Hill-Wood defends Arsenal’s major shareholders, rules out takeover
Arsenal’s takeover saga is still in its infancy, but we’re past first base - Kroenke has 10% of the shares, and the chairman has come out and said that the board and the major shareholders are not interested in selling out to strangers.
Peter Hill-Wood says that:
“The shareholders would prefer to stay in control than sell out to some stranger.
We would be horrified to see ownership of the club go across the Atlantic.”
Hill-Wood also spoke about three of the club’s major shareholders - Fiszman, Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith and the Carr family:
“These people love Arsenal, they are independently wealthy and do not need the money. Having a few extra million pounds in the bank is of no interest to them.
We’re here for Arsenal football club, not to make a few bob. The club has been run for the benefit of supporters, staff and players.”
That’s great to hear, but didn’t Danny Fiszman sell some of his shares to Kroenke?
And not to be cynical, but Hill-Wood is defending the shareholders and talking about them being in it for Arsenal - he hasn’t said anything specific about not accepting significant investment from an outside source provided that the plan is in Arsenal’s best interests.
Is there a way that Arsenal can bring in investment without the shareholders losing control? How involved will Kroenke be in the next year or so?
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Discussion - 4 Responses
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Excellent points raised here. We are definately falling behind, there is no question about that. Fans do not care about the nationality of who sits in the boardroom, we dont care about looking “at passports”. The reason why boards change on a regular basis in the corporate world is that you can never stand still, when you do your rivals overtake you. when you start back slapping one another for a great achievment, such as moving into a new stadium, it is easy to fall into a comfort zone.
We are now the fourth best team in the country. I cannot see how we will improve next year to such an extent that we will push MUFC or CFC for the title. Investment in players is needed, and not 15 year olds that will end up at charlton in three years time, serious finished product players.
I can foresee that within the next two years Platini reduces the amount of english teams down to 3. Trust me my fellow gooners channel 5 is a distinct posibility and on this present path it is a nigh on certanty.
And before all you arsene knows idiots start saying what a great team we have coming through, let me say something to you all you may not like but have to accept. We are just not competing with MUFC, who attract superstars and keep them happy. In three years time when we have spent 5 years building a team around him and Cesc is reaching his full potential do you honestly believe he will not be lured by playing back in spain?
Slow down there Bitter. I agree that we need players come summer and a firm believer that we will see at least one established player in Ribery arrive. As things stand right now we probably wont challenge next season but its not all doom and gloom if we arent taken over. There is money in this club and our transfer dealings over the last three years prove just that. We need three areas addressed in summer and we will challenge. New keeper, right back and left wing. I am one that doesnt care either way what happens in the board room. If we are taken over, fine! But Hill Wood doesnt have the right to come out and tell me as an Arsenal supporter that they wont sell because they run the club for the supporters and not for money. If that was the case we wouldnt be paying the highest ticket prices in Britain. The new ground proves that Arsenal are about money now and that suits me just fine because if you want to maximise profits you need success. A take over wouldnt be the worst thing out there but there is so much to be taken into account. The Highbury development plan will bring in well ovr 130 million pounds in profit which wipes out 1/3 of the debt. Im sure that will be considered if any take over is being prepared in any way.
As far as Fabregas goes…he signed an 8 year contract. If we sell him in five it will be for a huge profit. Not all doom and gloom…
btw, it’s good to have you back posting here
Any ideas on when you’ll be writing again? 
Problems at right-back? Was Wenger wrong to send Lauren away then? Heh, I love it when Arsenal fans prove me right, it’s almost as good as seeing United win
Yeah, every Gooner will tell you the Lauren transfer was a mistake. We should have kept him till the end of the season. Eboue for me is just not an Arsenal player. He plays around too much and I cant forgive the amount of times he has put the team under pressure by faking injuries, getting treatment on the sidelines and forcing the team to play for several minutes with 10 men. Not to mention the lucky hand ball escape against Bolton!! Eboue is talented but I just get the feeling that Wenger will offload him and possibly Hoyte as well. I follow the Championship as well purely from an entertainment side and watching Kerrea Gilbert play was a pleasure. I was dissapointed when he was loaned out and I am truely hoping that he is given the chance to return next season. What a talent + he is English!
I want to write something I have in mind which I will post soon. Cheers bud!