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Liverpool duo complete £350m deal

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  • Liverpool duo complete £350m deal

    Liverpool duo complete £350m deal


    Gillett (left) and Hicks took over the club in March 2007


    Liverpool's American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have completed the £350m refinancing deal to secure their Anfield future, BBC Sport understands.

    The financial package is expected to help the duo repay money borrowed for their £218.9m takeover in March 2007.

    It also means that the club can finally launch their long-awaited plan for a new stadium at Stanley Park.

    BBC sports editor Mihir Bose said £60m of the package will provide the start-up money for the new ground.

    The deal, which is expected to be announced on Friday, underlines the pair's determination to remain at Anfield despite interest from Dubai International Capital (DIC), the investment arm of the Dubai government.

    Hicks will also feel he will be in a stronger position should he decide to sell in the future, dealing a blow to DIC's hopes of mounting a swift bid to take control of the club.



    The American pair were the target of crowd demonstrations from Liverpool supporters unhappy with their regime during Monday's televised game against Aston Villa, with banners calling for DIC to mount a bid.

    Some fans were angry after the duo admitted they had sounded out Jurgen Klinsmann as a possible replacement for manager Rafael Benitez, with whom they had a high-profile falling-out.

    A survey carried out by the Liverpool Supporters' network showed that 76% of 2,000 fans questioned said they would "seriously consider reducing their financial commitment to the club" if the current owners stayed in charge.

    When asked to choose between the owners and the manager as to who had the best interest of the club at heart, 99% backed Benitez.

    "The results of this survey are indicative of the strength of feeling among Liverpool fans that the club is very much in the wrong hands at present," said LSN spokesman Neil Atkinson. "Tom Hicks and George Gillet are not trusted."
    "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

  • #2
    Ferguson blasts Liverpool owners

    Ferguson blasts Liverpool owners



    Gillett (left) and Hicks (right) have a strained relationship with Benitez

    Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has criticised Liverpool's American owners for the way they have undermined manager Rafa Benitez.


    Tom Hicks and George Gillett upset the club's supporters after admitting they had sounded out Jurgen Klinsmann as a possible replacement for the Spaniard.

    "What happened was a bad piece of business on Liverpool's part, no doubt about that," Ferguson said.
    "That can be very upsetting. You should let a manager get on with his job."

    Ferguson is the longest-serving manager in English football, having been appointed at Old Trafford in 1986.
    In that time he has become the most successful manager in British football history.


    Under his stewardship, the club has won nine Premier League titles, five FA Cups, two League Cups, the European Cup, the Cup Winners' Cup, the Super Cup and Inter-Continental Cup.

    Since Benitez took over at Anfield, Liverpool have won the FA Cup and Champions League.

    But that has not prevented him having a high-profile falling out with the club's owners, and Ferguson said their lack of backing for their man did not make Benitez's job any easier.
    "At big clubs, it's absolutely paramount that the board show their class," said Ferguson.

    "Arsene Wenger has had great support at Arsenal and I've had great support, too, ever since I came here. So there's a certain type of unity there."


    Fans have made it clear where their sympathies lie over the matter

    A survey carried out by the Liverpool Supporters' network showed that many fans agree with Ferguson's criticism of Gillett and Hicks.

    Around 2,000 supporters took part, and 76% said they would 'seriously consider reducing their financial commitment to the club' if the current owners stayed in charge.

    When asked to choose between the owners and the manager as to who had the best interest of the club at heart, 99% backed Benitez.
    "The results of this survey are indicative of the strength of feeling among Liverpool fans that the club is very much in the wrong hands at present," said LSN spokesman Neil Atkinson. "Tom Hicks and George Gillet are not trusted."
    "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

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