Sunday Telegraph reports Saudex concerns


By Dragons' Den
September 13 2009

The Sunday Telegraph has today revealed concerns regarding Saudex, sponsors of London Welsh. They report that London Scottish are still owed sponsorship money from last season, the Saudi Royal Family have denied all links with both Saudex and Neil Hollinshead and that Hollinshead has confirmed that the company has not made any investments in the UK other than their sponsorship of London Scottish.

At a time when supporters should be trying to forget the turmoil of the summer months and instead look forward to next Saturday's first home game of the season, the newspaper's report will no doubt bring back many anxieties regarding the club's future.

Neil Hollinshead is current London Welsh Chairman and CEO of Saudex Global Limited. The company's logo appears on the back of the 1st XV shirts. Although Hollinshead has always insisted that he was making a personal investment in London Welsh, newspaper reports, such as this one in the Western Mail, have implied otherwise and Kelvin Bryons's comments in the same article only added to the rumours regarding the real source of the investment.

The Sunday Telegraph article reveals that, according to Company House records, the Chairman of Saudex Global is Prince Khalid Alwaleed Bin Talal Al Saud but that two emails from the Saudi Royal Family deny all knowledge of Saudex or Hollinshead. Saudex's annual return and annual accounts are both overdue.

The report states that there are also three legal challenges underway. London Scottish are trying to recover £62,000 owed from the one year of the sponsorship deal, former Scottish International Kenny Logan is claiming £40,000 due for work carried out for Hollinshead and Steljes Limited, a sponsor of London Scottish, is also taking action.

With John Taylor and Kelvin Bryon continuing to give Neil Hollinshead and Saudex their full support we must hope that this report is unfounded and that the future of London Welsh is not under threat once again.

Click here to read the full article.

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Sunday Telegraph reports Saudex concerns
Discussion started by The Dragons\\\' Den , 13/09/2009 09:17
The Dragons\\\' Den
13/09/2009 09:17
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lonwelsh123
13/09/2009 11:07
London Scottish RFC agreed an exit last week which i signed on friday. Im dissapointed that their officers still feel the need to comment. I refute a number of allegations made by the Sunday Telegraph and have instructed my lawyer Miles Cox to deal with the mis quoted and inacurate facts. To say that i am not connected the Saudi Family is incorrect and i find this alegation very hurtful.

All companies/individuals that claim to be owed monies have been dealt with by my lawyer and is not part of any involvement with London Welsh.

It seems that since trying to help London Welsh survive we have had negative press and also a number of fans question our integreity as well as hindering the success moving forward.

In any fans have questions on any points of these artiles i can be contacted at neil@london-welsh.co.uk. Hopefully we can start to concentrate at rugby soon and i look forward to seeing you at the first home game.

Neil Hollinshead

Dragons' Den
13/09/2009 11:23
We are sure that Neil isn't trying to stifle debate so please post your comments on here as well as contacting him directly with specific questions.

pheasantplucker
13/09/2009 20:37
This may be just plain nosey, and I'm not really up to speed with all of the ins and outs so this could have been answered somewhere else already - but if Mr H is promising to put at least £2 million in of his own money, which might, only might cover two seasons of variable costs, and I think it is reported that he is only 31, where on earth has he got this money from. I know it's his personal business, however the previous Chairman who invested a lot of personal wealth had a very well established and known business with 100% credibility.
Mr H does not appear to have the same. So where is he getting his personal millions from?

Haydn
14/09/2009 11:10
Personally, would you be willing to discuss your personal financial affairs on the internet? I wouldn't.

I have only met him a couple of times in the context of meetings, and don't know him personally at all. But if I were publically questioned like this by supporters over a long period, I'd question whether I wanted to invest. which would take us back to the dark days of administration.

Suggest that we focus on supporting the teams, both amateur and professional?

paddytaf
14/09/2009 13:24
Quote:
Haydn
Personally, would you be willing to discuss your personal financial affairs on the internet? I wouldn't.
I have only met him a couple of times in the context of meetings, and don't know him personally at all. But if I were publically questioned like this by supporters over a long period, I'd question whether I wanted to invest. which would take us back to the dark days of administration.

Suggest that we focus on supporting the teams, both amateur and professional?

Haydn. I second your comments. PADDYTAF(Sm128)

Dragons' Den
14/09/2009 14:13
At the open supporters meeting in August Neil was asked directly about his business background. He didn't answer at the time but said that he would post a full biog on the LW website. If he is happy to make that promise then he must be equally happy for us to discuss it.

