Time to go Delia 0 Posted October 17, 2009 I''ve been approached by 14 clubs, reveals David Sullivan Published 22:45 17/10/09 By Paul Smith Recommend David Sullivan has been approached by 14 clubs desperate to secure his financial backing and business expertise since he quit Birmingham City.The 60-year-old co-owner of the club finally walked away from St Andrews after selling his shares to Chinese businessman Carson Yeung in an £80million takeover.But while Sullivan claims Blues fans never took to him and were hell-bent on driving him out, it hasn’t stopped a flood of offers from other clubs.Sullivan’s initial interest in West Ham is well documented but 13 other clubs have approached him directly. href="http://ad.uk.doubleclick.net/jump/mirrorfootball.4240/news_mpu_article_300x250_300x250;zone=news;sect=;templ=article;oid=192153;tile=9;sz=300x250;ord=123456789?" target="_blank">src="http://ad.uk.doubleclick.net/ad/mirrorfootball.4240/news_mpu_article_300x250;zone=news;sect=;templ=article;oid=192153;tile=9;sz=300x250;ord=123456789?" width="300" height="250" border="0" alt=""> “It’s my intention to take some time off and then I will look around and see what is available,” he said. “Although I have been approached by a lot of clubs, any investment has to be right for me. “The criteria I’m looking at are a club with a decent ground, good fan base and in easy travelling distance from my home.“The major obstacles are the over-inflated prices clubs are attempting to charge and in most cases the significant debt that comes with that club.“I would say in recent years the best buys have been clubs like Southampton, Leeds, Coventry and Wolves.” Ironically, Sullivan was very close to buying a Championship club two years ago but had to pull out when Yeung failed to buy Birmingham at the first attempt when he couldn’t raise the necessary funding to complete the deal.Sullivan revealed: “I was very close to buying Ipswich Town. “I had a two-week window of opportunity but had to pull out because Yeung didn’t come up with the money and the rules prevent me from having financial interest in two clubs.” Despite relinquishing control of Birmingham, Sullivan and his family were still in attendance for the game against Arsenal at the Emirates yesterday.The only difference was he was watching the game from a private box owned by Terry Brady, the father of his former chief-executive Karren.“I went because one of my sons Jack is a big Birmingham City fan and the other one David is a huge Arsenal fan. And to be honest I enjoyed the game a lot more because there was no pressure and I wasn’t hanging off the edge of my seat all the time.”Despite claims that he was run out of the club by the home supporters, Sullivan has no regrets about his tenure at Birmingham. He added: “My departure was emotional. When we said goodbye for the last time at Burnley the other week there was a lot of tears. But, if I’m honest, the fans got what they want. I don’t think they ever appreciated or realised what I did for the club.“There was always a very uneasy relationship. When they rioted 18 months ago when we got relegated and I honestly feared for the safety of my family and me, I knew it was time to go.“If the relationship had been better I wouldn’t have sold the club. I admit there were times when I was very outspoken but every time it had the desire effect.“I applied good business and commercial sense and turned the fortunes of the club around. “But when they carry a vote in the local paper asking if the board should go and 90 per cent say they should, you know you’re not wanted and it’s time to get out.” Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Smudger 0 Posted October 17, 2009 [quote user="Freebie City F.C."] I''ve been approached by 14 clubs, reveals David Sullivan Published 22:45 17/10/09 By Paul Smith Recommend David Sullivan has been approached by 14 clubs desperate to secure his financial backing and business expertise since he quit Birmingham City. The 60-year-old co-owner of the club finally walked away from St Andrews after selling his shares to Chinese businessman Carson Yeung in an £80million takeover. But while Sullivan claims Blues fans never took to him and were hell-bent on driving him out, it hasn’t stopped a flood of offers from other clubs. Sullivan’s initial interest in West Ham is well documented but 13 other clubs have approached him directly. “It’s my intention to take some time off and then I will look around and see what is available,” he said. “Although I have been approached by a lot of clubs, any investment has to be right for me. “The criteria I’m looking at are a club with a decent ground, good fan base and in easy travelling distance from my home. “The major obstacles are the over-inflated prices clubs are attempting to charge and in most cases the significant debt that comes with that club. “I would say in recent years the best buys have been clubs like Southampton, Leeds, Coventry and Wolves.” Ironically, Sullivan was very close to buying a Championship club two years ago but had to pull out when Yeung failed to buy Birmingham at the first attempt when he couldn’t raise the necessary funding to complete the deal. Sullivan revealed: “I was very close to buying Ipswich Town. “I had a two-week window of opportunity but had to pull out because Yeung didn’t come up with the money and the rules prevent me from having financial interest in two clubs.” Despite relinquishing control of Birmingham, Sullivan and his family were still in attendance for the game against Arsenal at the Emirates yesterday. The only difference was he was watching the game from a private box owned by Terry Brady, the father of his former chief-executive Karren. “I went because one of my sons Jack is a big Birmingham City fan and the other one David is a huge Arsenal fan. And to be honest I enjoyed the game a lot more because there was no pressure and I wasn’t hanging off the edge of my seat