" THURSDAY 06th JANUARY 2011 UPDATE "
Thu Jan 06, 2011 9:10 pm
As everyone who has been reading and following the fortunes of CCFC both on and off the pitch will be aware of the recent passing of a deadline between Langstone and the club. There was an agreement which superseded all other agreements that meant CCFC had the option of settling a debt with Langstone for a much lower figure than the previous agreements stated.
The December 31st agreement aka Langstone Loan Note 3 was the latest attempt by both parties to settle the debt once and for all, the agreement was that the club had 2 ways of settling : A) Pay £10 million plus 2 future payments of £5million bonuses ( the bonuses would be for Promotion and Naming rights ) or B) £15million paid by 31st December 2010.
Because this date has passed the debt is now back to the original amount. Determining what the original amount is, I believe, would have to be settled by lawyers because the club believe that Loan Note 2 is ' in play ' but Langstone believe that Loan note 1 is ' in play '.
Loan note 2 in short was £15million plus £9million naming rights and £5million promotion bonus. The £15 million has accrued interest, so the figure is in the mid to high £30 something million.
Loan Note 1 had the original debt amount of £24million but has accrued interest at a higher rate and over a longer period is above and beyond the £40million mark.
Cardiff City Football Club did not settle before December 31st 2010 as the club has not got the money to do it, Vincent Tan has got the money to do so but why would a man who has less than 40% of the shares in the club pay off such an amount by himself.
I reported on here on New Years Eve that Sam Hammam had not reached an agreement with the club on behalf of the Langstone and that he was saddened and disappointed.
Earlier this week I understand that contact has been made by the Malaysians to meet with Sam Hammam to discuss the way forward. There is a matter of urgency from both sides to get a meeting arranged and I am told that this meeting will take place in the next 7-10 days.
The meeting will not be held in London or Kuala Lumpur but it will take place in Lebanon. Sam Hammam is very upbeat, positive that an agreement can be reached and that it not just enable the club to release the shackles of Langstone but also help the club move forward and achieve the target of promotion.
The Malaysians are aware that this matter must be dealt with and have remained courteous and cordial throughout. I find it significant that with the recent downturn of results that the Malaysians have made moves to meet with Sam. I am aware that Sam has been advising them of certain footballing issues that are positive for the team and us, the fans.
Quite simply, the powers that be in the club must now decide what they want to do and the options are very very simple.
A) Come to an agreement on an amount to pay Langstone in full and pay it immediately.
B) Share the control of the club with Sam Hammam ( who would settle with Langstone ).
Obviously things will not be as straightforward as above but that is the just of it.
I know that Sam Hammam would welcome the opportunity to work with the Malaysians because he has told me, He also stated " that I know if I were to return it divide the fans but I have always done right for the good of the club, I have remained patient ".
Sam says that he is being told that people think the club could go into administration and he responded by saying " I would never hurt my club, I will not take this club to court, ".
Sam has told me again in the last hour that there is no such agreement that says that Langstone can be settled in 2016 and that this was a story put out by Peter Ridsdale.
Not long hopefully until a resolution can be found and the club and everyone involved is able to move on.
Also this week I have spoken with TG and I promised that I would pass on a message to the members of the board and readers of our message board. We chatted after the Leeds United game and TG said " Happy New Year, unfortunately I was unable to make the game and it was good that we won. "
TG asked that as fans " We hold our nerve and let's keep focus and support the team especially at this juncture ".
I asked TG if he will be attending the next home game against Watford and he said that " I am hoping to join you for my first away game at Norwich, I will let you know ". If TG does make it over for the game then we are hoping to have a meeting if his time scales allow, I will let you know in due course how this pans out.
TG, in my opinion, was reacting to the reaction by fans to recent results and the seemingly willingness of fans to get rid of Dave Jones, I hope that TG message will give fans something to think about and hopefully they will put their energy into supporting the team.
In a previous update I told you that Julian Jenkins had flown to LA to meet with Mike Young, the creator of kids tv favourite Superted, to look at ways of maximising commercial revenue and how clubs in America go about their matchday experience.
On Tuesday night against Leeds, Mike Young was guest of the club and sat in the directors box. I am reliably informed that Mike has taken on a consultancy role within the club to look at the commercial side. He has been brought in to take the Marketing to another level and bring a professionalism to the department, Mike flew back to LA today and is a building a team to work on marketing CCFC.