From the Sunday Telegraph article we know that he is a Director of Saudex (which came into existence in Aug 2008 and sponsored Ldn Scots for the 2008/09 season), a Director of Red Dragon Rugby (formed in July 2009 and took over LW the same month) and Company Secretary of Arena Events Group (formed July 2009 and sponsors of Rosslyn Park for 2009/10).

If Neil wants to end this further area of doubt then he is very welcome to post again on these pages, this time filling in the gaps in the info on his business background.

pheasantplucker
14/09/2009 14:16
playing ostriches resulted in the summer turmoil - in a moment of seriousness I raise a legitimate question of anyone who puts themselves in high office - and the silence is deafening. Go round the country and look at rugby's big backers, Cecil Duckworth, Tom Walkinshaw, Keith Barwell etc etc even in the leagues below, people know the generosity of their backers and where the money has come from - Cambridge, Sedgley Park et al all have backers with well known businesses who stump up significant amounts of cash.
Stick your head in the sand if you like, but be prepared for the consequences
Having just looked at my list, all of those benefactors have invested for the love of the game and or the area - what are this man's motives?

Haydn
14/09/2009 15:27
Thanks Paddytaf!

Newest Sir Benfro
14/09/2009 17:04
I am quite happy to accept Neils explanation of his personal situation on the grounds that the RFU undertook a due diligence process and found that he was an appropriate person to own our Club. The alternative was that LW ceased to exist.

Anyone who is still carping about that process needs to get real and understand how lucky we are to still be in a position to be turning up at ODP on Saturday to see our first home game.

Personally I am delighted Neil was able to put his money into our Club - I hope his investment is a good one and that we all reap the rewards of a succesful LW in the future
(Sm152)

pheasantplucker
14/09/2009 20:46
Quote:
Newest Sir Benfro
I am quite happy to accept Neils explanation of his personal situation on the grounds that the RFU undertook a due diligence process and found that he was an appropriate person to own our Club. The alternative was that LW ceased to exist.
Anyone who is still carping about that process needs to get real and understand how lucky we are to still be in a position to be turning up at ODP on Saturday to see our first home game.

Personally I am delighted Neil was able to put his money into our Club - I hope his investment is a good one and that we all reap the rewards of a succesful LW in the future
(Sm152)
1 - there hasn't been an explanation about his money
2 - there are contradictory press reports quoting Neil about whether the money was personal or business
3 - if the RFU hadn't taken this offer there was another on the table, don't kid yourself that this was the only option
4 - what on earth has happened to the other shareholder and the promise of new stands for the start of the season
5 - no one buys a rugby club to make money ergo this is not an investment
6 - have all the creditors been paid
the list goes on.
It is fine for you to blindly take a complete stranger with no track record as your saviour (it worked for the fishermen of Galilee) but I'd prefer some concrete info, unless I stop caring and accept that I am merely a customer to be milked/taken advantage of
The simple fact is that the long term fans of LW were not given a choice as to who 'bought' the club, so there is diddly squat that we're going to do about it!
So maybe you're right, let's all blindly follow like timid mice and forget that the Sunday Telegraph is a credible journal - it's only chip paper after all

Dai Port Talbot
14/09/2009 21:25
Let's not forget that the receiver (who has a legal obligation to wind the club up if the future wasn't credible), Kelvin (who presumably wrote off loans on the understanding that the club had a future) and the RFU (who, like the receiver, had another offer on the table) all had to be convinced that this was a sustainable way forward. These were all in posession of the facts of due diligence - far more than we or, indeed, the Daily Telegraph, esteemed organ that it is, have access to.

All we can do is accept where we are and get behind our team. Looking forward to Saturday and the new virtual stadium.

Newest Sir Benfro
14/09/2009 21:53
1. No explanation about his wealth - Do Sarries fans know the provenance of their new Saffer investors ?

2.Contradictory Press - they thrive off such innuendo, often creating stories out of rumours and trivial comments

3.The alternative offer - couldnt raise enough money!

4.Lets see what happens to the temporary arrangements at ODP - I understand some developments are already in place ?

5.I agree - but the truth is that the Quins owners bought the club for £2m, its worth a lot more now. So rugby investments can realise value for those with money to risk

6.If the creditors havent been paid then that will be an issue for the law to resolve any arguments. If I'd bought LW first thing I'd do is ensure that any claimed debts were genuine !

