Envious: ' Leicester City Promoted No Debt and stayed Blue '

Paul Evans: " Why Cardiff City fans may have cause for envious looks at newly-promoted Leicester City for more than just their blue kit. "

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Wednesday May 07th, 2014
Media Wales
BY PAUL EVANS

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The Foxes have what looks like a bright outlook after winning the Championship and having their debts wiped out by their owners.

On May 12 2013, Leicester City’s season ended in agonising fashion when they missed a last minute penalty which would have put them ahead in their play-off semi-final tie with Watford ... and then saw their opponents break away and, within seconds, score the goal which took them to Wembley instead.

I doubt very much whether Cardiff City fans celebrating their side’s return to the top flight after an absence of more than 50 years gave more than a fleeting thought at the time to Leicester’s misfortune.

But less than a year on, I would say Bluebirds followers should be envying the Foxes. I use the word envy because while Cardiff fans have to come to terms with a relegation which saw their club fail miserably to reach Premier League standards on or off the pitch, Leicester succeeded City as champions of the second tier and racked up 15 more points than we managed in doing so.

However, it’s not just the difference in divisions the two clubs will be playing in next season that is a cause for jealousy in Cardiff.,

It’s also the contrast in attitude between what we have become used to under Vincent Tan and what the Leicester fans have seen from their owners from the same part of the world as him.

While we turn out in a kit which has been foisted on us because it’s supposedly lucky, Leicester still wear the blue and white kit in the Premier League that they’ve adorned for more than a century.

If there was any thought given to “re-branding” the club for the Premier League push, Leicester’s Thai owners were sensible enough to realise that it would create far more harm than good.


I’m not going to dwell on our change of kit and badge here though because it’s not the main reason for my comparison with Leicester.

No, its main relevance is that it points towards the matter which seems to me to make Leicester far more likely to make a better fist of Premier League football than Cardiff managed.

Today is the second anniversary of the re-branding plans entering the public domain when they were leaked on a couple of Cardiff City messageboards.

It really is two years since the storm broke, as club employees tried to reassure supporters of the golden future City had if they accepted the change to red.

Remember those four pledges? Substantial investment in the team, expansion of the stadium, new training facilities and a conversion of the club’s debt into equity.

Well, to be fair to Vincent Tan, he’s delivered on the first two (although the decision to extend the Ninian Stand looks even more misguided than it did when the plans were approved at the start of this season).

As for the other two, they are certainly taking their time about the new training complex, but it does seem that the process is ongoing.

Sadly, there is little to indicate that the same can be said about the debt to equity swap.

To me at least, this was the most important of those four pledges and the reason why I (and many others I would guess) were initially willing to accept the rebrand.

Contrast the lack of action at Cardiff with what happened at Leicester just before Christmas when chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha announced that the club’s debt of around £103 million had effectively been wiped out – the large majority of this figure being in the form of loans made to the club by Mr Srivaddhanaprabha and his company King Power.

It needs to be said, of course, that while Cardiff City have been in the full glare of the media spotlight for a year, the same cannot be said of Leicester. Maybe a year out of that spotlight will see views change on Mr Tan, but I’m not holding out too much hope.

This Paul Evans guy is just another blogger with an ego that rivals Roathie.

This Paul Evans guy is just another blogger with an ego that rivals Roathie.

Chris he has a point in that article, because I am envious.

But guess what Evans was one of the 12 at the first meeting and actually stated " He did not care about our colour "

Envious of Leicester ffs, latest new you are dredging the barrel now

Envious of Leicester ffs, latest new you are dredging the barrel now

At least their fans can be proud

Yes and sadly it is the latest news.

This Paul Evans guy is just another blogger with an ego that rivals Roathie.

Chris he has a point in that article, because I am envious.

But guess what Evans was one of the 12 at the first meeting and actually stated " He did not care about our colour "

I didnt get very far into the article to be honest I find his writing style quite patronising and arrogant.

