Comments on: Andrew Ellis – is Hinshelwood the motivation for buying Rangers Football Club?

By: TheQueensXI

TheQueensXI — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:48:33 +0000

Good points Steven. We cant know for certain who will be the backers of the deal, but it is widely believed now that the backers are funding it because of the proposed developments at Hinshelwood.

I stand corrected on the Luton comments, i took that from a source elsewhere, and glad you cleared that up.

Prior to this article, there wasn’t a single story anywhere about Hinshelwood or property development being part of the deal.

Two days later, it was in many papers that the council confirmed that the club had been in discussions regarding the land. Im surprised they hadnt thought of it first.

So at least I got something right!

By: Steven Rowan

Steven Rowan — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:08:38 +0000

Just to back up the above assertions I’ve made, please feel free to read the contents of thie following weblink, and decide for yourself whether I have a basis for my assertion:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5142202.stm

The link is a profile on Lakshmi Mittal.

By: Steven Rowan

Steven Rowan — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:22:20 +0000

Guys – this is all “smoke and mirrors”.. It’s got little or nothing to do with Hinshelwood, but I think a lot to do with acquiring MIH by the guy who I think is actually financing this deal – one LAKSHMI MITTAL!! Look him up on Wikipaedia, and FORBES.COM. Whilst it is nice that RFC may be target for a billionaire, looking for a “toy” to spend his wealth on, if this guy is in the dealings here then it is MOST DEFINITELY A BAAAAAAAAD MOVE!! This may come across to you all as the rantings of a madman (well, for my sins, I support celtic.. LOL!!), but I now live in London, well away from all that sectarian garbage, and I like to think I now see the “bigger picture” with regards to Scottish Football. I wish RFC well in getting their financial problems sorted out, but this is most definitely not your salvation!! Trust me on it!!

By: Steven Rowan

Steven Rowan — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:58:52 +0000

Firstly, the above article cites LUTON AIRPORT as the proposed “new home” of QPR had Ellis been succesful in his bid. This is wrong – it was Heathrow airport that was proposed.

Now, whilst you “bears” are being familiarised with this guy’s name, please note that (in my opinion, anyway) Ellis is only a “front-man” for the consortium. The real money-man will probably be revealed as one Mr Lakshmi Mittal, a steel magnate who was on the QPR board at the same time as Robert Ellis (Andrew’s dad). Since David Murray and indeed, MIH are in hawk to the banks, it is likely that Mittal is financing this bid merely as a “sweetener” in acquiring MIH from SDM. RFC is merely the “free toy in the kiddy’s comic”, and within 5 years, RFC will be offloaded to the highest bidder, thus it will seem like “Grounhog Day” all over again. Murray’s businesses are well worth acquiring, possibly on the cheap, given that Sir Minty owes a fortune through MIH, and will be happy to relieve himself of that financial burden for a small profit plus undoubtedly a seat on the board of Mittal Holdings. The figure of £33 million being quoted is “chump-change” to Mittal, since he is a billionaire. I might be wrong in my assessment, but I think over the coming days and weeks, I will be proven correct (of sorts) in my assessment.

By: TheQueensXI

TheQueensXI — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:31:55 +0000

I think you misunderstand cmf001 – the initial plans were for the super casino development when Rangers were bidding for it – and Manchester won it.

After the “super casino” bid, the plans were altered so the land could be developed, potentially earning the club and chairman money.

They were shelved in the end. But the land is expansive and in a prime position which could spur regeneration nearby.

By: cfm001

cfm001 — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:14:26 +0000

Ive read the article and comments with interest.
I do understand the train of thought but am also struggling to figure why a London-based consortium would prefer to buy land for property development in Glasgow rather than the more expensive South-East of UK, where they’d make double money per square metre.
On top of that, Im not sure how ‘Las Vegas type’ development with hotels etc would actually make profit in that part of the City. There are a few Champagne Charlies in Glasgow but would they venture over to Ibrox for a night out?

My overall take is that this consortium are looking for a new challenge at a bargain deal and are trying their arm. I’ll be very surprised if it goes through… mark my words

By: TheQueensXI

TheQueensXI — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:08:27 +0000

Thanks for your comments guys. It immediately struck me that this could be a selling point for Ellis to his investors and i’m surprised the press didn’t start speculation on it either.

I wouldn’t rule out Milngavie either – or anything else for that matter, obviously there will be some major changes if or when someone takes over the club.

I am just speculating of course, but who knows?

Posting link for topic in forum in case anyone wishes to join in the discussion there.

TheQueensXI

Discuss this in forum here:

http://dothebouncy.com/smf/index.php?topic=23238.0

By: davie cleland

davie cleland — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:23:29 +0000

thats exactly what i was saying last night…i dont think David Murray will sell all his shares… he is looking for fresh investment…i think that if Andrew Ellis buys into Rangers then we will see the area around the ground being redeveloped..

By: sentinel

sentinel — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 23:28:16 +0000

I was thinking along exactly the same lines when I heard of the Ellis cosortium interest.He is a property developer first and foremost.The consortium he fronts will be looking for a return on their investment within a fairly quick timeframe ..that will definitely not come from the football end of the business. It could be that their group has access to other potential financial backing/partnership arrangements for the land redevelopment in Hinshelwood…and I would not entirely rule out Milngavie either at this stage.

By: Fotze2

Fotze2 — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 23:27:33 +0000

Most sensible appraisal that I have seen so far. My research indicates that he doesn’t seem to have any mega wealth, which is a concern, unless he is a front for others.

Of course it could be a re-incarnation of the previous ‘deal in a nice London hotel’ that never happened for whatever reason.