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Post by womble on Feb 21, 2016 17:58:26 GMT
For making us an attractive proposition to a potential purchaser who has the capability of pushing us forward. If you borrow £20k to do your house up and it adds £100k to the price then people call that an investment rather than a debt. When Higgs took over we were a club with overpaid mercenaries just ready to drop out of div1. We are now a club on the rise albeit from a league below - but with an investor on board who will deliver the new ground that NH has done so much work on. I dont know the guy so cant say whether I like or dislike him as an individual. I do know however that he offered to resign when we were relegated and actively canvased people to take over but no-one would take us on. He could have abandoned ship then but instead guaranteed more money to get us back into the league. Higgs took over Rovers when we just got promoted in 2007 and with a healthy bank balance!! His leadership has been a damn right embarrassment from that day to Friday. The End. The problem with looking at the NH start point, is that it was an unrepresentative one. We had the JPT and Wembley playoff final in 2007 followed by only the third FA cup quarter final in our history and the sale of Lambert. These glossed over the fact that we were miles off break even under normal circumstances. The necessity of redeveloping the Mem or moving to UWE was pursued possibly too single mindedly, and contributed to our fall out of the league. In many ways NH was very unlucky, the combination of TRASH and changing shopping patterns was unfortunate, but his stubborn streak did him no favours. |
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Post by Topper Gas on Feb 21, 2016 18:11:04 GMT
I know it's going over old ground but didn't MT & KS aheady have a good plan in place to develop the Mem in place for NH?
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Post by Gastroenteritis on Feb 21, 2016 18:31:39 GMT
What are we thanking him for...? Being down in Dorset I have never been in the know so all my info comes from talking to people on match days and other stuff. Have never joined in the consortium threads because I have nothing that could inform anyone but with NH going I think I would like to thank him for ... Doing a good job in last 18 months to support team and DC in getting us back in the league. Where do people think that money for loans, players came from? There has been no magic wand with money, the guy invested heavily in making sure we are back in league. With the c*** flying about in Summer 14 he could just have walked away (yes I know he would have lost a lot of his investment if he had but the bottom line was he didn't). He has supported DC well this season and helped get players who have pushed us up into top half of table. Yes he was in charge when we went out of league but everyone seems to agree that Ward had money to get players in and loans he just didn't. Not sure that was Higgs fault. ... Keeping his nerve over the past year and working to get the deal he did. He said the UWE would be built and perhaps he will be proved correct. After all there is info out there about how Sainsbury's have shafted everyone else so NH wasn't alone in thinking he was let down. I guess everyone thought they had a watertight contract and many coucils with more resources than Rovers were all shafted. With all the rumours that have been flying about he has maintained a low profile and just, on this occasion, kept to the objective of selling Rovers to the best bidder. (This is my reading if the situation, don't know if we will ever know all the ins and outs of it). ... Guess others will point at missed opportunities over how Rovers have been run and missed chance in merchandising, branding, income streams, means of communication, scouting and club infrastructure and they may be right but although rich he wasn't mega rich and that was probably a glass ceiling on what we could and couldn't do. I certainly wouldn't disagree with them over these issues because we were all able to see the faults but onwards and upwards! Anyway others will have their own opinions and I respect those but these are just my personal thoughts and I think we do need to acknowledge and even thank him for what he has done. (Now I wait for the vast majority to disagree but hey ho!....) UTG!! problem is some people won't be happy until his head is put on a stick. Yeah his tenure was sh** but like you said he was putting his hand in his own pocket and wanted success. It is what it is. |
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Post by warehamgas on Feb 21, 2016 19:03:34 GMT
What are we thanking him for...? Being down in Dorset I have never been in the know so all my info comes from talking to people on match days and other stuff. Have never joined in the consortium threads because I have nothing that could inform anyone but with NH going I think I would like to thank him for ... Doing a good job in last 18 months to support team and DC in getting us back in the league. Where do people think that money for loans, players came from? There has been no magic wand with money, the guy invested heavily in making sure we are back in league. With the c*** flying about in Summer 14 he could just have walked away (yes I know he would have lost a lot of his investment if he had but the bottom line was he didn't). He has supported DC well this season and helped get players who have pushed us up into top half of table. Yes he was in charge when we went out of league but everyone seems to agree that Ward had money to get players in and loans he just didn't. Not sure that was Higgs fault. ... Keeping his nerve over the past year and working to get the deal he did. He said the UWE would be built and perhaps he will be proved correct. After all there is info out there about how Sainsbury's have shafted everyone else so NH wasn't alone in thinking he was let down. I guess everyone thought they had a watertight contract and many coucils with more resources than Rovers were all shafted. With all the rumours that have been flying about he has maintained a low profile and just, on this occasion, kept to the objective of selling Rovers to the best bidder. (This is my reading if the situation, don't know if we will ever know all the ins and outs of it). ... Guess others will point at missed opportunities over how Rovers have been run and missed chance in merchandising, branding, income streams, means of communication, scouting and club infrastructure and they may be right but although rich he wasn't mega rich and that was probably a glass ceiling on what we could and couldn't do. I certainly wouldn't disagree with them over these issues because we were all able to see the faults but onwards and upwards! Anyway others will have their own opinions and I respect those but these are just my personal thoughts and I think we do need to acknowledge and even thank him for what he has done. (Now I wait for the vast majority to disagree but hey ho!....) UTG!! problem is some people won't be happy until his head is put on a stick. Yeah his tenure was sh** but like you said he was putting his hand in his own pocket and wanted success. It is what it is. Agree 100%. You put it better and shorter! UTG!! |
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Post by gastropod on Feb 21, 2016 19:09:07 GMT
Without NH the UWE stadium deal wouldn't have happened.