This Paul Evans guy is just another blogger with an ego that rivals Roathie.

Chris he has a point in that article, because I am envious.

But guess what Evans was one of the 12 at the first meeting and actually stated " He did not care about our colour "

I didnt get very far into the article to be honest I find his writing style quite patronising and arrogant.

Chris, he was at the meeting, he did not care what we played in.

Not sure why our fans care so much about what other clubs do. Ive never been envious of anyone or anything else, vile and putrid emotion.

Not sure why our fans care so much about what other clubs do. Ive never been envious of anyone or anything else, vile and putrid emotion.

I'm not envious in a bad way Craig, they can be proud the way thy have won the Championship, dignity in tact,No debt

Envious of Leicester ffs, latest new you are dredging the barrel now

At least their fans can be proud

Yes and sadly it is the latest news.

I'm proud of my club because its Cardiff City, not proud of the owner but the club, owners come and go the club if forever so yes our fans should be proud of our club imo

Im envious as they have a man in charge that has put together a great attacking side and will use his transfer kitty wisely to add to his squad to ensure they make the step up to the next level. ..
He rated cornelius at 500k to

Not sure why our fans care so much about what other clubs do. Ive never been envious of anyone or anything else, vile and putrid emotion.

I'm not envious in a bad way Craig, they can be proud the way thy have won the Championship, dignity in tact,No debt

So when Sam was our owner and we won the playoff final were you not proud of the club, because we certainly had debt at that point

It sounds very much like the poster is suicidal and after reading this latest I for sure think he may need some help.

Whisky
Razor Blades
Hot Water

Is what I think may help so I will provide the razor blades.

What a wanker

Not sure why our fans care so much about what other clubs do. Ive never been envious of anyone or anything else, vile and putrid emotion.

I'm not envious in a bad way Craig, they can be proud the way thy have won the Championship, dignity in tact,No debt

So when Sam was our owner and we won the playoff final were you not proud of the club, because we certainly had debt at that point

The debt was small and managable at that point. There is no denying its out of control now.

That play-off final was such a proud day, the Millenium Stadium a sea of blue in our home City, a united fan base. Even better than that goaless shit draw v ChArlton with half the fans in red.

Last edited by CF47 BLUEBIRD on Wed May 07, 2014 7:56 am, edited 1 time in total.

It sounds very much like the poster is suicidal and after reading this latest I for sure think he may need some help.

Whisky
Razor Blades
Hot Water

Is what I think may help so I will provide the razor blades.

What a wanker

What a load of shit! Leicester spent millions and flopped for years!

Not sure why our fans care so much about what other clubs do. Ive never been envious of anyone or anything else, vile and putrid emotion.

I'm not envious in a bad way Craig, they can be proud the way thy have won the Championship, dignity in tact,No debt

So when Sam was our owner and we won the playoff final were you not proud of the club, because we certainly had debt at that point

The debt was small and managable at that point. There is no denying its out of control now.

That play-off final was such a proud day, the Millenium Stadium a sea of blue in our home City, a united fan base. Even better than that goaless shit draw v ChArlton with half the fans in red.

The debt is only out of control if the owner stops paying it as what happened with previous owners, lets hope tan keeps paying it

Disappointed to hear Paul Evans initially stated he didn't care about club colours. Especially considering how vocal he's been against the re-brand.

Anyway, it's a bit of a random article. I can kind of see what he means but it's not an emotion that strikes true with me. I'm pleased for the Leicester fans. I've always had a soft spot for them ever since the Matt Elliott and Muzzy Izzet days with Steve Walsh and Pegguy Arphexhad etc.

Not sure why our fans care so much about what other clubs do. Ive never been envious of anyone or anything else, vile and putrid emotion.

I'm not envious in a bad way Craig, they can be proud the way thy have won the Championship, dignity in tact,No debt

So when Sam was our owner and we won the playoff final were you not proud of the club, because we certainly had debt at that point

The debt was small and managable at that point. There is no denying its out of control now.

