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Watford owner claims Pozzo takeover is off (From This Is Local London)
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Laurence Bassini claims Pozzo takeover of Watford is off
4:12pm Friday 22nd June 2012 in Latest Sport
By Frank Smith, Deputy Group Sports Editor
Watford owner Laurence Bassini claims the takeover of the club by the Pozzo family is off.
Bassini stated yesterday that the deal was agreed and all he was waiting for was the “proof of funds” from the family who run Italian side Udinese and Spanish club Granada.
Sources had claimed the Watford owner was being pressurised into leaving the Hertfordshire club by their bondholders.
But Bassini was adamant he was leaving on his own accord and stated on several occasions he expected to receive around £12m for the club.
An hour ago Bassini contacted the Watford Observer and said: “They don’t have the money [I want for the takeover] so I’m not doing the deal.
“They didn’t provide the proof of funds and it is not transparent enough so that is that.
“They have so many partners but they don’t have the money.
“The deal is definitely off. They do not have the money. What can I do?”
Comments(85)
Hungry_Hornet
says...
4:17pm Fri 22 Jun 12
Shandy12
says...
4:20pm Fri 22 Jun 12
@heathFMResearch
says...
4:24pm Fri 22 Jun 12
"They don’t have the money so I’m not doing the deal."
Sure this will boost his popularity... Does he have any PR advisers, or is this quite normal?
canary wharf horn
says...
4:27pm Fri 22 Jun 12
baz is not very clear in his statements. maybe the bondholders will have the final say in all of this if indeed he has breached the terms of the buyout..
AngelHornet
says...
4:27pm Fri 22 Jun 12
buckler
says...
4:28pm Fri 22 Jun 12
Bringe
says...
4:28pm Fri 22 Jun 12
Iveco76
says...
4:30pm Fri 22 Jun 12
It's OK because he's got 3 other interested parties......
buckler
says...
4:30pm Fri 22 Jun 12
Bringe wrote:Who do you think you are? mr knowitall by the looks of it or a bandit of his! Same bore as on the gloryhorns are you ?
not worried as yet it's just negotiating ... I hope
Mickey Quinn, not so thin
says...
4:30pm Fri 22 Jun 12
Bas - you had better pull this one out of the fire my friend. For a year you say too little to the supporters. Then you decide to give what amounts to a running commentary of a confidential disposal process. You have made yourself look a commercial novice. Now get on the phone and sort it out.
WFC4ever
says...
4:37pm Fri 22 Jun 12
Wouldn't be surprised if they got some cold feet with the reaction to the chances of Dyche going.
llloydwithathirdl
says...
4:39pm Fri 22 Jun 12
Mickey Quinn, not so thin
says...
4:41pm Fri 22 Jun 12
llloydwithathirdl wrote:sadly its still HIS club !
GET OUT OF MY CLUB YOU ODIOUS MAN
StephenKilamanjiro
says...
4:41pm Fri 22 Jun 12
Since you took over our club several months ago you have provided us supporters with nothing more than utter cods wallop.
Your total amateurish approach at running a football club is comical. Your too scared to turn up at a fans forum, stating you were Ill. I hated PE at school, so I used to pretend I was Ill.
You are nothing more than a petulant child...sorry, a fat petulant child, in a balding old mans body.
Stop using our football club as a pawn in your tainted commercial background and crawl back under your rock that you appeared from.
You have ruined any chance of the club moving forward through nothing other than pure greed and your egotistical approach at dealing with, what the Pozzo's probably considered, a sensitive deal.
This is from me, and 12,000 Watford Supporters, your not welcome at the Vic and your not welcome in Watford.
And take your poxy salt beef stand with you, you Toby.
AngelHornet
says...
4:42pm Fri 22 Jun 12
buckler
says...
4:43pm Fri 22 Jun 12
WFC4ever wrote:1.They have loads of money. 2. As if a few angry watford fans putting comments on here would worry anyone. 3. Open your eyes. 4. Bassini OUT.
