Martin Broughton - new chairman.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/liverpool/7572948/Liverpool-close-to-appointing-British-Airways-high-flier-Martin-Broughton-as-chairman.html

Telegraph Sport disclosed on Friday that Broughton had been sounded out about becoming independent non-executive chairman at Anfield, and he is understood to be close to accepting the post.
Broughton is thought to have discussed the terms of his contract and the responsibilities required with the Americans and may make a decision as soon as the weekend.



Hicks and Gillett are co-chairmen of Liverpool but want to step aside in favour of a credible British businessman to improve the club’s standing in the financial community, and draw some of the sting from the supporters’ criticism.
The move comes as the American owners continue to seek fresh investment to meet a demand from their banks, The Royal Bank of Scotland and Wachovia, that the club debt be reduced by £100 million from £237 million.
As well as chairing BA, Broughton is a former chairman of British American Tobacco and the Confederation of British Industry.
Alongside football his major sporting interest is racing and he was chairman of the British Horseracing Board for three years from 2004-2007.
If, as expected, he is confirmed in the post it will mark a significant development ahead of the bank refinancing deadline on June 31.
Club managing director Christian Purslow has previously said that five or six parties remain interested in taking a stake in the club, but price remains a sticking point.

The Rhone Group, a New York-based private equity fund, tabled a £105 million bid for a 40 per cent stake in the club last month, but a deadline for the deal to be accepted passed on Monday.

Anyone else think the Yanks are looking for a patsy?

In the echo today as well mate.

Liverpool FC owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett on verge of signing BA's Martin Broughton

LIVERPOOL co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett are on the verge of appointing Martin Broughton, the head of British Airways, to become the club’s independent chairman.

Hicks and Gillett, both of whom were at Anfield on Thursday night to watch the Reds demolish Benfica in the Europa League, have been in Britain since Tuesday discussing a number of issues with their advisers, most notably investment.

The appointment of an independent chairman, though, has also featured heavily in their talks and, after much deliberation, Broughton is understood to be the man they want to step in.

Liverpool officials will not comment on the subject but it is understood Broughton has held talks over the position and is set to be appointed to the role at some point in the next week.

Where he will be based remains unclear. Broughton, a 62-year-old from West London, has been with BA since 2000 – he was on the board for four years before becoming chairman in 2004 – but he has a considerable background in sport, as he chaired the British Horseracing Board between 2004-2007.

He was also chairman of British American Tobacco when it launched the BAR Formula One team in 1999.

Such a move on Hicks and Gillet’s behalf makes sense, particularly if they are to find a minority investor to help reduce the club’s current £237m debt.

Reds Managing Director Christian Purslow has been attempting to bring in third party investment for months but the only confirmed interest so far has come from the Rhone Group, a private equity fund, who offered £113m for a 40 per cent stake last month.

Hicks, in particular, was reluctant to accept that figure but there are still several interested parties who have increased their interest in buying a stake since news of Rhone’s interest emerged.

Echo link

So is this just a measure for the owners to take a back seat or an exit strategy?

Hes a big Chavski fan, strange appointment!

Martin Broughton is a life long Chelsea fan!

It has even been reported that several leading business figures, including British Airways chairman Martin Broughton, have been approached about taking on the role of independent chairman to enhance the club's attraction to potential investors.

Broughton has previously chaired the British Horseracing Board, but given the problems BA are currently facing - and the fact he is a passionate, lifelong Chelsea fan - it is unclear whether he would want the role.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/danroan/2010/04/liverpool_ownership_enters_cru.html

Would we want him and if so would he be impartial?

Wankers are gonna take a back seat,Playing a crafty game these two knobheads,no doubt they will still pull all the strings from across the pond.No matter who they appoint they will all sing of the same hyme sheet and screw this club further.

Need to hit them on their own turf. Demonstrations this side of the pond will only do so much. Awareness needs to be raised in the states. They must have supporters groups over there.