Without the UWE stadium plans in place the Jordanians wouldn't have been interested in a takeover.
Therefore "Thank you" Nick - perhaps they'll name a UWE stand after you.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2016 19:45:05 GMT
Without NH the UWE stadium deal wouldn't have happened. Without the UWE stadium plans in place the Jordanians wouldn't have been interested in a takeover. Therefore "Thank you" Nick - perhaps they'll name a UWE stand after you. 1..The UWE would have happened even if I or you were chairman at the time. 2..How do you know that? It may well be that the Mem has planning that took their eye as well as the UWE? 3..Therefore, thanks for trying but you were out of your depth and no one threw you a life belt. |
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Post by Hugo the Elder on Feb 21, 2016 21:05:42 GMT
What are we thanking him for...? Being down in Dorset I have never been in the know so all my info comes from talking to people on match days and other stuff. Have never joined in the consortium threads because I have nothing that could inform anyone but with NH going I think I would like to thank him for ... Doing a good job in last 18 months to support team and DC in getting us back in the league. Where do people think that money for loans, players came from? There has been no magic wand with money, the guy invested heavily in making sure we are back in league. With the c*** flying about in Summer 14 he could just have walked away (yes I know he would have lost a lot of his investment if he had but the bottom line was he didn't). He has supported DC well this season and helped get players who have pushed us up into top half of table. Yes he was in charge when we went out of league but everyone seems to agree that Ward had money to get players in and loans he just didn't. Not sure that was Higgs fault. ... Keeping his nerve over the past year and working to get the deal he did. He said the UWE would be built and perhaps he will be proved correct. After all there is info out there about how Sainsbury's have shafted everyone else so NH wasn't alone in thinking he was let down. I guess everyone thought they had a watertight contract and many coucils with more resources than Rovers were all shafted. With all the rumours that have been flying about he has maintained a low profile and just, on this occasion, kept to the objective of selling Rovers to the best bidder. (This is my reading if the situation, don't know if we will ever know all the ins and outs of it). ... Guess others will point at missed opportunities over how Rovers have been run and missed chance in merchandising, branding, income streams, means of communication, scouting and club infrastructure and they may be right but although rich he wasn't mega rich and that was probably a glass ceiling on what we could and couldn't do. I certainly wouldn't disagree with them over these issues because we were all able to see the faults but onwards and upwards! Anyway others will have their own opinions and I respect those but these are just my personal thoughts and I think we do need to acknowledge and even thank him for what he has done. (Now I wait for the vast majority to disagree but hey ho!....) UTG!! problem is some people won't be happy until his head is put on a stick. Yeah his tenure was sh** but like you said he was putting his hand in his own pocket and wanted success. It is what it is. How much do you think Nick is out of pocket as a result of having all his loans repaid? Not being a smart arse, genuine question. |
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Post by Gastroenteritis on Feb 21, 2016 21:57:46 GMT
problem is some people won't be happy until his head is put on a stick. Yeah his tenure was sh** but like you said he was putting his hand in his own pocket and wanted success. It is what it is. How much do you think Nick is out of pocket as a result of having all his loans repaid? Not being a smart arse, genuine question. Let's say for arguments sake he got back all his money that he has ever put in which could well be the case. But, he would have put the money in over time with no emediadte return. The business is making a loss so every time he gets the check book out it adds to the risk of his personal loss. he purchased the shares that gave him a majority stake and in the beginning he would not have been guaranteed this exit strategy. I think we would be a bit naive to think he hasn't put his hand in his own pocket to support this club, likewise to believe he's walked away with nothing. I do believe he had the best intensions for this club that's all. |
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Post by Strange Gas on Feb 21, 2016 22:01:51 GMT
problem is some people won't be happy until his head is put on a stick. Yeah his tenure was sh** but like you said he was putting his hand in his own pocket and wanted success. It is what it is. How much do you think Nick is out of pocket as a result of having all his loans repaid? Not being a smart arse, genuine question. I'd love to see the actual structure of the deal. Curiosity, nothing more. I bear no grudge and actually think he may have done us all a favour as well as helping himself |
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Post by Hugo the Elder on Feb 21, 2016 22:03:50 GMT
How much do you think Nick is out of pocket as a result of having all his loans repaid? Not being a smart arse, genuine question. I'd love to see the actual structure of the deal. Curiosity, nothing more. I bear no grudge and actually think he may have done us all a favour as well as helping himself I dont have a problem with him helping himself. What gets on my cart is when people go on about... Ah, sod it I can't be bothered. Hes gone. |
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Post by newmarketgas on Feb 21, 2016 22:07:06 GMT
Don't worry Hugo, some will be thinking the same about the new guy soon.
