Why else would you do anything?Originally Posted by Bon
Why else would you do anything?
Bridges contacts..... should be good just like when we used him to land his best mate Harry Kewell, new ownership to be wrapped up in 6-8 weeks.Jets officials fly English buyers on their radar
By JAMES GARDINER
Sept. 8, 2014, 10 p.m.
JETS management have flown to England for a series of secret meetings with potential buyers of the A-League club.
Out-going Hunter Sports chief executive Troy Palmer, Jets boss Robbie Middleby and former captain Michael Bridges left yesterday.
Owner Nathan Tinkler announced a fortnight ago that the club was for sale and he ‘‘can’t wait to get them out the door’’. English Premier League champions Manchester City recently bought A-League club Melbourne Heart, and Tinkler is hoping to garner a similar deal. The embattled coal baron is understood to be asking about $5million for the license, which is the final component of the mining tycoon’s former sports empire.
The Newcastle Herald understands that the next fortnight will be critical in determining the ownership of the club.
After initially targeting clubs in continental Europe the focus has switched to England, where Bridges has a number of contacts from his playing days in the English Premier League.
The former striker, who is now an assistant coach at the Jets, played at Leeds United, Sunderland and Newcastle United, and has close ties in football and media circles.
The Jets are believed to have also engaged their former marquee player, England international Emile Heskey, to assist with negotiations.
Heskey played for Liverpool and newly promoted Leicester.
The Jets have previously held talks with Newcastle United, who are owned by sports retailing billionaire Mike Ashley.
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In announcing the club was on the market Tinkler said: ‘‘We are talking to a number of Premier League clubs and European soccer clubs about getting involved there, and have been for a little while. These negotiations have been going on in the background, but I’d like to get those concluded. Anybody who owns an A-League club or supports an A-League club, that’s the future.’’
Football Federation Australia has been monitoring the Jets situation and are understood to be aware of the latest development.
Middleby could not be contacted yesterday.
He declined to comment on the sale last week, saying the focus was on the season ahead.
‘‘We need a big season,’’ he said. ‘‘We owe it to our fans to bring them some success and do not want any distractions.’’
Tinkler took control of the Jets in October 2010 after Con Constantine encountered financial difficulties.
Tinkler attempted to hand the franchise back to the governing body in April 2012 over a controversial acquisition fee before reaching a compromise with FFA chairman Frank Lowy.
Under Tinkler’s ownership, the Jets have increased membership to more than 10,000 and brought out Heskey as a marquee player but have not made the finals in four seasons.
The Jets are confident of surpassing last season’s membership tally of 10,200.
Their website said yesterday that they had 7254 members, with 32 days remaining before they kick off their season against Central Coast Mariners in Gosford on October 11.
Tinkler relinquished control of the Newcastle Knights three months ago.
His Patinack Farm horse racing operation, which includes 560 thoroughbreds and racing properties, will go under the hammer next month without reserve prices to settle a multimillion-dollar debt to benefactor, retail king Gerry Harvey.
http://www.theherald.com.au/story/25...-radar/?cs=303
I wonder if they flew QANTAS
The Championship Chronicles - The Jetstream's review of the 2007/08 season. www.newcastlefootball.net/chronicles
Bridges the interpreter is he?
so, article says they are trying to sell the whole league.
WOW.
newy leading the way again.
and WTF, 500 words to tell us 3 blokes are heading to england to meet with other blokes.
plus - a reminder of who Bridges played for, who Heskey plays for and that tinkler is selling.
suppose column inches need filling.
Don't forget old Oscar Wilde's quote about being talked about.
Did Michael Bridges play in the Premier League?
You heard it here first King Power to be the new owners.*
*100% Chinese whisper's
Not having a pop at Micky Bridges ahh **** it who am I kidding
Can someone explain to me why we need to send the low level assistant coach over for this?? What is this blokes qualifications in negotiation of business sale??
Surely he should actually be home preparing his NPL Yoof side for the GF this weekend. Considering he deserted them mid season to fark off to Brasil for the WC you would think the biggest day of their season he would be front and centre for them??
Funny that no one else has responded to you Member on your comments regarding Bridges little rendevouz overseas!Not having a pop at Micky Bridges ahh **** it who am I kidding
Can someone explain to me why we need to send the low level assistant coach over for this?? What is this blokes qualifications in negotiation of business sale??
Surely he should actually be home preparing his NPL Yoof side for the GF this weekend. Considering he deserted them mid season to fark off to Brasil for the WC you would think the biggest day of their season he would be front and centre for them??
You hit the nail on the head ".....why we need to send the low level assistant coach over for this??"
One has got to ask what is Bridges official role in the club?
After the goings-on last season and now this I think it's apparent him and Middleby are good mates and he therefore he pretty much has a free reign to do what he chooses. Is this the way a "Professional" football club should be run? Oh but everyone says he is such a nice guy and a top bloke so I suppose it's alright then!!
Like it or not Bridges gives the club credibility in England - EPL owners won't give a toss about Palmer and Middleby, but will listen to Bridges (if it is Newcastle) or Heskey (if it is Leicester).
The Jets need someone to sell the idea to EPL clubs....nothing better than ex EPL players etc.
Can't see the problem but will pass final judgement once we know the buyer.
Thats the way I see it. Bridges has contacts in the UK and he is there to act as a conduit. Much easier to do if you are there with the team trying to sell, than it is to do from over here.
Who is the buyer going to be, no idea.
Can imagine the blow up if he'd stayed here and Robbie and Troy report back that they couldn't get a foot in at an yelp clubs because if their lack of contacts. Jets youth grand final is clearly more important than selling the club so we might actually still exist in a few years
Yeah, but is Bridges a coach of a youth team, or international relations manager. Fact is, if he's a coach, his primary concern should be his youth side, not galavanting overseas.
Middleby Gone
Lawrie Out
Exactly. He's known over there and acts as the conduit, as you say.
Yes
Bigger picture I think. Selling club for greater stability outweighs the youth team duties IMO
The Championship Chronicles - The Jetstream's review of the 2007/08 season. www.newcastlefootball.net/chronicles
Galavanting.
Interesting choice of words.
Won't be a youth team to coach (or a first team for the current youth to play in) if the club isn't sold.
If they are using Bridges contacts, it makes sense that he is there.
Says a lot then that Middleby and Palmer need Bridges there though.
Bridges with his contacts is only needed to get the foot in the door.
Once that is done then Palmer and CEO should be able to handle things.
Surely this could be done with a conference Skype ****ing call with bridges introducing the prospective buyer to Middleby and Palmer. These two blokes should only be over there anyway to get it across the line and finalise the sale and not over their whoring the clubs POSSIBLE sale to anyone and everyone
Maybe so, but people can be real dicks on the internet, and totally different in person.
Bhahahaha, anyone thinking Bridges makes one lick of difference to getting this deal done.
Jets: "Hey you guys, buy this shitty team, Mick Bridges is all about it"
Billionaire: " yeah awesome please take all my money".
Bhahahahahaha.
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