Fans cautious over DIC bid

Liverpool supporters expected to protest at US owners

Last updated: 5th March 2008

Fans cautious over DIC bid

Hicks: Facing protests from Liverpool fans

Should DIC make their way into the club, they should be welcomed with caution - they may or may not have the best interests of the club at heart.

Liverpool Supporters' Union
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Liverpool fans have given a cautious welcome to Dubai International Capital's takeover bid, urging their American owners to accept the offer.

Supporters are expected to express their dissent towards the regime of George Gillett and Tom Hicks during Wednesday's Barclays Premier League match with West Ham.

Neil Atkinson, spokesperson for the Liverpool Supporters Union 'Spirit of Shankly', told the Daily Telegraph: "Should DIC make their way into the club, they should be welcomed with caution - they may or may not have the best interests of the club at heart."

Atkinson listed a number of perceived injustices by the current Liverpool owners - including delays in the construction of a new stadium and holding talks with Jurgen Klinsmann - before adding: "(DIC chief executive Sameer) al-Ansari talks about Tom Hicks' valuation of the club being 'in dreamland'. Mr Hicks is further in dreamland if he thinks he will ever be accepted at LFC.

"If he tries to grin and bear it then it emphasises what we already know - he's only in it for one reason: the money and the money alone.

"I'm sure Liverpool supporters will make their feelings known at the West Ham game - let Mr Hicks and Mr Gillett go now with their profit.

"Let us start again with new owners, keep our eyes open and work with them within our heritage and tradition."

Unwilling

Liverpool co-owner Hicks says he has not formally rejected DIC's reported offer for the club but remains unwilling to sell his stake, according to a source close to the American.

It is understood that DIC made an offer for fellow owner George Gillett's 50% share in the club on Tuesday, which was extended to Hicks.

But associates of Hicks have reiterated the stance made public at the end of last month when he vehemently denied that his stake was up for sale.

Despite reports that DIC are willing to pay £400million for the Merseysiders, handing Hicks and Gillett a profit of £25million each, and take on all of the club's debt, Hicks' position appears as entrenched as ever.

He remains unwilling to deal with any parties who would ask him to accept anything other than majority shareholder status, and retains the ability to veto any sale of Gillett's stake.

Comments (23)

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Chris Rush says...

as a liverpool fan, i have no interest in D.I.C. or anything they have to offer. I seem to remember the reason they were turned down in the first place was because their interest in liverpool was as a short term investment so they could make their make their profit and scarper. I personally want to see Hicks in sole charge at anfield, because despite his spat with rafa (which was dealt with maturely and professionally in my opinion) i think he is the best and safest option. Anyone who wants D.I.C., answer one question, if they love liverpool so much, why all the effort to unsettle the club? surely they know the impact it'll have. Or is their sole interest only in profit?

Posted 15:43 5th March 2008

Victor Brink (Arsenal fan) says...

You really couldn't make this up. Only in liverpoolville. Firstly, DIC had the opportunity to buy the club before the Yanks did. Why didn't they and now they want to pay more money for it today. Says a lot about their business acumen. Also, when(if) they buy it, NO they won't run it as a responsible business. They'll just lump and lump all their money at it till all liverpool fans are fat and happy. Nice dream. Secondly, these 'evil' yanks stupidly took their time over the stadium project, a MASSIVE project btw, (not cancel it) so it could be done right and on budget. They foolishly discussed with another top coach at a time when the current coach was spitting out his dummy and effectively blackmailing them to the world's media. He wanted billions and he wanted it NOW! All this after the current coach was under performing after the yanks had just financed the clubs most expensive summer recruitment ever, followed by january signing of their most expensive defender in history and recently concluding a very expensive Mascherano deal. I'd add that the team at the top of the prem hardly spent billions but that would be seen as bias. These yanks must really be evil. Even the ones at manchester spent over £50 this summer alone. Imagine! Good luck to liverpool fans as they hope to 'start paradise all over again'.

