georgieB’s profile

Funny, Fat Buddha. Does that include interest?

posted at 05:19 PM on August 15

I loved that one too, grum. Understated and classy!

posted at 12:25 PM on June 29

I don't believe in the apocalypse, I'm a Bhuddist. I have about 500 million reasons to lay at the Glazers' feet, though. United will have to be generating these kinds of profits every year just to service the loan. Profits that could be used for player acquisition. And we're not holding our breaths till the owners actually shell out their own money for anything at the club. They don't have to. United has gotten along without any financial help from anyone. Do you see the unnecessary pressure caused by the loan? A loan pushed upon the club by our new owners? United has really been doing well, that's why it's attracted the attention of people like Rupert Murdoch and the Glazers. Was there a court case in the Tevez loan saga? Funny, but I do not remember one. It was settled when his agent agreed to pay West Ham some money to buy out his contract. And if United wants good PR, they'll know better than to drag the Glazers along. You just don't get it, do you? The Glazers are not welcome . Old Trafford has always been full, even when we were in the old second division back in 1974/75. And no, we didn't move to another city like American sport franchises tend to do now and then. That's because you put profit before anything else. And there, Billy, is the difference between American owners. It sounds utopian, but United was self sufficient financially, playing exciting attacking football (since the days of Sir Matt Busby) and in no need for any new owners. Profits were ploughed back to the club for improvements. By the way, the previous owners were shareholders. United was a PLC.

posted at 05:09 AM on April 05

Bill, Tevez is on loan. He cost us nothing (yet). Sir Alex had been after Hargreaves for a couple of years now. Glazers did not have to spend a single dollar for these players. It would be worth 50p anyway. Can't do much with 50p these days, you know. Anyway, if you REALLY want to know where the money for these players came from, here it is. Read it and weep. These figures are from United's website. Not something I thought of. United have announced record turnover and profits for the year ended 30 June 2007, underpinned by the Reds Premier League title success last season. The financial results confirm United's leading position in world sport based on the team's on-field success, Old Trafford's expansion and increased sponsorship revenue. The key factors in United's increased financial results are as follows: - Group turnover increased 27% to 210m (2006 - 165m) - Gross turnover (including sales from Nike merchandise and MUTV not consolidated in these results) rose 21% to 245m (2006 - 202m) - EBITDA rose 72% to 79.8m (2006 - 46.3m) - Profit before tax jumped 93% to 59.6m (2006 - 30.8m) - Matchday revenue up 30% to 92.6m, (2006 - 71.3m) reflecting successful expansion of Old Trafford, increasing capacity to over 76,000 - Media revenue up 35% to 61.5m (2006 - 45.5m) due to semi-final appearance in the UEFA Champions League, finalists in the FA Cup and winning the Barclays Premier League - Commercial revenues up 15% to 56.0m (2006 - 48.6m) due to the first year of the world record AIG shirt and accompanying financial services sponsorship deals, increase in the Nike contract and new platinum sponsors, Kumho Tires, Betfred and Hestiun - Wages to turnover ratio fell to 43.6% (2006 - 51.6%) comfortably within the Club's historic aim to keep the figure around 50% The Glazers might have a little to do with the shirt sponsorship United has now, but not much else. They're in there to make a quid (which is worth $2). I really should be going to bed. Goodnight, Billy.

posted at 04:58 PM on April 03

Bill, actually, I thought that you became a Liverpool fan because they sing You'll Never Walk Alone before their matches at Anfield. Didn't think you've been a fan for that long! My bad. I would think that United won the Premiership last year and challenging for more honours this year in spite of the Glazers, not because of them. One point I would not argue is that they took the club private. The huge debt the club faces now is indeed most unsettling. We fought off Sky when they tried to buy the club, but unfortunately failed to keep the Glazers out. Abramovich can do whatever he likes. He is a sugar daddy. He pays for everything. I don't know if he was a Chelsea fan before he bought the club, but with the amount of money he's spent, he can do whatever he feels like, including fire Mourinho. Chelsea hasn't made a profit since he took over, but they're still major players in the transfer market.

