing defence of Baz - seemingly based on the few baubles he has tossed (the pub refurb, pitch, a walk round the stadium before matches) means that, at best, you are naive. If I was in a less charitable mood there are other words I could use to describe you and the other nit-wits who post on here with such high-minded and unshakable belief in their ill-considered and ill-informed opinions.
So Mr Hillcroft what has he done wrong exactly tio make him "a disaster"? If he's pocketed lots of cash from the club why is it worth more than when he bought it and why does he claim he "hasn't taken a penny out of the club" with claims that other directors can confirm this ? He was clearly in it for a capital gain when no-one else was prepared to buy us. If he achieved it, good on him. Who cares what his source of funding was or that he had a poor business track record. This will be irrelevant if he now sells.
Do bounced cheques to creditors, apparent late payments to staff, squabbles with staff over access to the company safe, rumours of HMRC interest etc etc not cause you any unease?
Honest answer is "yes" but see explanation in the article and i prefer to base my views on facts rather than rumours. If the facts later show that Bas was in default on interest payments and effectively pushed out then I'd accept that. Likewise the HMRC "rumours". I think we were all (clappers and non clappers) concerned about his business track record and motives for buying the club but many of us were prepared to judge him on what he delivered. No disasters (other than PR) so far that I can see. No plans to relocate the club, no fire sale of players.....Will we be more comfortable being owned by the Pozzos ? Deeper pockets and experience of running clubs but no local link... Also noted in the comments above
"....Pozzo, father, was mixed up in the game-fixing scandal in Italy and has now been banned from holding executive posts in Italy, though he does still own Udinese"

Worrying ? On the whole I believe the sale would be beneficial to the club but we will have to see what happens and as with Bas, judge based on performance.
So because Baz - or anyone else -says something that makes it a 'fact' does it?

Hilarious that Bi-Polar is using the "leaving to spend more time with my family" line so routinely trotted out by anyone who jumps before they are pushed!
"So because Baz - or anyone else -says something that makes it a 'fact' does it?"

No, but its more likely to be fact than "rumours" or some of your "opinions".
Why?
Because he is directly involved and knows the facts. You are not and are guessing. Only risk is that he is lying. If so facts/events will later prove this. Bottom line is we would both be supportive of this potential acquisition.

McHornet says...
12:59pm Mon 18 Jun 12

mrbankrupt, who gave you the right to tell people where they are welcome...? If i pay my money, i am welcome, as are you!

Smilingburkinshaw says...
1:01pm Mon 18 Jun 12

This new guy is a bit like Abromovich!!! A manager every year pretty much except on a few occasions!
Bora Milutinović 1987–88
Alberto Bigon 1992–93
Giovanni Galeone 1994–95
Alberto Zaccheroni 1995–98
Francesco Guidolin 1998–99
Luigi De Canio 1999–00
Luciano Spalletti 2000–01
Roy Hodgson 2001–02
Luciano Spalletti 2002–05
Serse Cosmi 2005–06
Loris Dominissini 2006
Giovanni Galeone 2006–07
Alberto Malesani 2007
Pasquale Marino 2007–09
Gianni De Biasi 2009–10
Pasquale Marino 2010
Francesco Guidolin 2010–

mrbankrupt says...
1:01pm Mon 18 Jun 12

McHornet wrote:
mrbankrupt, who gave you the right to tell people where they are welcome...? If i pay my money, i am welcome, as are you!
No jocks for a start Mchornet
Now clap on

McHornet says...
1:09pm Mon 18 Jun 12

I will clap on, thanks. Clap in support, like a supporter.

Well done on the racism too, well done!

Chris the Vic says...
1:11pm Mon 18 Jun 12

One of the major things wrong with the world and with this site is there are too many people expressing opinions that are based on little or no fact.

From where I stand WFC has stabilised under LB, he has not made nor will he make £11m plus profit, but he wants his initial investment back and other monies he has put in.

What we do not know is if he had backing, who backed him although early on I intimated it was Italian money.

But what I find really strange is why LB or any new owner would see WFC as a good investment. If I won the Euro lottery I would buy the club but then I have followed the horns for too long to be considered sane, but an outsider unless Udinese are not capable of developing youngsters in which case may be it makes some sense, but what sort of club will we then be supporting.

I dont know the answer but I am troubled and not stupid enough to think like Mr bankrupt oops sorry did i credit him with the ability to think...apologies

Napalm Pudding says...
1:15pm Mon 18 Jun 12

What a truly strange and child-like individual he is. God forbid you have to attend games on a saturday just because you own the club! And freezing the accounts because of 'infighting'-sorry the bills still have to be paid so that doesn't wash. I knew he was flaky and prone to flights of fancy but this development questions how fit he ever was in the first place- so why did they sell it to him knowing the outcome? And has anyone heard him interviewed or seen a new photo- it's like he's never existed, just a few random and rambling statements to the WO. I've seen some strange times over the past 35 years or so but this is clearly the oddest individual ever connected with our club.

garston tony says...
1:21pm Mon 18 Jun 12

mrbankrupt wrote:
McHornet wrote: mrbankrupt, who gave you the right to tell people where they are welcome...? If i pay my money, i am welcome, as are you!
No jocks for a start Mchornet Now clap on
About sums up the childishness of many of the anti LB brigade. Pathetic.

Buckler you're intimating that you know the potential new owners and have maybe some influence with them. Hopefully they're more mature than you are otherwise the club is heading for trouble again.

garston tony says...
1:25pm Mon 18 Jun 12

mrbankrupt wrote:
McHornet wrote: I will clap on, thanks. Clap in support, like a supporter. Well done on the racism too, well done!
Mchornet you really are a sado. Get a life. If you want to call me a racist do it to my face & i will bring my mixed race son. Tell me where you want to meet us,i will turn up anywere you want. Make sure you reply to this
Oh dear, it gets better. 'My dads bigger than your dad', is that the level of your argument now mrbankrupt?

Just because you have a mixed race son doesnt mean you cant be racist by the way, there is more than one race dont you know?

Childish, childish, childish

Sy says...
1:25pm Mon 18 Jun 12

There clearly are and have been issues with Bassini's ownership (and seemingly more behind the scenes to be uncovered) and there seems no doubt that he's selling so we'll see new owners of some variety.

I'm not convinced that the Italian sale would be a good thing, though. Although he's brought success to both Udinese and Granada, the approach with Granada has been to turn them into a development club for Udinese so that Udinese have first option over Granada's players and many players are sent to Grenada on loan from Udinese.

If that model would be followed here, it doesn't really fit with what I see as supporting a football club. One of the best things about recent years has been to see our youngsters coming through and being developed. To be, in effect a feeder club feels rather soulless.

The other concerns are that Italian and English football are very different so similar efforts have often ended in failure (QPR went up when they abandoned the Italian transfer policy) and, if it doesn't work, the fact that we'd have moved away from our present business plan (develop our own players and sell them for a profit) would mean we would be in greater danger of implosion should the Italians decide to end the experiment and sell on.

mrbankrupt says...
1:28pm Mon 18 Jun 12

garston tony wrote:
mrbankrupt wrote:
McHornet wrote: I will clap on, thanks. Clap in support, like a supporter. Well done on the racism too, well done!
Mchornet you really are a sado. Get a life. If you want to call me a racist do it to my face & i will bring my mixed race son. Tell me where you want to meet us,i will turn up anywere you want. Make sure you reply to this
Oh dear, it gets better. 'My dads bigger than your dad', is that the level of your argument now mrbankrupt?

Just because you have a mixed race son doesnt mean you cant be racist by the way, there is more than one race dont you know?

Childish, childish, childish
you really are a pr1ck,

McHornet says...
1:30pm Mon 18 Jun 12

Well done again!

jasonwatford says...
1:36pm Mon 18 Jun 12

Starting to get silly now with new report Bas to sue Sky Sports News ( lucky he dont read Mr Bankrupt ) If you are going to sell please just sell bas.

Smilingburkinshaw says...
1:38pm Mon 18 Jun 12

Sy wrote:
There clearly are and have been issues with Bassini's ownership (and seemingly more behind the scenes to be uncovered) and there seems no doubt that he's selling so we'll see new owners of some variety. I'm not convinced that the Italian sale would be a good thing, though. Although he's brought success to both Udinese and Granada, the approach with Granada has been to turn them into a development club for Udinese so that Udinese have first option over Granada's players and many players are sent to Grenada on loan from Udinese. If that model would be followed here, it doesn't really fit with what I see as supporting a football club. One of the best things about recent years has been to see our youngsters coming through and being developed. To be, in effect a feeder club feels rather soulless. The other concerns are that Italian and English football are very different so similar efforts have often ended in failure (QPR went up when they abandoned the Italian transfer policy) and, if it doesn't work, the fact that we'd have moved away from our present business plan (develop our own players and sell them for a profit) would mean we would be in greater danger of implosion should the Italians decide to end the experiment and sell on.
Have to to say I completly agree with this. Good article!

garston tony says...
1:38pm Mon 18 Jun 12

mrbankrupt wrote:
garston tony wrote:
mrbankrupt wrote:
McHornet wrote: I will clap on, thanks. Clap in support, like a supporter. Well done on the racism too, well done!
Mchornet you really are a sado. Get a life. If you want to call me a racist do it to my face & i will bring my mixed race son. Tell me where you want to meet us,i will turn up anywere you want. Make sure you reply to this
Oh dear, it gets better. 'My dads bigger than your dad', is that the level of your argument now mrbankrupt? Just because you have a mixed race son doesnt mean you cant be racist by the way, there is more than one race dont you know? Childish, childish, childish
you really are a pr1ck,
Thank you for so eloquently proving my point mrbankrupt

busheyhornet says...
1:38pm Mon 18 Jun 12

To be fair the comments made by Sky Sports New, if untrue, could affect the sale of the club

Mickey Quinn, not so thin says...
1:41pm Mon 18 Jun 12

mrbankrupt wrote:
garston tony wrote:
mrbankrupt wrote:
McHornet wrote: I will clap on, thanks. Clap in support, like a supporter. Well done on the racism too, well done!
Mchornet you really are a sado. Get a life. If you want to call me a racist do it to my face & i will bring my mixed race son. Tell me where you want to meet us,i will turn up anywere you want. Make sure you reply to this
Oh dear, it gets better. 'My dads bigger than your dad', is that the level of your argument now mrbankrupt?

