' Why Tan & Hammam must set differences to one side '

Monday 28th Jan 2013

Media Wales
by Terry Phillips

' Why Tan & Hammam must set differences to one side '


In Part Two of our analysis of Cardiff City’s bid to settle their debt to the Sam Hammam-fronted Langston organisation, Terry Phillips explains why the only solution is an agreement between Hammam and billionaire club backer Vincent Tan.


Sam Hammam and Dato Chan: Can they resolve Cardiff City's debt?


The colour red has caused enough controversy for Cardiff City this season already, their kit change from blue having been driven by Malaysian money man Vincent Tan.

But it is the fact that they are so in the red off the field that potentially causes a far bigger headache.

Club accounts last week revealed the Bluebirds – the nickname still endures despite the rebranding – have a debt of £83m to service as they prepare to take what they hope will be the final step to the Premier League.

But one slice of that debt – the £24m in loan notes issued to the club by Langston – which is accruing interest, is an issue that has dragged on long enough and must be dealt with through decisive action on the part of Tan and Sam Hammam. City don’t deny the need for a line to be drawn under it Yet still there is no agreement.



Tan has proved his desire for City to be successful with investment of £100m. Hammam bought the club in 2000 and, from the evidence available, is still passionate and caring about the Bluebirds.

He has stayed close to a number of City fans and rings regularly, keen to talk about the team, how they are playing, their weaknesses and strengths, who Malky Mackay should sign and more.

Woe betide any fan who doesn’t show Hammam-like intensity in their conversations. He can get stroppy at times if the knowledge and enthusiasm isn’t there.

Hammam, it’s clear, would love to still be playing a role at the club in some capacity, but that looks unlikely.

He is, though, the only known representative of Langston, the company who issued City with that £24m in loan notes and he still has a strong hand.

The key, if City are to have a bright future at the top level, is for Tan and Hammam, both powerful men in their own right, to reach agreement.

Without that the future is shrouded in uncertainty. Tan realistically can’t turn his investment into equity until agreement has been reached with Langston.

Hammam loved football well before he arrived in Cardiff, while Tan discovered the delights and emotion when he became involved a few years ago and in Mackay has found an ally who can guide the Bluebirds forward without over-spending.

The Malaysian investor and Lebanese businessman Hammam have, apparently, only met once. That was in the UK. Hammam has also had meetings with chairman Dato Chan Tien Ghee and former chief executive Alan Whiteley, but all to no avail.

‘TG’ “If Sam Hammam is out there I ask him, ‘For goodness sake be a man. Get back some of the respect you used to have.’ You have said time and again how much you love this football club. Please do something to show that love and help us make progress on the Langston issue.”

They have been relatively close to a settlement without stepping over the line.

There have been plenty of talks around cut-price settlements. At one stage City, in a written offer, were prepared to pay Langston £9m up front plus three payments of £2m during seasons when the club were playing Premier League football.

A verbal agreement to pay £7m plus a bonus on promotion was reached before that, while other offers from City have been a straight £8m payable within 30 days, £10m in total with £3m paid up front and the rest at the end of the season or £13m with £8m up front and an additional £5m if City are promoted to the Premier League.

But no agreement. And still the debt is there.

The two main men must, somehow, find a way to move forward for the sake of Cardiff City FC. It would seem egos are getting in the way and something has to give.

Hammam will certainly not give up.

On the wall of his private office at Ninian Park he had a picture of a canoeist battling against white water.

Underneath was the slogan: ‘A winner never quits, a quitter never wins.’ Hammam’s mother presented him with the picture more than 30 years earlier.

To one side, in her own handwriting, is a personal message to her son: “One never quits trying too hard for his aims – keep fighting the waves until you reach your peaceful shore.”

We can only hope that the Bluebirds can find their peaceful shore in terms of the Langston debt.

I don't know who Terry Philips is talking about TG or VT, I think he has got a bit mixed up here

Isn't that about a year old ??

More excellent reporting and an in depth analysis of the Clubs strategy over this
affair

Does anyone else think Langston might be telling Terry Phillips there will be a few
quid in it for him at the end of all this for keeping the story 'ticking over' in the media???

Over the years I have been dissapointed with the privacy of the club and the debt.

The deal will be £15m when we reach the Premier League.

Monday 28th Jan 2013

Media Wales
by Terry Phillips


In Part Two of our analysis of Cardiff City’s bid to settle their debt to the Sam Hammam-fronted Langston organisation, Terry Phillips explains why the only solution is an agreement between Hammam and billionaire club backer Vincent Tan.


Sam Hammam and Dato Chan: Can they resolve Cardiff City's debt?


The colour red has caused enough controversy for Cardiff City this season already, their kit change from blue having been driven by Malaysian money man Vincent Tan.

