The end of the first quarter is nigh!
Pen to paper
By David Sindall
June 2 2025
Less than a month away now. And why is that important? Well, those who have been paying attention will recall that the proposed takeover was promised by the ‘end of the first quarter’ next year. That was in December and there was much speculation as to which financial accounting system was being used. The end of the first quarter in the USA is late March, whereas here it is the end of June. Whether the takeover will be completed by the remains to be seen.
It is hard to work out if the appointment of Crosby as our permanent manager should be interpreted as a sign that the uncertainty is coming to an end? My suspicion has always been that prospective new owners would have a veto on major new contract undertakings, including signing new players and new managers. Clearly that has not been the case. It remains to be seen what impact the current situation will have on building the squad. Is there money available to fill the gaps? At the time of writing we have 14 players signed for next season. We have a plethora of midfielders and enough forwards but look weak at the back.
There is another bit to this as well. I reckon players like to walk into a relatively settled situation but our situation is not that. If you’re Johnny Acefoot, and you have two clubs offering you the same sort of contract, would you not be more inclined to go for the one that was more stable? The absence of stability, even in the medium term, should worry all supporters.
Players contracts are up on 30th June, the end of the first quarter. Some have already up sticks and departed. Adieu Regan Hendry. Others has not yet confirmed if they are staying or going, but a I suspect that by this stage most of the people who are staying have been confirmed by the club. We probably need a minimum of 8 additional signings, and that really is a minimum. Lightening doesn’t usually strike in the same place but injuries ruined our prospect of a settled squad last term. We can’t afford the same pressures in the 25/26 campaign.
According to our chairman there are now 3 bidders in the frame. It seems that people buying Tranmere are like buses, you wait ages for one and three come together. It also seems likely that the fabled ‘end of the first quarter’ will come and go and we will be left waiting and wanting. When I worked closely with Government civil servants were often found using very vague terms to describe when something would happen. ‘By the Autumn’ or ‘by summer’ were often used. The beauty of this kind of timescale is that everybody has a different perception of when particular seasons occur. Autumn can be any time from September to the start of November. Summer is a perception, wasn’t it summer in May, but now it’s not? In Tranmere’s case new timelines will be put forward, I suspect we will next hear ‘it should all be done by Christmas’. Note, no year will be mentioned.
In the circumstances you might have some sympathy for Mark and Nicola Palios, waiting to complete the sale and start the next phase in their lives. Yet the club has to continue after they have relinquished control. For that to happen we need a solid foundation and owners who are committed to continuous investment. This is not about impatience, it’s about our future.
All views expressed are personal
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Uncertainty is never good for a club, and especially during the crucial close season. All we can do is hope that there is workable transition plan that looks to the club's future, and not just how much MP can make.
As with everything they put out its all smoke and mirrors to sell season tickets, and we go into next season with
Plan B: spend as little as possible and hope the club sells
Plan C: Spend even less than as little as possible and hope the club sells
Its worth nothing the club has been for sale virtually since the Palios took over, and PJ was looking to sell for the best part of more than a decade, one may remember the ebay listing in 2003/4.
The reality is a new owner may not be found for years, despite our affection for the club we aren't an attractive business opportunity, hence the 18 years total for sale under the previous and current owners
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2025:06:02:11:18:41 by Bored rover.
Anyone know what that means and is it significant? I always asdume red is for danger!
Some will blame Palios but if he hasn't terminated his end of this then it's reason to believe that he's confident something will go through.
If not then he's been sold down the River.
Calling it smoke and mirrors without having any inside info is a farfetched statement based on something personal. Should get yourself some time off.
He's currently like it or not, a business in control of the business we all follow. He'll make some good calls, many bad ones too but if this does drag on for another month, year, however then it's not on him. Even if he says something ridiculous looking back in hindsight.
Andy Crosby would not have taken the job if the situation is precarious, nor would the players who have signed. However, we shall see over time and I would hope that we move some of our underperforming forwards on in the closed season.
There is a lack of funds and the rules of the EFL, is wages must be paid, or there will be points deduction. Which is not good.
Whatever the outcome, I honestly believe the club needs major investment, from whatever source, to even challenge in this division.
And if it is survival mode again, then already a bad sequence of poor seasons will continue, and possibly even administration, because no takeover, no investment definitely means administration.
Can't see Palios doing anything else.
Quote:Zint
From my perspective I suspect there is either new money or a new loan funding us.
Andy Crosby would not have taken the job if the situation is precarious, nor would the players who have signed. However, we shall see over time and I would hope that we move some of our underperforming forwards on in the closed season.
Crosby may be fully aware there is no money, and willing to take the job as its a management post. Conversely it wouldn't be the first time a manager has taken a job to immediately have a significant portion of their budget slashed from under their feet.
Quote:Oldfriends
Beginning to look like we go into the new season minus a new owner. Someone is signing off on these signings. Who knows as the club is in silent mode on the subject. I personally think the purchase price is somewhat optimistic in the current financial markets around the world. Back to reality and what we have. Crosby looks a competent manager evidenced by his tenure at the backend of last season. So with no takeover my prediction is a comfortable mid table. With a new owner and investment before the end of the transfer window, playoffs and maybe higher if Crosby can sign league one standard players like Wrexham did. It's a wait and see I guess.
Agree ref the purchase price, the valuation of the shares is off the planet high and probably only that high to ensure the business looks better off. Nothing in the books provides a valuation of 10-15 million, the business loses 1-1.5 million a year, has minimal assets that are mortgaged or have charges secured against them and owes around 7 million. Wrexham was purchased for only 2 million.