Just because you have a mixed race son doesnt mean you cant be racist by the way, there is more than one race dont you know?

Childish, childish, childish
you really are a pr1ck,
More pearls of wisdom from the brain of Britain.

Certainly knows how to win an argument with his carefully constructed verbal assessment of a situation. Demostrating a deep understanding of, and empathywith an alternative point of view, yet crushing all before him with his insight, indepth knowledge and reasoned logic !

garston tony says...
1:46pm Mon 18 Jun 12

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
mrbankrupt wrote:
garston tony wrote:
mrbankrupt wrote:
McHornet wrote: I will clap on, thanks. Clap in support, like a supporter. Well done on the racism too, well done!
Mchornet you really are a sado. Get a life. If you want to call me a racist do it to my face & i will bring my mixed race son. Tell me where you want to meet us,i will turn up anywere you want. Make sure you reply to this
Oh dear, it gets better. 'My dads bigger than your dad', is that the level of your argument now mrbankrupt? Just because you have a mixed race son doesnt mean you cant be racist by the way, there is more than one race dont you know? Childish, childish, childish
you really are a pr1ck,
More pearls of wisdom from the brain of Britain. Certainly knows how to win an argument with his carefully constructed verbal assessment of a situation. Demostrating a deep understanding of, and empathywith an alternative point of view, yet crushing all before him with his insight, indepth knowledge and reasoned logic !
Watch out Mickey, he'll be inviting you to meet him in a park for fisticuffs at dawn. I'm just waiting for my invite!

Of course it'll have to be at dawn as he has to be at school by 8.30 for registration.

Hemel Swiss says...
1:52pm Mon 18 Jun 12

More and more interesting. Check out http://www.tuttomerc
atoweb.com/?action=r
ead&id=361216

Mickey Quinn, not so thin says...
1:57pm Mon 18 Jun 12

Smilingburkinshaw wrote:
Sy wrote:
There clearly are and have been issues with Bassini's ownership (and seemingly more behind the scenes to be uncovered) and there seems no doubt that he's selling so we'll see new owners of some variety. I'm not convinced that the Italian sale would be a good thing, though. Although he's brought success to both Udinese and Granada, the approach with Granada has been to turn them into a development club for Udinese so that Udinese have first option over Granada's players and many players are sent to Grenada on loan from Udinese. If that model would be followed here, it doesn't really fit with what I see as supporting a football club. One of the best things about recent years has been to see our youngsters coming through and being developed. To be, in effect a feeder club feels rather soulless. The other concerns are that Italian and English football are very different so similar efforts have often ended in failure (QPR went up when they abandoned the Italian transfer policy) and, if it doesn't work, the fact that we'd have moved away from our present business plan (develop our own players and sell them for a profit) would mean we would be in greater danger of implosion should the Italians decide to end the experiment and sell on.
Have to to say I completly agree with this. Good article!
Yes worrying. We would not want to become a feeder club for Udinese.

Although to be fair the Pozzos have returned Grenada to the top league and kept them there (just !).

Smilingburkinshaw says...
2:01pm Mon 18 Jun 12

Can you copy and paste the article?

Hemel Swiss says...
2:05pm Mon 18 Jun 12

The article is in Italian but it says that Zola has been offered a 4 year deal at WFC

Smilingburkinshaw says...
2:07pm Mon 18 Jun 12

Really! Well that is interesting!

Alex Hillcroft says...
2:14pm Mon 18 Jun 12

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
Alex Hillcroft wrote:
Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
Alex Hillcroft wrote:
Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
Alex Hillcroft wrote:
Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
Alex Hillcroft wrote:
strummerjoe wrote:
Not Bazzini wrote:
Wfc purchase price = 440,000
Sale of players used to fund repayments and running costs.

Sale price = 12,000,000

Looks like the club has been robbed by over £11,000,0000

Who allowed this to happen?
Thick. Not even the tiniest grasp of the figures. He's 'robbing' the club of about £2m, and fair play to him. If Pozzo had been around when Ashcroft wanted out, he wouldn't have made anything. But he wasn't, was he? And I didn't see Buckler (with his 'successful business' ) LD, Mr B KM et al stepping into the breach back at the start of 2011. ****.
A typically inane comment from Joe. Do you really think it's valid that a because someone didn't offer to buy the club they have no right to voice an opinion on the behaviour of the owner? I've never played in goal for Watford but I can still see that Loache is crap. Likewise I've never bought a football club, but anyone with a shred of business acumen could see from the off that with his mirky business history, his failure to reveal the source of his funding and the convoluted share structure he put in place to compete his takeover, Baz was likely to be a disaster. Please have the good grace to accept that your long standing defence of Baz - seemingly based on the few baubles he has tossed (the pub refurb, pitch, a walk round the stadium before matches) means that, at best, you are naive. If I was in a less charitable mood there are other words I could use to describe you and the other nit-wits who post on here with such high-minded and unshakable belief in their ill-considered and ill-informed opinions.
So Mr Hillcroft what has he done wrong exactly tio make him "a disaster"? If he's pocketed lots of cash from the club why is it worth more than when he bought it and why does he claim he "hasn't taken a penny out of the club" with claims that other directors can confirm this ? He was clearly in it for a capital gain when no-one else was prepared to buy us. If he achieved it, good on him. Who cares what his source of funding was or that he had a poor business track record. This will be irrelevant if he now sells.
Do bounced cheques to creditors, apparent late payments to staff, squabbles with staff over access to the company safe, rumours of HMRC interest etc etc not cause you any unease?
Honest answer is "yes" but see explanation in the article and i prefer to base my views on facts rather than rumours. If the facts later show that Bas was in default on interest payments and effectively pushed out then I'd accept that. Likewise the HMRC "rumours". I think we were all (clappers and non clappers) concerned about his business track record and motives for buying the club but many of us were prepared to judge him on what he delivered. No disasters (other than PR) so far that I can see. No plans to relocate the club, no fire sale of players.....Will we be more comfortable being owned by the Pozzos ? Deeper pockets and experience of running clubs but no local link... Also noted in the comments above
"....Pozzo, father, was mixed up in the game-fixing scandal in Italy and has now been banned from holding executive posts in Italy, though he does still own Udinese"

Worrying ? On the whole I believe the sale would be beneficial to the club but we will have to see what happens and as with Bas, judge based on performance.
So because Baz - or anyone else -says something that makes it a 'fact' does it?

Hilarious that Bi-Polar is using the "leaving to spend more time with my family" line so routinely trotted out by anyone who jumps before they are pushed!
"So because Baz - or anyone else -says something that makes it a 'fact' does it?"

No, but its more likely to be fact than "rumours" or some of your "opinions".
Why?
Because he is directly involved and knows the facts. You are not and are guessing. Only risk is that he is lying. If so facts/events will later prove this. Bottom line is we would both be supportive of this potential acquisition.
Yes, your last point is something we can agree on. I'm sure we'll all watch developments with interest

miked2006 says...
2:52pm Mon 18 Jun 12

What a very strange run of events.

Firstly, if Dyche does get sacked he can count himself very unlucky after a great first year in management. Although going forward the Italian money might be better for the future, I'm sure there will be a bit of uncertainty in the changing rooms over losing Sean. I also have a vague recollection of a high profile Italian manager spending lots of money and almost ruining the club which does worry me slightly...

About Bas, can people stop being so petty. It all comes down to one thing; optimism. I think every Watford fan in the world was unsure about him. Some people blindly supported him as long as he did right by the club (in the same way I'm sure we probably all at some point thought we could stay in the Premier League, or that thought Boothroyd was the best English manager since GT). Others never gave him a chance, claiming that no good could ever come from his ownership. The truth is that both sides are right and wrong: we needed him as we had no one else and as long as the Italian deal goes through we will be in a much better place than when he took over. However he clearly used our club as a bit of a deluded gamble. I think it is a bit naive to say that he is not now being found out; he knew it would happen himself and thus avoided the spotlight at all costs. The problem with Bas is he does a lot of good things, but he is a petulant child who continuously messes things up for himself. I would even go as far as to say (my oppinion not fact) he may not be all that with it. Everyone at the club has now appeared to have had enough of his games and mood swings and are pushing him out (despite his claims which are opposed by nearly everyone else).