The only saving grace is that Bas didn't decide to sell out and then we find out they don't have the money!
Wouldn't be surprised if they got some cold feet with the reaction to the chances of Dyche going.
Colin West's mullet
says...
4:44pm Fri 22 Jun 12
WFC4ever wrote:I can't imagine they give a flying one about that.
The only saving grace is that Bas didn't decide to sell out and then we find out they don't have the money!
Wouldn't be surprised if they got some cold feet with the reaction to the chances of Dyche going.
They own 2 successful top flight clubs - they have the money, they probably decided they couldn't do business with such a clown of a man.
So, let me get this straight - the holding company which owns WFC now has just Bas as sole director...?
WFC4ever
says...
4:45pm Fri 22 Jun 12
buckler wrote:Do we know that for certain?
WFC4ever wrote:1.They have loads of money. 2. As if a few angry watford fans putting comments on here would worry anyone. 3. Open your eyes. 4. Bassini OUT.
The only saving grace is that Bas didn't decide to sell out and then we find out they don't have the money!
Wouldn't be surprised if they got some cold feet with the reaction to the chances of Dyche going.
They weren't going to pump millions in.
Disappointing though as now we've probably got an unsettled manager and lost out on new signings.
Plus I agree a chairman/owner who doesn't want to be here which isn't a good thing.
buckler
says...
4:46pm Fri 22 Jun 12
Colin West's mullet
says...
4:49pm Fri 22 Jun 12
Get out of our clu-u-ub
You fat crazy bankrupt
Get out of our club"
Rookery, take note.
StephenKilamanjiro
says...
4:50pm Fri 22 Jun 12
Colin West's mullet wrote:Like
"Get out of our club
Get out of our clu-u-ub
You fat crazy bankrupt
Get out of our club"
Rookery, take note.
mrbankrupt
says...
4:52pm Fri 22 Jun 12
You fat greedy b.....
You are a failed bankrupt,
Watford under you will go under like all your companies
Bringe
says...
4:53pm Fri 22 Jun 12
buckler wrote:Lol I forgot ..... blah blah blah buckler owns this comment section ... no one can have a differing view to him.
Bringe wrote:Who do you think you are? mr knowitall by the looks of it or a bandit of his! Same bore as on the gloryhorns are you ?
not worried as yet it's just negotiating ... I hope
Napalm Pudding
says...
4:57pm Fri 22 Jun 12
watfordbornandbred
says...
4:58pm Fri 22 Jun 12
hes round
he hasnt got a pound
Bassiniiiiiiii
Bassiniiiiiiii
aussihornet
says...
5:04pm Fri 22 Jun 12
GO AWAY & sell to the Pozzo's
tonupchris
says...
5:05pm Fri 22 Jun 12
mrbankrupt
says...
5:05pm Fri 22 Jun 12
8:52am Fri 1 Jun 12
Back to topic, if GT is okay with the stand being named after him then a brilliant. A classic footballing way of honouring someone who really has done so much for the club and the people of Watford
If LB has the funds to clear the debts, excellent news too. When the work starts on the stand will that finally shut the moaners up I wonder?”
Good quote Tony
mrbankrupt
says...
5:06pm Fri 22 Jun 12
4:26pm Thu 31 May 12
Lets wait for it........the doom mongers will start.....WELL DONE MR BASSINI.”
a1derek
says...
5:07pm Fri 22 Jun 12
wfcTim
says...
5:09pm Fri 22 Jun 12
Some say better the devil you know??
Let's hope not and someone comes in sharpish ALTERNATIVELY WFC fans all put £2 in, for the next Euromillions rollover??
mrbankrupt
says...
5:10pm Fri 22 Jun 12
8:17am Fri 18 May 12
Some people are never satisfied! Bet you open your birthday presents weeks before also!!! Great pictures to see the pitch getting done, and well done to Bassini for keeping his word as usual!!
bigthunder
says...