That play-off final was such a proud day, the Millenium Stadium a sea of blue in our home City, a united fan base. Even better than that goaless shit draw v ChArlton with half the fans in red.

The debt is only out of control if the owner stops paying it as what happened with previous owners, lets hope tan keeps paying it

I agree with that.. Lots moaning about our debt under tan and ridsdale said nothing about the debt during sams reign..
Leicester were millions in debt over the years where has that gone?

Im envious as they have a man in charge that has put together a great attacking side and will use his transfer kitty wisely to add to his squad to ensure they make the step up to the next level. ..
He rated cornelius at 500k to

I don't know about spending wisely, leicester spent millions two seasons ago and collapsed on the field around christmas, as for them being debt free, this is the club that are responsible for the ten point deduction rule being brought into the british game after they went into administration, but as others on here are quick enough to defend teams shafting their creditors because it happened years ago it's allowed.

They stayed in blue, kept their dignity, and the owners did what they promised the fans they would do, wipe out the clubs debts

Not sure why our fans care so much about what other clubs do. Ive never been envious of anyone or anything else, vile and putrid emotion.

I'm not envious in a bad way Craig, they can be proud the way thy have won the Championship, dignity in tact,No debt

So when Sam was our owner and we won the playoff final were you not proud of the club, because we certainly had debt at that point

Are you trolling or sniping

They ain't debt free because of good management! If their owner didn't decide to convert debt to equity this season, they would have been going up with more debt than us. They've spend rediculas amounts trying to reach the premier league just like us.

What an absolute f*cking joke of an article. People seem to have memories that only go back 18 months.

Leicester are the club whose actions in 2002 meant that the FA brought in the 10 point deduction rule.

They spent and spent on the back of the ITV digital football deal, pressed for promotion at the same time as building a new stadium.

In July 2002 they opened the King Power Stadium. They started the 2002-2003 season and then went into administration in October 2002 stating the fault was the collapse of the ITV Digital deal.

They denied that they didn't quite have the money to build a stadium. Companies went to the wall as their debt was written off.

What happened next was the reason that the 10 point deduction was brought in.

Having gone into administration, wiped out their debt and defaulted on players wages Leicester City finished the season in 2nd place and were promoted to the Premier League.

The club benefitted from a new stadium, wiped out debt and promotion to the promised land. All this at the expense of others.

Within 6 months the 10 point deduction rule was brought in.

So get your head out of your arse and do a bit more research before talking crap.

I am still proud that our club never succumbed to administration and battled on through.

Many clubs have suffered in administration but some have also benefited especially Leicester. Palace and Swansea also seem to be doing pretty well.

What an absolute f*cking joke of an article. People seem to have memories that only go back 18 months.

Leicester are the club whose actions in 2002 meant that the FA brought in the 10 point deduction rule.

They spent and spent on the back of the ITV digital football deal, pressed for promotion at the same time as building a new stadium.

In July 2002 they opened the King Power Stadium. They started the 2002-2003 season and then went into administration in October 2002 stating the fault was the collapse of the ITV Digital deal.

They denied that they didn't quite have the money to build a stadium. Companies went to the wall as their debt was written off.

What happened next was the reason that the 10 point deduction was brought in.

Having gone into administration, wiped out their debt and defaulted on players wages Leicester City finished the season in 2nd place and were promoted to the Premier League.

The club benefitted from a new stadium, wiped out debt and promotion to the promised land. All this at the expense of others.

Within 6 months the 10 point deduction rule was brought in.

So get your head out of your arse and do a bit more research before talking crap.

I am still proud that our club never succumbed to administration and battled on through.

Many clubs have suffered in administration but some have also benefited especially Leicester. Palace and Swansea also seem to be doing pretty well.

What an absolute f*cking joke of an article. People seem to have memories that only go back 18 months.

Leicester are the club whose actions in 2002 meant that the FA brought in the 10 point deduction rule.