What is most annoying is that this seemed like it was going to be the most stable summer for a number of years but once again this club seems to attract drama. I do not expect this to change if Pozzo takes us over, it's hard to tell if he will make us Lucky (if anyone gets the reference). There will always be a reason for the clappers to clap and the moaners to moan. We are Watford FC afterall.

garston tony says...
3:07pm Mon 18 Jun 12

If SD does get sacked it'll be a lesson, after his recent expression of loyalty, that loyalty can mean nothing in this game. It would be harsh on him beyond belief. No wonder so many people involved in the game feel they have to look after number 1 and when you see this sort of thing can you blame them?

As to becoming a feeder club for Udinese or Granada, is that really different to being a selling club to everyone else? What difference does it make if our best players go to Italy, Spain or a Prem club ultimately? As long as our academy stays open and is supported fully nothing will actually be that different.

I said it in a previous post I'm not overly keen on foreign ownership but I guess ultimately if it brings some sort of success to the club along with continued stability then it might be alright

garston tony says...
3:08pm Mon 18 Jun 12

As to the anti LB lot pointing to Sky reports would LB be suing them if they were right?

Colin West's mullet says...
3:17pm Mon 18 Jun 12

Tony - that seem slike a weak point to latch on to. Regardless, I do not expect that he will get very far...it's hard to prove injury to a reputation where:

a. the claims made will likely prove to be very near the truth

b. as an uncredible, name-changing, tantrum-throwing bankrupt the man has no good reputation to injure

Mickey Quinn, not so thin says...
3:20pm Mon 18 Jun 12

garston tony wrote:
If SD does get sacked it'll be a lesson, after his recent expression of loyalty, that loyalty can mean nothing in this game. It would be harsh on him beyond belief. No wonder so many people involved in the game feel they have to look after number 1 and when you see this sort of thing can you blame them?

As to becoming a feeder club for Udinese or Granada, is that really different to being a selling club to everyone else? What difference does it make if our best players go to Italy, Spain or a Prem club ultimately? As long as our academy stays open and is supported fully nothing will actually be that different.

I said it in a previous post I'm not overly keen on foreign ownership but I guess ultimately if it brings some sort of success to the club along with continued stability then it might be alright
Gaston - glad to hear you are still ok. Worried Mr B may have got you.

No problem being a feeder club if we still sell players at the same stage and still get market prices. I'd be less happy if young Sean were to join Udinese for £250k this summer !!

Linda Geddes says...
3:32pm Mon 18 Jun 12

I'd be interested to know what Graham Taylor thinks about all this? After all, our previous experience with Italians (Gianluca Vialli - remember him?) was not good. Come on Graham, give us your views please.

garston tony says...
3:35pm Mon 18 Jun 12

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
garston tony wrote: If SD does get sacked it'll be a lesson, after his recent expression of loyalty, that loyalty can mean nothing in this game. It would be harsh on him beyond belief. No wonder so many people involved in the game feel they have to look after number 1 and when you see this sort of thing can you blame them? As to becoming a feeder club for Udinese or Granada, is that really different to being a selling club to everyone else? What difference does it make if our best players go to Italy, Spain or a Prem club ultimately? As long as our academy stays open and is supported fully nothing will actually be that different. I said it in a previous post I'm not overly keen on foreign ownership but I guess ultimately if it brings some sort of success to the club along with continued stability then it might be alright
Gaston - glad to hear you are still ok. Worried Mr B may have got you. No problem being a feeder club if we still sell players at the same stage and still get market prices. I'd be less happy if young Sean were to join Udinese for £250k this summer !!
Watch out Mickey, schools finishing for the day so our mutual friend will be out about now. What do you reckon, tie around forehead Rambo style is his look?

If young Sean is going to go does it matter if its for £250k to Udinese or £1mill elsewhere if the owners are going to support the club - which in the end is why it has to sell players.

Of course how all this works in the context of the new financial regs is to be seen, in this sort of arrangement it could be that the buying club even though linked will still have to pay a good fee not a token amount.

Sy says...
3:36pm Mon 18 Jun 12

My concern about being a feeder club in this sense is that we lose the control of our own destiny and may find ourselves being run for the benefit of another interest as opposed to the benefit of our club and fans.

At present, although we are a selling club, we get to choose who we bring in (and when) and we get to choose (to an extent at least, save for financial needs, market factors and player power) who we hang onto and for how long.

The danger of being a designated feeder club is that we may have no option but to take the loan players sent to us and play them in the team even if they're not doing well or don't fit into the style and may be forced to send over our players to Italy when it doesn't suit us (eg Murray to Udinese).

Of course I don't know that this would happen but it is a concern and I would be interested to know more of the proposed business model before making any sort of a judgment.

Ultimately, I want to remain a supporter of an autonomous football club that it run on the best business model it can be. the ultimate aim, which may or may not prove possible, must be to be a self financing organisation that is not beholden to any outside influence (be it another club or the whims of an owner who's continued interest is required to stay afloat).

tonupchris says...
3:36pm Mon 18 Jun 12

miked2006 wrote:
What a very strange run of events.

Firstly, if Dyche does get sacked he can count himself very unlucky after a great first year in management. Although going forward the Italian money might be better for the future, I'm sure there will be a bit of uncertainty in the changing rooms over losing Sean. I also have a vague recollection of a high profile Italian manager spending lots of money and almost ruining the club which does worry me slightly...

About Bas, can people stop being so petty. It all comes down to one thing; optimism. I think every Watford fan in the world was unsure about him. Some people blindly supported him as long as he did right by the club (in the same way I'm sure we probably all at some point thought we could stay in the Premier League, or that thought Boothroyd was the best English manager since GT). Others never gave him a chance, claiming that no good could ever come from his ownership. The truth is that both sides are right and wrong: we needed him as we had no one else and as long as the Italian deal goes through we will be in a much better place than when he took over. However he clearly used our club as a bit of a deluded gamble. I think it is a bit naive to say that he is not now being found out; he knew it would happen himself and thus avoided the spotlight at all costs. The problem with Bas is he does a lot of good things, but he is a petulant child who continuously messes things up for himself. I would even go as far as to say (my oppinion not fact) he may not be all that with it. Everyone at the club has now appeared to have had enough of his games and mood swings and are pushing him out (despite his claims which are opposed by nearly everyone else).

What is most annoying is that this seemed like it was going to be the most stable summer for a number of years but once again this club seems to attract drama. I do not expect this to change if Pozzo takes us over, it's hard to tell if he will make us Lucky (if anyone gets the reference). There will always be a reason for the clappers to clap and the moaners to moan. We are Watford FC afterall.
Spot on.

Harrydownunder says...
3:43pm Mon 18 Jun 12

Surely the reports of Zola coming is total media hype?
Although I would be delighted to be rid of bas, not sure if I want the club bankrolled again aka Luca Vialli.....

Mickey Quinn, not so thin says...
3:51pm Mon 18 Jun 12

garston tony wrote:
Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
garston tony wrote: If SD does get sacked it'll be a lesson, after his recent expression of loyalty, that loyalty can mean nothing in this game. It would be harsh on him beyond belief. No wonder so many people involved in the game feel they have to look after number 1 and when you see this sort of thing can you blame them? As to becoming a feeder club for Udinese or Granada, is that really different to being a selling club to everyone else? What difference does it make if our best players go to Italy, Spain or a Prem club ultimately? As long as our academy stays open and is supported fully nothing will actually be that different. I said it in a previous post I'm not overly keen on foreign ownership but I guess ultimately if it brings some sort of success to the club along with continued stability then it might be alright
Gaston - glad to hear you are still ok. Worried Mr B may have got you. No problem being a feeder club if we still sell players at the same stage and still get market prices. I'd be less happy if young Sean were to join Udinese for £250k this summer !!
Watch out Mickey, schools finishing for the day so our mutual friend will be out about now. What do you reckon, tie around forehead Rambo style is his look?

If young Sean is going to go does it matter if its for £250k to Udinese or £1mill elsewhere if the owners are going to support the club - which in the end is why it has to sell players.

Of course how all this works in the context of the new financial regs is to be seen, in this sort of arrangement it could be that the buying club even though linked will still have to pay a good fee not a token amount.
I think it does matter for the same reasons Sy has just posted.

Also I'd prefer £1m straight cash to the £250k + support. The support could be in the form of loans which would then be repayable in the event of the Pozzos pulling the plug some time down the line.

Assuming the deal does go ahead, it would be useful to see how they would plan to run the club.

Does ayone know what happened to Grenada ? I see they got promoted to the top tier and survived last year but has there been much player traffic between them and Udinese? Do they have 7 Italian under 19s in their team ??!!

djwatford says...
3:52pm Mon 18 Jun 12

The club is worth more now because Bas funded his stint in charge by player/manager sales.
All the income the club generated over his period in charge should belong to the club and not be used to line Bas' pockets.
He hasn't been the worst owner/chairman we've ever had but he's certainly near the top.
Are the club paying for the legal action against Sky?
All the Bas supporters have to realise that he hasn't put a single penny into the club.All the running costs and initial purchase have been covered by sales.If he makes money from this deal it will have been done in an economically truthful manner.I certainly don't like the thought of my ST money etc going into his pocket,especially when the club continues to struggle to keep its better players.
I'll be pleased when Bas goes and hope the Italians know how to run a community based club.We don't need rich owners just ones who aren't looking to fleece the club for a short term gain.

buckler says...
4:16pm Mon 18 Jun 12

Had a great lunch meeting in Berkhamstead with some Italian friends in the know. All looking good and we can't wait to get started. Ciao

dmuz says...
4:23pm Mon 18 Jun 12

Not sure about the talk of being a feeder club, the potential money from being in the Prem would mean that the new owners would make promotion a priority, so taking our best players would be detremental to business

jasonwatford says...
4:23pm Mon 18 Jun 12

pmsl laughing buckler.......nice pasta lunch was it ?? So we signing ballotelli on loan ???

buckler says...
4:44pm Mon 18 Jun 12

jasonwatford wrote:
pmsl laughing buckler.......nice pasta lunch was it ?? So we signing ballotelli on loan ???
sshh can't say too much right now for fear of being sued and have had far too much wine with lunch ! Was looking at new kit ideas oops said too much! Ciao

Lloydinio says...
4:55pm Mon 18 Jun 12

radlettman wrote:
Season ticket x 2 for sale ... any offers ????
I'll give you a quid each for them.

cliff46 says...
4:57pm Mon 18 Jun 12

I suppose we have to be a little grateful to Lord Ashcroft and his expensive lawyers for tying Bas up in a manner that appears to have offered our club some protection during this fiasco.

lutondown says...
5:09pm Mon 18 Jun 12

buckler wrote:
Same old Buckler , always right and a true hero now to most real Watford fans! Can't wait to hear my name being chanted soon!
Your so great it's unbelievable
Clap clap clap
Your so great it's unbelievable
Clap clap clap
There's only one Rick Buckler, one Rick Buckler, one Rick Buckler.... Oh F no there's actually two!
Hee hee hee

tonupchris says...
5:10pm Mon 18 Jun 12

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
garston tony wrote:
Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
garston tony wrote: If SD does get sacked it'll be a lesson, after his recent expression of loyalty, that loyalty can mean nothing in this game. It would be harsh on him beyond belief. No wonder so many people involved in the game feel they have to look after number 1 and when you see this sort of thing can you blame them? As to becoming a feeder club for Udinese or Granada, is that really different to being a selling club to everyone else? What difference does it make if our best players go to Italy, Spain or a Prem club ultimately? As long as our academy stays open and is supported fully nothing will actually be that different. I said it in a previous post I'm not overly keen on foreign ownership but I guess ultimately if it brings some sort of success to the club along with continued stability then it might be alright
Gaston - glad to hear you are still ok. Worried Mr B may have got you. No problem being a feeder club if we still sell players at the same stage and still get market prices. I'd be less happy if young Sean were to join Udinese for £250k this summer !!
Watch out Mickey, schools finishing for the day so our mutual friend will be out about now. What do you reckon, tie around forehead Rambo style is his look?

If young Sean is going to go does it matter if its for £250k to Udinese or £1mill elsewhere if the owners are going to support the club - which in the end is why it has to sell players.

Of course how all this works in the context of the new financial regs is to be seen, in this sort of arrangement it could be that the buying club even though linked will still have to pay a good fee not a token amount.
I think it does matter for the same reasons Sy has just posted.

Also I'd prefer £1m straight cash to the £250k + support. The support could be in the form of loans which would then be repayable in the event of the Pozzos pulling the plug some time down the line.

Assuming the deal does go ahead, it would be useful to see how they would plan to run the club.

Does ayone know what happened to Grenada ? I see they got promoted to the top tier and survived last year but has there been much player traffic between them and Udinese? Do they have 7 Italian under 19s in their team ??!!
Granada had 5 players on loan from Udinese (according to Wkipedia) last season and finished 17th in La Liga. They are a similar size to us but have spent a bit longer in the top division compared to us.
Udinese finished 3rd in Serie A last season!

Mick Jones says...
5:14pm Mon 18 Jun 12

Well some interesting posts on here..I for one was very nervous when this baffoon took over and said so. But in context he is a businessman trying to make some money something he has never been very good at, he will walk away with more than he came with and he has used the businesses money to improve the pitch the tannoy and the pub, the business money which technically is his. If I had the opportunity to do the same with another football club I would, I could just never do it to the club I love and support. His actions clearly demonstrate he neither loves or supports Watford, his lossot ours. The good news is that the "potential" new people are football people, I would rather they were rich english football people but they are not so we have to live with it. I do suspect there are some exciting times around the corner and the new crew will have the balls to face us the true fans of the club. Goodbye Bassini hope fully you can sleep at night and if you can it says more about your morals than the comfy mattress...oh and please pay for the lawyer with your own personal money if you sue Sky, probably more empty promises though..

PurpleRalph says...
5:16pm Mon 18 Jun 12

Apparently we are going back to the Blue kit of the 50's as it's more Italian. Malkys giving us some old Cardiff shirts to save buying new :)

lutondown says...
5:25pm Mon 18 Jun 12

cliff46 wrote:
I suppose we have to be a little grateful to Lord Ashcroft and his expensive lawyers for tying Bas up in a manner that appears to have offered our club some protection during this fiasco.
Spot on Cliff, I think it's official you don't need any money or stable background to buy a football lib these days, just a bit of the old devil may care attitude.
As Bas once claimed he turned own 10 million to sell the club on I can only assume he's been offered more???
Mmmmmm

Mickey Quinn, not so thin says...
6:03pm Mon 18 Jun 12

tonupchris wrote:
Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
garston tony wrote:
Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
garston tony wrote: If SD does get sacked it'll be a lesson, after his recent expression of loyalty, that loyalty can mean nothing in this game. It would be harsh on him beyond belief. No wonder so many people involved in the game feel they have to look after number 1 and when you see this sort of thing can you blame them? As to becoming a feeder club for Udinese or Granada, is that really different to being a selling club to everyone else? What difference does it make if our best players go to Italy, Spain or a Prem club ultimately? As long as our academy stays open and is supported fully nothing will actually be that different. I said it in a previous post I'm not overly keen on foreign ownership but I guess ultimately if it brings some sort of success to the club along with continued stability then it might be alright
Gaston - glad to hear you are still ok. Worried Mr B may have got you. No problem being a feeder club if we still sell players at the same stage and still get market prices. I'd be less happy if young Sean were to join Udinese for £250k this summer !!
Watch out Mickey, schools finishing for the day so our mutual friend will be out about now. What do you reckon, tie around forehead Rambo style is his look?

If young Sean is going to go does it matter if its for £250k to Udinese or £1mill elsewhere if the owners are going to support the club - which in the end is why it has to sell players.

Of course how all this works in the context of the new financial regs is to be seen, in this sort of arrangement it could be that the buying club even though linked will still have to pay a good fee not a token amount.
I think it does matter for the same reasons Sy has just posted.

Also I'd prefer £1m straight cash to the £250k + support. The support could be in the form of loans which would then be repayable in the event of the Pozzos pulling the plug some time down the line.

Assuming the deal does go ahead, it would be useful to see how they would plan to run the club.

Does ayone know what happened to Grenada ? I see they got promoted to the top tier and survived last year but has there been much player traffic between them and Udinese? Do they have 7 Italian under 19s in their team ??!!
Granada had 5 players on loan from Udinese (according to Wkipedia) last season and finished 17th in La Liga. They are a similar size to us but have spent a bit longer in the top division compared to us.
Udinese finished 3rd in Serie A last season!
5? Interesting. As long as we don't end up with the loan cast-offs who are good enough for neither U nor G, given we are operating in the 2nd tier whereas they are both 1st tier.

Back from Hammerau says...
6:06pm Mon 18 Jun 12

lutondown wrote:
cliff46 wrote: I suppose we have to be a little grateful to Lord Ashcroft and his expensive lawyers for tying Bas up in a manner that appears to have offered our club some protection during this fiasco.
Spot on Cliff, I think it's official you don't need any money or stable background to buy a football lib these days, just a bit of the old devil may care attitude. As Bas once claimed he turned own 10 million to sell the club on I can only assume he's been offered more??? Mmmmmm
According to the legal documents published at the time of the takeover Laurence Bassini did have the money to buy the club and why would Lord Ashcroft have sold the to someone who was likely to default on the repayment of the loan that was part of the transaction?

If you read the article it says "Bassini claims the Pozzo family will need around £20m to complete the takeover." When I went to school £20m was quite a bit more than £10m.

lutondown says...
6:12pm Mon 18 Jun 12

Back from Hammerau wrote:
lutondown wrote:
cliff46 wrote: I suppose we have to be a little grateful to Lord Ashcroft and his expensive lawyers for tying Bas up in a manner that appears to have offered our club some protection during this fiasco.
Spot on Cliff, I think it's official you don't need any money or stable background to buy a football lib these days, just a bit of the old devil may care attitude. As Bas once claimed he turned own 10 million to sell the club on I can only assume he's been offered more??? Mmmmmm
According to the legal documents published at the time of the takeover Laurence Bassini did have the money to buy the club and why would Lord Ashcroft have sold the to someone who was likely to default on the repayment of the loan that was part of the transaction?