5:10pm Fri 22 Jun 12
pretty sure the bondholders have this sorted , he thinks he is getting 12million LOL
he will end up with not a lot , this deal will go through , he has already broken terms of bond deal as fransen and timperley have been removed
would suggest maybe the pozzo's and bondholders know what they are doing and as nobody is talking to bassini he has thrown his toys out of the pram yet again and said it is off , well it is off as far as him gaining but would suggest it is still very much on and this buffoon will be gone very soon
so glad though finally you are seeing this man for what he is
you idiots on here who continually backed him must feel very small tonight !
thankfully there are smarter people in the world and they have put bassini in his place i think
WFC4ever
says...
5:15pm Fri 22 Jun 12
Fans don't mind not having millions to spend but its disappointing to see another summer ruined by off field problems.
buckler
says...
5:16pm Fri 22 Jun 12
bigthunder wrote:Great stuff as usual bigy and glad to see Mrbankrupt name and shame the Bas Bandits! Good work true Watford guys.
personally going to chill out re the latest waffle from this idiot i have been telling you about for months
pretty sure the bondholders have this sorted , he thinks he is getting 12million LOL
he will end up with not a lot , this deal will go through , he has already broken terms of bond deal as fransen and timperley have been removed
would suggest maybe the pozzo's and bondholders know what they are doing and as nobody is talking to bassini he has thrown his toys out of the pram yet again and said it is off , well it is off as far as him gaining but would suggest it is still very much on and this buffoon will be gone very soon
so glad though finally you are seeing this man for what he is
you idiots on here who continually backed him must feel very small tonight !
thankfully there are smarter people in the world and they have put bassini in his place i think
D SCHOGGER
says...
5:16pm Fri 22 Jun 12
akureyri
says...
5:17pm Fri 22 Jun 12
Lorenzo Bazzini è un pagliaccio!
Uscire e andare ora
mrbankrupt
says...
5:17pm Fri 22 Jun 12
Again well done baz for completing another promise looking forward to seeing the boys and some good new signings next year.
I always see Baz in the same place though. In the crowd at vicarage road with the fans who love him.
Dr,Oftaw
says...
5:18pm Fri 22 Jun 12
bigthunder wrote:like
personally going to chill out re the latest waffle from this idiot i have been telling you about for months pretty sure the bondholders have this sorted , he thinks he is getting 12million LOL he will end up with not a lot , this deal will go through , he has already broken terms of bond deal as fransen and timperley have been removed would suggest maybe the pozzo's and bondholders know what they are doing and as nobody is talking to bassini he has thrown his toys out of the pram yet again and said it is off , well it is off as far as him gaining but would suggest it is still very much on and this buffoon will be gone very soon so glad though finally you are seeing this man for what he is you idiots on here who continually backed him must feel very small tonight ! thankfully there are smarter people in the world and they have put bassini in his place i think
sherlock65
says...
5:20pm Fri 22 Jun 12
Mickey Quinn, not so thin
says...
5:20pm Fri 22 Jun 12
Napalm Pudding wrote:hope you're right but the risk is he simply flogs the first team to raise cash to pay the bondholders, ie asset stripping, which he has resisted to-date.
Suspect there'll be more twists and turns. He's potless and can't pay the bond holders. They'll take it back and leave him with nothing. I'd imagine the Pozzo's offered what he put in. What's it worth since he 'invested'? Very little development, few playing assets and the stadium is an eyesore. Why pay any more than that?
tonupchris
says...
5:21pm Fri 22 Jun 12
Last weekend he wasn't selling, Monday he was.
I think we need to hear from the Pozzo's (who apparently tried to buy West Ham but couldn't show proof of funds) or an official statement from the club. Just have a feeling we may not be at the end of this.
andyhooked
says...
5:21pm Fri 22 Jun 12
laddie hornets
says...
5:21pm Fri 22 Jun 12
mrbankrupt
says...
