ALK CAPITAL ANNOUNCES STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIP WITH DUNDEE FC

[South West Claret.]

Can we just get this straight once and for all - Dyche did not leave us with an ageing squad - it was the board who refused to invest in players citing Covid as a reason while others may ponder other reasons. Dyche just did not have the funds to replace the players he had who were one game away from surviving in the PL.

The talent he left behind earned over £70 million in the transfer market and the remainder played a key role in us winning the Championship.

I couldn’t agree more.

[Burnley1989]

This threads mad!

[South West Claret.]

In what respect?

[Papabendi]

Exactly

CT. A thought to ponder. Do you really think it is productive to have a dig at Alan Pace at every opportunity from the safe haven of your website? Isn't the objective to find ways to work with the club meaningfully, even if there are some things it conducts that you disagree with?

[Goliath]

I can't believe that there are people who actually think BFC is a Fan's club. It isn't itis a commercial enterprise out to wring every penny out of people who believe they are supporting “their” club.
Evidence the price of a bine and hot has apparently increased and the catering in the BL is still naff.
But the good news is, hospitality (where the club financial support is) has improved immensely: would recommend it to everyone.

You really think i meant in a business sense?
Its a fans clubs in the sense that we are the one constsnt. When Pace goes we are the ones that remain and possibly pick up the pieces. Without the fans we wouldnt be anywhere near where we are, thats why the community aspect is so important.

[ClaretSam]

speaking to the Burnley Express is a waste of everyones time based on their current football offering.

however speak to local fans is something that Pace does well, i've had several conversations with him since he's been on the club, same for my kids. he will always stop and engage. seems a nice guy

Agreed.

Shame it seems mr Boden can’t get over this and always likes to have a sly dig on twitter or his new podcast.

[boyyanno]

Does anyone care if Alan Pace says hello to fans pre match day? Makes me cringe that people judge the bloke off that as oppose to how he runs the club.

I don't like him because of a number of things, including the way he used the BFC vote the other month. I guess it doesn't matter to some as long as he doffs his cap at you in the street.

[Chester Perry]

CT. A thought to ponder. Do you really think it is productive to have a dig at Alan Pace at every opportunity from the safe haven of your website? Isn't the objective to find ways to work with the club meaningfully, even if there are some things it conducts that you disagree with?

interesting you don't think that CT has not made efforts to engage with the club since the takeover in his various roles when on many occasions he has clearly stated that he has and how on this very board over the time they have been involved

[Papabendi]

interesting you don't think that CT has not made efforts to engage with the club since the takeover in his various roles when on many occasions he has clearly stated that he has and how on this very board over the time they have been involved

Well, I am not actually saying that. My point is the onus might be on CT and others to find ways to make it work rather than give up and simply criticise.

[Cooclaret]

We’ve sent two, possibly three if Mellon goes, young players on loan to get SPL. In what way is it pointless?

Because this is another proxy for people to hammer the current owners of BFC

[Cooclaret]

That’s fine but he won’t speak to supporters groups nor will the club despite PL requirements

Have those parties done something to upset the balance?

[Cooclaret]

CT. A thought to ponder. Do you really think it is productive to have a dig at Alan Pace at every opportunity from the safe haven of your website? Isn't the objective to find ways to work with the club meaningfully, even if there are some things it conducts that you disagree with?

Change of ownership has brought a new way of working to the previous regime.

[JohnMcGreal]

We’ve sent two, possibly three if Mellon goes, young players on loan to get SPL. In what way is it pointless?

They were already out on loan and I doubt we'd have any trouble loaning them out elsewhere.

I just don't see what the club gains from this. It looks like a placeholder for ALK until the rules around multi-club ownership change, if they change at all.

Loaning a few young players there is just a way of justifying it in the immediate term.

[JohnMcGreal]

Because this is another proxy for people to hammer the current owners of BFC

Not really, but it would be nice if they could concentrate on getting the basics right at the club they actually own before they start looking around for their next acquisition.

[Vegas Claret]

interesting you don't think that CT has not made efforts to engage with the club since the takeover in his various roles when on many occasions he has clearly stated that he has and how on this very board over the time they have been involved

to be fair CP, he doesn't say that at all. He's making a perfectly normal and valid point then asking a question. You and I know CT has made efforts towards the club as we have read his posts but there's nothing to suggest PapaBendi has.

edit: Either way, I think it's foolish that the club don't engage with the supporters clubs

[TsarBomba]

Not really, but it would be nice if they could concentrate on getting the basics right at the club they actually own before they start looking around for their next acquisition.