all the time.” Despite claims that he was run out of the club by the home supporters, Sullivan has no regrets about his tenure at Birmingham. He added: “My departure was emotional. When we said goodbye for the last time at Burnley the other week there was a lot of tears. But, if I’m honest, the fans got what they want. I don’t think they ever appreciated or realised what I did for the club. “There was always a very uneasy relationship. When they rioted 18 months ago when we got relegated and I honestly feared for the safety of my family and me, I knew it was time to go. “If the relationship had been better I wouldn’t have sold the club. I admit there were times when I was very outspoken but every time it had the desire effect. “I applied good business and commercial sense and turned the fortunes of the club around. “But when they carry a vote in the local paper asking if the board should go and 90 per cent say they should, you know you’re not wanted and it’s time to get out.” [/quote] haha if only the Norfolk public could show such passion and Archant run such campaigns to get on our board backs... [:#] Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Joanna Grey 0 Posted October 18, 2009 Did you have to quote the whole thing smudge? It''s awful messy. Maybe Archant would run a poll if they suspected that 90% wanted Delia and MWJ out, thing is I don''t think that''s the case do you? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nutty nigel 7,352 Posted October 18, 2009 But if 90% of the Brummies wanted them out why do you want them here Smudge? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
singing canary 0 Posted October 18, 2009 because they have money .. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nutty nigel 7,352 Posted October 18, 2009 So does Marcus Evans..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Fish Seller 0 Posted October 18, 2009 [quote user="nutty nigel"]But if 90% of the Brummies wanted them out why do you want them here Smudge? [/quote]The Brummies didn''t want the Board out per se they wanted the board {who had turned BCFC into an almost entirely self funding business which ran within it''s own autonomous business structure (ie did not need or get vast subsidies from the owners each year just to balance the books)} out so that a new owner who had publicly promised huge transfer pots could get in. What you appear to get with Sullivan and Gold is a fairly sensible somewhat ''prudent''[;)] approach but fans are always going to prefer the owner who promises to plough £40m pa into transfers aren''t they? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
missing in action? 0 Posted October 18, 2009 interesting that he nearly purchased ipswich. not very far away from us really. Both a bit out of the way. and if anything we are on a better footing financially. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
singing canary 0 Posted October 18, 2009 thats what i thought , get your cheque book out sullivan ..!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
singing canary 0 Posted October 18, 2009 its a pitty they have a pants manager spending it though ... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
singing canary 0 Posted October 18, 2009 i will correct that ..its not a pitty at all ..!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nuff Said 4,938 Posted October 18, 2009 Hang on Sumdger, are you suggesting that the fans should threaten Delia and her family? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Canary_on_the Trent 0 Posted October 18, 2009 Ipswich is an hour from London where Sullivan is from, we''re 2/3 hours away from anywhere. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PLAMBERT 0 Posted October 18, 2009 think he lives in essex. So 2-2/12 hours from us. I should imagine that were closer to essex than birmingham is? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Canary_on_the Trent 0 Posted October 18, 2009 Birmingham is just a bit bigger and more commercial than Norwich, anyway he''s said he won''t be investing in a club north of the Watford gap Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tom cavendish 0 Posted October 18, 2009 From his house to Birmingham City is 120 miles (2 hours 5 mins)From his house to Norwich City is 99.4 miles (1 hour 57 mins)From his house to Ipswich is 69.5 miles (1 hour 20 mins) - and he once wanted to buy them.From his house to Delia''s is 76.1 miles (1 hour 27 mins) - if Delia was still at the club then they could have meetings between them.But he has a helicopter at home and so could easily fly to Norwich airport in just a few mins. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
singing canary 0 Posted October 18, 2009 By Air: If you were in a plane and maintained an average airspeed of 450 mph (724.1 kmh), your travelling time would be approximately 0.7 hours for Norwich to London. (includes 30 mins fannying about time) * All times are for illustrative purposes only and should not be relied upon as actual journey times. Check with your travel company for precise journey times between Norwich and London. Train times assume non stop, air times include 30 minutes for take off and landing. "he could take delias helecopter as part exchange for the club..!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Puzzy magnet 0 Posted October 19, 2009 [quote user="Canary_on_the Trent"]Birmingham is just a bit bigger and more commercial than Norwich, anyway he''s said he won''t be investing in a club north of the Watford gap[/quote]If he was going to buy Ipswich, he will be interested in us. Birmingham is not "bigger". They have never been a big club and they never will be. Two words: Aston Villa. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shefcanary 2,341 Posted October 19, 2009 B*gger if I want someone coming to Norwich who once nearly bought the Scum. Shyster! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites