Winger Ritchie completes £500,000 move to Bournemouth (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)
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Winger Ritchie completes £500,000 move to Bournemouth
6:00am Thursday 31st January 2013 in Sport By Sam Morshead
Matt Ritchie has left Swindon Town
MATT Ritchie was last night sold to Swindon Town’s League One promotion rivals Bournemouth for a fee believed to be in the region of £500,000.
The winger agreed a three-and-a-half year deal at Dean Court after Town accepted the Cherries’ third approach for the winger in two years. It remains unclear who sanctioned the move, with potential new owners closing in on completing their takeover of the club.
A consortium headed by Banbury United owner Jed McCrory has exchanged contracts to take control at the County Ground, but until they have been ratified by the Football League they are not believed to be in sole control of transfer activity.
Ritchie said of his switch to Dorset: “It has come very quickly. There was speculation last year and there has been a little bit this window.
“It’s a great place to live, it’s a good club and well run as well.
“The uncreatainty at Swindon player a big part.
“I had good times at Swindon. “I was at Portsmouth when there were uncertain times and it’s not ideal and I felt like this was a great opportunity for me.”
The Swindon Advertiser understands Ritchie’s former club will benefit from a sell-on clause.
Elsewhere, Cheltenham manager Mark Yates has not ruled out a loan move for Town wide man Luke Rooney.
The ex-Gillingham midfielder has barely featured for Swindon under Paolo Di Canio in League One, and has previously spent time at Rotherham and Burton.
The Advertiser understands Bristol City are interested in the possibility of taking Robins striker Andy Williams to Ashton Gate. City boss Sean O’Driscoll is believed to be an admirer of the 26-year-old.
The deadline for players to agree to a move passes at 11pm tonight, and Swindon are hoping to be active during what is expected to be a busy day up and down the country.
Meetings are believed to have taken place with the new investors yesterday to discuss whether or not Di Canio will have funds at his disposal to launch a last-minute assault on the transfer market.
The Adver understands Sheffield Wednesday striker Gary Madine remains a top target for the Italian.
The forward, whose proposed move to Swindon in the emergency loan window in November fell through, is also wanted by Coventry.
Comments(86)
bowralbob
says...
6:10am Thu 31 Jan 13
Bournmouth have a real bargain in Ritchie a classy player. Half a million is a lot less than he is worth IMO.
jayden
says...
6:12am Thu 31 Jan 13
joey butler
says...
6:17am Thu 31 Jan 13
EastleazeRed wrote:Just like last night Eastleaze, you seem incapable of posting a comment without swearing.
F@#king disgraceful ! You want to be ashamed , wouldn't blame di canio if he walked .
If you read the Adver report more carefully, it seems judging by Ritchie's comments, he ran away when the presssure is on and if that is the case, we are better off without him.
I simply do not buy his comments about moving to a ''great place to live''. If he had genuine ambition, he could live in Bournemouth and play for us!
greenml
says...
6:19am Thu 31 Jan 13
In all this does anyone know how much Di Canio is being paid?
Looks like all the big talk has gone.
Very sad.
Not so Smart Roger
says...
6:19am Thu 31 Jan 13
jayden wrote:I'm with you on this, Jayden. In 24 hours time, we'll know for sure which way our club is heading. (Hopefully PDC, Williams, Collins and others won't have headed for the door by then!)
Well i expect today will be worse.
robstfc
says...
6:22am Thu 31 Jan 13
Bet he feels as gutted as the rest of us...
You dont know what you've got until its gone. Richie is one of the best players in league 1..... Bournemouth have an absolute bargain.
Just worried for the fall out today... And fear others could leave too...
Redhouse Red
says...
6:24am Thu 31 Jan 13
I look forward to a full and frank explanation.
Question for me is. How informed was paolo. I recollect him slapping some obscene price tag on him recently
Whilst purely speculation, i do wonder if we did need . Pay some bills?
The bit that really hurts is the price tag!
RRobin69
says...
6:26am Thu 31 Jan 13
joey butler wrote:Just posted similar in another thread. Ritchie didnt have to agree to the move. Look at Jack Butland refusing the transfer to Chelsea. At the end of the day people are pointing the fingers at old/new owners without knowing the facts and knowing what PDC knew of this. The fact is Ritchie left but he had the choice not to. He had a contract.
EastleazeRed wrote:Just like last night Eastleaze, you seem incapable of posting a comment without swearing.
F@#king disgraceful ! You want to be ashamed , wouldn't blame di canio if he walked .
If you read the Adver report more carefully, it seems judging by Ritchie's comments, he ran away when the presssure is on and if that is the case, we are better off without him.