On the subject of the game against Leeds, for the first time in over 30 or more years of the fixture there was not one arrest made. This game also saw a dramatic fall in the number of police at the game, there were 130 officers on duty as opposed to 250 officers for the last game that Leeds played at Cardiff. This alone saved the club £10,000 but more importantly again shows the club in a positive light and shows the massive strides we are making at present.
Many stories and personal thoughts leading up to the game against Leeds were that if City lost then Dave Jones would have lost his job as manager, I am glad that we won of course but as much for the 3 points but for Dave Jones also. But I have been made aware of comments apparently made by Chris Hughton, I am told that Hughton was asked had he been approached by Crystal Palace or Preston to become their new manager, as he was at the game between them a few days ago. He responded by saying that he would not be becoming manager of either at this time.
Hughton was then asked, " If the manager's job came up at Cardiff City, would it be a job that would interest him ? ". His response was " that most would walk to a club like Cardiff because they are a big club and potentially as big as Newcastle ".
Obviously he was asked a hypothetical question and I believe he responded in a way that could not be seen as a stab against Dave Jones. Hughton was reportedly on £250k per year in the Premiership at Newcastle, no wonder he would walk to Cardiff.
This Monday I am attending ( along with others
) 2 meetings at the club. The first will be with Scott Young to discuss along with Annis, Gwyn and Clive the plans of the Cardiff City Academy Fund viewtopic.php?f=2&t=27677 
and how we plan to help the grass roots of the club. Scott Young is championing the idea along with Steve Borley, Phil Dwyer,Nathan Blake and Jason Perry.
We plan on purchasing the first pieces of equipment this month and the official launch will be at the Ninian Park Pub prior to the Watford home game on January 22nd.
The second meeting will be the travel meeting to discuss the upcoming away fixtures which will obviously be including Swansea, I will write up a report when I come from the meeting.
Players transfers in and out. Obviously there was a flurry of activity last week and it looked like we were signing a few players and reports suggested that they would be in for the Leeds game. James Vaughan is very much a deal that is hopeful of being concluded but as I have reported previously the sticking point is not the amount but how and when it is paid. it is my understanding that DJ agreed the figure with the agent, which met Everton's valuation. Everton want the money up front and City want to pay in installments, talks are ongoing but City are looking elsewhere too.
Wayne Routledge is a similar scenario too, City have definitely made an approach but are being put off by the fact that Newcastle wish to have the full £2million up front.
I know that Dave is looking at brining in 2 centre halves and that the club are still tracking Glenn Loovens and Danny Wilson too, Danny WIlson would be a loan signing but would offer cover at Left back too.
Jay Bothroyd is expected back for the Watford game.
The December 31st agreement aka Langstone Loan Note 3 was the latest attempt by both parties to settle the debt once and for all, the agreement was that the club had 2 ways of settling : A) Pay £10 million plus 2 future payments of £5million bonuses ( the bonuses would be for Promotion and Naming rights ) or B) £15million paid by 31st December 2010.
Because this date has passed the debt is now back to the original amount. Determining what the original amount is, I believe, would have to be settled by lawyers because the club believe that Loan Note 2 is ' in play ' but Langstone believe that Loan note 1 is ' in play '.
Loan note 2 in short was £15million plus £9million naming rights and £5million promotion bonus. The £15 million has accrued interest, so the figure is in the mid to high £30 something million.
Loan Note 1 had the original debt amount of £24million but has accrued interest at a higher rate and over a longer period is above and beyond the £40million mark.
Cardiff City Football Club did not settle before December 31st 2010 as the club has not got the money to do it, Vincent Tan has got the money to do so but why would a man who has less than 40% of the shares in the club pay off such an amount by himself.
I reported on here on New Years Eve that Sam Hammam had not reached an agreement with the club on behalf of the Langstone and that he was saddened and disappointed.
Earlier this week I understand that contact has been made by the Malaysians to meet with Sam Hammam to discuss the way forward. There is a matter of urgency from both sides to get a meeting arranged and I am told that this meeting will take place in the next 7-10 days.
The meeting will not be held in London or Kuala Lumpur but it will take place in Lebanon. Sam Hammam is very upbeat, positive that an agreement can be reached and that it not just enable the club to release the shackles of Langstone but also help the club move forward and achieve the target of promotion.
The Malaysians are aware that this matter must be dealt with and have remained courteous and cordial throughout. I find it significant that with the recent downturn of results that the Malaysians have made moves to meet with Sam. I am aware that Sam has been advising them of certain footballing issues that are positive for the team and us, the fans.