If you read the article it says "Bassini claims the Pozzo family will need around £20m to complete the takeover." When I went to school £20m was quite a bit more than £10m.
If this is the case then it vindicates what I said, a quick 19.5 million has been made
Can't imagine anyone would buy the club got that amount. I do hope they do

Popeonarope says...
6:16pm Mon 18 Jun 12

Maybe Roman Abramovich would be interested! Someone send him the details!

lutondown says...
6:24pm Mon 18 Jun 12

corbindallas wrote:
mrbankrupt wrote:
southernhornet wrote:
radlettman wrote:
aussihornet wrote: Well Bassini, I think your handling of PR has always had people on your back, badly done, but I think you did have intentions of doing a good job for Watford, I just think we had more issues then you could fix. Thanks for your work so far, hopefully you still have Watford's interests at heart!
If you are in Auz mate you need a reality check...... this guy has had "chancer" stamped all over him from day 1. He has been hanging on for weeks hoping that Marriappa would go. Hold onto Maps till Bassini goes.... or bankrupty looms...
holding on to Maps til Bassini goes does make sense, but why then have we been able to reject bids and avoid selling him over the last few weeks while Baz is here?!
because 2mil was not enough for bassini/bazzini/ to keep club,he needed more money so he was holding out.
Lets just be thankfull he,s going.
At least the likes of bummerjoe,ab11,corb,


jasonwatford wont show there faces again
Wrong, and NO there is no apology coming or needed from me and others. You really need to read my previous posts properly, I support Bassini and still do whilst he is the current owner of our club for what he has done for Watford the past season, I won't list it all (again) but he has still done more in his 14 months as owner than the previous 3 owners and regardless of what you, Buckler, Lutondown, Alex Hillcroft and any other anti Bas say that FACT will not change. He is the current owner and should be supported whilst he is actually DOING things for the club, as said he was and so get's my support, if he stops doing so then he loses my support, simples! You lot are the jokes as you not only did not support him whilst positive things were actually happening in front of your eye's at the club but also all wanted Sean Dyche OUT remember, or have you really got short memories. As I say and continue to say I support Watford and anyone who wants to make Watford FC a better team and place, it's people like you that make it difficult for anyone with your negatives from day one. Also a warning ' the grass is not always greener on the other side ! One last thing before I leave you lot to ignore the relevant facts AGAIN, if Bassini did not buy the club at the time what was going to happen? Administration and points deduction, = transfer embargo or worse club assets sold which means players GONE cheaper than they are worth, at the end of the day if we survive as a club we would no longer be a Championship club and if anyone thinks that is better than the current you clearly are fools!
Corby you were wrong plain and simple difference between the clappers and antis is, we had the good grace to admit we were wrong on Dyche. You, Bummer Blow Frannypants/abe666, Crimson pretender etc have no class
And I do remember most of your pro Bas posts, they are as suspected, pants!
One more thing Plod....
Zola......
LOL

Mickey Quinn, not so thin says...
6:29pm Mon 18 Jun 12

lutondown wrote:
corbindallas wrote:
mrbankrupt wrote:
southernhornet wrote:
radlettman wrote:
aussihornet wrote: Well Bassini, I think your handling of PR has always had people on your back, badly done, but I think you did have intentions of doing a good job for Watford, I just think we had more issues then you could fix. Thanks for your work so far, hopefully you still have Watford's interests at heart!
If you are in Auz mate you need a reality check...... this guy has had "chancer" stamped all over him from day 1. He has been hanging on for weeks hoping that Marriappa would go. Hold onto Maps till Bassini goes.... or bankrupty looms...
holding on to Maps til Bassini goes does make sense, but why then have we been able to reject bids and avoid selling him over the last few weeks while Baz is here?!
because 2mil was not enough for bassini/bazzini/ to keep club,he needed more money so he was holding out.
Lets just be thankfull he,s going.
At least the likes of bummerjoe,ab11,corb,



jasonwatford wont show there faces again
Wrong, and NO there is no apology coming or needed from me and others. You really need to read my previous posts properly, I support Bassini and still do whilst he is the current owner of our club for what he has done for Watford the past season, I won't list it all (again) but he has still done more in his 14 months as owner than the previous 3 owners and regardless of what you, Buckler, Lutondown, Alex Hillcroft and any other anti Bas say that FACT will not change. He is the current owner and should be supported whilst he is actually DOING things for the club, as said he was and so get's my support, if he stops doing so then he loses my support, simples! You lot are the jokes as you not only did not support him whilst positive things were actually happening in front of your eye's at the club but also all wanted Sean Dyche OUT remember, or have you really got short memories. As I say and continue to say I support Watford and anyone who wants to make Watford FC a better team and place, it's people like you that make it difficult for anyone with your negatives from day one. Also a warning ' the grass is not always greener on the other side ! One last thing before I leave you lot to ignore the relevant facts AGAIN, if Bassini did not buy the club at the time what was going to happen? Administration and points deduction, = transfer embargo or worse club assets sold which means players GONE cheaper than they are worth, at the end of the day if we survive as a club we would no longer be a Championship club and if anyone thinks that is better than the current you clearly are fools!
Corby you were wrong plain and simple difference between the clappers and antis is, we had the good grace to admit we were wrong on Dyche. You, Bummer Blow Frannypants/abe666, Crimson pretender etc have no class
And I do remember most of your pro Bas posts, they are as suspected, pants!
One more thing Plod....
Zola......
LOL
...and they were wrong because....????

jimbuctu says...
6:35pm Mon 18 Jun 12

Excellent news!

What a great 18 months or so. We were in dire straits with no light at the end of the tunnel, a safe bet for relegation and nigh on un-investable. Now we're financially stable (pending confirmation the HMRC stuff is incorrect) to the extent we're (possibly) worth 20million.

That is an incredible turnaround and everyone involved deserves huge praise for getting us to this stage. Thanks to Bas for his strange and bizarre but seemingly successful tenure.

Admittedly I have no idea how he has managed it when from the outside it seems he isn't the most shrewd or sharp of men, but he has (pending all the above!) and therefore I don't care a jot!

I'm slightly dubious of foreign ownership and, honestly, really don't like the thought of 'doing a QPR' and losing any identity the club has. It is, however, preferable to 'doing a Portsmouth' and pretty much losing the club altogether, so I'll settle for it. As usual, I'll clap all the way until the next owners/managers and players come along, then I'll clap some more, and then some more. Basically, I just want to go and watch my team and enjoy myself.

Unfortunately, it seems I'm not actually welcome because I support the club rather than constantly attack every aspect of it. Shame, I quite enjoy the up's and down's of following our trials and tribulations. All part of the fun if you ask me.

Isn't it weird, I envy almost every other clubs fans attitudes.
Our home support is pretty bad and has been getting worse and worse for years. Maybe, just maybe, it's because there are less of the likes of me who will sing and clap even when we're losing, and more of some of the types on here who will start complaining before a ball has been kicked. Maybe.

Enjoy yourselves for f's sake! YOU'RE PAYING DON'T FORGET!

strummerjoe says...
6:59pm Mon 18 Jun 12

lutondown wrote:
Back from Hammerau wrote:
lutondown wrote:
cliff46 wrote: I suppose we have to be a little grateful to Lord Ashcroft and his expensive lawyers for tying Bas up in a manner that appears to have offered our club some protection during this fiasco.
Spot on Cliff, I think it's official you don't need any money or stable background to buy a football lib these days, just a bit of the old devil may care attitude. As Bas once claimed he turned own 10 million to sell the club on I can only assume he's been offered more??? Mmmmmm
According to the legal documents published at the time of the takeover Laurence Bassini did have the money to buy the club and why would Lord Ashcroft have sold the to someone who was likely to default on the repayment of the loan that was part of the transaction?

If you read the article it says "Bassini claims the Pozzo family will need around £20m to complete the takeover." When I went to school £20m was quite a bit more than £10m.
If this is the case then it vindicates what I said, a quick 19.5 million has been made
Can't imagine anyone would buy the club got that amount. I do hope they do
Sigh......
£20m, less:
£7.5m bonds to be paid off
£10m of money put in (inc £3m bonds already paid)
£440k share purchase
= £19.5m profit does it

maths not your strong point I guess. Not exactly sure what your strong point might be, though.

lutondown says...
7:10pm Mon 18 Jun 12

strummerjoe wrote:
lutondown wrote:
Back from Hammerau wrote:
lutondown wrote:
cliff46 wrote: I suppose we have to be a little grateful to Lord Ashcroft and his expensive lawyers for tying Bas up in a manner that appears to have offered our club some protection during this fiasco.
Spot on Cliff, I think it's official you don't need any money or stable background to buy a football lib these days, just a bit of the old devil may care attitude. As Bas once claimed he turned own 10 million to sell the club on I can only assume he's been offered more??? Mmmmmm
According to the legal documents published at the time of the takeover Laurence Bassini did have the money to buy the club and why would Lord Ashcroft have sold the to someone who was likely to default on the repayment of the loan that was part of the transaction?