I simply do not buy his comments about moving to a ''great place to live''. If he had genuine ambition, he could live in Bournemouth and play for us!
Since 1950
says...
6:33am Thu 31 Jan 13
RRobin69 wrote:Maybe he didn't like what he saw coming in through the door. Maybe he now thinks he has a better chance of Championship football with Bornmuff! Who's next, that's the worry for today.
joey butler wrote:Just posted similar in another thread. Ritchie didnt have to agree to the move. Look at Jack Butland refusing the transfer to Chelsea. At the end of the day people are pointing the fingers at old/new owners without knowing the facts and knowing what PDC knew of this. The fact is Ritchie left but he had the choice not to. He had a contract.EastleazeRed wrote: F@#king disgraceful ! You want to be ashamed , wouldn't blame di canio if he walked .Just like last night Eastleaze, you seem incapable of posting a comment without swearing. If you read the Adver report more carefully, it seems judging by Ritchie's comments, he ran away when the presssure is on and if that is the case, we are better off without him. I simply do not buy his comments about moving to a ''great place to live''. If he had genuine ambition, he could live in Bournemouth and play for us!
grove red
says...
6:37am Thu 31 Jan 13
TedMacsCherryPants
says...
6:39am Thu 31 Jan 13
The AFCB team from a couple of seasons ago was sold off around Eddie Howe before he left, not a great place to be at the time. Hope the rest of the day isn't a fire-sale for you.
stfclondon
says...
6:39am Thu 31 Jan 13
I await Di Canio's press conference later on today with interest.
louiscassius
says...
6:40am Thu 31 Jan 13
Who's bright idea it was to disclose to the press Blacks intentions to sell his 98% god only knows.......
Corperate Suicide!!
Louis :-(( Roll on tomorrow.....feel sick to my stomach today...
california andy
says...
6:41am Thu 31 Jan 13
stfclondon
says...
6:41am Thu 31 Jan 13
STFC 67
says...
6:44am Thu 31 Jan 13
Since 1950
says...
6:45am Thu 31 Jan 13
New 'investors' and the first thing they do is to sell, within hours of taking over, arguably our prize asset and best player, to one of our promotion rivals - and for peanuts.
I did warn yestetday that we should wait and see who the new consortiums money men were and what their motives are.
Well, there can't be much money if we have to sell Ritchie to pay the wages this month who's next out the door - Paolo?
Do I not like this!
EastleazeRed
says...
6:48am Thu 31 Jan 13
joey butler wrote:Emotions running high , just really angry they let him go for peanuts .You wait and see the language on here later when they sell a few more to fund this takeover ?
EastleazeRed wrote:Just like last night Eastleaze, you seem incapable of posting a comment without swearing.
F@#king disgraceful ! You want to be ashamed , wouldn't blame di canio if he walked .
If you read the Adver report more carefully, it seems judging by Ritchie's comments, he ran away when the presssure is on and if that is the case, we are better off without him.
I simply do not buy his comments about moving to a ''great place to live''. If he had genuine ambition, he could live in Bournemouth and play for us!
greenml
says...
6:54am Thu 31 Jan 13
Actually believed all this was behind us!
Ollie Reed's Parky dance!
says...
6:56am Thu 31 Jan 13
Yes he is a big wage earner but if a replacement does not come in today then it is simply disgusting business.
Not so Smart Roger
says...
7:03am Thu 31 Jan 13
STFC 67 wrote:Personally, I really value both Sam and Vic's regular updates and opinons on twitter and this website. (And I have no personal or professional connection with either.) I'm not sure anyone had a handle on what was going on yesterday, although worringly it seems that the Daily Mail might actually have been closer to the truth than anyone dared believe. Fingers crossed big-time for today...
Sam Morshead writes in an entertaining and engaging way but has little idea what is really going on at the Club. This is a time for insight but all we get is stories that are available elsewhere and Thursdays self obsessed cliched claptrap commentary from Vic Morgan stating the bloody obvious. Aver you need to do better.
peatmoor pirate
says...
7:04am Thu 31 Jan 13
joey butler wrote:Ritchie has been a good servant for Swindon and I wish him luck; he doesn't deserve a mouthful from fans for going - I'd suggest that the fact we are prepared to sell him to Bournemouth suggests we are not as likely to be gong places as they are.
EastleazeRed wrote:Just like last night Eastleaze, you seem incapable of posting a comment without swearing.
F@#king disgraceful ! You want to be ashamed , wouldn't blame di canio if he walked .
If you read the Adver report more carefully, it seems judging by Ritchie's comments, he ran away when the presssure is on and if that is the case, we are better off without him.
I simply do not buy his comments about moving to a ''great place to live''. If he had genuine ambition, he could live in Bournemouth and play for us!