Very dubios about any decision these two con men make concerning OUR club , with a bit of look they have put him in to oversee the sale and change of ownership of LFC once this season comes to a close.

I can't see how a Chelsea fan would be the best man for the job. :/

A leopard can't change it's spots in the same way as the owners  cannot change their tendencies of being deceitful and devious, this is an attempt to put a different image to the lies and dishonesty which we have become accustomed to it doesn't fool us and it won't fool the circling predators who will hopefully rip the owners to shreds.

They can put as many 'fronts' on the organisation as they want.

YANKS OUT

Ya heard he is a die hard Chelsea fan, wouldn't think any top management that worked for BA has anything to boast about.

All his appointment will do is cost the club more money in wages, that is unless he has a spare £100 million to give Rafa for transfers.

 Another joke of an appointment from our joke of owners.

Anyone hired by Bill and Ben is a yes man, someone to take the fire for them!

Nobody wants to work with H&G and they know it do they're planning to put a new face in there for the banks / investors to deal with. This won't dilute their power one bit.

I have heard that he has seasoncard at Chelski so I'm not really positive. If he gets the job I will not be surprised if Torres or Gerrard going to Chelsea this summer.

YANKS OUT NOW!

Wasting more of our money to pay a chelski fan to play puppet. Fan-f@@king-tastic

Disgraceful!

What the F**k are those two cu*ts playing at now? Why can't they just F**k off for good so we can all rest easy and know the future of our beloved club is sound. With these two F***ing pricks trying to run our club, our long term future is uneasy. And this decision to bring in another c**t with no affection for our club doesn't give me much reason to be cheerful.

Fuming!

Seems dodgy this.

Seems dodgy this.

It's that alright.

"Independent Chairman" my F***ing arse!

A F***ing Chelsea fan brought in, at what expense, in an attempt to con not only us but potential investors - will there ever be an end to those two bas**rds trying to make cu*ts of us all?

F**k Martin Broughton!

"Independent Chairman" my f**king arse!

A f**king Chelsea fan brought in, at what expense, in an attempt to con not only us but potential investors - will there ever be an end to those two bas**rds trying to make cu*ts of us all?

F**k Martin Broughton!

How does that saying go,you can con some of the people some of the time but not all of the people all of the time.If Mr Broughton ever has the cheek to show up at Anfield he should get the message loud and clear he is not wanted.

How does that saying go,you can con some of the people some of the time but not all of the people all of the time.If Mr Broughton ever has the cheek to show up at Anfield he should get the message loud and clear he is not wanted.

I would rather see this as another nail in their coffin Billy mate.

This guy wouldn't come here, he knows how tribal football teams in England are and besides has someone has pointed out he's a Chav, through and through.

I do not know what they are doing other than get away from all the flac, then got some fool to take the lot whilst collecting a big pay chech, via the supporters ticket moneys we all pay, but whatever they do, if they stay the club will probably go into decline the longer they are here. their are buyers out there but they won't sell, god dam Moores.

He now looks like he is coming, must be a big pay day in it, he do not support this club so the quicker he is gone the better I'll be.

This guy wouldn't come here, he knows how tribal football teams in England are and besides has someone has pointed out he's a Chav, through and through.

I do not know what they are doing other than get away from all the flac, then got some fool to take the lot whilst collecting a big pay chech, via the supporters ticket moneys we all pay, but whatever they do, if they stay the club will probably go into decline the longer they are here. their are buyers out there but they won't sell, god dam Moores.

If H&G have the F***ing nerve to show up why not this pr**k?

If H&G have the f**king nerve to show up why not this pr**k?

Stuey mate at least he's an admitted football fan.If he were to take the job then that would prove him to be a bigger tw*t than he was as BA Chairman.He would bring nothing to our club,would cause f*cking uproar if he attended Anfield(it would be like Hermann Goering switching on the Christmas lights in Bethlehem, no disrespect intended to our Jewish Bretheren).How many times have the two gobshites got to disrespect this club before all of us take to the streets.I'm with DLS,offended by this.