Strangely the list probably doesnt go any further than this ... I'm not a customer waiting to be milked. I'm a long term supporter delighted to be seeing our team at home n saturday.Time will as always judge who's view is correct

Haydn
14/09/2009 22:31
Hear, hear, Newest Sir Benfro, Dai PT. as I said, lets get behind the club.

All NH's details are online anyway on Linked in. No great secrets at all.

Re pheasantplucker
"what are this man's motives?"

lonwelsh123
15/09/2009 08:39
Thanks for the comments. I will be there on Saturday and more than happy to answer these questions. Mr Pheasantplucker i would be more than happy to discuss all poinst with you. Please clarify your facts. Both the RFU, Tennon and Kelvin confirmed that we were the only ones with a plan and funds in place. The other option was liquidation and if you want clarification on that call the RFU.If you are talking about the consortium and the fans think there is a credible alternative then my door is open to hear it if you wish for us to walk away. In terms of the ground. We were slowed down by the planners last week. Posts go up today, we are trying to change the seats out and do the groundswork for the stand and marquee once the planners allow us.

UncleBryn
15/09/2009 14:39
Quote:
lonwelsh123
In terms of the ground. We were slowed down by the planners last week. Posts go up today, we are trying to change the seats out and do the groundswork for the stand and marquee once the planners allow us.

Well, the posts go up anyway, and i'm not sure what trying to do the seats means as you either do them or not and there is no planning for that BUT,

if you check here......

[www2.richmond.gov.uk]

"Search Planning applications online"

(And these are public documents not speculation)

And if you search for 187 Kew Road, (the ground), you can see that NO planning applications have been lodged with Rich since 1997.

Thats strange i thought.

However, there is a maximum 14 day processing time from filing papers to the appearing on the register.

So maybe they were only just done.

But we were told at the meetings there would be no problem with them, as it was a temporary structure and it was all going forward.

Which was weeks ago, certainly more than 14 days anyway.

So lets say they were filed yesterday, they should appear as a public document in 13 days then.

isnt it?

FYI, the planning process takes a minimum 8 wks to just process, (never mind deal with objections) and before we hear any different this is the same for temporary as it is for permanent structures. Espcially if they are 2 storey.

So, never mind saying that the planners have delayed work commencing, (and as someone who has been around/involved in planning on urban developments i know just a little bit about it),has the application been filed or not?

If not, why say that the planners have delayed it, if there is a minimum 8 wk paper shuffling period anyway!

So says the process outlined by Richmond Planning Department, who are at

08456 122 660 Option 4 !



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2009:09:15:14:44:27 by UncleBryn.

UncleBryn
15/09/2009 14:53
Reading the above though, i did want to point out something that i thought was important. Even in these times of brazen self-interest.

Even IF all the other stuff in the Sunday Telegraph is a complete fabrication, what is very worrying is that, regardless of all the speculation, what seems incontrovertible, as Neil seems to have admitted in the quotes, is this charity business.


QUOTE FROM ARTICLE

Friends of Scottish Rugby (FSR), an organisation that funds the game's development north of the border, has also threatened to take Mr Hollinshead to court after he bid £4,000 at a gala auction held at Lord's Cricket Ground for a holiday for two in Antigua – but failed to pay up.

Stewart Lait, FSR's treasurer, said: "We take our auction buyers on trust, and it is desperately disappointing to be unable to meet funding requests because someone has not paid for their purchase after nearly a year."

Yesterday, Mr Lait finally received a bank draft for the sum – just days after inquiries by this newspaper..........................

(Neils Quote)
"I have no issue paying for an auction item and I was going to give the holiday as a present to my brother for his honeymoon but when they sent me the details I didn't want him staying in a little shack.

"I have now written to them saying I am happy to pay but I am not going to use it."


Paying a charity auction bill late- after being contacted by the press in regard to it- after not paying at all up to that point and quibbling about the details.

Very poor, if true.

To go to a CHARITY auction, bid, and then welch on the payment. (Excuse the pun !) yawning smiley)

Not very honourable it seems.

Charity is charity isnt it? Its not a Thomson holiday shop!

If you bid and win, you take the prize on your honour don't you. And pay up. Thats the point of a charity auction. You can't change your mind! Or is that a bit old fashioned!

That seems to be pretty poor form if you ask me, if what the paper says, is in fact true.