Stilloyal
says...
7:07am Thu 31 Jan 13
batch
says...
7:09am Thu 31 Jan 13
Even then, selling to promotion rivals Bournemouth and for just £500K is taking the Michael. I guess we just took the first offer in case another wasn't forthcoming.
Angry, gutted, disappointed, can't be arsed with it all, what's the point. That's how I feel right now.
greenml
says...
7:11am Thu 31 Jan 13
peatmoor pirate wrote:& being a League 1 club (old 3rd division) is not such a huge achievement for STFC. Thats where we've been on average since I was born in 1960. But sadly all this and the rush suggests administration was close. Albeit just because our benefactor decided to shut up shop half way thru his project. Does suggest we need a small squad and the scatter gun recruitment (where players are bought and never play) isnt helping.... & sad to say (well maybe). Can we afford Di Cannio?
joey butler wrote:Ritchie has been a good servant for Swindon and I wish him luck; he doesn't deserve a mouthful from fans for going - I'd suggest that the fact we are prepared to sell him to Bournemouth suggests we are not as likely to be gong places as they are.
EastleazeRed wrote:Just like last night Eastleaze, you seem incapable of posting a comment without swearing.
F@#king disgraceful ! You want to be ashamed , wouldn't blame di canio if he walked .
If you read the Adver report more carefully, it seems judging by Ritchie's comments, he ran away when the presssure is on and if that is the case, we are better off without him.
I simply do not buy his comments about moving to a ''great place to live''. If he had genuine ambition, he could live in Bournemouth and play for us!
greenml
says...
7:12am Thu 31 Jan 13
greenml wrote:meant smaller squad who all contribute....
peatmoor pirate wrote:& being a League 1 club (old 3rd division) is not such a huge achievement for STFC. Thats where we've been on average since I was born in 1960. But sadly all this and the rush suggests administration was close. Albeit just because our benefactor decided to shut up shop half way thru his project. Does suggest we need a small squad and the scatter gun recruitment (where players are bought and never play) isnt helping.... & sad to say (well maybe). Can we afford Di Cannio?
joey butler wrote:Ritchie has been a good servant for Swindon and I wish him luck; he doesn't deserve a mouthful from fans for going - I'd suggest that the fact we are prepared to sell him to Bournemouth suggests we are not as likely to be gong places as they are.
EastleazeRed wrote:Just like last night Eastleaze, you seem incapable of posting a comment without swearing.
F@#king disgraceful ! You want to be ashamed , wouldn't blame di canio if he walked .
If you read the Adver report more carefully, it seems judging by Ritchie's comments, he ran away when the presssure is on and if that is the case, we are better off without him.
I simply do not buy his comments about moving to a ''great place to live''. If he had genuine ambition, he could live in Bournemouth and play for us!
jayden
says...
7:13am Thu 31 Jan 13
Last step
says...
7:15am Thu 31 Jan 13
Stilloyal wrote:I think this is a key point that is worth remembering. Any blame attached to the new owners is at best speculation, at worst potentially damaging.
The new owners have no control over transfers until the takeover has been sanctioned by the F.A. This was Blacks doing.
I just hope nothing else horrible happens before this 11pm deadline tonight.
jayden
says...
7:16am Thu 31 Jan 13
Rebel_phish
says...
7:16am Thu 31 Jan 13
who knows what the management team and playing squad will look like come 11pm.
Lazaat
says...
7:18am Thu 31 Jan 13
Stilloyal wrote:If this is true then expect more selling today? And if that happens also expect Paolo to resign.
The new owners have no control over transfers until the takeover has been sanctioned by the F.A. This was Blacks doing.
Rebel_phish
says...
7:25am Thu 31 Jan 13
Just wake me up when its all over.
clunge_meister
says...
7:26am Thu 31 Jan 13
If the previous owners could write off 10m then surely the new ones could find 0.5m to save the prize asset.
Feels like promotion has been conceded and the season written off. Let's hope paolo is staying - with him we may still have a chance of reaching the playoffs.
greenml
says...
7:28am Thu 31 Jan 13
this sucks! Big time...
No idea what previous owners expected!
Med Red
says...
7:29am Thu 31 Jan 13
"The Advertiser understands the prospective new owners of Swindon Town do not want to sell Matt Ritchie, after a £600,000 bid was tabled by the Robins' League One rivals".... so who decided and why did they decide to sell Ritchie to one of our promotion rivals for a knockdown price of £400K and why couldn't our new owners prevent it? Does JMac bring "a wealth of experience" but no wealth to the club?
KojaktheWarg
says...
7:30am Thu 31 Jan 13
jayden
says...