Stuey mate at least he's an admitted football fan.If he were to take the job then that would prove him to be a bigger tw*t than he was as BA Chairman.He would bring nothing to our club,would cause f*cking uproar if he attended Anfield(it would be like Hermann Goering switching on the Christmas lights in Bethlehem, no disrespect intended to our Jewish Bretheren).How many times have the two gobshites got to disrespect this club before all of us take to the streets.I'm with DLS,offended by this.

F***ing right Roy and if it went on there'd be fighting in the street to say nothing of in the ground.

F***ing right Roy and if it went on there'd be fighting in the street to say nothing of in the ground.

Mate I'm sorry to be an old fart,but when the establishment challenged the will of the people last time,we took to the streets.I am still amazed how people underestimate the honest ability of people associated with this city to respond to a challenge.Ffs we,ve got Bretheren around the globe now willing to fight for the cause.Let no one be complacent,you take on our club for whatever reason,we will prevail.

F***ing right Roy and if it went on there'd be fighting in the street to say nothing of in the ground.

Mate I can see some difficult times ahead.we are in an era when club's success,is determined by owners investment rather than managers ability to build a squad by normal parameters.A new Chairman means f*ck all.So bin the expense and add it to the transfer budget

Mate I can see some difficult times ahead.we are in an era when club's success,is determined by owners investment rather than managers ability to build a squad by normal parameters.A new Chairman means f*ck all.So bin the expense and add it to the transfer budget

I'm having all that Roy but it does look like a structure is being laid out for the next step and it looks as though the fuckwit owners are being forced into decisions through necessity not choice.
It does appear that something is in the offing and we could see something happening sooner rather than later.

The quicker the two Yank Clowns go the better

SSN just said his position means H&G can't block each others vote on board issues anymore so he's been put in as a decision maker.

Seems to have all the right business acumen and if this is the required preamble to getting those idiots out the door then so be it.

YNWA

I don't give 2 shits if he's a Chelski fan. Look at his CV, you won't find a much better man to do the job from a business point of view. Just because he's a season ticket holder, that doesn't mean he's a hardcore fan, it just means he has the means to buy one.
In a way, it's similar to the scenario we have here in Stoke-on-Trent. The Labour party candidate has withdrawn due to ill health so the party brought in a bloke from London. He specialises in city regeneration projects and has a stunning past record. He's even secured funding for S-o-T in the past to build museums and secure 'The Saxon Hoard' that was discovered here, all before he came to the area. On paper he's actually far too good to be placed here. However, every evening I read the local paper to find people complaining about his appointment. Why?
1 - His name is Tristram... far too upper class for this area.
2 - He hasn't based his whole campaign around saving Oatcake shops (a local 'delicacy').
I'm happy that he will be professional to the end and the same goes for our new chairman.
The bigger concern is that H&G brought him in so he will surely have been told to do what's best for them, just as the big concern about Tristram Hunt is that Labour appointed him. THAT is the real concern, not his club of choice.

The only reason the chairman of BA is becoming our top man is because his management style is all about bullying workers, redundancies and making wholseale changes to working practises without notifying or indeed recognising any union.

They can put as many 'fronts' on the organisation as they want.

YANKS OUT

This

Its just another face for us fans to target our anger at... how deluded do they think we are!?!

Its just another face for us fans to target our anger at... how deluded do they think we are!?!

Especially as he was called a non-executive chairman in the echo last night, which means he's just a F***ing face for the other two and is in no way a decision maker.

I wonder how much he is being paid to do F**k-all!!

This guy wouldn't come here, he knows how tribal football teams in England are and besides has someone has pointed out he's a Chav, through and through.