But it is the fact that they are so in the red off the field that potentially causes a far bigger headache.

Club accounts last week revealed the Bluebirds – the nickname still endures despite the rebranding – have a debt of £83m to service as they prepare to take what they hope will be the final step to the Premier League.

But one slice of that debt – the £24m in loan notes issued to the club by Langston – which is accruing interest, is an issue that has dragged on long enough and must be dealt with through decisive action on the part of Tan and Sam Hammam. City don’t deny the need for a line to be drawn under it Yet still there is no agreement.



Tan has proved his desire for City to be successful with investment of £100m. Hammam bought the club in 2000 and, from the evidence available, is still passionate and caring about the Bluebirds.

He has stayed close to a number of City fans and rings regularly, keen to talk about the team, how they are playing, their weaknesses and strengths, who Malky Mackay should sign and more.

Woe betide any fan who doesn’t show Hammam-like intensity in their conversations. He can get stroppy at times if the knowledge and enthusiasm isn’t there.

Hammam, it’s clear, would love to still be playing a role at the club in some capacity, but that looks unlikely.

He is, though, the only known representative of Langston, the company who issued City with that £24m in loan notes and he still has a strong hand.

The key, if City are to have a bright future at the top level, is for Tan and Hammam, both powerful men in their own right, to reach agreement.

Without that the future is shrouded in uncertainty. Tan realistically can’t turn his investment into equity until agreement has been reached with Langston.

Hammam loved football well before he arrived in Cardiff, while Tan discovered the delights and emotion when he became involved a few years ago and in Mackay has found an ally who can guide the Bluebirds forward without over-spending.

The Malaysian investor and Lebanese businessman Hammam have, apparently, only met once. That was in the UK. Hammam has also had meetings with chairman Dato Chan Tien Ghee and former chief executive Alan Whiteley, but all to no avail.

‘TG’ “If Sam Hammam is out there I ask him, ‘For goodness sake be a man. Get back some of the respect you used to have.’ You have said time and again how much you love this football club. Please do something to show that love and help us make progress on the Langston issue.”

They have been relatively close to a settlement without stepping over the line.

There have been plenty of talks around cut-price settlements. At one stage City, in a written offer, were prepared to pay Langston £9m up front plus three payments of £2m during seasons when the club were playing Premier League football.

A verbal agreement to pay £7m plus a bonus on promotion was reached before that, while other offers from City have been a straight £8m payable within 30 days, £10m in total with £3m paid up front and the rest at the end of the season or £13m with £8m up front and an additional £5m if City are promoted to the Premier League.

But no agreement. And still the debt is there.

The two main men must, somehow, find a way to move forward for the sake of Cardiff City FC. It would seem egos are getting in the way and something has to give.

Hammam will certainly not give up.

On the wall of his private office at Ninian Park he had a picture of a canoeist battling against white water.

Underneath was the slogan: ‘A winner never quits, a quitter never wins.’ Hammam’s mother presented him with the picture more than 30 years earlier.

To one side, in her own handwriting, is a personal message to her son: “One never quits trying too hard for his aims – keep fighting the waves until you reach your peaceful shore.”

We can only hope that the Bluebirds can find their peaceful shore in terms of the Langston debt.

Tan or club doesn't have to do anything untill 2016 ,dont know why people go on about it ,looks like sam wants his money earlier so he cant get back into football until its settled as he cant be involved in two clubs ! ,he uses the echo and his friends to try and do this ,the intrest on the debt is small fry compared to the money tan is investing ,19 million plus the first 9million stadium rights is showing in the books as of may 2012 accounts that is owed ,i say f**k him and make him wait untill 2016 then sit down and talk about a settlement

peaceful shore.....isnt that another term for heaven? at his age i wouldnt be pissing about for another 2 or 3 million, he might aswell accept that it was his own doing that blew the $£$$£$$ he wants back, he hasnt got time left to spend it all anyway. just take the 10 mill and find your peaceful shore hey.....

peaceful shore.....isnt that another term for heaven? at his age i wouldnt be pissing about for another 2 or 3 million, he might aswell accept that it was his own doing that blew the $£$$£$$ he wants back, he hasnt got time left to spend it all anyway. just take the 10 mill and find your peaceful shore hey.....

If I was Vincent Tan I would just troll him like Mr Chow trolls people in the Hangover.

All the things Tan could say to Hammam similar to what Mr Chow says in The Hangover.


Oh yeah Mr Hammam? Why dont you suck on these little Malay nuts?

It's funny because he's fat!

Not so good now. Quid pro quo, douchebag.

You gonna **** on me?

Sam! You f**k me over 6 million, you camel jockey?