7:31am Thu 31 Jan 13
STFCBourne98
says...
7:31am Thu 31 Jan 13
greenml
says...
7:32am Thu 31 Jan 13
We are still better off than Pompey...just
ciclosporindorset
says...
7:32am Thu 31 Jan 13
Helpme234
says...
7:32am Thu 31 Jan 13
Since 1950 wrote:I'm not blaming the new owners for this - the blame is fairly and squarely with Black and co. Black's intention all along was to get out as quickly as possible with the best deal for himself.
I don't like this one little bit! New 'investors' and the first thing they do is to sell, within hours of taking over, arguably our prize asset and best player, to one of our promotion rivals - and for peanuts. I did warn yestetday that we should wait and see who the new consortiums money men were and what their motives are. Well, there can't be much money if we have to sell Ritchie to pay the wages this month who's next out the door - Paolo? Do I not like this!
Who knows whether the outfit taking over were actually the best for THE CLUB - out of those showing interest? More probably they offered the best deal for Black to take his money and run.
Good luck to Ritchie - he's been an excellent player (or should that be asset) for us and i don't blame him in any way for joining Bournmuff.
Stuffed again!
Swindon1984
says...
7:32am Thu 31 Jan 13
Lazaat wrote:Dearly hope you're wrong but could be spot on.
Stilloyal wrote:If this is true then expect more selling today? And if that happens also expect Paolo to resign.
The new owners have no control over transfers until the takeover has been sanctioned by the F.A. This was Blacks doing.
clunge_meister
says...
7:34am Thu 31 Jan 13
Lazaat wrote:No both parties would have to agree. You can't sell a key asset of a business mid sale, the buyer would be able to sue big time. The fact that transfer of ownership is not official makes no difference other than who signs paperwork.
Stilloyal wrote:If this is true then expect more selling today? And if that happens also expect Paolo to resign.
The new owners have no control over transfers until the takeover has been sanctioned by the F.A. This was Blacks doing.
who am i
says...
7:35am Thu 31 Jan 13
Last step wrote:Acording to bbc wilts this morning both black and new owners agreed sale of Ritchie. That's not good. I await today's news on wether I become a arm hair supporter in future.
Stilloyal wrote: The new owners have no control over transfers until the takeover has been sanctioned by the F.A. This was Blacks doing.I think this is a key point that is worth remembering. Any blame attached to the new owners is at best speculation, at worst potentially damaging. I just hope nothing else horrible happens before this 11pm deadline tonight.
fredi
says...
7:38am Thu 31 Jan 13
nosyrudeman
says...
7:39am Thu 31 Jan 13
rds come and go in football, but fans can't change their allegiance. No one player is bigger than the club. Seems to me that MR walked very very easily. Nice place to live, you are having a laugh. Bet he won't live in Bournemouth, he'll live in or around his home town which is Gosport. 50 odd miles away. As much as I liked him as a player, if he does not want to be here, well I don't want him here. As for the joke of a price, that is what happens when the A word is bandied about, because that'as when the vultures swoop with paltry offers, knowing we are desperate. What I find disturbing is the timing of Blacks wanting to get out. After all the great work he and his fellow backers had put into our club, it just seems he has pressed the self destruct button and plunge the club back to despair. Who is next to leave?
We need a full and frank statement from both the outgoing and incoming boards. I have been watching STFC since 1961 and nothing ever surprises me anymore. I felt sick to the stomach last night when the MR story broke, and I feel worse today, waiting to who is going to leave while we are 3rd in the league.
who am i
says...
7:39am Thu 31 Jan 13
who am i wrote:Lol armchair not hair priceless unlike Richie.
Last step wrote:Acording to bbc wilts this morning both black and new owners agreed sale of Ritchie. That's not good. I await today's news on wether I become a arm hair supporter in future.Stilloyal wrote: The new owners have no control over transfers until the takeover has been sanctioned by the F.A. This was Blacks doing.I think this is a key point that is worth remembering. Any blame attached to the new owners is at best speculation, at worst potentially damaging. I just hope nothing else horrible happens before this 11pm deadline tonight.
Haydonender
says...
7:39am Thu 31 Jan 13
In the meantime I look forward to Paolo's interview today, he seems to be the only one at the club willing to give the fans straight answers
the wizard
says...
7:46am Thu 31 Jan 13
oz ashes
says...
7:51am Thu 31 Jan 13
backwards and downwards
very dissapointed
London Red
says...
8:04am Thu 31 Jan 13
.
Going to take my own advise of yesterday morning and not commenting on takeover or sale until we have some actual details not gossip
.
PdC's press conference will be interesting as he says it as it is!
