General Consortium Takeover - News and Rumours

[Scotchegg]

Meanwhile people are assuming Knightsbridge Asia is Geicke as he is the only board member without an obvious holding in the parent Singapore company. So tiger is by name. Empire Asia we already know is Pairoj and co. And the two Indonesian companies - EMT presumably Erik Thohir by the initials and Brown Sports by elimination is Bakrie

Who’s to say Knightsbridge is not some hedge fund like SISU operating out of the BVI? Perhaps some connection to Geicke ? Or another group of investors?

If only we could get answers on who is behind the largest shareholding in the Singapore holding company.

Horst Geicke is behind the largest share holding. We know that (or can at least make an exceptionally educated guess) because it was stated that he had increased his financial involvement in the club and, as you say, he's not part of the other companies.

So if that is the case, is it unusual for investors to do so in the name of a company? And would that company be expected to declare details of all share holders?

I appreciate your concerns, but I'm not sure that your fears are founded.

 

[RyanioBirdio]

With the calibre of people that are taking over the club, considering they've also been on the board for a number of years so have been able to assess the stadium situation, I honestly can't see anything other than the club building a new stadium elsewhere.

The alternative would be to not just buy the Kassam for an inflated price, but the whole Ozone complex too so that the whole area can be redeveloped. The cost of purchasing and redeveloping would be significantly more, and it'd also mean the club and the owners were boxed in with what they can add and the ever-present location issues. If they (especially Horst Geike) can't add significant value to the club in terms of property, then there's surely no way they'd be involved?

It’s plainly obvious what the goal is, for my money, and has always been. It’s definitely a new development that we’re after, and these people are absolutely the ones with the experience and resources to deliver on paper. But I do think it’s worth noting the OxVox comments, which do seem to suggest that there are alternatives in case things don’t go to plan. I merely find that interesting, especially when added to one or two comments I’ve had from people far better placed than I. People who have gone against the grain and been right before.

I personally think something new will get built, eventually. I’m very much on that side of the fence. I think the money folk must have had enough positive signs to make taking the next step worthwhile. Might just require yet more patience, however. Ground could be broken on Monday and we’d probably be looking at three years before it was ready for a ball to be kicked inside of it.

 

[werthersoriginal]

It’s plainly obvious what the goal is, for my money, and has always been. It’s definitely a new development that we’re after, and these people are absolutely the ones with the experience and resources to deliver on paper. But I do think it’s worth noting the OxVox comments, which do seem to suggest that there are alternatives in case things don’t go to plan. I merely find that interesting, especially when added to one or two comments I’ve had from people far better placed than I. People who have gone against the grain and been right before.

I personally think something new will get built, eventually. I’m very much on that side of the fence. I think the money folk must have had enough positive signs to make taking the next step worthwhile. Might just require yet more patience, however. Ground could be broken on Monday and we’d probably be looking at three years before it was ready for a ball to be kicked inside of it.

Ha I’ve just noticed what your icon is!

 

[bert]

It’s plainly obvious what the goal is, for my money, and has always been. It’s definitely a new development that we’re after, and these people are absolutely the ones with the experience and resources to deliver on paper. But I do think it’s worth noting the OxVox comments, which do seem to suggest that there are alternatives in case things don’t go to plan. I merely find that interesting, especially when added to one or two comments I’ve had from people far better placed than I. People who have gone against the grain and been right before.

I personally think something new will get built, eventually. I’m very much on that side of the fence. I think the money folk must have had enough positive signs to make taking the next step worthwhile. Might just require yet more patience, however. Ground could be broken on Monday and we’d probably be looking at three years before it was ready for a ball to be kicked inside of it.

100% correct. There is only one thing these investors are here for. They may have contingencies in place but they have only ever been here for one reason.

But what would you know? You've only been to the Kassam twice this season

 

[SteMerritt]

Ha I’ve just noticed what your icon is!

I've noticed it every day for what seems like months. Almost as if I'm stuck in some sort of loop, it's weird.

 

[MarkG]

Lenagan was in it by accident after I reckon being duped by Merry into thinking Merry actually had money. But I think Lenagan did actually want a sustainable club for the community.

Eales I think was on a buy / improve / sell for a profit. And only ran out of the funds to get an automatic promotion side from L1 so sold up.

