George Gillett Interview
This morning I was listening to the radio and over the space of three hours heard an interview that George Gillett had given to a Canadian Radio Station Fan 5 90.
Listening intently I began to wonder which one of us was living in a dream world. George Gillett was asked about the situation at Liverpool Football Club and came out with the following statement.
The club is financially healthy and the level of debt has been reduced. I listened and immediately my brain went into overdrive. If that is the case, then I wish George Gillett and Tom Hicks would explain why the new stadium is not rising out of Stanley Park. Secondly, why was Rafa not allowed to buy the players that he wished over the summer transfer period? Financially healthy, I don't think so - we are a club in debt for the very first time in our existence.
He went on to say that he and Tom Hicks get on very well and have meetings, conference calls and email contact as often as they can. That is not the impression I get when you see then at Anfield, their looks and mannerisms tell a totally different story. George Gillett was then asked if he would stay as the owner of Liverpool. To this he seemed to stutter before replying that yes that would be the case unless a big money man came in - My answer to that would be - Is there anyone out there with funds to spare?
George Gillett then said that a new sponsorship deal was nearing completion and a formal announcement would be made on Friday. He said that he felt the fans would be pleased with our new chosen partners, as they are a worldwide brand. According to this morning's Times online and rumours that have been going around for over a month now, it appears the new sponsors will be the English banking giant, Standard Chartered. Sorry George, I hate to say it but you certainly know how to alienate the fans. I cannot honestly see them taking too kindly to having a bank as the clubs sponsor. I know I am not too happy about it. There was also a rumour circulating this afternoon about it being Coca Cola - now that would have been a much better choice.
Asked about a new Chief Executive for the club, George Gillett said that they were looking to make the appointment before the end of the season.
He finished the interview by mentioning that we had three senior players out through injury but they would be back soon and that he looked forward to watching Liverpool climb the premiership. Although this is what the supporters want I get the feeling that this part of his speech was stage managed. Sorry George, but I don't think you know anything about the English Football game - you are simply in it to make a quick profit.
One thing that bothers me is, why are these interviews not given to the English press? It would put them on a firmer footing with the fans, although I honestly think too much damage has been done. On Friday I expect the announcement to be made by Christan Purslow, certainly not Tom Hicks or George Gillett.
I hope that I don't appear to be rude, George but I think you need to awake from your dream. What I see before me is my beloved club being pulled down on its knees - heavily in debt and no new stadium in sight and I understand the prospect of new players joining before Christmas 2010 stands at Nil.
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Can you believe it. No new stadium on the horizon, mountains of debt and he talks as if everything is just fine.
Paul(No.1Fan). I may be speaking out of turn but I honestly do not think either he or Tom Hicks realise what it takes to run a premiership club. I am not expert but I do know that when you have 60,000 people trying each week to get tickets for a 45,000 seater stadium it tells me something. I would have thought that a new stadium was a priority. Regarding the debt, all they see are figures on a page, sign it and turn the paper over - Again I may be speaking out of turn but I just hope that when the Standard Chartered money comes on board the club does see some benefit from it.
As expected though it was left to Christian Purslow to make the announcement. If George Gillett and Tom Hicks do have a commitment to the club, i wish they would make these announcements themselves and to be honest if I had the chance of an interview with them I would take it.