.
We will see then if it was Black, Matt or others who drove this sale
.
We should also see if he is still in or not - if he is that has got to be a good indicator that this could be good for the future
chrystovski
says...
8:19am Thu 31 Jan 13
I just don't like the lack of communication from the current or new regime, this takeover leaves a bitter taste in the mouth against everyone involved...I just hope it's not a sign of things to come.
AFCBExile
says...
8:27am Thu 31 Jan 13
We wanted him lasy year even allegedly offering over a £1M for him but were told very forcefully to go away. This time we make an offer of £400k and our hands seem to be snapped off.
Black has been replaced but I can't believe he has writen-off the £10M that he is owed. So how is he going to get some of his money back? My guess is through the sale of players. Has the new Consortium bought out the old debt of £13M I might be wrong but to be honest what is in it for them?
Like us you don't own your own ground so you can't sell the land and build a new out of town stadium. So the only way for Black to get some of his money back is to sell the clubs assets; i.e. the players. We have been through this when we reached the L1 play-offs and EH had the whole side sold off to pay off our debts. The difference is for us at the moment we've got the rich Russian who is splashing the cash. How long that will last is anybodys guess and I dread the day when he gets bored.
I genuinely hope that this all ends well for you and we resume rivalries in the Championship next season. But unfortunately I feel that this could be a long day for you with a number of players going out the door. I hope that PdC sticks with you during the more challenging times as it's easier to be a good manager with plenty of money. Let's see if he is as good when he has to operate on a tighter budget.
Good luck for the rest of the season and I hope that it ends well fo you.
PS. To the bloke that said Ritchie siginig for Bournemouth was as likely as him playing for Barcelona in the Nou Camp. What's your squad number as I'll keep an eye out for you on SKy Sports!!
John Young's Grumpy
says...
8:30am Thu 31 Jan 13
Why? Yes we have just lost one of our best players and yes the price tag seems way under value, but he has gone. It is not the first time a badthing has happened to the club and probably not the last. I agree with those posters who see that MR probably jumped at a uncertain time - or had to go to provide a financial cushion. Whatever there will be a reason and it will become clear.
What is more important is STFC is bigger than a player, it is bigger than a Baord or Owner or, dare I say it, any one manager.
STFC is a family and the lifeblood is its fans. We need to be part of the club and support it and keep it alive. How many of us have had family issues or a crisis and what did we do? Did we turn our back, or rant and scream and shout, or walk away? No, we rally round, we care. We may have to offer tough love and frank advice but we stay loyal.
Come on guys and gals - lets try to be patient and wait this thing out. Lets us not over react - until it is time to do so. STFC has been around a long time and through good and bad times the reason I have kept going is my extended family of friends - as well as the footie.
Crossing evrything and hoping all turns out for the best. COYR!
bradley red 1
says...
8:53am Thu 31 Jan 13
Oxon-Red
says...
9:00am Thu 31 Jan 13
It is interesting that Bournemouth made an offer very shortly after the announcement of the buy out. I suspect they have pulled a fast one and taken advantage of the take over not having been ratified.
Not saying this is 100% but she would not have been able to make this up.
Before we blame the new owners we should, possibly, bear this in mind as it seems to be the sort of underhand business that their charming chairman would do.
Time to get behind the club and move forward. If the debt has been completely wiped we should not be in this position again and that has to be a good thing.
Ripping up tickets is not the way forward.
COYMR
LeGod
says...
9:02am Thu 31 Jan 13
The sale of the club had been done and to stave off Bournemouth surely the funds could be found to keep Ritchie. If the new owner have got serious money why oh why did this happen.
We have just shot ourselves massively in the foot and wouldnt be surprised now if we get a negative result at Crawley.
PDC will be hacked of and wouldnt be surprised if it was done intentionally to do that so he walks.
we need to keep the rest of this squad together now and add a couple of players otherwise to me all the talk of wanting championship football is all bull***t
Not happy at all and feel weve been taken for a complete ride.
what is it with this club everytime things start going well it blows up in our face.
it would be nice that at some time we could have some honourable owners who tell us the truth and the real facts about our club. So it seems to me the article in the mail was spot on yesterday.
I've been a town fan for a long long time and we have one of the best managers and best chances for a long time to get to the championship and we have just torn it apart and given advantage to all our rivals especially Bournemouth who are a smaller club, smaller ground,smaller crowds but with a rich russian who is ambitious - but are we ?? the manager certainly is but i have my doubts about the board after this debacle that has gone on.
Seems to me AB has done a quick getaway and couldnt give a toss really about the club. What has been done has not been in the best interest of the club whatsoever
SurreyRobinZ
says...