Tiger and co. Well they’ve got us in the play-offs the last 2 seasons. But I don’t think anyone reckons it was with the intention of selling the club as it is in the Championship. More about a land deal.

And we all know what happens when club and stadium ownership are separated.

 

[Oxymoron]

The sort that like throwing money away for ten years on the basis that it may come good?

I don't think so.

But would they be throwing money away? If (and I should say that this is more thinking outloud than anything else) the stadium were purchased, it would allow the club to play there while the new stadium is planned and built - 5 to 10 years would not seem unreasonable.

In that time, the housing development on Grenoble Road will have been built and economy ought to have shaken off the worst of the pandemic. By then, the stadium complex could well become an attractive proposition to the retail development people - and there's always housing!

I doubt they would lose anything in buying now with a view to selling later and may even turn a nice supplemental profit....

 

[Scotchegg]

It was at the end of the 2018/19 season that the board held a meeting after a game to put together their plans for a new stadium with those who specialise in making these things happen. It was around that time when comments were made about 5 possible sites etc. It quickly became clear to those involved that these 5 sites pretty much narrowed to one, and that has been the focus since then.

Unfortunately, as we know, covid happened and that meant that progress slowed and we're probably 12 months behind where anyone hoped to be, and makes it much harder to commit to moving before the lease is up. That is why other contingencies have been looked at. Not as an alternative to a new build, but as a way to buy more time.

It was a year or so ago that I mentioned the discussions between the club and FK to have more flexibility in the release date of the lease. In an absolutely perfect world that could mean that we can get out of the lease early without incurring additional charges. However it also allows for us to remain at the Kassam for an extra year or two without the need to commit to an extra 25 year deal. But I'm sure there are other options that protect all parties, but I have no further information on what they may be.

We have also seen that Knightsbridge Asia (Geicke), Anindya Bakrie and Erick Thohir have, and will continue to, increase their share holdings in the club. When you have the expert in stadium builds and the two money men stepping forward we can see that things are beginning to fall in place.

@MarkG and others raise legitimate questions, and I don't pretend to have the answers to everything. However, and this hasn't changed for over two years, the next chapter in the story of our club is set to be a very exciting one. Later than expected, but well worth waiting for.

 

[Malc]

I agree with you @Scotchegg but I wish things would go a bit faster,
I'm not getting any younger and I really want to see us play in our new stadium before I cross the black sands.

 

[Scotchegg]

I agree with you @Scotchegg but I wish things would go a bit faster,
I'm not getting any younger and I really want to see us play in our new stadium before I cross the black sands.

If it helps then I'm confident that the time frames won't be as long as some other clubs have experienced. These guys know what they're doing, and a lot of work has already taken place behind the scenes to smooth the ways. I am convinced that we'll be playing in the new stadium in under 5 years. Keep that sand at bay!

 

[Frankie]

I agree with you @Scotchegg but I wish things would go a bit faster,
I'm not getting any younger and I really want to see us play in our new stadium before I cross the black sands.

A few of us in that boat Malc

 

[Yellowarmy]

It’s plainly obvious what the goal is, for my money, and has always been. It’s definitely a new development that we’re after, and these people are absolutely the ones with the experience and resources to deliver on paper. But I do think it’s worth noting the OxVox comments, which do seem to suggest that there are alternatives in case things don’t go to plan. I merely find that interesting, especially when added to one or two comments I’ve had from people far better placed than I. People who have gone against the grain and been right before.

I personally think something new will get built, eventually. I’m very much on that side of the fence. I think the money folk must have had enough positive signs to make taking the next step worthwhile. Might just require yet more patience, however. Ground could be broken on Monday and we’d probably be looking at three years before it was ready for a ball to be kicked inside of it.

Any chance you could elaborate on the alternatives you mention and ground broken on Monday?

 

[MarkG]

Replace “we” with “they”

 

[Yellowarmy]

Let's be honest, without this type of investment its very difficult to see how we can ever progress to the next level. More likely, we are only a wrong managerial appointment away from doing a swindon. Our most successful period was funded off the back of a millionaires hobby prior to acquiring Derby. Being a football fan is about creating memories. Hopefully, we may have some good ones ahead of us. Any investors are entitled to profit along the way. There is not a great deal of positive alternatives.

