And then there were three.
Tranmere. Rest
By David Sindall
May 16 2025
Apparently there isn’t one bid but three, our cup over floweth.Rejoice. Hang on though, will we have new owners by 30th June? That date is important because it’s when most players become free agents. If our ownership is not sorted by then we could go into the next campaign hampered by uncertainty.
It’s not clear who, beyond the A$AP Rocky posse, is bidding to take over our club. Mr Smurthwaite might be in the running but nobody knows for sure. It’s just as likely that it’s the Eastern Delight, promising Mark and Nicola spring rolls for like or scallops (take the spring rolls I say). These are very uncertain times with a high degree of trepidation.
If the ownership issue is not sorted soon we are likely to go into the next campaign hampered by tight purse strings. We do not have a full squad at the moment, by my estimates we have 12 players, no substitutes, one defender and no effective goal scorer, albeit Kris Dennis showed signs of improvement. We are still in negotiations with a number of players we have offered contracts to, but it’s not the healthiest situation to be in and some of those players are bound to have other options.
Having the manager sorted is a huge plus. At least players know who they will be expected to perform for. Yet, if you flip the question, and asked ‘why would you sign for Tranmere Rovers’ doubts would still exist. Players need to know what the ambitions are for the club, at the moment the ambition of Mark & Nicola Palios could best be summed up as ‘get rid’. That’s not the most enticing of prospects if there are other offers on the table.
From my own perspective I remain unconvinced that the American takeover is in the clubs longer term interests. That may be because I still remember the Osterman period. I acknowledge that it’s unfair to compare than with now, but it’s quite difficult to glean much from what’s on offer in terms of what’s out there in the public realm. In the end I want owners who have a longer term vision for the club and who get what we are about.The appointment of Andy Crosby might hint at the fact that the Smurthwaite deal is the stronger proposition, but for all we know we could end up being owned by Father Abraham and the Smurfs.
This is the football equivalent of ‘Waiting for Godot’. The time would have passed anyway, but we could do with more certainty. As supporters were ready and waiting, on our way with Andy Crosby’s Super White Army. Time to get the deal done.
All views expressed are personal
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
So if he does become our new owner, will he still dress up as a Smurf and take on ice bucket challenges?
One thing that can be said about him is that he has a bit of a frosty relationship with the media.
Quote:DevonExile
If there is competitive bidding then MP is more likely than the club to be the beneficiary.
Do you not think that the interests of the fans are protected by the Golden Share mechanism? Yes of course he will benefit from the sale but it is he who has put his assets on the line for the long term benefit of the club.
Quote:Eric01 TranmereQuote:DevonExile
If there is competitive bidding then MP is more likely than the club to be the beneficiary.
Do you not think that the interests of the fans are protected by the Golden Share mechanism? Yes of course he will benefit from the sale but it is he who has put his assets on the line for the long term benefit of the club.
Them Golden shares aren't worth diddly, if the new owners want to sell land etc they will simply go to court and have them voided, if they even need to go to court, a ltd co can't be in the position where business can be negatively affected by a veto
Quote:Bored roverQuote:Eric01 TranmereQuote:DevonExile
If there is competitive bidding then MP is more likely than the club to be the beneficiary.
Do you not think that the interests of the fans are protected by the Golden Share mechanism? Yes of course he will benefit from the sale but it is he who has put his assets on the line for the long term benefit of the club.
Them Golden shares aren't worth diddly, if the new owners want to sell land etc they will simply go to court and have them voided, if they even need to go to court, a ltd co can't be in the position where business can be negatively affected by a veto
OK. I know more than I did. Thank you
Quote:Bored rover
I suspect Palios has been guilty of similar behaviour to people buying a new home, starting to order curtains and furniture for the new gaff when only in the early conveyancing stages and reliant on others in the chain, then later on in the process the first time buyer pulls out. 3 years later everyones still living in the same houses. It seems its a very hush hush process more high profile club takeovers have resulted in more info being put out their.
Because more interest brings in more dirty Journos who will dig alot harder than Wirral Globe's Keith.
![[:wor kid:]](/phorum-5.1.15/mods/smileys/images/13.gif "[:wor kid:]")