posted at 04:13 PM on April 02

Bill, you haven't read any serious complaints about the Glazers? There's a reason why we chant Ferguson's Red Army, and not Glazers Red Army. Take a walk around Old Trafford and you'll see how loved he is. We didn't need him. We weren't in any financial trouble. He barged in and put the club in debt. Mercenary? Hardly. It's more predatory. That's greed. I don't know if it's a coincidence that he's American. Speaking of Americans, how did you become a fan of Liverpool, Bill? Was it from watching the sparkling football they play? Someone buying a club because of his great love of the club is different. We'll have to see how much money Lerner is prepared to spend to improve the team next season. Did he also borrow money to buy Villa? Is he a lifetime Villan? Or did he think that it would be a good investement? So, Dave, in case you do become a billionaire, please do not buy Leeds United or Forest just because they're big clubs down on their luck right now. Buy them because you're a hardcore fan. Buy them because you have some extra cash to spend and you want to be able to attend every single game they play, either at the directors box or like that bloke in Newcastle, who watches with the fans in the stands. And for goodness sakes, please don't borrow money to buy them!

posted at 04:40 AM on April 01

Americans have no business sticking their noses in English football. It's a sport they do not understand. They see the numbers and their eyes open up wide with greed. I have no love for the Glazers, but at least they're leaving the football team to people who know the game. I do not condone death threats, but I must say that Liverpool's situation does not look good. They need stability to challenge for the Premiership, not being tossed around like a hot potato. Even scousers deserve better than that! Come on you reds! (devils) A cheeky goal from Ronaldo!

posted at 12:36 PM on March 29

Thank god I'm a Red Devil! Sheffield FC's playing Inter?! Why aren't they playing Wednesday instead? You think the game would have caught on in the US had the goalposts remained without the crossbars? They won't have to play their brand of football, where only 2 players in the team can actually use their feet!

posted at 06:50 PM on October 25

Weren't 'Pool fans clamouring for Gerrard to play in the middle of midfield last season?! Admittedly, he hasn't been playing well the last few matches. When they snatched a draw from the mouth of defeat against Tottenham, and when the French scousers (weren't there 2 of them?) beat the Spanish scousers at Anfield. And is Mr. Murray saying that Sir Alex is a better manager than Rafa?

posted at 04:00 PM on October 11

That's a shocker. How are we going to sing "Sit down Mourinho" now?

posted at 09:10 PM on September 19

Trox, beware of these Americans looking to buy up Premiership clubs. I don't think any of them have any idea or respect for the English game. They're just in there to make a buck. United was doing fine before the Glazers came in. They had just expanded Old Trafford's capacity to 76,000. They made a modest profit every year and they were debt free. But after the takeover, United has this axe hanging over their head.

posted at 04:02 PM on May 09

Billy, ticket prices might or might not have been the same next season if the Glazers didn't take over the club and saddled it with THEIR debts. But I'm sure United would have taken into consideration the actions of the other clubs in freezing or lowering their ticket prices. One of the concerns voiced by United's Supporters Group was that ticket prices would go up if the Glazers took over, and it has. It might have something to do with economics but it has everything to do with paying back the banks. With that in mind, this United bandwagon has space for everybody! Hop on up and don't forget to buy them shirts next year! Those that say Barclay's Premiership Champions!

posted at 01:01 PM on May 08

There could still be the double! The club is still up to their neck in debt. Thanks to Glazer's takeover. At least one of the fears of United supporters is being realized - higher ticket prices next season. I really cannot help but gloat, having beaten Chelsea to the title. After they spent a gazillion quid on Shevchenko and getting Ballack by paying him another gazillion a week. There's only ONE United!

posted at 05:14 PM on May 07

Thanks for that post Texan. Among those lost in that crash was a very young Duncan Edwards, a seriously good player. Que sera sera.

posted at 11:53 AM on December 12

And not to forget Pete Osgood, owl. United's sponsorship deals have come from their success on the field and their enormous fan base. I've been a United fan since the 70's. And they have been making a profit from their football operations. Chelsea hasn't.

posted at 07:49 PM on December 04