If you read the article it says "Bassini claims the Pozzo family will need around £20m to complete the takeover." When I went to school £20m was quite a bit more than £10m.
If this is the case then it vindicates what I said, a quick 19.5 million has been made
Can't imagine anyone would buy the club got that amount. I do hope they do
Sigh......
£20m, less:
£7.5m bonds to be paid off
£10m of money put in (inc £3m bonds already paid)
£440k share purchase
= £19.5m profit does it

maths not your strong point I guess. Not exactly sure what your strong point might be, though.
Your shame has no bounds oh fat one

lutondown says...
7:14pm Mon 18 Jun 12

strummerjoe wrote:
lutondown wrote:
Back from Hammerau wrote:
lutondown wrote:
cliff46 wrote: I suppose we have to be a little grateful to Lord Ashcroft and his expensive lawyers for tying Bas up in a manner that appears to have offered our club some protection during this fiasco.
Spot on Cliff, I think it's official you don't need any money or stable background to buy a football lib these days, just a bit of the old devil may care attitude. As Bas once claimed he turned own 10 million to sell the club on I can only assume he's been offered more??? Mmmmmm
According to the legal documents published at the time of the takeover Laurence Bassini did have the money to buy the club and why would Lord Ashcroft have sold the to someone who was likely to default on the repayment of the loan that was part of the transaction?

If you read the article it says "Bassini claims the Pozzo family will need around £20m to complete the takeover." When I went to school £20m was quite a bit more than £10m.
If this is the case then it vindicates what I said, a quick 19.5 million has been made
Can't imagine anyone would buy the club got that amount. I do hope they do
Sigh......
£20m, less:
£7.5m bonds to be paid off
£10m of money put in (inc £3m bonds already paid)
£440k share purchase
= £19.5m profit does it

maths not your strong point I guess. Not exactly sure what your strong point might be, though.
Bummer blow, you are even dafter than I imagine you look, which by the way is pretty dumb.
Now me and my boys have been proved right
Why not track us down on twitter for a real chat (theres no hidden threats in my statement) because as thy say it's good to talk.
And I'm not bad at Maths and your up in the clouds p and l assessment will prove to be the joke it is

lutondown says...
7:20pm Mon 18 Jun 12

jimbuctu wrote:
Excellent news!

What a great 18 months or so. We were in dire straits with no light at the end of the tunnel, a safe bet for relegation and nigh on un-investable. Now we're financially stable (pending confirmation the HMRC stuff is incorrect) to the extent we're (possibly) worth 20million.

That is an incredible turnaround and everyone involved deserves huge praise for getting us to this stage. Thanks to Bas for his strange and bizarre but seemingly successful tenure.

Admittedly I have no idea how he has managed it when from the outside it seems he isn't the most shrewd or sharp of men, but he has (pending all the above!) and therefore I don't care a jot!

I'm slightly dubious of foreign ownership and, honestly, really don't like the thought of 'doing a QPR' and losing any identity the club has. It is, however, preferable to 'doing a Portsmouth' and pretty much losing the club altogether, so I'll settle for it. As usual, I'll clap all the way until the next owners/managers and players come along, then I'll clap some more, and then some more. Basically, I just want to go and watch my team and enjoy myself.

Unfortunately, it seems I'm not actually welcome because I support the club rather than constantly attack every aspect of it. Shame, I quite enjoy the up's and down's of following our trials and tribulations. All part of the fun if you ask me.

Isn't it weird, I envy almost every other clubs fans attitudes.
Our home support is pretty bad and has been getting worse and worse for years. Maybe, just maybe, it's because there are less of the likes of me who will sing and clap even when we're losing, and more of some of the types on here who will start complaining before a ball has been kicked. Maybe.

Enjoy yourselves for f's sake! YOU'RE PAYING DON'T FORGET!
You sing and clap at every game? I've Sussed who you are, Harry the hornet!
And I am enjoying myself watching a load of jerks putting a positive spin on their delusions!
Is that the ice cream van I hear?
Just a one Cornetto
Geev it to me
Delicious irony
From eetali
Must brush up on my italian! How is it we pronounce Zola?

No Wheels says...
7:45pm Mon 18 Jun 12

lutondown wrote:
buckler wrote:
Same old Buckler , always right and a true hero now to most real Watford fans! Can't wait to hear my name being chanted soon!
Your so great it's unbelievable
Clap clap clap
Your so great it's unbelievable
Clap clap clap
There's only one Rick Buckler, one Rick Buckler, one Rick Buckler.... Oh F no there's actually two!
Hee hee hee
I remember the other Rick Buckler. A drummer with the Jam. A rather pedestrian drummer in truth who hung around near more talented people and didn't have much more to contribute other than offering to hit things occasionally. Made a big noise, but didn't say much of note. Hang on, are you sure they're not the same guy?

Margate Horn says...
7:46pm Mon 18 Jun 12

Mr Bankrupt and Buckler's retardedness is actually quite entertaining, especially Mr. Bankrupt wanting to "meet up" with anyone who disagrees with him, hilarious!!

lutondown says...
7:53pm Mon 18 Jun 12

No Wheels wrote:
lutondown wrote:
buckler wrote:
Same old Buckler , always right and a true hero now to most real Watford fans! Can't wait to hear my name being chanted soon!
Your so great it's unbelievable
Clap clap clap
Your so great it's unbelievable
Clap clap clap
There's only one Rick Buckler, one Rick Buckler, one Rick Buckler.... Oh F no there's actually two!
Hee hee hee
I remember the other Rick Buckler. A drummer with the Jam. A rather pedestrian drummer in truth who hung around near more talented people and didn't have much more to contribute other than offering to hit things occasionally. Made a big noise, but didn't say much of note. Hang on, are you sure they're not the same guy?
Look sorry you have no wheels, and devoid of any musical nous, Bucklers drumming was pretty good, as was Foxtons heavy bass and Wellers earthy vocals.
You should be hailing the other Buckler, for he is the new prophet. Hail the prophet.
Enough of this I'm off to change my name to Mario, as Luton is a reminder of depressing days of mediocrity

No Wheels says...
7:59pm Mon 18 Jun 12

thanks Luton Down

but I lied about the the wheels
and I do actually have a van to carry my band's equipment around

do please enlighten us as to the highlights of Buckler's post-Jam career? Time U.K.? Gawd help us

lutondown says...
8:01pm Mon 18 Jun 12

No Wheels wrote:
thanks Luton Down

but I lied about the the wheels
and I do actually have a van to carry my band's equipment around

do please enlighten us as to the highlights of Buckler's post-Jam career? Time U.K.? Gawd help us
And what have you done to match him, journey man?
The Jam are legends, you have a van
Whoops do

No Wheels says...
8:15pm Mon 18 Jun 12

I like the Jam, I never said I didn't. I've got all the 7's to prove it, which I doubt you have from your clunky description of their music - and sure, the drums are great.

I'm just amused by the fact that the object of your dotage chose the name of a tub thumper for his moniker and constantly offers to practice his flams and paradiddles on anyone who doesn't agree with the crew, or whatever you lot are calling your firm of firm-handed herberts this week.

buckler says...
8:27pm Mon 18 Jun 12

Still waiting for any of Bassinis bandits to contact me or LD on twitter, it's easily done but not one of you got the nerve! #ForzaWatford come on!

lutondown says...
8:38pm Mon 18 Jun 12

No Wheels wrote:
I like the Jam, I never said I didn't. I've got all the 7's to prove it, which I doubt you have from your clunky description of their music - and sure, the drums are great.

I'm just amused by the fact that the object of your dotage chose the name of a tub thumper for his moniker and constantly offers to practice his flams and paradiddles on anyone who doesn't agree with the crew, or whatever you lot are calling your firm of firm-handed herberts this week.
Oh mate from setting sons, I have the lot
I even witnessed the last concert.
I'm actually moving away from new wave onto the tragedy of Opera, and a small dose of Pavarotti.
So Mr Clean, go polish your Escort 45 and take that bitterest pill

No Wheels says...
8:41pm Mon 18 Jun 12

Billy Hunt Billy Hunt Billy Billy...

lutondown says...
8:45pm Mon 18 Jun 12

No Wheels wrote:
Billy Hunt Billy Hunt Billy Billy...
Yes I'm a Billy Hunt, but Mr Tambourine man I'm one F'ing Big Billy Hunt
Boast? No, I don't do that...come see me on twitter

buckler says...
9:24pm Mon 18 Jun 12

That's Entertainment!

strummerjoe says...
10:04pm Mon 18 Jun 12

Foxton's heavy bass? The guy played a Rickenbacker, noted for its twang. And I bet I saw them before you did Buckler - Dunstable California Ballroom, July 77, supported by Chelsea (Gene October's rubbish band)

lutondown says...
10:46pm Mon 18 Jun 12

strummerjoe wrote:
Foxton's heavy bass? The guy played a Rickenbacker, noted for its twang. And I bet I saw them before you did Buckler - Dunstable California Ballroom, July 77, supported by Chelsea (Gene October's rubbish band)
Think you're Having a dig at the wrong person
Twitting airhead drummer Joe is you
Just thinking about that gentle twang in a Town called malice....tool

PedroHornet says...
12:22am Tue 19 Jun 12

Yet another sell-out of an English club to foreign owners. Does this mean there will be an influx of more foreign players to an English club? Will there be no REAL English clubs left with REAL English players. No wonder the pool of (any) good grass-roots English talent is shrinking at the national level made worse by the massive injection of Sky billions which enables top teams to cherry pick from the shelves around the world. These are the reasons why our national team has struggled over the last few decades and as soon as those so called over-paid officials at FA HQ realise this, the sooner our country can start developing proper English players and play decent football once again.