Being disparaging about the prize bid for is a bit cheap also.

It certainly doesnt read very well.

But maybe Neil can comment and quash the quotes in the paper etc?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:09:15:14:59:52 by UncleBryn.

lonwelsh123
15/09/2009 15:25
As mentioned in my email drop me an email if you wish to ask any questions. for the facts. at that charity auction i bought 6 items and questioned one and asked for an alternative villa. for your info the auction item was paid prior to the article. In addition i also contributed to six charites last year and all seemed to be missed out of the article.

Again more than happy to discuss any questions in person rather than on a message board. A number of fans have already emailed me questions that i have answered.


If people would rather we walked away from the club and left it to the fans to run or another party that you think are more credible then please let me know who they are as without our bid their would be no game at all on Saturday in the championship.

On the planning as i understand both structures are temporary and after the enforcement officer questioned our safety liscence we decided to wait until we had the council on side before making any changes to the ground. The last thing we would want is for fans to not be able to watch the game due to a dispute with the council. again any issues on this i can forward them on to get answers.

UncleBryn
15/09/2009 15:50
i think the point the article was making neil, was that it was paid prior to the article yes, but it implied it was nearly a year from when it was actually due.

Thats the point.

Thanks for coming back though. Honestly.

It is best to just be upfront i think. You've got to see how the "no smoke without fire" argument goes. Best just to deal with it publically and address what i suppose is the most important set of stakeholders in all this. The fans. The people that have been coming for years and who will still be coming long after anyone connected with the club currently, either playing or in admin have long gone.

This whole thing about emailing personally seems strange to me i must say. 1 person on the forum can ask a question that hundreds or thousands are thinking. So you can answer 1 of them privately or everyones concerns at once.

There is no witchhunt as you mentioned in the article i think, but when people read this you've got to see how people would be concerned. The telegraph is hardly the sunday sport is it?

So finally, on the planning front then, i didnt understand what you meant.

Temporary structures still need an application i believe.

So have you actually made a planning application to Richmond Council? Have you actually filed the papers or not?

Final question!

Shy1105
15/09/2009 15:56
Welcome to the club, Neil...

Some of my best friends are anonymous posters with agendas. However, the level of scrutiny that the new management are being subjected is out of all proportion. People are talking about "high office". He's not standing for Parliament, folks, he's bought a rugby club. It's a commercial transaction, on which RDR has been scrutinised far more than any previous regime. They were able to buy the club because of the way it's been managed in the past. If they hadn't bought it, it would be bankrupt. The other consortium had no money; they were begging for money for outside sources. In the bit of the ST article that no-one seems to quote, John Taylor is quoted as saying that there is £2M from RDR in an escrow account. So prima facie the money is there.

It's one thing to query how the club is managed but constant ad hominem innuendo, however veiled, is a bit tiresome. Can't we judge the new management by their performance instead of questioning their bona fides before they've got their feet under the desk?

UncleBryn
15/09/2009 16:19
[quote Shy1105]People are talking about "high office". He's not standing for Parliament, folks, he's bought a rugby club.[quote]

You are right there in a way.

But consider this, we get very exercised about the damage done to our reputation because of phil grenning getting a little mouthy at Bristol, andw e got very exercised about the cancelled game saga with Cambridge and the to-do with Esher etc last season. damage to our reputation.

Here is a paper that is as reputable as a paper can be, (for what that is worth), raising the issue that the new owner is subject to multiple law suits or threats of from a number of Different people/organisations.

Being judged on results is great.

But the stand thing for instance is a result and much trumpeted initiative. It's a little early for excuses.

The club is writing to members and putting out press talking about these developments as though they are cast iron.

Well are they or not?

I'm also happy to go to the game on Sat as i was, to go away to Notts and Bristol.



Also, it's a rough tough world out there and shrinking violets dont own rugby clubs or any other commercial organisation. Neil didn't seem to be a shrinking violet at that meeting.

Questions are easy enough to answer. They are only questions.

And asking questions doesnt mean that you dont support the team.


And walking around with a set of blinkers on, is not the test of a dyed in the wool supporter.

I was as critical of the last lot as anyone else when they did things that were wrong.

I havent been to ODP since the open meeting there with JT and Neil so on Saturday we will see won't we.

And where are these new sponsors.

