Liverpool FC Forum

by **account deleted by request** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 6:47 am

A HEARTBROKEN David Moores today called on Liverpool's warring co-owners to sort out their differences for the good of the club – or else stand aside and let someone else take over.
In his first interview since selling the club to Tom Hicks and George Gillett in February 2007, Moores told the ECHO how:

* He was left disgusted by the treatment of chief executive Rick Parry by Tom Hicks
* He believes Hicks and Gillett must either find common ground or walk away
* He feels let down by the “unacceptable” way the club has been run since he relinquished ownership

l He will do everything he can to get the club back on an even keel after so much turmoil.
Moores, who continues to act as honorary life president at Anfield and who maintains a place on the Liverpool board, said: “It's heartbreaking. I'm almost lost for words about the damage that's being done to the club at the present time.

“As a fan, and as someone who loves the club, it is totally unacceptable to see this being played out in the public arena.

“This is most certainly not what the club is about. In fact, I can't ever remember, even going back to when I was a supporter as a kid, stuff being played out in public like we have seen in the last six months.

“It is embarrassing and it is not an acceptable way of doing things.

“I've never known anything like it and I'm just absolutely shell-shocked.”

As far as Moores is concerned, one of the most upsetting things of all is the way the success Liverpool enjoyed on the pitch in beating Arsenal to make it through to the semi-finals of the Champions League has been almost forgotten amidst the off-field turmoil which has erupted since Hicks called on Parry to resign.

“The most heartbreaking thing about all of this is that we were on such a high after the Arsenal game on

Tuesday night and then this comes along and completely takes over the great things the players and the manager did,” he said.

“The wonderful success they had that night has been completely diminished, it is completely gone, because of all of this being brought out into the open.

“All I can say is I feel very sorry that it has come to this, that how great it was on the night has been taken over by something which should have been dealt with in a far more delicate way and certainly not in public.

“It certainly doesn't help the team, because they're not getting all the praise they should be getting because of other things are taking priority.

“Everyone should be going on about how well they performed and how brilliant Rafa's tactics were. I mean, for goodness sake, three Champions League semi-finals in just four years is an unbelievable achievement.

“But the gloss has been taken off it and you should never do that.”

When Moores stepped down as owner, he welcomed Hicks and Gillett to the club but has become increasingly concerned at their apparent inability to act as “custodians” as they had promised and also their seeming lack of willingness to put the club ahead of their own personal interests.
And he today called on them to resolve their differences or leave the way clear for someone else to own the club who can provide the unity and stability it needs.

He said: “I didn't know Hicks very well, I knew George a lot better.

“George came across as a bubbly, enthusiastic man who loves his sport and is knowledgeable about it.

“But he didn't have the money to do the deal without bringing someone else on board.

“It was really right at the end that I met Tom Hicks so I didn't really get a chance to get to know him but I took George's word for it.

“It was in total good faith. I believed these fellas, I believed everything they said to me and they said it all again to the fans via the media and you can judge for yourselves whether they kept their promises.

“I am surprised because I thought that the pair of them, from what they said to me and to the fans through the media, that they appreciated the heritage and the values of the club.

“They talked about putting the money in and the new stadium and having no debt on the club. At the time I think we all felt it would be a good deal but it's not all materialised.

“I do feel let down. With everything that's going on, I have to feel let down.

“This is not how I foresaw it and I'm sure it's not how the fans foresaw it.

“If I could have afforded to take the club forward I would have done, but I couldn't. I didn't have the sort of money you need for a new stadium and £30-40m a year for new players.

“So I had no option. I would love to still be in charge but I would have held the club back.

“That's why I am asking these two gentlemen to think of the club, not their own kudos.

“The fans, the manager and the team all deserve better than this.

“We should now be focusing on continuity, stability and working our socks off towards enjoying what will hopefully be a super night in Moscow.

“But when things are played out like they are at present it virtually makes the club a laughing stock and that's not acceptable.

“How can they be acting as custodians when they are split down the middle?”
He added: “It needs to be resolved as quickly as possible. The two owners don't agree on a way forward and unity is essential.

