nPower Football League Thread 2012/13

[Lineker]

The takeover of Leeds United by a Middle East-based private equity group is expected to be completed imminently.

The deal with GFH Capital is believed to be worth in the region of £44m.

Talks began at the end of May and Leeds chairman Ken Bates had blamed GFH's lawyers for delaying the process.

BBC Radio 5 live's senior football reporter Ian Dennis said the deal was expected to go through in a matter of days, adding: "It's now a question of the formalities."

Bates owns 72.85% of the club after his company completed a deal with previous owners FSF Limited last year.

The former Chelsea owner has been chairman of Leeds since 2005, when he turned his attention to the Elland Road club after failing in a bid to take over Sheffield Wednesday.

Last month Bates said the takeover was approaching completion. In September, GFH Capital gave its backing to Leeds United boss Neil Warnock and said the priority would be returning the club to the top flight for the first time since 2004.

Leeds are currently 15th in the Championship and have a Capital One Cup home quarter-final against Chelsea next month, having finished last season 14th in the league.

[Matt]

Reports are conflicting over that. Ron Dennis (I think his name is) claimed that the deal should be completed by Saturday, GFH have retweeted the old story about them having an agreement in place, but LUST are claiming that there's been another hurdle and it's going to be after the weekend. Personally, I reckon it'll happen on Julember 32nd.

[Adam]

Are Portsmouth managers actually good, or are they just benefiting from players who need to play to their peak in order to stop the club going bankrupt and losing their wages?

Because Portsmouth managers seem to be the most poached managers in the football league these days.

It is seen as brilliant to do what Appleton has done - be willing to manage a club with no money or any real players.

Of course Appleton did this whilst also moaning spectacularly that he wasn't been given hand-me-downs from the football league, and he did carry through Portsmouth's relegation last season.

[Matt]

I think Colin has lost his marbles

[Lineker]

Vydra is fucking class.

[Berober]

http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/wolverhampton-wanderers-boss-stale-solbakken-300354

[Lineker]

The Pompey Supporters' Trust hope to take over Portsmouth before Christmas after signing a conditional agreement with the club's administrators PKF.

PKF must first gain permission to sell Fratton Park, after Balram Chainrai's company Portpin, who hold the ground as security, refused the PST's offer.

"Portpin has rejected the offer for Fratton Park," said PKF's Trevor Birch.

"So the sale has to be conditional on receiving the Court's permission to sell the ground."

The PST have offered Chainrai £2.75m for the ground but following his refusal to sell, Birch will now go to the High Court of Justice and ask for Chainrai's fixed charge to be released forcing him to sell at the market rate.

"We are therefore in the process of submitting an application to the Court," continued Birch

But he said: "We can confirm that we have signed a sale agreement with the PST to acquire the business of Portsmouth Football Club."

The financially-troubled club have been in administration since February and are said to be around £61m in debt.

Former owner Chainrai, who is owed around £17m by Portsmouth, called a halt to his attempt to buy the League One club in November, after trying to assume control via his company Portpin for a third time in less than three years.

Last month the administrators granted "preferred bidder" status to the Pompey Supporters' Trust.

"I'm sure every member of staff, every player and every supporter will join with me in wishing to see a speedy resolution of what has been a protracted administration," Birch added.

"Everyone involved in the transaction has worked incredibly hard to get the deal to this stage and, although there is still much that needs to be done, today's announcement marks what is hopefully the beginning of the end of the process."

The news was welcomed by the PST chairman Ashley Brown who called the moment "a special day for the club".

"This truly is fantastic news and the start of a new chapter for Portsmouth Football Club," said Brown.

"We hope to finalise the sale by Christmas, and go into 2013 with a fresh start for our great club.

"The hard work will continue during the court application process to ensure that we are in the best position possible to drive the club forward and build for the future ahead of the important January transfer window."

[Matt]

The most tedious takeover ever could be finally over.

[Adam]

I'm going to be very sad when Santa Bates departs.

[Matt]

This is the longest takeover ever, I wouldn't expect him to depart any time this decade.

[Lineker]

I hope they make him Life President.

[MDK]

Six pointer against the mighty Carlisle today. Our recent form hasn't been so bad, we might get something out of this!

[Adam]

Six pointer against the mighty Carlisle today. Our recent form hasn't been so bad, we might get something out of this!

You should have been even more optimistic!

Great return to winning ways for us at Portsmouth today, Iain Hume on the mark again. And a clean sheet with the man mountain Jones back in defence. Our away form is phenomenal, we've just got to start turning it round at home.

[mikevandam]

Regarding the Wolves boss temper:

[MDK]

Six pointer against the mighty Carlisle today. Our recent form hasn't been so bad, we might get something out of this!

You should have been even more optimistic!

Great return to winning ways for us at Portsmouth today, Iain Hume on the mark again. And a clean sheet with the man mountain Jones back in defence. Our away form is phenomenal, we've just got to start turning it round at home.

4-1

[Dan]

I hate football.

[Jimmy]

And Hartlepool hate playing it.

[Matt]

No idea why we bother playing midfielders. They never touch the ball anyway.

[jack95]

Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong has joined Championship side Charlton on loan until January.

[Adam]

Carlisle 1-3 Doncaster.

We're up to 4th with a game in hand, and it looks like Carlisle are going to sack their manager now. Sorry Ace.