WhatFordEfSea_71 says...
12:39am Tue 19 Jun 12

I feel really sorry for all legitimate Watford FC fans! As one of the many people on this message board who have over 30 years experience with this criminal, I knew from the moment he was involved with your unfortunate club that it would be a matter of months before the coffers were empty and he would exit stage left!!! How the FA can allow someone with this background and track record to buy a football is club is a travesty! Good luck Hornets. I hope you somehow manage to recover from this crook's involvement in your club. You deserve better!

Cleverhornet says...
2:06am Tue 19 Jun 12

I have it on good authority (let's just say I have a friend) HMRC is very involved. May I point out this is very real.

lutondown says...
5:37am Tue 19 Jun 12

garston tony wrote:
As to the anti LB lot pointing to Sky reports would LB be suing them if they were right?
Sky v Bas ? Mmmmmm
My moneys on Sky

No Wheels says...
9:12am Tue 19 Jun 12

lutondown wrote:
strummerjoe wrote:
Foxton's heavy bass? The guy played a Rickenbacker, noted for its twang. And I bet I saw them before you did Buckler - Dunstable California Ballroom, July 77, supported by Chelsea (Gene October's rubbish band)
Think you're Having a dig at the wrong person
Twitting airhead drummer Joe is you
Just thinking about that gentle twang in a Town called malice....tool
Spot on, Stummer Joe...

the twang's the thang with those Ricky 4001s

garston tony says...
9:45am Tue 19 Jun 12

I find it fascinating that the anti LB lot are still not grasping that the club does and has not generated enough income to cover outgoings and when you add in what has been spent on the pub and ground/pitch and payments to previous owners LB has had to put into the club/cough up quite a few million quid to a) keep it going day to day, b) pay for capital costs of improvements and c) pay Lord A et al.

Whoever the owner had been the money from player sales would have been swallowed up by club costs.

This mantra repeated rote style that LB has pocketed money from the club just shows how little actually the anti LB lot had to base their weird hatred of him on. The fact that a lot of them resort to personal insults/threats instead of actually providing evidence just adds icing on that cake.

Buckler you may have had some inside info on the club being sold but that does not make you right about the claims you made against LB. I would contact you on Twitter, but dont have it. And anyway isnt it a bit dodgy a child inviting adults to contact them that way?

garston tony says...
9:46am Tue 19 Jun 12

Regards the potential new owners whilst they may be buying WFC with a view to it being a feeder club due to the new financial rules the club still has to stand on its own two feet. They wont be able to 'lend' WFC money to keep it going as that’s not allowed. Also I'm sure the clubs value (in every sense of the word) to them would increase dramatically if there was success. Their asset would be worth more/generating a pretty income if in the prem, our academy would be more attractive and the players sent here on loan would be playing at a higher level and gaining a better experience.

garston tony says...
9:47am Tue 19 Jun 12

WhatFordEfSea_71 wrote:
I feel really sorry for all legitimate Watford FC fans! As one of the many people on this message board who have over 30 years experience with this criminal, I knew from the moment he was involved with your unfortunate club that it would be a matter of months before the coffers were empty and he would exit stage left!!! How the FA can allow someone with this background and track record to buy a football is club is a travesty! Good luck Hornets. I hope you somehow manage to recover from this crook's involvement in your club. You deserve better!
WhatFordEfSea, erm the coffers ran dry about five years ago! When LB bought the club even the poor box had been robbed.

No Wheels says...
11:13am Tue 19 Jun 12

I'm amazed we can afford a safe...

Alex Hillcroft says...
11:17am Tue 19 Jun 12

WhatFordEfSea_71 wrote:
I feel really sorry for all legitimate Watford FC fans! As one of the many people on this message board who have over 30 years experience with this criminal, I knew from the moment he was involved with your unfortunate club that it would be a matter of months before the coffers were empty and he would exit stage left!!! How the FA can allow someone with this background and track record to buy a football is club is a travesty! Good luck Hornets. I hope you somehow manage to recover from this crook's involvement in your club. You deserve better!
To whom can you possibly be referring?

buckler says...
7:40pm Tue 19 Jun 12

garston tony wrote:
I find it fascinating that the anti LB lot are still not grasping that the club does and has not generated enough income to cover outgoings and when you add in what has been spent on the pub and ground/pitch and payments to previous owners LB has had to put into the club/cough up quite a few million quid to a) keep it going day to day, b) pay for capital costs of improvements and c) pay Lord A et al.

Whoever the owner had been the money from player sales would have been swallowed up by club costs.

This mantra repeated rote style that LB has pocketed money from the club just shows how little actually the anti LB lot had to base their weird hatred of him on. The fact that a lot of them resort to personal insults/threats instead of actually providing evidence just adds icing on that cake.

Buckler you may have had some inside info on the club being sold but that does not make you right about the claims you made against LB. I would contact you on Twitter, but dont have it. And anyway isnt it a bit dodgy a child inviting adults to contact them that way?
Anyone can get on it , that's if there not quaking in there boots!

garston tony says...
10:00am Wed 20 Jun 12

Buckler, why would i be afraid of a child?

garston tony says...
10:02am Wed 20 Jun 12

And what are you going to say on twitter that you cant say here? More foul language, name calling and threats is it?

Grow up, if this is how you react because people have a different opinion to you I pity you as much as I dismiss your childish behaviour

buckler says...
10:11am Wed 20 Jun 12

garston tony wrote:
And what are you going to say on twitter that you cant say here? More foul language, name calling and threats is it?

Grow up, if this is how you react because people have a different opinion to you I pity you as much as I dismiss your childish behaviour
Ooh it's such a shame you feel like this , was hoping we could become friends?

garston tony says...
10:18am Wed 20 Jun 12

Only when you stop stomping your feet and threaten to set your dad on me just because I have a different opinion to you

lutondown says...
3:53pm Wed 20 Jun 12

garston tony wrote:
Only when you stop stomping your feet and threaten to set your dad on me just because I have a different opinion to you
Can you accept my differing opinion to the one you have of yourself? If so you'll accept I think your a jerk, and whys worse a liberal jerk at that
Jerk

buckler says...
4:43pm Wed 20 Jun 12

lutondown wrote:
garston tony wrote:
Only when you stop stomping your feet and threaten to set your dad on me just because I have a different opinion to you
Can you accept my differing opinion to the one you have of yourself? If so you'll accept I think your a jerk, and whys worse a liberal jerk at that
Jerk
That's the biggest understatement I've ever heard! Love to meet this clown?

Cleverhornet says...
6:11pm Wed 20 Jun 12

Bassini was sold a yarn. He's not a great businessman (in fact - hes a bit of an idiot) so he bought into the yarn. The backers have played Bassini.

Bassini only just realises it and runs to the safe to empty it and disappear. He's thinking that hes got the Bentley, range rover and whatever he can get out of the safe. He's thinking he's still quids in as he only put in some money when buying the club (possibly this was his backers money - as he hasn't sold his bungalow in Stanmore yet). It got so bad that he had to call in the police when he was "refused access to his own safe".

One minute it's "I'm not selling Watford", and then it's " I'm selling it because my daughter misses her dad". So why was Bassini to run over to the safe and withdraw his funds that evening.

He's trying to mix with some unsavoury characters because he thinks this makes him a gangster. The truth is they'll all laughing at him and just taking his money.

Jewish people are a very close community and have some great family values when it comes to family, children and people of their faith. The fact they all avoid Bassini like the plague says it all.

And for all those pro Bassini fans on the forums, most of them are Bassini or his silly friends who think that Bassini is somehow going to praise and reward them for their loyalty.

Get real. This guy has made a joke out of every single one of you. The question is - what is Watfords future.

I'm not a big football fan, but why would someone want to buy Watford when Bassinis sold everyone, and everyone seems to be leaving. The only thing left is the land.

What's the bet, that any current deals fall through and a development company steps in.

lutondown says...
7:27pm Wed 20 Jun 12

Cleverhornet wrote:
Bassini was sold a yarn. He's not a great businessman (in fact - hes a bit of an idiot) so he bought into the yarn. The backers have played Bassini.

Bassini only just realises it and runs to the safe to empty it and disappear. He's thinking that hes got the Bentley, range rover and whatever he can get out of the safe. He's thinking he's still quids in as he only put in some money when buying the club (possibly this was his backers money - as he hasn't sold his bungalow in Stanmore yet). It got so bad that he had to call in the police when he was "refused access to his own safe".

One minute it's "I'm not selling Watford", and then it's " I'm selling it because my daughter misses her dad". So why was Bassini to run over to the safe and withdraw his funds that evening.

He's trying to mix with some unsavoury characters because he thinks this makes him a gangster. The truth is they'll all laughing at him and just taking his money.

Jewish people are a very close community and have some great family values when it comes to family, children and people of their faith. The fact they all avoid Bassini like the plague says it all.

And for all those pro Bassini fans on the forums, most of them are Bassini or his silly friends who think that Bassini is somehow going to praise and reward them for their loyalty.

Get real. This guy has made a joke out of every single one of you. The question is - what is Watfords future.

I'm not a big football fan, but why would someone want to buy Watford when Bassinis sold everyone, and everyone seems to be leaving. The only thing left is the land.