Posted 12:24 5th March 2008

Will Kaloumenos (Liverpool fan) says...

I am just gutted that we are in this mess, if its going to take another few months to sort out disputes between Gillett and Hicks as well as DIC trying to buy the club, we may not even be settled for the new 08/09 season. I cannot remember now why Moores chose G&H over DIC in the first place? Whatever the reason, and no slight on Moores, it was an extremely bad one by someone who always 'looked after' the club and its fans. It has simply been the last thing we needed.

Posted 12:24 5th March 2008

Chris James (Liverpool fan) says...

If the Americans started to fufill their promises, got the new ground going finally and stuck to their guns regarding Benitez then i'd have no problem with them. They say certain things to the media (i.e. we're behind Benitez) then try other things in 'private'. Be open about how they're running the club and more people will get behind them!!

Posted 12:19 5th March 2008

Stevie G (Liverpool fan) says...

Where did it all go wrong, Liverpool FC known all over the world as a well run club, loyal,passionate and not to forget one of the most dominant force's in world football for decades, and it just seems to be going from bad to worse. Liverpool chairmen and owner's have always had the best interests of the club at heart and have always provided what the team needed, it is embarressing and very upsetting to see what these 2 business men are trying to do with one of the most stable and successful clubs in football. Liverpool is an Institution not a business adventure for hungry money men :(

Posted 12:11 5th March 2008

Andrew H (Liverpool fan) says...

Yanks please leave us alone. Take your 25 mill and go. You've brought nothing but embarassment to LFC. It would appear that this has finally sunk in with Gillette but unfortunately Hicks seems content to drag the worlds greatest club further down this route! DIC and Mr Al-Ansari please rescue us from these ignorant americans and help restore our reputation

Posted 12:02 5th March 2008

Robert Tubridy (Liverpool fan) says...

The Yanks are unwanted and should leave but these people have big egos which will make it hard for them to go. But all I can say is the supporters are an integral part of the club and these men are only small fish in a big pond. Leave now!!!!!

Posted 11:04 5th March 2008

Jake Hutter (Liverpool fan) says...

why would DIC be be better?sure the yanks have made mistakes by being naive to the LFC way but that can be sorted,gillett loves the club or he would have sold already for a quick profit.LFC fans need to pull their heads out of the sand reguarding oversea owership as who is to say DIC or anyone else would be better.some LFC fans say who cares as long as the yanks are gone,that is being stupid not naive.these anti yank fan groups have got the bit between the teeth now and just dont want to let go, so i ask,whos washing their dirty linnen in public now?

Posted 10:59 5th March 2008

Anthony Pettit (Liverpool fan) says...

Get out of are club, Get out of our club! When will the Yanks listen? We don't want them now or in 10 years time. Leave are club now. DIC mignt not be perfect but at least they don't lie. Take your £25 Million profit each and run and definatley don't look back. Hopefully a good win tonight for the red men, come on.

Posted 10:15 5th March 2008

Dave Evans (Liverpool fan) says...

We are the Sons Of Shankly, We come from round L4 We've won all kinds of trophys and we've seen it all before. But then one day some cowboys come and robbed us of our name. They planned to build a super ground the greatest in the game They promised they would listen They promised they would pay They tapped up Jurgen Klinsman coz they thought he had a name So then the Kopites rounded they said they'd had enough We organised an army that was made of sterner stuff. They told us that they're gona keep the Liver-pool way, the dollars would bring glory and a future they say But yet again were lied to coz we'll pay anyway So now its time to send them back to good ole U-S-A. We are the Sons Of Shankly, We come from Anfield Road We've got the greatest team and fans the world has ever known We dont mind foreign heroes We dont mind foreign lands but when they come to rule they take the pennys out ya hands What will it take to turn you What will you have to see To know that these custodians robb the likes of you and me So now we face the Battle The Kop is unified You should have checked our history.. just like in 89 We've organised an army We'll never walk alone Sell up to Sheik Mohammed, take your horse and ride on HOME!