Nail on head.

The longer ALK are here, the longer they show their true colours

We’re just a glorified cattle market, with the aim of flogging players for as much profit as we can.

And the fans are an inconvenience.

[Vegas Claret]

Nail on head.

The longer ALK are here, the longer they show their true colours

We’re just a glorified cattle market, with the aim of flogging players for as much profit as we can.

And the fans are an inconvenience.

so pretty much like every club then ?

[Nori1958]

Nail on head.

The longer ALK are here, the longer they show their true colours

We’re just a glorified cattle market, with the aim of flogging players for as much profit as we can.

And the fans are an inconvenience.

Their true colours? In what respect?

[CharlieinNewMexico]

Their true colours? In what respect?

When people make vague statements like that Nori, they’re never wrong. They can always fall back on “welp, they haven’t shown their true colors yet”. It’s a not very clever way of inventing these “true colors “ even though they may not exist, because you can always just say they haven’t shown them yet. 30,40,50 years later when we’re all in our graves and our grandchildren are supporters, they’ll still be saying it, waiting…waiting

[Vegas Claret]

Dundee 2-0 up at Hearts, assist for Costelloe

[TPClaret]

Nail on head.

The longer ALK are here, the longer they show their true colours

We’re just a glorified cattle market, with the aim of flogging players for as much profit as we can.

And the fans are an inconvenience.

They have already said that is the business model. We don’t have a billionaire owner or huge fanbase. Only way we can make serious money.

[Nori1958]

They have already said that is the business model. We don’t have a billionaire owner or huge fanbase. Only way we can make serious money.

We did it in the 50s, 60s and 70s....nothing new

[gandhisflipflop]

We did it in the 50s, 60s and 70s....nothing new

We were a local club for local people….a lot of the fan base are still very much the league of gentlemen and hate change.

[Paul Waine]

[quote=TsarBomba post_id=2263406 time=1706041739 user_id=2603

We’re just a glorified cattle market, with the aim of flogging players for as much profit as we can.

And the fans are an inconvenience.
[/quote]

Isn't that what all the players want, play for the club that pays them the highest wage?

[Steve-Harpers-perm]

Nail on head.

The longer ALK are here, the longer they show their true colours

We’re just a glorified cattle market, with the aim of flogging players for as much profit as we can.

And the fans are an inconvenience.

How is selling players for profit any different to any past Burnley board of directors?

[Westleigh]

How is selling players for profit any different to any past Burnley board of directors?

I think your way off what the likes of Bob Lord did ,and I know he was a bit of an old grouch ,but as a rule he’d sell one player a year to balance the books,and build an odd stand and ok did make a profit because 90% of the players came up through the ranks .

[TsarBomba]

Their true colours? In what respect?

Disdain towards the 95% of fans that aren’t in corporate hospitality.

- Where are we at with the redevelopment of the CFS? 3 years ago, Doug Metcalfe did an interview saying plans (of some description) were in the pipeline? Where are they?

- Where are we at with safe standing? Brought in over 7 years ago now. We have thousands of fans standing in seating which is against health and safety. We’re perfectly fine with standing in the CFS, but if you stand in the JHL, you’ll get banned.

- Woeful catering.

- hospitality fiasco that culminated in ugly scenes against Everton.

- Membership scheme

- disingenuous attempt to improve the atmosphere at home games which was nothing more than a money making exercise.

That’s just off the top of my head, and we have CT saying there’s a refusal to speak with fans/press that I wasn’t aware of.

Taken in isolation, some of them are minor, but together, they are indicative of what I think is a very dismissive attitude towards the 95% of us that don’t pay hospitality.

There’s no interest in improving anything that isn’t going to generate money, and quickly.

You could very easily argue that we’ve gone backwards in some areas, which is impressive.

And I’m perfectly aware that we’re in the business of selling players for a profit. But I must have missed when in the past we signed 35 first team players in 18 months.

I want ALK to do well, of course, because I want the club to do well, but this ‘model’ isn’t for me.

[CoolClaret]

They have already said that is the business model. We don’t have a billionaire owner or huge fanbase. Only way we can make serious money.

