Post by earl on May 30, 2008 14:35:54 GMT
Liverpool FC supporters in Ireland could make up more than a third of fans gearing up for a bold takeover.
The ambitious scheme aims to raise a £500m (€635m) war chest to buy out the owners and put the club on the same footing as Spanish giants FC Barcelona where the supporters are in control.
Already 38,000 Irish fans have declared an interest in forking out £5,000 (€6,300) each for the fund and ending months of divisive boardroom rows.
Up to 100,000 fans are needed for a successful takeover, and outside of the UK and Norway, Ireland has the highest registered support for the ambitious plan.
Bernard O’Byrne, national co-ordinator for the Irish leg of Share Liverpool FC and former chief executive of the Football Association of Ireland, urged fans to consider joining.
“While Liverpool FC is hugely important to the people of that city it also has a huge emotional tie for millions of people worldwide, not least here in Ireland,” he said.
“I look forward to the day when the genuine fans of the club dictate the running of the club and I invite all Liverpool fans in Ireland to visit the website, inform themselves about the project and consider joining up.”
If successful each shareholder would have one vote, a new board would be selected to recruit executives to run the club and a club president would be voted in every four years.
Dr Rogan Taylor, a respected media expert on football and director of the Football Industry Group in Liverpool University, came up with the plan and officially launched it in Dublin today.
“I’m convinced that many individuals – and groups – in Ireland will join us on this ground-breaking venture: to deliver a great club into the hands of those who love it most,” Dr Taylor said.
Liverpool has been dogged by boardroom rifts involving its American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr, and as relations soured even further this season the pair were reportedly barely on speaking terms.
The initiative is backed by several Liverpool greats including Phil Thompson, Ronnie Whelan, John Barnes and former Irish internationals John Aldridge and Jason McAteer.
“From my time with Liverpool and the Irish team I know the passion amongst Liverpool fans over here and there is a huge connection between Ireland and Liverpool FC,” Aldridge said.
“I hope that this can continue with the support of the fans here for Share Liverpool FC.”
The ambitious scheme aims to raise a £500m (€635m) war chest to buy out the owners and put the club on the same footing as Spanish giants FC Barcelona where the supporters are in control.
Already 38,000 Irish fans have declared an interest in forking out £5,000 (€6,300) each for the fund and ending months of divisive boardroom rows.
Up to 100,000 fans are needed for a successful takeover, and outside of the UK and Norway, Ireland has the highest registered support for the ambitious plan.
Bernard O’Byrne, national co-ordinator for the Irish leg of Share Liverpool FC and former chief executive of the Football Association of Ireland, urged fans to consider joining.
“While Liverpool FC is hugely important to the people of that city it also has a huge emotional tie for millions of people worldwide, not least here in Ireland,” he said.
“I look forward to the day when the genuine fans of the club dictate the running of the club and I invite all Liverpool fans in Ireland to visit the website, inform themselves about the project and consider joining up.”
If successful each shareholder would have one vote, a new board would be selected to recruit executives to run the club and a club president would be voted in every four years.
Dr Rogan Taylor, a respected media expert on football and director of the Football Industry Group in Liverpool University, came up with the plan and officially launched it in Dublin today.
“I’m convinced that many individuals – and groups – in Ireland will join us on this ground-breaking venture: to deliver a great club into the hands of those who love it most,” Dr Taylor said.
Liverpool has been dogged by boardroom rifts involving its American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr, and as relations soured even further this season the pair were reportedly barely on speaking terms.
The initiative is backed by several Liverpool greats including Phil Thompson, Ronnie Whelan, John Barnes and former Irish internationals John Aldridge and Jason McAteer.
“From my time with Liverpool and the Irish team I know the passion amongst Liverpool fans over here and there is a huge connection between Ireland and Liverpool FC,” Aldridge said.
“I hope that this can continue with the support of the fans here for Share Liverpool FC.”