9:03am Thu 31 Jan 13
Davethered
says...
9:06am Thu 31 Jan 13
If this sale has paid the wages for the next few months then so be it.
We don't know what the new owners are going to do in the coming weeks , let's just hope we've still got a club to support , for a while it's back to the bad old day's , but things can turn around very quickly in football. Now's the time to stick together and give as much support to the team and manager as possible, all's not lost be possitive , we've been through it before and we'll go through it again. COME ON YOU RED'S
RedhillPete
says...
9:09am Thu 31 Jan 13
Like you in recent time we are enjoying the ride, with a wealthy Russian, but realise what could be in the shadows if he loses interest, ala yourselves or even worse Pompey. (As posted above, I have no idea how we clear the Wage Cap on our current ground capacity).
Today will be a long day for you until Window shuts and you know who you have lost, or even gained - also loan window I believe re-opens in a week. If PDC can keep his cool, he still has the charisma to attract in decent replacements - given the funds. (We need to clear out some over capacity, wouldnt surprise me if someone comes your way in return).
Any thing which weakens a promotion challenger is of course good news for us, but other than this good luck for the rest of the season!
Wilesy
says...
9:13am Thu 31 Jan 13
Whether it was down to the old regime, the new regime, or a joint decision I don't care, but we have basically given away about £800,000.
On one hand we are told that we will not be left in the lurch from any takeover and the new people want Championship football asap. Then the action is taken to give away the best player to a rival when 3rd in the league and in great form.
To a lesser extent I was suprised we gave away top scorer Connell for nothing, and also paid up Risser's contract in full, but this is unbelievable.
London Red
says...
9:19am Thu 31 Jan 13
.
I thought we signed him for £250k - so that means he was sold for £385k!
.
Or we paid Pompey £365k for him
.
Either way the numbers don't stack up
madterrier
says...
9:20am Thu 31 Jan 13
Black decided, suddenly, that he was not prepared to fund operating losses any more. That's the 'things have changed' issue that Paolo referred to a couple of months back. Just that the board didn't come clean.
Ritchie was sold to keep the club solvent. Whether it's enough we will find out today.
It would have been the Board's decision (i.e. Black), not the new owners. But clearly it demonstrates the new owners do not have a pot to **** in, otherwise they would have raised the £400,000-500,000 to keep Ritchie. He's worth far more than that. Hell, if I could raise the money I would have bought Ritchie for £500,000 and sold him for £1 million in the summer.
I'm afraid that Paolo's spending, player contract pay-offs and Phil Spencer's fees have caught up with us. While Black was prepared to finance the shortfall, it could carry on. But once he decided he'd had enough, the operating loss had to be dealt with.
Black's timing has been crap. The club could have sold Ritchie for much more four weeks ago, had they kept things calmer. But Patey spouting off alerted clubs to a potential fire sale. Similarly, had Black decided to sell the club a while ago and done it more discretely, he might have had more potential buyers to choose from. I don't think he needed to sack Wray and appoint Patey as Chairman. He could just have paid a consultant/intermedi
ary to seek out new buyers behind the scenes.
It's all been handled very badly indeed, and has cost us one of the best players we've had in recent years.
Stilloyal
says...
9:24am Thu 31 Jan 13
peatmoor pirate
says...
9:28am Thu 31 Jan 13
madterrier wrote:Have to agree about Patey's contribution here. I thought the bloke was a diplomat. I'm thinking of giving him a ring and seeing if he fancies a game of poker; clearly he is incapable of keeping his cards close to hs chest. Whilst I suspect that we have sailed very very close to the wind here in terms of going back into administration etc, it is such a shame when we are so close to havng a real promotion push. The future is very uncertain but the silence of the new owners is worrying. Fearing the bad old days are returning ( madterrier's point abut £400k being a small ampunt to be a sticking point is very well made) but sincerely hope I'm proven wrong. I've been a town fan for 39 years now and it never seems to get any easier does it?
Clunge and Med Red hit the spot.
Black decided, suddenly, that he was not prepared to fund operating losses any more. That's the 'things have changed' issue that Paolo referred to a couple of months back. Just that the board didn't come clean.
Ritchie was sold to keep the club solvent. Whether it's enough we will find out today.
It would have been the Board's decision (i.e. Black), not the new owners. But clearly it demonstrates the new owners do not have a pot to **** in, otherwise they would have raised the £400,000-500,000 to keep Ritchie. He's worth far more than that. Hell, if I could raise the money I would have bought Ritchie for £500,000 and sold him for £1 million in the summer.
I'm afraid that Paolo's spending, player contract pay-offs and Phil Spencer's fees have caught up with us. While Black was prepared to finance the shortfall, it could carry on. But once he decided he'd had enough, the operating loss had to be dealt with.