I must have been dreaming the past decade then

[Goliath]

Disdain towards the 95% of fans that aren’t in corporate hospitality.

- Where are we at with the redevelopment of the CFS? 3 years ago, Doug Metcalfe did an interview saying plans (of some description) were in the pipeline? Where are they?

- Where are we at with safe standing? Brought in over 7 years ago now. We have thousands of fans standing in seating which is against health and safety. We’re perfectly fine with standing in the CFS, but if you stand in the JHL, you’ll get banned.

- Woeful catering.

- hospitality fiasco that culminated in ugly scenes against Everton.

- Membership scheme

- disingenuous attempt to improve the atmosphere at home games which was nothing more than a money making exercise.

That’s just off the top of my head, and we have CT saying there’s a refusal to speak with fans/press that I wasn’t aware of.

Taken in isolation, some of them are minor, but together, they are indicative of what I think is a very dismissive attitude towards the 95% of us that don’t pay hospitality.

There’s no interest in improving anything that isn’t going to generate money, and quickly.

You could very easily argue that we’ve gone backwards in some areas, which is impressive.

And I’m perfectly aware that we’re in the business of selling players for a profit. But I must have missed when in the past we signed 35 first team players in 18 months.

I want ALK to do well, of course, because I want the club to do well, but this ‘model’ isn’t for me.

Dont forget the disrespectful behaviour regarding the player boards that people had worked hard in getting made and put up around the ground. I know its small fry but that showed 'true colours' more than anything i think.
I thought they were a fantastic addition and to say theres nowhere to put them really is a nonsense.

In fact im trying to think of something theyve done thats benefited the regular match day fan where the primary objective wasn't to make more money, the pre game light show? Thats about all i can think of so far. Not sure thats really a benefit though.

[ClaretPete001]

I think your way off what the likes of Bob Lord did ,and I know he was a bit of an old grouch ,but as a rule he’d sell one player a year to balance the books,and build an odd stand and ok did make a profit because 90% of the players came up through the ranks .

He also did it when there was a maximum wage and in the period just after. By the mid 70s the model had gone and all the Lancashire clubs began to struggle.

[Nori1958]

Disdain towards the 95% of fans that aren’t in corporate hospitality.

- Where are we at with the redevelopment of the CFS? 3 years ago, Doug Metcalfe did an interview saying plans (of some description) were in the pipeline? Where are they?

- Where are we at with safe standing? Brought in over 7 years ago now. We have thousands of fans standing in seating which is against health and safety. We’re perfectly fine with standing in the CFS, but if you stand in the JHL, you’ll get banned.

- Woeful catering.

- hospitality fiasco that culminated in ugly scenes against Everton.

- Membership scheme

- disingenuous attempt to improve the atmosphere at home games which was nothing more than a money making exercise.

That’s just off the top of my head, and we have CT saying there’s a refusal to speak with fans/press that I wasn’t aware of.

Taken in isolation, some of them are minor, but together, they are indicative of what I think is a very dismissive attitude towards the 95% of us that don’t pay hospitality.

There’s no interest in improving anything that isn’t going to generate money, and quickly.

You could very easily argue that we’ve gone backwards in some areas, which is impressive.

And I’m perfectly aware that we’re in the business of selling players for a profit. But I must have missed when in the past we signed 35 first team players in 18 months.

I want ALK to do well, of course, because I want the club to do well, but this ‘model’ isn’t for me.

Coming from a poster I respect, I do find some of the complaints rather strange, and not sure how they fit with them "showing their true colours"
As someone living down down south it would be interesting how many games you get to, to be able to reach some of your conclusionsl

I don't know where you get that distain is shown to 95% of fans, that's not my experience, or the people I attend games with.

Safe standing and the development of the CFS I would suggest go hand in hand, and are not an easy thing to do overnight...how much do you spend on an aging stand?

Catering has never been the best, there were plenty of complaints about it under the previous ownership

I agree with the Everton fiasco, but the same arrangements were in place for the previous games without the problems, so some blame has to be aimed at the Everton fans, though I agree allowing away fans to sit in the home ends is not the best idea

The membership scheme was a strange one, but is in operation at many clubs. I doubt it has had any effect on fans getting tickets as per normal though

The atmosphere needs improvement, though none of the ideas put in place have improved it, it's never the best when you're losing every game. The same owners were in charge last season and the atmosphere was fine. As a money making exercise iam not sure that worked.