What's the bet, that any current deals fall through and a development company steps in.
I hope your wrong but having heard a lot of this elsewhere fear your right

Andrew1963 says...
10:23pm Wed 20 Jun 12

Ashcroft only interested in the land - The Councilis making the land more valuable by making the allotments behind the ground available for redevelopment. Bas mucks it up WFC go into receivership - The bond holders get their money - What was in the safe by the way that was so valuable Bas has hadto spend every weekend away from his daughter to protect?

Henry VIII says...
3:30am Thu 21 Jun 12

I must admit it is never dull being a WFC fan. Why is it nothing ever goes straight-forward for us fans these days? I realise that the takeover could still be a few days away but it seems every transfer in and out and anything associated with our club always takes so much time. The one thing I would love to know someday in the future is what exactly was it Bas was trying to get so urgently from the safe? My theory is it was the original Nimbus 2000 from the first Harry Potter film, borrowed from the new local film studios. Bas was then going to use his wizardly skills to re-turf the ground, magic a new stand and sign Hagrid as a replacement for Mapps.

lutondown says...
5:46am Thu 21 Jun 12

Note big silence from Pro Bas lobby
Our club is in real trouble. Smell the coffee chaps and pray for the deal to happen

garston tony says...
9:50am Thu 21 Jun 12

buckler wrote:
lutondown wrote:
garston tony wrote: Only when you stop stomping your feet and threaten to set your dad on me just because I have a different opinion to you
Can you accept my differing opinion to the one you have of yourself? If so you'll accept I think your a jerk, and whys worse a liberal jerk at that Jerk
That's the biggest understatement I've ever heard! Love to meet this clown?
Very mature Lutondown and Buckler, very mature. Thanks for proving my opinion of you two correct time and time again :-)

garston tony says...
9:53am Thu 21 Jun 12

Cleverhornet wrote:
Bassini was sold a yarn. He's not a great businessman (in fact - hes a bit of an idiot) so he bought into the yarn. The backers have played Bassini. Bassini only just realises it and runs to the safe to empty it and disappear. He's thinking that hes got the Bentley, range rover and whatever he can get out of the safe. He's thinking he's still quids in as he only put in some money when buying the club (possibly this was his backers money - as he hasn't sold his bungalow in Stanmore yet). It got so bad that he had to call in the police when he was "refused access to his own safe". One minute it's "I'm not selling Watford", and then it's " I'm selling it because my daughter misses her dad". So why was Bassini to run over to the safe and withdraw his funds that evening. He's trying to mix with some unsavoury characters because he thinks this makes him a gangster. The truth is they'll all laughing at him and just taking his money. Jewish people are a very close community and have some great family values when it comes to family, children and people of their faith. The fact they all avoid Bassini like the plague says it all. And for all those pro Bassini fans on the forums, most of them are Bassini or his silly friends who think that Bassini is somehow going to praise and reward them for their loyalty. Get real. This guy has made a joke out of every single one of you. The question is - what is Watfords future. I'm not a big football fan, but why would someone want to buy Watford when Bassinis sold everyone, and everyone seems to be leaving. The only thing left is the land. What's the bet, that any current deals fall through and a development company steps in.
Cleverhornet you may be right about LB and why he bought the club etc, or not. But last time I checked we've still got a squad which got the club its best league position in four seasons and GT leaving was always on the cards, he made that clear from the day he agreed to be chairman. Your comments there are simply not accurate and its laughable you saying those that havent got an irrational hatred of LB are either LB himself or his mates. Why do the anti LB lot always have to resort to ridiculous claims and accusations that hold no water?

garston tony says...
9:54am Thu 21 Jun 12

lutondown wrote:
Note big silence from Pro Bas lobby Our club is in real trouble. Smell the coffee chaps and pray for the deal to happen
Oh, I didn’t realise I had to be tied to the computer so as to be able to respond to comments at a moments notice.

Cleverhornet says...
8:00am Fri 22 Jun 12

Thank you for your comments Garston Tony. I would guess that you are a big Watford fan and you want the best for your club.

It's pointless telling you that I know Bassini and the scumbag that I and quite a few others that know him thinks he is. It's also pointless telling you about his habits and such - for reason of defamation.

All I can say to you Tony, is - if you REALLY beleive Bassini is good for the your football club - good for you.

The way Bassini changes his stories, the erratic behaviour, tantrums - seems all normal??

All I can say is, it's a good job he's not a footballer having to constantly taking drug tests and such. Please don't think I'm saying that Bassini takes drugs or ever has done so in the past or the police know him very well.

Sorry Garston Tony - you're fighting a loosing cause. Personally I don't give a flying f about you and your shi**y little club. Incidentally - outside Watford, most people have never heard of Watford.

I thought I would tell it like it is about your manager. In a different club Bassini would have been hung, drawn and quartered.

All you lot at Watford are going to do - is watch him rip down your club and let him get away with it - because that's just the way it is at Watford.

And Bassini gets away with it again!

garston tony says...
10:17am Fri 22 Jun 12

Cleverhornet, you know him so yes you have a more accurate impression of what he is like. I don’t know him and therefore can only judge him on what he has done, I hope you can appreciate that.

Yes he has been naïve and his changing stories, tantrums, pulling out of q&a sessions appears to be part of that. And yes he was a former bankrupt. BUT in his time at WFC he hasn’t actually done anything wrong as far as im concerned.

Whereas Lord A (our previous owner) will have wanted the minimum done at the club and probably asked for further drastic cuts and sold AM (one of our prized players) for a knock down price LB has put money in to improve the squad (whether the players that came in were good or not is debatable but the blame or praise for that lies with SD and the footballing staff, the fact is LB supported them) and work is being carried out to improve the ground and pitch.

His detractors bang on about the money from player sales, ignoring the fact that this would have happened anyway regardless of who the owner was as the sales were needed to keep the club going as it doesn’t generate enough income to cover outgoings. This idea that he is somehow pocketing money from the club just doesn’t fit the fact, if he was walking off with transfer money on the one hand he'd have to give the club more money on the other to keep it going!

And his detractors are forgetting about the immense wealth that came into the club after the last Prem campaign which disapeared into who knows where! That immense amount of money should have set WFC up for decades, new ground etc but instead the club found itself facing bankruptcy! I don’t recall at the time anywhere near the same amount of venon being aimed at the likely culprits of that weird scenario which makes the bile we've been seing poured towards LB all the more disgusting in my eyes.

I would have loved for the Pozzo's for instance to have bought the club a year ago, they didn’t. No one wanted to apart from LB and Lord A was willing to sell to him so there we have that and all LB has done is continue on the path started by the Russo's (also previous owners) which was quite a sensible and realistic one.

Does this mean I lack ambition for the club, no. We've seen it twice in the last 12 years that the club can have great success on a shoe string. And we've seen it happen to Burnley and to Blackpool too more recently.

Cleverhornet says...
3:54pm Fri 22 Jun 12

Hello again Garston Tony

Naïve is what you call a child or a babbling idiot. Basinni is meant to be this fantastic super business man who cannot do anything wrong.

He is out of control!

Like I said before, I don’t really care for Watford football club itself, so I really cant answer any questions about your players or your history. But I do know everyone that once stood by Bassini are very fast disappearing. Panos, GT, and now yesterdays news is Fransen and Timperley removed from the board. The only person left soon will be his mums friend.

You said he was Naïve – so, if he’s not a child, what is he?

And what works are you talking about. There was a lot of sand that was dropped off. What do you use sand for? I’m just surprised they didn’t deliver the bricks and the cement at the same time. Lets hope I’m wrong here for the sake of all the Pro Bassini’s in this world.

There’s another thing - If anyone thinks Bassini ran to the safe to take all the money out – wishful thinking… There’s the issues of money laundering, which means, he would struggle to go abroad or spend all the money. There was something else in the safe. Maybe the deeds to his bungalow in Stanmore… who knows.

One thing is for sure, life is full of disappoints, and Bassini is the biggest of them all.

Cleverhornet says...
5:03pm Fri 22 Jun 12

Hi Garston tony. Have you seen the latest on the Watford observer just out?

The buyers have pulled out!

Thought you should know. Sorry. The story will unfold very soon.

The amount Bassini put into buying the club was what he claimed his bungalow on Ashdale Grove is worth. You can guess the rest (the bit about running to the safe).

And finally, he has done a lot wrong, but you dont see it as he's a trickster - and very good I might add. Hope the rest of you guys have a new team to support - I heard Lutons quite close to travel to.

lutondown says...
6:01pm Fri 22 Jun 12

Cleverhornet wrote:
Hi Garston tony. Have you seen the latest on the Watford observer just out?

The buyers have pulled out!

Thought you should know. Sorry. The story will unfold very soon.

The amount Bassini put into buying the club was what he claimed his bungalow on Ashdale Grove is worth. You can guess the rest (the bit about running to the safe).

And finally, he has done a lot wrong, but you dont see it as he's a trickster - and very good I might add. Hope the rest of you guys have a new team to support - I heard Lutons quite close to travel to.
Mate I wish people like Tony would go elsewhere, but like you have pointed out that may be the only alternative if this deal is not done.
It's depressing supporting Watford at times, and this is definetly one of those damned times.

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