D
Dodomeki
Guest
Liverpool takeover complete as NESV finally seize control
Liverpool finally have new owners this afternoon, after New England Sports Ventures brought an end to an extraordinary week by completing their £300 million takeover of the club.
Published: 4:02PM BST 15 Oct 2010
By Paul Kelso
Finally: Liverpool fans have received the news they have been waiting for Photo: PA
Liverpool director Ian Ayre confirmed the deal at 15.55 this afternoon, meaning John W Henry replaces Tom Hicks and George Gillett as the owner of England's most successful football club.
"A cloud has been lifted from this football club," said manager Roy Hodgson. "For this long drawn-out court battle to take place and Liverpool's name to be on the television screens and in the newspapers every day for anything other than positive reasons has been a bad time."
In a statement released at 1.40pm, Hicks appeared to signal defeat, but confirmed he and Gillett will pursue a $1.6 billion damages claim as a result of the "proposed illegal sale". A statement from Hicks' and Gillett's New York representatives announced they were suing over "an extraordinary swindle" but accepted that they had no choice but to relinquish ownership of the club.
Hodgson, meanwhile, said he was optimistic NESV could bring a more stable environment to the club, who are currently 18th in Premier League. "All people and clubs need stability, all managers and players need stability and it is becoming a very hard thing to find," he added. "We live in a world where you are either on top or at the bottom and the middle line is not appreciated by the mass media.
I am hoping the new owners coming in will stabilise the situation and give us a chance to concentrate on the football and, most importantly of all, will wipe out debts." Steve Stodghill, the Texas lawyer representing the Hicks and Gillett, said: "This outcome not only devalues the club but it also will result in long-term uncertainty for the fans, players and everyone who loves this sport because all legal recourses will be pursued.
"Mr Hicks and Mr Gillett pledged to pay the debt to RBS so that the club could avoid administration that was threatened by RBS. That offer was rejected. "It is a tragic development that others will claim as a victory. This means it won't be resolved the way it should be resolved."