They spent and spent on the back of the ITV digital football deal, pressed for promotion at the same time as building a new stadium.

In July 2002 they opened the King Power Stadium. They started the 2002-2003 season and then went into administration in October 2002 stating the fault was the collapse of the ITV Digital deal.

They denied that they didn't quite have the money to build a stadium. Companies went to the wall as their debt was written off.

What happened next was the reason that the 10 point deduction was brought in.

Having gone into administration, wiped out their debt and defaulted on players wages Leicester City finished the season in 2nd place and were promoted to the Premier League.

The club benefitted from a new stadium, wiped out debt and promotion to the promised land. All this at the expense of others.

Within 6 months the 10 point deduction rule was brought in.

So get your head out of your arse and do a bit more research before talking crap.

I am still proud that our club never succumbed to administration and battled on through.

Many clubs have suffered in administration but some have also benefited especially Leicester. Palace and Swansea also seem to be doing pretty well.

Great post Wayne

Send it in to Media Wales.

The debt to equity element of Tans terms was just one part of it for me, when reluctantly accepting the re-brand. Just as important to me was the promise that it was being done to open up global marketing streams and investment from the far East, as the Red and The Dragon, we were told would essentially make us far more marketable. We all thought at the time this was far fetched, but were willing to give them the benefit of the doubt, as they knew those markets far better than anyone in this country and if the strategy was backed up by real facts and figures. Those have never materialised, as it's plain to see now, that it was all done on a whim and pure superstition. That is why I personally now feel so strongly about getting our identity back, not because Tan has not yet turned debt to equity, but we were lied to as to why the rebrand was done.

Not sure why our fans care so much about what other clubs do. Ive never been envious of anyone or anything else, vile and putrid emotion.

I'm not envious in a bad way Craig, they can be proud the way thy have won the Championship, dignity in tact,No debt

So when Sam was our owner and we won the playoff final were you not proud of the club, because we certainly had debt at that point

Are you trolling or sniping

just my opinion, but some seem to forget Leicester's past history but still envious of them

What an absolute f*cking joke of an article. People seem to have memories that only go back 18 months.

Leicester are the club whose actions in 2002 meant that the FA brought in the 10 point deduction rule.

They spent and spent on the back of the ITV digital football deal, pressed for promotion at the same time as building a new stadium.

In July 2002 they opened the King Power Stadium. They started the 2002-2003 season and then went into administration in October 2002 stating the fault was the collapse of the ITV Digital deal.

They denied that they didn't quite have the money to build a stadium. Companies went to the wall as their debt was written off.

What happened next was the reason that the 10 point deduction was brought in.

Having gone into administration, wiped out their debt and defaulted on players wages Leicester City finished the season in 2nd place and were promoted to the Premier League.

The club benefitted from a new stadium, wiped out debt and promotion to the promised land. All this at the expense of others.

Within 6 months the 10 point deduction rule was brought in.

So get your head out of your arse and do a bit more research before talking crap.

I am still proud that our club never succumbed to administration and battled on through.

Many clubs have suffered in administration but some have also benefited especially Leicester. Palace and Swansea also seem to be doing pretty well.

Great post mate

The debt to equity element of Tans terms was just one part of it for me, when reluctantly accepting the re-brand. Just as important to me was the promise that it was being done to open up global marketing streams and investment from the far East, as the Red and The Dragon, we were told would essentially make us far more marketable. We all thought at the time this was far fetched, but were willing to give them the benefit of the doubt, as they knew those markets far better than anyone in this country and if the strategy was backed up by real facts and figures. Those have never materialised, as it's plain to see now, that it was all done on a whim and pure superstition. That is why I personally now feel so strongly about getting our identity back, not because Tan has not yet turned debt to equity, but we were lied to as to why the rebrand was done.

I really don't see your point. How can you market a goofball team anywhere? People make their own choices and real men stand by their initial statements. Not go crying and blame someone else when you have setbacks. The Irony of the blue fist pumping icon, with his red tie building this squad is tremendous