Quite simply, the powers that be in the club must now decide what they want to do and the options are very very simple.
A) Come to an agreement on an amount to pay Langstone in full and pay it immediately.
B) Share the control of the club with Sam Hammam ( who would settle with Langstone ).
Obviously things will not be as straightforward as above but that is the just of it.
I know that Sam Hammam would welcome the opportunity to work with the Malaysians because he has told me, He also stated " that I know if I were to return it divide the fans but I have always done right for the good of the club, I have remained patient ".
Sam says that he is being told that people think the club could go into administration and he responded by saying " I would never hurt my club, I will not take this club to court, ".
Sam has told me again in the last hour that there is no such agreement that says that Langstone can be settled in 2016 and that this was a story put out by Peter Ridsdale.
Not long hopefully until a resolution can be found and the club and everyone involved is able to move on.
Also this week I have spoken with TG and I promised that I would pass on a message to the members of the board and readers of our message board. We chatted after the Leeds United game and TG said " Happy New Year, unfortunately I was unable to make the game and it was good that we won. "
TG asked that as fans " We hold our nerve and let's keep focus and support the team especially at this juncture ".
I asked TG if he will be attending the next home game against Watford and he said that " I am hoping to join you for my first away game at Norwich, I will let you know ". If TG does make it over for the game then we are hoping to have a meeting if his time scales allow, I will let you know in due course how this pans out.
TG, in my opinion, was reacting to the reaction by fans to recent results and the seemingly willingness of fans to get rid of Dave Jones, I hope that TG message will give fans something to think about and hopefully they will put their energy into supporting the team.
In a previous update I told you that Julian Jenkins had flown to LA to meet with Mike Young, the creator of kids tv favourite Superted, to look at ways of maximising commercial revenue and how clubs in America go about their matchday experience.
On Tuesday night against Leeds, Mike Young was guest of the club and sat in the directors box. I am reliably informed that Mike has taken on a consultancy role within the club to look at the commercial side. He has been brought in to take the Marketing to another level and bring a professionalism to the department, Mike flew back to LA today and is a building a team to work on marketing CCFC.
On the subject of the game against Leeds, for the first time in over 30 or more years of the fixture there was not one arrest made. This game also saw a dramatic fall in the number of police at the game, there were 130 officers on duty as opposed to 250 officers for the last game that Leeds played at Cardiff. This alone saved the club £10,000 but more importantly again shows the club in a positive light and shows the massive strides we are making at present.
Many stories and personal thoughts leading up to the game against Leeds were that if City lost then Dave Jones would have lost his job as manager, I am glad that we won of course but as much for the 3 points but for Dave Jones also. But I have been made aware of comments apparently made by Chris Hughton, I am told that Hughton was asked had he been approached by Crystal Palace or Preston to become their new manager, as he was at the game between them a few days ago. He responded by saying that he would not be becoming manager of either at this time.
Hughton was then asked, " If the manager's job came up at Cardiff City, would it be a job that would interest him ? ". His response was " that most would walk to a club like Cardiff because they are a big club and potentially as big as Newcastle ".
Obviously he was asked a hypothetical question and I believe he responded in a way that could not be seen as a stab against Dave Jones. Hughton was reportedly on £250k per year in the Premiership at Newcastle, no wonder he would walk to Cardiff.
This Monday I am attending ( along with others
) 2 meetings at the club. The first will be with Scott Young to discuss along with Annis, Gwyn and Clive the plans of the Cardiff City Academy Fund viewtopic.php?f=2&t=27677 and how we plan to help the grass roots of the club. Scott Young is championing the idea along with Steve Borley, Phil Dwyer,Nathan Blake and Jason Perry.We plan on purchasing the first pieces of equipment this month and the official launch will be at the Ninian Park Pub prior to the Watford home game on January 22nd.
The second meeting will be the travel meeting to discuss the upcoming away fixtures which will obviously be including Swansea, I will write up a report when I come from the meeting.
Players transfers in and out. Obviously there was a flurry of activity last week and it looked like we were signing a few players and reports suggested that they would be in for the Leeds game. James Vaughan is very much a deal that is hopeful of being concluded but as I have reported previously the sticking point is not the amount but how and when it is paid. it is my understanding that DJ agreed the figure with the agent, which met Everton's valuation. Everton want the money up front and City want to pay in installments, talks are ongoing but City are looking elsewhere too.
Wayne Routledge is a similar scenario too, City have definitely made an approach but are being put off by the fact that Newcastle wish to have the full £2million up front.