If kelvin pays the creditors, then the trickle of season ticket money and gate receipts and drib drab of sponsorship will be drying up and either Kelvin, (as we all know he had to and he should be thanked for all time for it) or Neil will need to be directly funding the club from personal funds.

Thats the harsh reality of rugby at this level if you are trying to get into the premiership.

It takes a lot of private wealth to kickstart into a viable commercial entity.

Shy1105
15/09/2009 16:34
I would have thought that if the current investment fails, and I hope it succeeds, the reputations that suffer will be those of the new management, the RFU and the administrator. The reputation of "the club", whatever that is, has already been dragged through the mire by the whole insolvency saga. I don't think the reputation of the diehard army that goes to away games, sponsors players etc will be affected any more by this than by previous misadventures

Some of the points on here are legitimate business concerns (but I don't think there are many clubs in the country that aren't funded by private wealth). Some of the other points on here are just not relevant and they look like smears from bitter people.

The press are looking for "in the wake of Bloodgate, the next scandal to rock rugby..." aren't they?

Loved you on Gavin and Stacey by the way Bryn.

Haydn
15/09/2009 16:50
....but based on the time you're spending on planning websites, Uncle Bryn, I think you need to get out more!

UncleBryn
15/09/2009 16:53
Thanks now my boy!

Thats it Pete, we all love this club. And we'll all be here long after various investors come and go, and some of our kids will be going too. Every club is like that. Thats why these questions are important.

I also hope the current investment succeeds. And i'm happy for it to be funded by private wealth too,

But hard questions have been raised and the time has passed where you can blame the old lot, or say we've only been here for 2 weeks.

And where is the new website anyway?

And why were the pack shoved around like that at Nottingham!

Anyway, if we start agreeing like this i'm going to have to belt out "islands in the stream" for you !

(I would still like an answer on the planning thing Neil, if you could please).



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:09:15:16:55:12 by UncleBryn.

UncleBryn
15/09/2009 16:54
Quote:
Haydn
....but based on the time you're spending on planning websites, Uncle Bryn, I think you need to get out more!

I know, it's a slow afternoon in the office!

Pub is calling i think.

Shy1105
15/09/2009 17:00
Quote:
UncleBryn

But hard questions have been raised and the time has passed where you can blame the old lot, or say we've only been here for 2 weeks.


I disagree (except on a literal reading of the 2 weeks.) There's at least a two-season window for blaming the old lot. The old lot made a few mistakes and I expect this lot will too. But I don't remember the old lot getting quite this level of scrutiny of their private (yes) affairs.

Haydn
15/09/2009 18:01
Quote:
Bryn
Pub is calling i think.

smileys with beer

pheasantplucker
15/09/2009 19:44
Quote:
Shy1105
Quote:
UncleBryn

But hard questions have been raised and the time has passed where you can blame the old lot, or say we've only been here for 2 weeks.


I disagree (except on a literal reading of the 2 weeks.) There's at least a two-season window for blaming the old lot. The old lot made a few mistakes and I expect this lot will too. But I don't remember the old lot getting quite this level of scrutiny of their private (yes) affairs.
The old lot did the best available with the generosity of a proven, long-established club member. The new lot have no such provenance. No one is scrutinising NH's affairs (what happened to the other investor?), what we don't understand is where the dosh is coming from and what are the motives? With the previous administration the answer to both of these questions were self evident. With the new administration there seems to be a lot of smoke and mirrors and no substantive facts - this is even more relevant if the objective of GP rugby is to be seriously believed, ask Cecil Duckworth how much it has cost him and it is a lot more than a couple of mill. With the complete lack of an established business history to back him up, is it any wonder that those of an enquiring mind should question whether Mr H has the skills or where with all to take Welsh in to the GP and Europe. (i'm already late for training, so i'm outa here)

Dragons' Den
15/09/2009 20:05
Just to repeat, the question was first raised at the open meeting and, in response, Neil Hollinshead promised to publish details of his business background.

There are many visitors to this site that are new to LW so it is probably worth giving a bit of background as to how the club was funded in recent years.

There had been one major investor over the last couple of seasons. Kelvin Bryon has a long-standing, successful business with a history of trading in the UK and a working website.

The Sunday Telegraph article reports that Saudex have no such business record and a website that is just a front page. Neil's background before his Saudex involvement is unknown.

The two situations appear poles apart and that is why it has become such a hot topic of discussion. The accusations that various sides are playing out their own agendas really don't help a discussion that supporters are entitled to have.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:09:15:20:36:06 by Dragons' Den.