Black's timing has been crap. The club could have sold Ritchie for much more four weeks ago, had they kept things calmer. But Patey spouting off alerted clubs to a potential fire sale. Similarly, had Black decided to sell the club a while ago and done it more discretely, he might have had more potential buyers to choose from. I don't think he needed to sack Wray and appoint Patey as Chairman. He could just have paid a consultant/intermedi
ary to seek out new buyers behind the scenes.
It's all been handled very badly indeed, and has cost us one of the best players we've had in recent years.
hertz
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9:50am Thu 31 Jan 13
Wilesy
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9:55am Thu 31 Jan 13
Stilloyal wrote:Will need to nick quite a few purses to make up the money lost on Ritchie....
Stop worrying, Wright -Phillips is far better than Ritchie and if we get short of a bob or two he can go nicking purses.
SAPFanSTFC
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10:11am Thu 31 Jan 13
Oxon-Red wrote:Agreed - this is not the new buyers and cutting up season tickets is only going to impact on one person - the club already have your money and when we play our matches in April to secure promotion it will not be STFC who have to find the money to pay for a ticket on the day.
I mentioned this last night and felt it should be said again. When my daughter informed me of the sale of Matt she said it was being reported that we had to sell due to a letter sent to all clubs saying our players were available and reasonable offer had to be accepted.
It is interesting that Bournemouth made an offer very shortly after the announcement of the buy out. I suspect they have pulled a fast one and taken advantage of the take over not having been ratified.
Not saying this is 100% but she would not have been able to make this up.
Before we blame the new owners we should, possibly, bear this in mind as it seems to be the sort of underhand business that their charming chairman would do.
Time to get behind the club and move forward. If the debt has been completely wiped we should not be in this position again and that has to be a good thing.
Ripping up tickets is not the way forward.
COYMR
....
There are so many potential story lines here but asset stripping isn't one of them.
....
Selling Ritchie to fund us through February in case the deal was not completed on time is far more likely and the cheap price being down to the fact that they paid cash up front is likely to be the basis of it.
The-Swindon-Man
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10:12am Thu 31 Jan 13
Piston_Broke
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10:18am Thu 31 Jan 13
nosyrudeman wrote:I take it you've never been to Gosport!
Players/managers/boa
rds come and go in football, but fans can't change their allegiance. No one player is bigger than the club. Seems to me that MR walked very very easily. Nice place to live, you are having a laugh. Bet he won't live in Bournemouth, he'll live in or around his home town which is Gosport. 50 odd miles away. As much as I liked him as a player, if he does not want to be here, well I don't want him here. As for the joke of a price, that is what happens when the A word is bandied about, because that'as when the vultures swoop with paltry offers, knowing we are desperate. What I find disturbing is the timing of Blacks wanting to get out. After all the great work he and his fellow backers had put into our club, it just seems he has pressed the self destruct button and plunge the club back to despair. Who is next to leave?
We need a full and frank statement from both the outgoing and incoming boards. I have been watching STFC since 1961 and nothing ever surprises me anymore. I felt sick to the stomach last night when the MR story broke, and I feel worse today, waiting to who is going to leave while we are 3rd in the league.
Piston_Broke
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10:31am Thu 31 Jan 13
LeGod wrote:Size isn't everything, sweetie!
john's young grumpy - Yes we are bloody upset as we have sold a valuable assett to a rival L1 team for peanuts. If the club has serious ambition he wouldnt have been sold but if you do why sell to a rival team and for mickey mouse money.
The sale of the club had been done and to stave off Bournemouth surely the funds could be found to keep Ritchie. If the new owner have got serious money why oh why did this happen.
We have just shot ourselves massively in the foot and wouldnt be surprised now if we get a negative result at Crawley.
PDC will be hacked of and wouldnt be surprised if it was done intentionally to do that so he walks.
we need to keep the rest of this squad together now and add a couple of players otherwise to me all the talk of wanting championship football is all bull***t
Not happy at all and feel weve been taken for a complete ride.
what is it with this club everytime things start going well it blows up in our face.
it would be nice that at some time we could have some honourable owners who tell us the truth and the real facts about our club. So it seems to me the article in the mail was spot on yesterday.
I've been a town fan for a long long time and we have one of the best managers and best chances for a long time to get to the championship and we have just torn it apart and given advantage to all our rivals especially Bournemouth who are a smaller club, smaller ground,smaller crowds but with a rich russian who is ambitious - but are we ?? the manager certainly is but i have my doubts about the board after this debacle that has gone on.