The whole of the outside of the ground has been improved to the benefit of the fans, as has some of the inside, iam sure our disabled fans would agree

We had to sign players after relegation otherwise we wouldn't have had a team, but like most things everybody was happy with it last season, but suddenly this season it's a bad model.

I don't disagree they have made mistakes, some of which get blown out of all proportion on here, but which owners haven't made mistakes? iam not sure we have gone backwards in many areas.

I don't know the situation with the supporters groups as we only get one side, but I see articles in the press, and yesterday, when there was something to say there was an interview with the local BBC station online. When was the last time you saw that from United's owners, or Liverpool,or rovers or many other clubs who's fans complain about lack of contact from the owner.

Like you I obviously want them to succeed, as do they, but without some billionaire coming in and spending money, I don't see how we can generate the money needed to compete, even at championship level without player profit.

[claretonthecoast1882]

It makes you wonder if it is a Burnley thing or do all clubs have fans moaning the owner doesn't speak to them.

I never had a chat with Mike Garlick but somehow coped, clearly there are some who have had the nose put out of joint by the new owners but maybe they should realise they are a supporter and don't have a divine right anything different that the rest of supporters.

I don't agree with having the FAB speak on behalf of all fans but it wasn't open for anyone to apply, Personally couldn't imagine anything worse than sitting on one of those much better things to do but for those who wanted to or wants chats with the owner I hope they all applied.

It is very tiresome when anything comes out the club we have some who can't move on from the local club for local people attitude and look to bitch and moan. It comes across like some dumped teenager.

[Guller Bull]

I can feel another storm coming!

[jrgbfc]

They have already said that is the business model. We don’t have a billionaire owner or huge fanbase. Only way we can make serious money.

If we do make serious money isn't it likely to just disappear into the pockets of our "investors"? It's hard to imagine they'll want to spend money on things like upgrading the cricket field stand, for example.

[TPClaret]

If we do make serious money isn't it likely to just disappear into the pockets of our "investors"? It's hard to imagine they'll want to spend money on things like upgrading the cricket field stand, for example.

Yes that’s why they are investors. You can’t argue they haven’t spent. If they were taking a lot of money out and putting nothing back in I’d be worried. Fans were crying out for investment when we literally spent nothing under the last owners in the last few years they were in charge.

[TsarBomba]

It makes you wonder if it is a Burnley thing or do all clubs have fans moaning the owner doesn't speak to them.

I never had a chat with Mike Garlick but somehow coped, clearly there are some who have had the nose put out of joint by the new owners but maybe they should realise they are a supporter and don't have a divine right anything different that the rest of supporters.

I don't agree with having the FAB speak on behalf of all fans but it wasn't open for anyone to apply, Personally couldn't imagine anything worse than sitting on one of those much better things to do but for those who wanted to or wants chats with the owner I hope they all applied.

It is very tiresome when anything comes out the club we have some who can't move on from the local club for local people attitude and look to bitch and moan. It comes across like some dumped teenager.

No issue with foreign ownership. I’m certainly not one of the local club for local people brigade. I want us to be the best we can be, and in my criticism, I am separating what we have done on the field with off it.

We have largely got things right on the field, although the huge turnover of players has proven detrimental and has largely resulted in where we are now this season.

But with this ownership group at the helm, I can only come to the conclusion that they don’t care whether it’s 20k home fans, 20k away fans, or 20k Japanese tourists occupying the Turf, as long as someone is stumping up the cash. And this is reflected in their decision making on a number of issues.

[randomclaret2]

No issue with foreign ownership. I’m certainly not one of the local club for local people brigade. I want us to be the best we can be, and in my criticism, I am separating what we have done on the field with off it.

We have largely got things right on the field, although the huge turnover of players has proven detrimental and has largely resulted in where we are now this season.

But with this ownership group at the helm, I can only come to the conclusion that they don’t care whether it’s 20k home fans, 20k away fans, or 20k Japanese tourists occupying the Turf, as long as someone is stumping up the cash. And this is reflected in their decision making on a number of issues.

Oh for the days of 2,000 gates, when by and large the 2,000 were at least locals

[claretonthecoast1882]

No issue with foreign ownership. I’m certainly not one of the local club for local people brigade. I want us to be the best we can be, and in my criticism, I am separating what we have done on the field with off it.