I know that Dave is looking at brining in 2 centre halves and that the club are still tracking Glenn Loovens and Danny Wilson too, Danny WIlson would be a loan signing but would offer cover at Left back too.
Jay Bothroyd is expected back for the Watford game.
Re: Sticky: " Thursday 06th January 2011 Update "
Thu Jan 06, 2011 9:17 pm
Great read Carl.
Thanks mate
Thanks mate
Re: Sticky: " Thursday 06th January 2011 Update "
Thu Jan 06, 2011 9:17 pm
so no more news on transfers then becasue we hered that before
Re: Sticky: " Thursday 06th January 2011 Update "
Thu Jan 06, 2011 9:17 pm
cheers m8 keep up thhe good work
Re: Sticky: " Thursday 06th January 2011 Update "
Thu Jan 06, 2011 9:17 pm
Looven's and WIlson would be a good pairing. Wilson seems similar in style of play to Roger Johnson.
Good update again, happy to hear that they are going to Sam to try to reach an agreement. If Sam has been giving them advice on footballing matters already, a return to the board as an footballing advisor would be a nice way to include Sam on what he actually started.
Good update again, happy to hear that they are going to Sam to try to reach an agreement. If Sam has been giving them advice on footballing matters already, a return to the board as an footballing advisor would be a nice way to include Sam on what he actually started.
Re: Sticky: " Thursday 06th January 2011 Update "
Thu Jan 06, 2011 9:18 pm
nice one carl boi
keep up the good work. i did see jay today he did bit more jogging today so all looks good
keep up the good work. i did see jay today he did bit more jogging today so all looks good
Re: Sticky: " Thursday 06th January 2011 Update "
Thu Jan 06, 2011 9:18 pm
no real transfer news then..................... 
... hope the langstone thing is sorted soon............
... hope the langstone thing is sorted soon............
Re: Sticky: " Thursday 06th January 2011 Update "
Thu Jan 06, 2011 9:18 pm
Cheers Carl, Answered a few questions
Re: Sticky: " Thursday 06th January 2011 Update "
Thu Jan 06, 2011 9:19 pm
Great Read Carl, Thanks for the update and am very grateful for the time and effort you put into getting them on here.
Cheers
Lee
Cheers
Lee
Re: Sticky: " Thursday 06th January 2011 Update "
Thu Jan 06, 2011 9:19 pm
bluebirds23 wrote:nice one carl boi
keep up the good work. i did see jay today he did bit more jogging today so all looks good
Quite gutted about the update, was hoping for top news on transfers.
Re: Sticky: " Thursday 06th January 2011 Update "
Thu Jan 06, 2011 9:19 pm
cheers for the update
carl you say that sam said there was no loan notes agreement for the notes to be repayed in 2016 but it appears in langstones accounts which some one posted on here is sam lying or has the posters from last night got it wrong?
carl you say that sam said there was no loan notes agreement for the notes to be repayed in 2016 but it appears in langstones accounts which some one posted on here is sam lying or has the posters from last night got it wrong?
Re: Sticky: " Thursday 06th January 2011 Update "
Thu Jan 06, 2011 9:20 pm
and me
Re: Sticky: " Thursday 06th January 2011 Update "
Thu Jan 06, 2011 9:20 pm
Doesn't sound like we are going to get any marquee signings in then any time soon - I wonder if the lack of a league game for 9 days has removed the urgency ?
Re: Sticky: " Thursday 06th January 2011 Update "
Thu Jan 06, 2011 9:20 pm
Hmmmm, can't say that it was as positive as hoped. No news on players basically and Sam "might" come back but then he "might" not! I appreciate the updtes but thus one has been over hyped!
Re: Sticky: " Thursday 06th January 2011 Update "
Thu Jan 06, 2011 9:21 pm
Cheers Carl
We will all have to wait for your update on the Sam/Tan meeting lets hope that they sort something out soon. Maybe we will have more money then for transfers
Good news on the marketing front. Something we have be behind the times in.
We will all have to wait for your update on the Sam/Tan meeting lets hope that they sort something out soon. Maybe we will have more money then for transfers
Good news on the marketing front. Something we have be behind the times in.
Re: Sticky: " Thursday 06th January 2011 Update "
Thu Jan 06, 2011 9:21 pm
caerdydd_78 wrote:bluebirds23 wrote:nice one carl boi
keep up the good work. i did see jay today he did bit more jogging today so all looks good
Quite gutted about the update, was hoping for top news on transfers.