Seems to me AB has done a quick getaway and couldnt give a toss really about the club. What has been done has not been in the best interest of the club whatsoever
swwindon61uk
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10:44am Thu 31 Jan 13
Since 1950 wrote:Did the new investors sell him?
I don't like this one little bit!
New 'investors' and the first thing they do is to sell, within hours of taking over, arguably our prize asset and best player, to one of our promotion rivals - and for peanuts.
I did warn yestetday that we should wait and see who the new consortiums money men were and what their motives are.
Well, there can't be much money if we have to sell Ritchie to pay the wages this month who's next out the door - Paolo?
Do I not like this!
Ritchie did not seem to know on his interview on a Bournemouth radio station yesterday.
Like someone has said he had a contract and could have stayed,he knew his place in the team was safe!
Myself i think it is a good price.
eddyxx
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10:51am Thu 31 Jan 13
STFC Higworth
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11:10am Thu 31 Jan 13
Also if Matt Richie had got injured for 6 months would that of been season over??? If so a little worrying relying on one player so much!!
Psychedelic Syd
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11:17am Thu 31 Jan 13
swwindon61uk
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11:35am Thu 31 Jan 13
STFC Higworth wrote:If we had to rely solely on Matt we would be in trouble indeed.
may be Richie could help us. How many promotion rivals do Bournmouth have to play??? Not us any more thats for certain.
Also if Matt Richie had got injured for 6 months would that of been season over??? If so a little worrying relying on one player so much!!
Hope Bournemouth have a decent right back!
swindonbob
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11:36am Thu 31 Jan 13
swwindon61uk
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11:38am Thu 31 Jan 13
Psychedelic Syd wrote:Forgot to add Matt could have just said "i am staying i have a contract".
Idiotic. Unbelievable. What kind of ambition or business awareness does this show? Virtually a free transfer by the time Portsmouth have their pound of flesh. Who have we got to replace him? Caddis to come back as a right winger? Nonsensical. Feel gutted by this, who on earth sanctioned it?
Saying that i still want to know what triggered this.
PDC must have had to be told before hand surely?
BorisIsTheSpider
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12:21pm Thu 31 Jan 13
eddyxx wrote:Eddy, completely agree. You put my thoughts into words. The new consortium said they did not want to sell MR, so it's down to either the player or the previous owner. For all the talk of lack of ambition I think getting Marlon Pack will soften the blow a little and possibly demonstrate that it was not the new owners but the old who wanted the money for MR.
read between the lines on ritchie going, i think hes panicked and jumped ship and bournmouth have pulled a fast one and fair play to them. The sale to this particular consortium is the right deal for the club at this moment maybe because they could complete quickly or because they have ambitions yet to be revealed. The other deals could have been potentialy better for the club but would have taken longer and potentially forced admin on the club which would be a disaster. by the end of today the picture will become clear on whether the squad is sold on to fund the club indicating the consortium has no dosh or they will stand firm on championship football asap which means keep this squad together and invest in it which means they have the dosh, either way a statement of championship football asap can only be achieved with financial backing and suggests all may not be as bad as it seems. time will tell
swwindon61uk
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12:48pm Thu 31 Jan 13
Could they have just put in there hands in there pockets just a little longer and keep Ritchie?
It also looks like the transfer was done to allow PDC money to strengthen the squad..
shams69
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1:27pm Thu 31 Jan 13
buckobassettboy
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1:43pm Thu 31 Jan 13
hertz wrote:Spot on.I was at Orient too.Living near Colchester does not allow me to see the Town too easily.Matt Ritchie is a good player but not a great player.One dimensional and very left footed.Remember the Wembley disaster against Chesterfield.Their fullback,having done his homework,had Ritchie in his back pocket from the off.You know he always cuts in to favour his left foot so rather than loose his cutting edge he has just been found out.Cuthbert would have given Orient the rundown on him,not that they did't know already.Nevertheless
Someone on page 1 of my 2013 had to go they always do , it was rumoured it would be Aden looksd like he is staying but now we know its Matt , He has been a great servant to the club and I wish him well , we talked about this at Orient the other night , he was busy enough but he has lost that cutting edge he used to have and his corners are'nt what they used to be , we will survive COYR
,it is a huge loss. When Fjortoft went to Middlesborough we all felt a million was too cheap but he drifted into obscurity.Maybe the sale of Ritchie was premature but half a million is about right.Good business,we will survive.If he was that special surely bigger clubs than Bournemouth would have come calling.
swindonbob
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2:20pm Thu 31 Jan 13
swindonbob
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2:21pm Thu 31 Jan 13
swwindon61uk
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2:58pm Thu 31 Jan 13
EastleazeRed says...
6:05am Thu 31 Jan 13