Ian Horgan
15/09/2009 20:13
shy1105, you must therefore belong to another club, as no side at London Welsh train on a Tuesday.

bigreddragon2009
15/09/2009 22:38
Girls wake up and smell the coffee. Your king has no clothes on. There is NO Saudi money, there's not any money. You have all got carried away with the bright lights.

Haydn
15/09/2009 23:14
Good spot re the training Ian.

Quick couple of questions:-
- do all these public attacks on the investors strengthen or weaken the club?
- a number of people have identified themselves- NH, Rob from LW, and Ian Horgan; will all these others (Dragons Den, shy1105, big reddragon2009) be open enough to identify themselves either publically or via a pm?
- the aim seems to be to drive Red Dragon Ltd into walking away: which would mean liquidation of the professional club; how does that help the amateur or professional side of the club?
-Given that the answer to the first question is that it almost certainly weakens the club, what is the motivation of the posters?

And a quick google (not exactly Sherlock Holmes) shows NH's cv here [www.linkedin.com]

And as I've said before,I'm not on the side of anyone except London Welsh professional and amateur sections.

Shy1105
16/09/2009 10:55
Hello chaps, I'm Pete Holley. I did the website before last for LW and my dad used to work for the club. Someone called me Pete in an earlier thread. I have no connection at all with the club at the moment, because I haven't put my form in the post yet. sad smiley However, I have been a member for most seasons since 1979, and I was a shareholder in the old limited company. Star sign Leo, blood group A.

Ian, I never said anything about training at the club on the Tuesday, that was pheasantplucker.

Like Haydn, I certainly don't want "to drive Red Dragon Ltd into walking away", I agree that would mean "liquidation of the professional club. I am on the side of the LW professional and amateur sides. "Can NH fund the club" is a legitimate question IMHO, though I don't think Neil is under any obligation to answer that question on this website (he may or may not think it's in his interest to do so.). I think the relevance of "how did NH get his money" is debatable. "NH's behaviour at charity auctions" is IMHO nothing to do with us.

Some people need to think about their logic a bit. Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.

What's the feeling on "no money" v "£2m in an escrow account"? Are we choosing to ignore that...particular...bit of the ST article?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:09:16:10:59:47 by Shy1105.

Ian Horgan
16/09/2009 11:02
Hi Pete, sorry you are right, didnt scroll up enuff.

Shy1105
16/09/2009 11:41
Just another quick point for Dragons Den and Pheasantplucker: you are both comparing Neil and Kelvin. But Kelvin is part of RDR isn't he? Admittedly he only has a small shareholding, AFAIK, but he's right in there. The "St Kelvin versus Secret Neil" argument would worry me more if Kelvin were completely out of the picture. Or has that changed and I missed it?

Cynicism abounds
16/09/2009 22:20
You have a very credible Chairman. You have the RFU and the Administrator to thank. You have every right to ask where Mr Hollinshead got hold of £2m (personnally). You have to ask whether his personal creditors will bankrupt him - they may. You have to hope this doesn't end badly for Welsh. But rest assured 50% of you will say I told you so and 50% won't. It's so exciting.

pheasantplucker
17/09/2009 11:22
Quote:
Cynicism abounds
You have a very credible Chairman. You have the RFU and the Administrator to thank. You have every right to ask where Mr Hollinshead got hold of £2m (personnally). You have to ask whether his personal creditors will bankrupt him - they may. You have to hope this doesn't end badly for Welsh. But rest assured 50% of you will say I told you so and 50% won't. It's so exciting.
It's not just the 2 million, playing in the GP is going to cost £5 mill + pa. For the apologists and rose tinted specs wearers that is a load of season tickets....
I agree that it's exciting, but sadly polarised opinions are stifling open debate

Blewonder
17/09/2009 14:40
I hope all the innuendo here is unfounded for the club's sake. Very recently NH has paid rosslyn park, he has paid the first two months player's wages and he has paid back London Scottish and he has payed the friends of Scottish rugby for the charity prize. It is evident he does have some access to a bank account that shows a substantial sum of money in it. Oh by the way - does anyone know when the RFU payment to the club dropped into the bank account and who has access to it? Was it very recently?