I'm sure if there was any transfer news Carl would have let us know
Re: Sticky: " Thursday 06th January 2011 Update "
Thu Jan 06, 2011 9:21 pm
Bluebird99 wrote:Hmmmm, can't say that it was as positive as hoped. No news on players basically and Sam "might" come back but then he "might" not! I appreciate the updtes but thus one has been over hyped!
Agreed.
Re: Sticky: " Thursday 06th January 2011 Update "
Thu Jan 06, 2011 9:21 pm
cheers carl
Re: Sticky: " Thursday 06th January 2011 Update "
Thu Jan 06, 2011 9:22 pm
cheers carl!! great update it looks like sam will be back at the club ib the not so distant future then!!
but I am worried with the siging news!! the targets dj is going for is great, wilson, loovens, routledge, vaughan(if all these came off this would be great!!) but the longer the window goes on the more chance these players have going to other clubs, why havent the malaysians given money to dj like he was promised
but I am worried with the siging news!! the targets dj is going for is great, wilson, loovens, routledge, vaughan(if all these came off this would be great!!) but the longer the window goes on the more chance these players have going to other clubs, why havent the malaysians given money to dj like he was promised
Re: Sticky: " Thursday 06th January 2011 Update "
Thu Jan 06, 2011 9:22 pm
Bowmonster wrote:caerdydd_78 wrote:bluebirds23 wrote:nice one carl boi
keep up the good work. i did see jay today he did bit more jogging today so all looks good
Quite gutted about the update, was hoping for top news on transfers.
I'm sure if there was any transfer news Carl would have let us know
spot on bowmonster
Re: Sticky: " Thursday 06th January 2011 Update "
Thu Jan 06, 2011 9:23 pm
Bowmonster wrote:caerdydd_78 wrote:bluebirds23 wrote:nice one carl boi
keep up the good work. i did see jay today he did bit more jogging today so all looks good
Quite gutted about the update, was hoping for top news on transfers.
I'm sure if there was any transfer news Carl would have let us know
Don't deny that for a second' due to hype around this and bearing in mind I've thought about this update all day, I was hoping for good news regarding Wayne.
Re: Sticky: " Thursday 06th January 2011 Update "
Thu Jan 06, 2011 9:23 pm
thanks carl interesting reading
Re: Sticky: " Thursday 06th January 2011 Update "
Thu Jan 06, 2011 9:23 pm
caerdydd_78 wrote:Bluebird99 wrote:Hmmmm, can't say that it was as positive as hoped. No news on players basically and Sam "might" come back but then he "might" not! I appreciate the updtes but thus one has been over hyped!
Agreed.
agreed
Re: Sticky: " Thursday 06th January 2011 Update "
Thu Jan 06, 2011 9:24 pm
Excellent update. Let’s hope they can sort the Langston thing out.
Let's be honest what ever our personal views are of Sam he sure as hell knows his way though the shark infested waters called Football.
Let's be honest what ever our personal views are of Sam he sure as hell knows his way though the shark infested waters called Football.
Re: Sticky: " Thursday 06th January 2011 Update "
Thu Jan 06, 2011 9:25 pm
Another interesting, and positive update.
Thanks Carl.
Thanks Carl.
Re: Sticky: " Thursday 06th January 2011 Update "
Thu Jan 06, 2011 9:25 pm
great update carl hope sam comes bk into the club but not as the main man but still with a part to play with the football side of things
hope sam comes bk into the club but not as the main man but still with a part to play with the football side of things
Re: Sticky: " Thursday 06th January 2011 Update "
Thu Jan 06, 2011 9:25 pm
Cheers Carl, bit frustrating but this next 7-10 days is panning out to be one of the most important in out history with the Langstone meeting and potential new signings for the big push!! Keep it up mate
Re: Sticky: " Thursday 06th January 2011 Update "
Thu Jan 06, 2011 9:25 pm
are there any other clubs in the football league with a fan whos got so many contacts within the club i think its awesome !
Re: Sticky: " Thursday 06th January 2011 Update "
Thu Jan 06, 2011 9:26 pm
Thanks Carl!
Re: Sticky: " Thursday 06th January 2011 Update "
Thu Jan 06, 2011 9:27 pm
16silverhillbobbank wrote:are there any other clubs in the football league with a fan whos got so many contacts within the club i think its awesome !
exactly some people aint got a clue, how lucky we are to have carl posting stuff on here like he is. i think it great helps us understand better.