We have largely got things right on the field, although the huge turnover of players has proven detrimental and has largely resulted in where we are now this season.

But with this ownership group at the helm, I can only come to the conclusion that they don’t care whether it’s 20k home fans, 20k away fans, or 20k Japanese tourists occupying the Turf, as long as someone is stumping up the cash. And this is reflected in their decision making on a number of issues.

What have they done different to the previous owners regards who was in the ground ?

Did we have away fans in the home ends under them ? Yes is the answer. Seems a bit contradictory to one minute say you aren't in the local club brigade then make a comment about how they don't care where the people in the ground come from

[Papabendi]

Disdain towards the 95% of fans that aren’t in corporate hospitality.

- Where are we at with the redevelopment of the CFS? 3 years ago, Doug Metcalfe did an interview saying plans (of some description) were in the pipeline? Where are they?

- Where are we at with safe standing? Brought in over 7 years ago now. We have thousands of fans standing in seating which is against health and safety. We’re perfectly fine with standing in the CFS, but if you stand in the JHL, you’ll get banned.

- Woeful catering.

- hospitality fiasco that culminated in ugly scenes against Everton.

- Membership scheme

- disingenuous attempt to improve the atmosphere at home games which was nothing more than a money making exercise.

That’s just off the top of my head, and we have CT saying there’s a refusal to speak with fans/press that I wasn’t aware of.

Taken in isolation, some of them are minor, but together, they are indicative of what I think is a very dismissive attitude towards the 95% of us that don’t pay hospitality.

There’s no interest in improving anything that isn’t going to generate money, and quickly.

You could very easily argue that we’ve gone backwards in some areas, which is impressive.

And I’m perfectly aware that we’re in the business of selling players for a profit. But I must have missed when in the past we signed 35 first team players in 18 months.

I want ALK to do well, of course, because I want the club to do well, but this ‘model’ isn’t for me.

Very few of these issue were being discussed this time last year.

[forzagranata]

The biggest issue with Pace and ALK Capital is that they have loaded millions of pounds of debt on to the club, taking out loans secured against our stadium and training ground.

The consequences of things 'going wrong' are extremely serious for the club.

[Nori1958]

The biggest issue with Pace and ALK Capital is that they have loaded millions of pounds of debt on to the club, taking out loans secured against our stadium and training ground.

The consequences of things 'going wrong' are extremely serious for the club.

They have bought assets with that money, which negates the chances of things going wrong somewhat

[Chester Perry]

They have bought assets with that money, which negates the chances of things going wrong somewhat

Technically, and according to the latest published information the assets they bought with that money were shares in the club, the lender and the amount owed has changed a few times, but the money was used for the purpose described - unless of course ALK/VSL have repaid that £65m debt to the club, though it is unlikely we will find out if that has happened for some time

[Nori1958]

Technically, and according to the latest published information the assets they bought with that money were shares in the club, the lender and the amount owed has changed a few times, but the money was used for the purpose described - unless of course ALK/VSL have repaid that £65m debt to the club, though it is unlikely we will find out if that has happened for some time

I meant players

[aggi]

They have bought assets with that money, which negates the chances of things going wrong somewhat

Technically true I guess. They bought Burnley Football Club.

I meant players

Not players.

[aggi]

Keyes Capital have a website that makes EMA Equity Partners look good
http://www.keyescap.com/

[Chester Perry]

I meant players

I knew exactly what you meant, which is why I posted.

[CharlieinNewMexico]

Oh for the days of 2,000 gates, when by and large the 2,000 were at least locals

And you could walk up and there was never a queue for your Stimorol. Good times.

[forzagranata]

If there were some guarantee that buying footballers and selling them automatically makes money, then I guess that would be a reassuring point.

[boyyanno]

I meant players

You'd still be wrong.

Aggi and Chester have rightly pointed this out.

It's scary that someone who is so vocal in his support for these guys can be so wrong about such an important thing to be honest.

[Nori1958]

If there were some guarantee that buying footballers and selling them automatically makes money, then I guess that would be a reassuring point.

The original point made by the poster was suggesting things could go horribly wrong because of the debt
Without going into forensic detail I would suggest the players value outweighs the debt, should, in some strange circumstances, somebody comes calling for all the money immediately