Microsoft Southampton 2007

[Nathan Explosion]

http://www.thisissouthampton.co.uk/display...id_received.php

[Greenoak]

for those without access

 

Saints confirm takeover bid received

 

 

Paul Allen

SAINTS this afternoon confirmed they have received a preliminary approach from Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen regarding a potential takeover of the club.

 

The Daily Echo carried a story this morning saying Allen, the 19th richest man in the world with an estimated fortune of £18b, was interested in investing.

 

A statement issued to the Stock Exchange this afternoon said: "The board notes the recent rise in the Company's share price and confirms that it has received and is considering a preliminary approach which may or may not lead to an offer being made for the Company.

 

"The board's consideration is at an early stage and there is no guarantee that any offer will be forthcoming.

 

Allen already owns the Seattle Seahawks American football team and the Portland Trail Blazers basketball team.

 

He still has an interest in Microsoft, who he co-founded with Bill Gates.

 

advertisementA source close to Allen said he "believes there is long term investment value in UK soccer.

 

The source added: '"Southampton is a sleeping giant, a family-supported club with traditional values, and we see the value in taking the brand global."

 

Saints have been fruitlessly searching for new investors even since Michael Wilde replaced Rupert Lowe as chairman last summer.

 

Wilde's failure to attract any new investors, though, was the reason he resigned back in February.

 

Saints chief executive Jim Hone and PLC chairman Ken Dulieu have been leading the search for new investors since then.

 

If Allen was successful in acquiring Saints, he would join the ranks of ultra-wealthy American businessmen snapping up English football clubs.

 

Manchester United are owned by Malcolm Glazer, George Gillett and Tom Hicks completed their takeover at Liverpool earlier this year, and Randy Lerner took over Aston Villa last year.

 

In addition, Stan Kroenke has bought a large shareholding at Arsenal.

 

It is reported that any bid from Allen is likely to be at a significant premium to last night's Southampton Leisure Holdings PLC closing price of 47p.

 

The shares have risen 20% in recent weeks.

 

There is speculation that an Allen bid could be worth around £50m.

 

Analysts suggest it may be worth as much as 65p a share to shareholders.

[matty]

This is bizarre. Although I dare say it means Southampton won't do what you want, crashes every couple of games, and doesn't work with other leagues.

[Lee W]

The source added: '"Southampton is a sleeping giant, a family-supported club with traditional values, and we see the value in taking the brand global."

 

Jesus wept.

[Owen1978]

They will still be cr*p until service pack 4 is released!

[Lee W]

If there's an injury the physio will just install a new driver.

[stressederic]

Should be amusing watching the manager repeatedly hit ctrl+alt+delete every time the defense freezes.

Edited April 27, 2007 by stressederic

[matty]

Reinstall Matthew Le Tissier.

[McBain]

Hit them with a hammer

[Lee W]

"Southampton for Dummies" is out next week.

[Nathan Explosion]

"Southampton for Dummies" is out next week.

 

That's Portsmouth.

[Falconhoof]

It would be ominous news if it wasn't Southampton. He could make Abramovich look cheap if he wanted to.

 

Why not go for a club that has a demographic to work like man City or Newcastle ?

[Guest Linton]

It would be ominous news if it wasn't Southampton. He could make Abramovich look cheap if he wanted to.

 

Why not go for a club that has a demographic to work like man City or Newcastle ?

 

 

Because they are lost causes? At least Newcastle. I don't think there is anything in the world that would make them a winning club.

[Hassony]

It would be ominous news if it wasn't Southampton. He could make Abramovich look cheap if he wanted to.

 

Why not go for a club that has a demographic to work like man City or Newcastle ?

its because windows has a problem with Barcodes

Edited April 27, 2007 by Hassony

[Gunga Din]

they'll be downloading patches during the transfer windows xp

[Rich Gobey]

Would never have installed properly on The Dell.

 

Genuine disadvantage.

Edited April 28, 2007 by Gobez

[Big G Superhero]

Tres bon Gobez!

 

Not sure how much Allen will throw at Southampton, players-wise - he's got myriad other interests unlike Abramahohinovivovitch

[Mono]

The guy must fancy a challenge

[John am Rhein]

This is bizarre. Although I dare say it means Southampton won't do what you want, crashes every couple of games, and doesn't work with other leagues.

 

No, it means Southampton will become a near universal standard, crushing or buying out (or both) any opposition that gets in their way! Not even the combined legal resources of the US and EU governments will be able to stop them.

[drdooom]

The first Windows joke was bad and predictable and it's only been downhill from there.

[Cobs]

The first Windows joke was bad and predictable and it's only been downhill from there.

 

word

[PhilM]

 

word

 

 

 

You guys really Excel yourselves on these pun threads.

[Mondavi]

This could mean a bleak Outlook for Pompey and their new plans, with Allen having Access to much greater funds.