Posted 10:14 5th March 2008

James Sims (Liverpool fan) says...

Forget about DIC being bad for the club people seem to forget Sameer al-Ansari is a LFC fan and thats why he wants to buy LFC, just think about it hes just like us he wants whats best for the club he turned down buying other clubs because his hearts with Liverpool and when your hearts with a club all you want is whats best for the club hes determined to buy LFC and with the Debt I think thats pretty respectable what about all you other fans I for one hope the YANKS go and for good and other clubs remember that they're not even football fans they probably don't even no what offside means

Posted 10:02 5th March 2008

Yebeltal Abebe (Liverpool fan) says...

This shows how the world is affected by those who are very sensitive to money but doesn't care for about millions of people around the world. If Hicks prevent Gillet from selling 50% of the share, how can these two people work together and move the club forward. Bring on DIC and Al-Ansari says, it took two weeks to get over that when he lost to the YANKS. Let us see DIC and if it can't work, the supporters should get over from the DIC and will be managed by the true fan of Reds. YNWA

Posted 09:44 5th March 2008

Yebeltal Abebe (Liverpool fan) says...

This shows how the world is affected by those who are very sensitive to money but doesn't care for about milions of people around the world.If Hicks prevent Gillet from selling 50% of the share, how can these two people can work together and move the club forward.Bring on DIC and Al-Ansari says, it took two weaks to get over that when he lost to the YANKS.Let us see DIC and if it can't work, the supporters should get over from the DIC and will be managed by the tru fan of Reds. YNWA

Posted 09:43 5th March 2008

Michael Chan (Liverpool fan) says...

He will never be a true Liverpool Fan !!, YANKS OUT

Posted 09:23 5th March 2008

Steve Hilton (Liverpool fan) says...

the yanks should just take there money and run, at not one point have they ever been in this for the love of liverpool football club, its just ego and money to the pair, even with all the pressure been put on them at previous games they are still standing firm , which to me is even more of a show that, they just want to make profit for the personal fortune and do not care about the stability of the club, liverpool have never washed there laundry in public, but this season i think the boardroom has been talked about more that the football on the pitch which is slightly embarresing

Posted 09:22 5th March 2008

Gareth Norton (Liverpool fan) says...

I don't understand why Hicks doesn't just sell, if he takes full control of the club then he can only lose money has we will suffer on the pitch even more with lack of funding!?

Posted 09:17 5th March 2008

Tim Carroll (Liverpool fan) says...

Gillet and Hicks should sell up and leave before they run Liverpool into the ground. it is quite clear at this stage that they are not wanted at the club and have no pride or passion in Liverpool, which is ESSENTIAL to be in any way involved with this great great club!!

Posted 09:16 5th March 2008

Andrew Bodunrin (Liverpool fan) says...

I think the Americans are in it for the profit so they should just take the offer from DIC and GO. With a new owner and being cautious, the club can get back to what it's best known for............ playing football and winning trophies!!!

Posted 09:14 5th March 2008

Pete James (Liverpool fan) says...

this is becoming a circus....how on earth are the boys supposed to challenege for honours when theres so much constant speculation regarding the owners the manager the stadium etc....this isnt the way lfc is supposed to be run. SORT IT OUT.

Posted 09:13 5th March 2008

Stephen Feeley (Liverpool fan) says...

I am starting to get fed up of all this talk going on about liverpool selling up.Hicks and gillett should go now because all they are causing is unrest in the liverpool team.If Mr Moores accepted DIC'S bid in the first place then none of this unrest would be happening.The only way Liverpool as a club can compete with Manchester United and Chelsea is to get DIC in full control of the club.Then i think liverpool should buy David Villa or Samual Eto to partner Torres.Buy two wingers maybe David Silva and queresma from Porto and maybe Deco from Barcelona.Also move for Heinze again.Then we will be a force to be reckoned with again.

Posted 09:04 5th March 2008
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