“They have got to stop thinking of themselves and start thinking of the club, its values, its traditions and its heritage.

“They have to do what is best for the club and get it sorted as quickly as possible because what is happening at the moment is not doing it any good.

“I think the damage can be repaired but those two gentlemen have got to come to a quick agreement about the way forward.

“You would have to say if they can't do it then they will have to stand aside and let someone else do it.

“I can't say what these two gentlemen will do. Will they sell? I don't know.”

Having seen Liverpool suffer greatly in recent weeks as the battle between the two owners continues to rage, Moores today committed himself to doing everything in his power to get the club back on an even keel.

“We have got to keep the ship going and I will try my best, and I'm sure Rick will, that we will go on and try to get success at the end of the season, try to get off the politics and concentrate on what's happening on then pitch.

“You look at the fans and as everyone keeps saying they are like a 12th man.

“They were unbelievable again the other night and they deserve better than what's going on at present.

“All I can promise them is that I will do my damnedest to make certain that the club comes through this and we get back to concentrating on what happens on the pitch not off it.

“It is not my club anymore but I will do everything I can and I would like to give a huge vote of thanks to the fans for the wonderful support they have given the manager and the team.

“European nights at Anfield are something you wouldn't see anywhere else. They are unique, unbelievable and the fans make it that way.”

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpo....0754770

Mods I think this deserves a thread of its own, but if don't agree just move it into the Hicks and Gillet thread.

A great read and about time he made a statement.

by **hishhish** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 6:58 am

Thanks for the post. It seems that the problem is distributed evenly between the two owners, rather than Hicks. For me, this is more reason to really consider the "Share Liverpool" option. Why not dream?
Although it seems there is not enough support from the fans to find the money?? Is that not true.
Also, Moores sounds helpless, which makes me wonder, what is he doing there?

by **account deleted by request** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 7:09 am

Moores tells of his ‘distaste’ over letter

Apr 12 2008 by Tony Barrett, Liverpool Echo

DAVID Moores today gave his total backing to Rick Parry after co-owner Tom Hicks demanded the resignation of Liverpool's chief executive.

Liverpool's honorary life president hit out at the "distasteful" way in which Hicks informed Parry by post that he wanted him to quit and condemned the move as lacking in respect and decency.

Parry only learned that Hicks was looking to oust him from Anfield when he received text messages informing him that the news had broken on a satellite TV channel.

And Moores today backed Parry – a man whom he rates as one of the best chief executives around. "For me, Rick was a great support in times when I had problems," he said.

"I feel very lucky that during my chairmanship I had two of the best chief executives in Peter Robinson and Rick and I know deep down how much Rick must be hurting even though he's got broad shoulders and he can certainly fight his corner.

"It hurts me because I know of his love for Liverpool Football Club and how he would never do anything to damage the club's name or do anything against the club whatsoever.

"I can only speak highly of him and he certainly deserves better than he was treated on Thursday.

"He was on company business for the Mascherano appeal when he found out.

"He'd had no time to see the correspondence and before he'd even had time to tell his family, they had seen it on television.

"How awful must that have been for him because nobody should be treated like that. Nobody deserves that. There's been a huge lack of respect and it's been very distastefully done."

Moores also believes that the ongoing battle between Liverpool's co-owners has placed Parry in an almost impossible position.

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpo....0754772

by **Ciggy** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 7:45 am

Heart breaking.

by **redtrader74** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 7:51 am

We all know that Moores loves the Club, and obviously he's upset about all the goings on, a good read and about time too. That said, a businessman who sells on a business in the amatuerish way he did, a business that he clearly loves, and by his own admission without carrying out the relevant checks on at least one of the buyers has a lot to answer for, and one day he owes a huge apology for selling to them. I really don't understand the reason for selling in the rush it sounds like he did.

by **NANNY RED** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 9:13 am

redtrader74 wrote:We all know that Moores loves the Club, and obviously he's upset about all the goings on, a good read and about time too. That said, a businessman who sells on a business in the amatuerish way he did, a business that he clearly loves, and by his own admission without carrying out the relevant checks on at least one of the buyers has a lot to answer for, and one day he owes a huge apology for selling to them. I really don't understand the reason for selling in the rush it sounds like he did.