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Post by warehamgas on Feb 21, 2016 22:31:41 GMT
problem is some people won't be happy until his head is put on a stick. Yeah his tenure was sh** but like you said he was putting his hand in his own pocket and wanted success. It is what it is. How much do you think Nick is out of pocket as a result of having all his loans repaid? Not being a smart arse, genuine question. Yeah, you are probably correct but if he hadn't managed to see the sell through to the end then I guess it could have ended with us going bust, into admin and him losing all the money he put in. Guess he would have got most of it paid back as they would have been registered as debts but tbh I don't know. I bet he won't recover the sleepless nights!! Sure you prob know a lot more than I do but think he has done a pretty good job over last 18 months. Not perfect but no one wanted to take it on in Summer2014. As I said most would disagree with my original post but that's why it's a forum, lots of opinions! Whatever, UTG! |
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Post by gastropod on Feb 22, 2016 8:05:44 GMT
Without NH the UWE stadium deal wouldn't have happened. Without the UWE stadium plans in place the Jordanians wouldn't have been interested in a takeover. Therefore "Thank you" Nick - perhaps they'll name a UWE stand after you. 1..The UWE would have happened even if I or you were chairman at the time. 2..How do you know that? It may well be that the Mem has planning that took their eye as well as the UWE? 3..Therefore, thanks for trying but you were out of your depth and no one threw you a life belt. 1. How do you know that? Getting a new stadium built in Bristol is not easy... ask Lord Pantsdown of Guernsey. 2. New stadium is a necessity - listen to the Al-Qadi interviews 3. So, yes, Thanks Nick. |
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Post by gashead1981 on Feb 22, 2016 8:46:45 GMT
I know it's going over old ground but didn't MT & KS aheady have a good plan in place to develop the Mem in place for NH? I dont think so. The plans were full of flaws with parking and space and was dependent on various student accomdation schemes all of which fell flat around the time of the credit crunch. It was hardly a sustainable plan. The stadium was limited to 18000 and if it was redeveloped it wouldn't have given us the infrastructure to move forward a massive amount. It was better than what we have, but we would have needed the UWE style stadia eventually. |
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Post by nsgas on Feb 22, 2016 9:12:06 GMT
If I owned a company with £8-10m of debt that owned an asset worth £12-15m, I wouldn't sell that company in return for the debt being repaid, I'd want to be paid the equity as well. Unless Nick Higgs is a total fool he would have too. The likelihood is that the former directors have made a healthy profit on the deal.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2016 9:21:00 GMT
I know it's going over old ground but didn't MT & KS aheady have a good plan in place to develop the Mem in place for NH? I dont think so. The plans were full of flaws with parking and space and was dependent on various student accomdation schemes all of which fell flat around the time of the credit crunch. It was hardly a sustainable plan. The stadium was limited to 18000 and if it was redeveloped it wouldn't have given us the infrastructure to move forward a massive amount. It was better than what we have, but we would have needed the UWE style stadia eventually. But it was Nick Higgs who progressed those plans to full planning consent and negotiated the deal with Opal so they must have been the only option at one stage. I agree the UWE option was a better one and they brought that to the table after being offered the student accomodation at The Mem. |
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Post by Congas on Feb 22, 2016 9:21:58 GMT
Like anyone in his position he has made a few poor judgement calls but credit due he has not walked away from the club but put in the position to expect the club will move on I hope everyone will give him the respect he deserves He came in because of his knowledge of the building industry and he didn't fail us there, despite not getting it over the line. He was a newcomer to the football world but was keen and quick to learn. Writing people off at the first mistake they make is really quite pitiful, but he just stuck with it and got through it. That's a big person in my eyes. |
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Post by pucklegas on Feb 22, 2016 9:22:12 GMT
He will be remembered by me as the man in charge when we were relegated from the football league, got us back which was excellent, but failing to get the contract that they could not wriggle out of it, being the main memory, poignant that he failed to show on Saturday.
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Post by thomas on Feb 22, 2016 9:26:38 GMT
I for one will be a little sad to see the bloke go. I saw a man, on the whole, trying to do what was best for Rovers. Got to thank him for stepping aside. I know everything in this deal will have come down to £££££££. Exciting but apprehensive times ahead.. edit: braced for more negative than positive replies Thanks Nick. |
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Post by markczgas on Feb 22, 2016 14:24:04 GMT
Don't worry Hugo, some will be thinking the same about the new guy soon. Love that positivity oh smug one ! |
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