5:25pm Fri 22 Jun 12
laddie hornets wrote:well said
I suspect that the truth is more like they weren't prepared to pay as much as Bassini wanted, because his greed to make a personal profit was too great. The one thing we can guarantee we won't get from Bassini is the truth.
Mickey Quinn, not so thin
says...
5:26pm Fri 22 Jun 12
mrbankrupt wrote:Mr B - not sure what your point is ? All these quotes you are digging up were perfectly valid at the time they were made. Hopefully this time next week he WILL have sold the club and we'll still be able to say he saved the club from adiministraton and passed it on to new owners better placed to take it forward.
AB11 quote
Again well done baz for completing another promise looking forward to seeing the boys and some good new signings next year.
I always see Baz in the same place though. In the crowd at vicarage road with the fans who love him.
mrbankrupt
says...
5:28pm Fri 22 Jun 12
Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:dont worry quinny, i,ve dug up a few crackers from you
mrbankrupt wrote:Mr B - not sure what your point is ? All these quotes you are digging up were perfectly valid at the time they were made. Hopefully this time next week he WILL have sold the club and we'll still be able to say he saved the club from adiministraton and passed it on to new owners better placed to take it forward.
AB11 quote
Again well done baz for completing another promise looking forward to seeing the boys and some good new signings next year.
I always see Baz in the same place though. In the crowd at vicarage road with the fans who love him.
volvov50
says...
5:29pm Fri 22 Jun 12
Mickey Quinn, not so thin
says...
5:32pm Fri 22 Jun 12
mrbankrupt wrote:bring it on, thickie !
Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:dont worry quinny, i,ve dug up a few crackers from you
mrbankrupt wrote:Mr B - not sure what your point is ? All these quotes you are digging up were perfectly valid at the time they were made. Hopefully this time next week he WILL have sold the club and we'll still be able to say he saved the club from adiministraton and passed it on to new owners better placed to take it forward.
AB11 quote
Again well done baz for completing another promise looking forward to seeing the boys and some good new signings next year.
I always see Baz in the same place though. In the crowd at vicarage road with the fans who love him.
KeithMercer
says...
5:32pm Fri 22 Jun 12
bigthunder wrote:Hope you are right Mr Big !
personally going to chill out re the latest waffle from this idiot i have been telling you about for months
pretty sure the bondholders have this sorted , he thinks he is getting 12million LOL
he will end up with not a lot , this deal will go through , he has already broken terms of bond deal as fransen and timperley have been removed
would suggest maybe the pozzo's and bondholders know what they are doing and as nobody is talking to bassini he has thrown his toys out of the pram yet again and said it is off , well it is off as far as him gaining but would suggest it is still very much on and this buffoon will be gone very soon
so glad though finally you are seeing this man for what he is
you idiots on here who continually backed him must feel very small tonight !
thankfully there are smarter people in the world and they have put bassini in his place i think
you talk a lot of sense and like some others have seen through this mug from the start.
"I dont get to spend anytime with my daughter on Saturdays as she doesnt like football".
Have you ever heard anything like it in your life "
Just jog on Bas and make some fairy cakes !
bigthunder
says...
5:35pm Fri 22 Jun 12
@Observer_Owl Have to say that I've heard from a reliable source that the #WatfordFC deal is still on. I believe nothing Bassini says
watfordbornandbred
says...
5:38pm Fri 22 Jun 12
HemelWFC
says...
5:41pm Fri 22 Jun 12
Retlas
says...
5:42pm Fri 22 Jun 12
tonupchris
says...
5:46pm Fri 22 Jun 12
bigthunder wrote:Hope this person is right. I certainly would not be surprised if there was more to come on this story. I have always tried to see the good side to Bassini but even I can't work out what he's doing this time. He does seem to react too quickly to lots of things so hoping he sees sense and changes his mind in the next day or two.
Iveco76 @Iveco76
@Observer_Owl Have to say that I've heard from a reliable source that the #WatfordFC deal is still on. I believe nothing Bassini says
Wrighty_Hornet
says...
5:47pm Fri 22 Jun 12
lutondown
says...
5:53pm Fri 22 Jun 12
Retlas wrote:I do, tried buying the club from Bonser
Anyone remember Leslie Wise??
Think he was a local businessman.
I'm praying the great sage Big thunder is right. If not the consequences for our club are dire.
There is no money left
People are getting their wages late.
Contractors unpaid
He's done up a pub that is attached to one of his companies that is not actually Watford, and the grass is half done.
A shambles and now a very nervy weekend. Look forward to the WFC supporters trusts new statement. Suppose there are those who will be happy we continue to do things the Watford way (struggle). Perhaps they'll get what they deserve. Nothing
ralear49
says...
5:56pm Fri 22 Jun 12
SMP
says...
6:00pm Fri 22 Jun 12
tonupchris wrote:Very true!
Cast your minds back. Bassini quit after an argument with GT. Two days later he was back.
Last weekend he wasn't selling, Monday he was.
I think we need to hear from the Pozzo's (who apparently tried to buy West Ham but couldn't show proof of funds) or an official statement from the club. Just have a feeling we may not be at the end of this.
Napalm Pudding
says...
6:01pm Fri 22 Jun 12
WFCBigStu
says...
6:02pm Fri 22 Jun 12
clive77
says...
6:08pm Fri 22 Jun 12
Franson and Timperley "received notice" that they had been "removed" from the Watford Leisure Board.
This is unusual wording. Normally you'd expect such directors to "step down", or maybe "resign their position". Neither is there any mention of this being due to the necessity of any eventual takeover.
Something tells me Baz might have been manoeuvred into the position of defaulting on the bond terms...
Bravo.
In GT We Trust
says...
6:17pm Fri 22 Jun 12
ralear49 wrote:My favourite comment so far!
"the Watford owner was being pressurised" - Umm, Frank, did you mean "pressured"? Although the thought of him being presurised is appealing
tonupchris
says...
6:24pm Fri 22 Jun 12
clive77 wrote:Interesting point. Now this is a worthwhile post. Others take note!
What I find interesting about the statement from 21/6 is that it is both very carefully worded, and released by Watford Association Football Club Ltd, rather than the holding company (Watford Leisure), or Baz's takeover vehicle (Watford FC Ltd).
Franson and Timperley "received notice" that they had been "removed" from the Watford Leisure Board.
This is unusual wording. Normally you'd expect such directors to "step down", or maybe "resign their position". Neither is there any mention of this being due to the necessity of any eventual takeover.
Something tells me Baz might have been manoeuvred into the position of defaulting on the bond terms...
Bravo.
goldanboy
says...
6:40pm Fri 22 Jun 12
And there was me stressing about having to wear a football shirt this season with a cartoon chicken on the front...
Gravelaine
says...
6:43pm Fri 22 Jun 12
PS I am an expert on bonds (even Lazenby!).
Not Bazzini
says...
6:46pm Fri 22 Jun 12
allgood
says...
6:52pm Fri 22 Jun 12
Luton fans call him Agent Bassini
that says it all.
cliff46
says...
6:52pm Fri 22 Jun 12
Ashcroft won't be keen to see Baz make a fortune on the back of his original investment and the Pozzo's don't pay more than they have to.
Clearly Baz isn't a great at negotiating and he doesn't cope with pressure well, time for him to move over and let the professionals takeover
Napalm Pudding
says...
7:09pm Fri 22 Jun 12
Andrew1963
says...
7:11pm Fri 22 Jun 12
dolly33
says...
7:16pm Fri 22 Jun 12
he must be joking.
lutondown
says...
7:19pm Fri 22 Jun 12
cliff46 wrote:I hope this happens soon
If Baz is sandwiched between the Pozzo's and the good Lord A then I suspect ( or should that be hope) there will be only one loser.
Ashcroft won't be keen to see Baz make a fortune on the back of his original investment and the Pozzo's don't pay more than they have to.
Clearly Baz isn't a great at negotiating and he doesn't cope with pressure well, time for him to move over and let the professionals takeover
I've never known a person to make such rash statements
Eg removal of directors
Club all but sold
Naming the new stand after GT
The Pozzos have no money (!)
Still one thing for sure Garston Pony will be delighted his Watford are destined to struggle for evermore, or perhaps even worse
I just wonder what Sean Dyche has made of this, and whether he wants to reassess his recent show loyalty.
dmuz
says...
7:21pm Fri 22 Jun 12
Andrew1963 wrote:Cant believe some deluded woman slept with this creep
I feel sorry for his 14 year old daughter she has not seen her dear old dad at weekends for 16 months and now all her hopes are dashed. Oh well maybe she will still get her 18th birthday bash at the Red Lion.
Not Bazzini
says...
7:23pm Fri 22 Jun 12
dmuz wrote:She did.....and then got a divorce
Andrew1963 wrote:Cant believe some deluded woman slept with this creep
I feel sorry for his 14 year old daughter she has not seen her dear old dad at weekends for 16 months and now all her hopes are dashed. Oh well maybe she will still get her 18th birthday bash at the Red Lion.
In GT We Trust
says...
7:29pm Fri 22 Jun 12
dmuz wrote:As with everything else, we only have his word to go on...
Andrew1963 wrote:Cant believe some deluded woman slept with this creep
I feel sorry for his 14 year old daughter she has not seen her dear old dad at weekends for 16 months and now all her hopes are dashed. Oh well maybe she will still get her 18th birthday bash at the Red Lion.
dmuz
says...
7:29pm Fri 22 Jun 12
Not Bazzini wrote:Wonder if she rinsed him for his wealth ?!?!!! :-D
dmuz wrote:She did.....and then got a divorce
Andrew1963 wrote:Cant believe some deluded woman slept with this creep
I feel sorry for his 14 year old daughter she has not seen her dear old dad at weekends for 16 months and now all her hopes are dashed. Oh well maybe she will still get her 18th birthday bash at the Red Lion.
No Wheels
says...
7:36pm Fri 22 Jun 12
WFCBigStu wrote:very good Big Stu!
We've got 99 problems, but the pitch ain't one!!!!
WD18Firm
says...
10:18pm Fri 22 Jun 12
"New suitors describe Bassini as potless and phoney"
They had him cornered from day one.
lutondown
says...
6:11am Sat 23 Jun 12
WD18Firm wrote:Bang on
What did Kevin Affleck say on twitter three weeks ago...?
"New suitors describe Bassini as potless and phoney"
They had him cornered from day one.
Check mate is the word. When you reflect his statement 'I'm waiting for 12 million to be paid into my bank account and then the club is theirs' is he same arrangement you have when u sell your car to one of these car buying specialists.
Anyone want to buy a second hand Bentley?
corbindallas
says...
4:03pm Sat 23 Jun 12
mrbankrupt wrote:Nope you got me there and your point is what exactly?
corbindallas says...
8:17am Fri 18 May 12
Some people are never satisfied! Bet you open your birthday presents weeks before also!!! Great pictures to see the pitch getting done, and well done to Bassini for keeping his word as usual!!
mrbankrupt
says...
11:08am Sun 24 Jun 12
corbindallas wrote:Your point?
mrbankrupt wrote:Nope you got me there and your point is what exactly?
corbindallas says...
8:17am Fri 18 May 12
Some people are never satisfied! Bet you open your birthday presents weeks before also!!! Great pictures to see the pitch getting done, and well done to Bassini for keeping his word as usual!!
I think the point is in the statement "Bassini keeping his word as usual"
Go away you tool
Hornet Cornet
says...
11:26pm Sun 24 Jun 12
D.unstable
says...
12:02pm Tue 26 Jun 12
Dannyseabs says...
4:15pm Fri 22 Jun 12