Abergavenny
17/09/2009 16:31
Has the RFU money been paid recently? Who has access to it?

pheasantplucker
17/09/2009 16:44
ooh! that's an interesting twist. I believe the RFU's first payment was scheduled for first week of September - that should keep the wolves from the door

Shy1105
17/09/2009 16:53
Yes, clearly another genuine issue we need to investigate there. Enquiring minds say we should we open up the debate, take off the rose-tinted glasses, smell the coffee and demand that the people who can access that bank account get on here right now and tell the anonymous poster community exactly how they are going to spend every penny of it. (Sm161)

This is actually getting a bit pathological now.

Abergavenny
17/09/2009 17:06
I don't think anyone is saying London Welsh should tell the world how they are going to spend their money Pete. I think it is a legitimate point to juxtapose the sudden paying of debts to all and sundry with whether or not the big lump sum from the RFU has arrived and ask who has access to that lump sum.

Di Bark
17/09/2009 18:45
I have been reading with some annoyance some of the postings on this thread.
It is obvious that a very small group of people are very much opposed to NH having any involvement with London Welsh. I would suggest that if the questioning continues NH may well walk away and the very small group of people will win the day.
Let us be very clear as stated in previous messages the NH OPTION WAS THE oNLY VIABLE OPTION ON THE TABLE that was put to the Administrator and RFU.
If you want this very small group of NON LONDON WELSH SUPPORTERS TO WIN MESSAGE BOARD ADMINISTRATOR take off of this message board all the really negative stuff.
I agree that NH's has perhaps raised questions that may need to be addressed - They will either be addressed and the club survive - lets hope so we will back to square in a short - For god sake give NH a chance and "sanction" the negative people

RIL1
17/09/2009 21:07
Well said! "
I for one am sick and tired of all this "@#$%&" and back biting by a group of small minded individuals. Let's all get behind the new administration and be thankful that we are able to watch championship rugby at ODP this season!!!!!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:09:17:21:09:30 by RIL1.

Ian Horgan
17/09/2009 21:49
Time to bin this one please moderator, not doing anyone any good now. Ta.

Sorry I should have said, Ian Horgan, co/chair of CASC who represent 90% of London Welsh RFC, hence the edit and getting very tired of all this ****

Should add playing, not supporting, before you bite my head off.

Anyone wanting to offer insight, email me rather than smear.



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 2009:09:17:21:57:40 by Ian the Wizard.

paddytaf
17/09/2009 23:29
Can we all talk about our first home game at ODP this coming Saturday. Give the supporters and followers of BIRMINGHAM & SOLIHULL a warm and friendly LONDON WELSH welcome, and an even WARMER ROUSING WELCOME to our boys as they take to the field. C'MON YOU WELSH. PADDYTAF(Sm128)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:09:17:23:30:44 by paddytaf.

Shy1105
18/09/2009 08:32
I agree with the last two or three posters, this should be binned.

pheasantplucker
18/09/2009 09:00
I concur, deathly boring now. Look forward to seeing LW exploit Bees weakness at flyhalf - now this one could be a dogfight, 'cause bees really do have their backs to the wall

Mole
18/09/2009 12:51
Have been following this thread for a while - I guess next Friday will put an end to all the speculation about finances etc - if the players are finally paid on time (which they haven't been for the last two months) then we can all move on. If not then the questions will remain.

UncleBryn
18/09/2009 13:42
Blodwens right and others have mentioned, just asking questions doesnt mean you are not supporting the team and London Welsh.

On which note, i really hope we can get a bonus point win tomorrow and start getting some momentum going.

paddytaf
18/09/2009 14:59
Quote:
UncleBryn
Blodwens right and others have mentioned, just asking questions doesnt mean you are not supporting the team and London Welsh.
On which note, i really hope we can get a bonus point win tomorrow and start getting some momentum going.

Hear hear UncleBryn. A bonus point WIN tomorrow will do just fine. Just off for a round golf, see you guys tomorrow. PADDYTAF (Not in disguise!) (Sm60)

Dai Appy
18/09/2009 21:08
Sorry only joined today so not contributed a lot. Agree with above, I personally have my doubts but then I may be proved totally wrong which I hope I am. BUT whatever happens I jut want to see us succesful as a club and that doesn't always mean winning it is also about how you carry yourself.
I have a great friend who is a Quins supporter who has not renewed his season ticket in disgust, lets not let our reputation go down the same route by fueling speculation but be prepared to do what we can to rescue the club if the speculation is true, and the doubters be big enough to admit we were wrong if it isn't. Either way I can't see any one man being bigger than London Welsh.

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