Agreed with everything you say Red

Now he needs to get his finger out and do everything possible to get these two out , Maybe then i might forgive him for selling us down the river

by **poolboyuk** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 12:06 pm

I feel sorry for Moores - he knows he made the mother of all f**k ups selling to Hicks & Gillett but also knows he is limited in what he can do to sort it out. The man must be going through hell - he has tried to do the best thing by the club and ended up in the mother of all nightmares.

Football Focus Online-Blog

by **Bad Bob** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 12:27 pm

redtrader74 wrote:We all know that Moores loves the Club, and obviously he's upset about all the goings on, a good read and about time too. That said, a businessman who sells on a business in the amatuerish way he did, a business that he clearly loves, and by his own admission without carrying out the relevant checks on at least one of the buyers has a lot to answer for, and one day he owes a huge apology for selling to them. I really don't understand the reason for selling in the rush it sounds like he did.

Spot on, mate. I'm behind Moores and Parry until we see the back of Hicks but, at some point, these questions will need to be asked. :no

by **parchpea** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 12:55 pm

Moores is being very honest and fair play to him for that and its a pity that a man that has Liverpool at heart has been taken in by these chancers but thats where we are at.

I have no time for Hicks but frankly his assesment of Parry is right on the money in my opinion.

We can only hope someone comes in to rescue us sooner rather than later because it leaves us very much in dark on the summers transfer dealings.

by **Fo Dne** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 1:43 pm

Something else i ended up being right about, i was completely against it at the time for fear of this happening but kept being told how great it will be etc...

There may be a lesson in this.

by **zarababe** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 2:01 pm

I read nothing that expresses regret about the decision - whilst I respect he man for what he did for the club - he says he didn't even get to know Hicks

and he made £8m more from this deal.

As honorary president he could be removed without a wimper - I read nothong that tells me anything knew - It's all been disgraceful - we are a laffing stock thanks to incompetant decision making and greed!

by **account deleted by request** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 2:29 pm

I think Parry and Moores were using Gillet and Hicks to try to get more money out of DIC. When DIC said they were pulling out, Moores and Parry had to either start searching for a new investor or go with Gillet and Hicks.

I don't believe that Moores had "no idea" what to expect from Hicks and Gillet, as Aston Villa seemed to know all about them. I can't believe that the financial advisors that Moores and Parry must have employed didn't advise them of their reputations.

I think they just closed their eyes and crossed their fingers hoping for the best........ unfortunately they have found out since that Hicks and Gillet are even worse than they thought.

by **puroresu** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 3:24 pm

s@int wrote:I think Parry and Moores were using Gillet and Hicks to try to get more money out of DIC. When DIC said they were pulling out, Moores and Parry had to either start searching for a new investor or go with Gillet and Hicks.

I don't believe that Moores had "no idea" what to expect from Hicks and Gillet, as Aston Villa seemed to know all about them. I can't believe that the financial advisors that Moores and Parry must have employed didn't advise them of their reputations.

I think they just closed their eyes and crossed their fingers hoping for the best........ unfortunately they have found out since that Hicks and Gillet are even worse than they thought.

I agree. They tried to play DIC but they were never going to let the club manipulate them into paying more than they thought was a fair price. Many investors after being treated as such would of walked away but they are still interested.

by **Toffeehater** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 3:27 pm

redtrader74 wrote:We all know that Moores loves the Club, and obviously he's upset about all the goings on, a good read and about time too. That said, a businessman who sells on a business in the amatuerish way he did, a business that he clearly loves, and by his own admission without carrying out the relevant checks on at least one of the buyers has a lot to answer for, and one day he owes a huge apology for selling to them. I really don't understand the reason for selling in the rush it sounds like he did.

Top post and i can't agree more . Hicks get out asap

by **JC_81** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 6:33 pm

Fo Dne wrote:Something else i ended up being right about, i was completely against it at the time for fear of this happening but kept being told how great it will be etc...

There may be a lesson in this.

Are you ever wrong?

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