 

[Marked Ox]

P

A tad small and a bridge to go across single file due to damage and lack of sensible action by Abingdon council not helping so maybe didcot town might share at an affordable rent 100k a year or Oxford city may step in at hour of need if not the pitches at Grandpont should suffice

Could upgrade, just knock down the bus sheds and put temporary stands up. Plenty of space surrounding to expand behind the stands and could rent the next door field & the space between the 2nd cricket pitch/far end for other facilities and extra space for temporary ground. Could easily fit Gillingham's temporary stand at the road end of Culham Road. Should be able to get 6/7000 capacity for a temporary solution.

 

[Marked Ox]

Is the Kassam still an Asset of Community Value? If so, would that make it difficult to build homes on?

I'd assume it would transfer to the new stadium, freeing up the Kassam site. I have no doubt OCC would grant planning permission for houses if a new stadium is built.

 

[bazzer9461]

Could upgrade, just knock down the bus sheds and put temporary stands up. Plenty of space surrounding to expand behind the stands and could rent the next door field & the space between the 2nd cricket pitch/far end for other facilities and extra space for temporary ground. Could easily fit Gillingham's temporary stand at the road end of Culham Road. Should be able to get 6/7000 capacity for a temporary solution.

The next door field is flood plain so that would reduce the capacity but they could put up a temporary stand in the other side of the Thames high enough to watch with all the seats having binoculars attached to them.

 

[werthersoriginal]

I agree with you @Scotchegg but I wish things would go a bit faster,
I'm not getting any younger and I really want to see us play in our new stadium before I cross the black sands.

‘Cross the black sands’ - that’s a new one on me, I like it. Is it a famous quote? Two of our cats have crossed the rainbow bridge in the last year.

 

[RyanioBirdio]

Any chance you could elaborate on the alternatives you mention and ground broken on Monday?

There will be no ground broken on Monday. I was saying that even if progress were that close, hypothetically, it would still take three years to build a stadium from the ground up. I was merely highlighting that this isn’t an overnight process even if it turned out a deal was so far down the line that they already had the shovel in the ground. Which they don’t. There are less than five years left on the current arrangement at the KS and it would be challenging for the club to get into a new stadium before it expires. People need to be realistic - there might be something just over the horizon but for now it’s just road.

There are only three options:

1. Move to a new ground
2. Stay in the current one, be it via a purchase or a different rental / licensing arrangement
3. Become homeless and ground share

I am only going off what has been said by others re alternative plans. If there are alternatives in case a new stadium doesn’t materialise, which is what we have been told, then it can only mean staying put or couch surfing. It would be interesting to know what Plan B looks like, even if they’re 99% sure it’ll never be needed. Would the club stay at the wind tunnel or go for a wander?

Also, and I’m sure many people realise this anyway, it’s extremely unlikely that Oxford United would own any new stadium that was built. Or certainly the land that it was sitting on. However, if the club paid a very reasonable ‘rent’ and was able to utilise the entire stadium in terms of revenue, rather than paying a fortune to use the pitch in a hell hole that is owned by a separate stadium company, which operates the facilities and takes all the money while the club can do diddly squat, then it would be a huge step up. What the club has at present could hardly be any worse. Paying even one penny less and making just one penny more back, to play in a finished stadium in a better location, would be a win. The bar is really, really low.

Basically, think back to the first game back in League One after promotion, at home to Chesterfield, just over five years ago. Take that same period of time and add it on, starting today. That’s probably the quickest anybody could expect to be sitting in a different ground even if it went that way. That would be a pretty smooth and rapid process.

In the meantime, it would be good to just get the ownership confirmed and rubber stamped. Although I echo the curiosity of others in terms of wondering exactly who owns the club. Who are the individual shareholders of the various companies that own Oxford United? Doesn’t have to be sinister, but it’s certainly something that’s beginning to intrigue me. Me trilby is twitching as well as me Wilkins.

All this talk of rainbow bridges and black sands is twisting my melon. I’m going to roll a fatty and listen to Tool. I’ll let everyone know what answers come of it all in the morning.

 

[Marked Ox]

The next door field is flood plain so that would reduce the capacity but they could put up a temporary stand in the other side of the Thames high enough to watch with all the seats having binoculars attached to them.

Town had already previously rented that field. A temporary stand like Gillingham's is just scaffolding so when flooded wouldn't be much of an issue.