I do not know what they are doing other than get away from all the flac, then got some fool to take the lot whilst collecting a big pay chech, via the supporters ticket moneys we all pay, but whatever they do, if they stay the club will probably go into decline the longer they are here. their are buyers out there but they won't sell, god dam Moores.

I'm as sceptical about this as anyone. having said that, boughton is very well respected in turning the fortunes around of businesses in trouble and he doesn't strike me as the type of guy who would risk his reputation if he was to be just used as a puppet on a string. I don't mind that he's admitted to be a chavski fan, plenty of players/footballing businessmen support clubs different to those they are affiliated with, but they still carry out the jobs and responsibilities to high standards.

I can only hope that the david maddock column in the mirror has some truth in it. he may have been brought in to stabilise the club as a business and bring respectability back to the club to attract new buyers (because clearly, nobody wants to do any f*cking business with the deceitful and pathetic yankee c***s ).

if this is the case, I'm quitely optimistic but as ever, as long as those pathetic excuses for human beings are around, I will not rejoice.

We'll give Rafa Benitez cash to splash, says new Liverpool chief Martin Broughton

Cautious: Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez

Rafa Benitez gave a cautious welcome to a potential change of ownership at Anfield yesterday and revealed he wants urgent talks with new chairman Martin Broughton.

After being installed to supervise the eagerly awaited end of Tom Hicks’s and George Gillett’s Liverpool reign, Broughton sought to reassure Benitez over his future and made a bold pledge that transfer funds would be available.

With a £16million, four-year contract awaiting his signature at Juventus, the Liverpool manager intends putting both issues to the test in the next few days.

‘I have not met the new chairman yet or spoken to him, but I will,’ he said.

‘I don’t know exactly when, but it will be sooner rather than later, because it is important for a manager and chairman to talk.

‘It is clear we have to get together and talk about everything. It is normal to want to cover all subjects and it can be good to have just one person on hand to answer all your questions.

‘I don’t know whether money will be available at the end of the season. I don’t know his agenda yet but I hope that is the case and it is something that will be part of our conversation.

'If he has said he wants me to stay and there will be money, that is good. But I need to meet him to find out.’

Benitez produced a plate of cakes and pastries to mark his 50th birthday and was in a jovial mood as he smiled: ‘I’m an old man now — it’s official.’


Selling up: George Gillett (L) and Tom Hicks

It could almost have been an unintentional admission that working for Hicks and Gillett had put years on him, but he was wary of celebrating the end of a troubled chapter, just as he remained guarded about Juve’s efforts to prise him away.

Mindful there could be a long gap between confirming the arrival of Broughton and Barclays Capital and bidding farewell to Hicks and Gillett, Benitez said: ‘Always, we have to be positive and believe things will improve.

'I would like to think it is true when people say this is good news, but my experience is that it is better to wait and see.

‘All our fans agree that we need to see signs of progress. There has been talk of new investment for a while but now there is one person everything can be channelled through.

'When I sit down with him, I will explain my ideas and see if we can go forward quickly.
Martin Broughton

In the hotseat: Martin Broughton

‘Everyone sees this as a step in the right direction but the next stage must be completed as quickly as possible. Stability is always a key word in any business, and football is no different.

'It would help us all if a satisfactory conclusion can be reached soon.’

Asked if he would be dishing out slices of birthday cake at Melwood in 12 months’ time, Benitez gave a knowing grin and said: ‘Hopefully, I will still be here on Monday when we play West Ham.

'I don’t want to say too much about my future, because there has been a lot of speculation already


In the hotseat: Martin Broughton

‘My agent is supposed to have made an admission in a Spanish paper (about meeting Juventus officials). But if you talk about the press here or in Spain or Italy, they are not always the same.

'Sometimes things are said that are not true. Even if there were quotes, you cannot always believe them.

‘I wanted to be Liverpool manager in the past, and I still want to be. I actually want to manage until I’m 70 or even 80. Where? You never know in football.’

Chelsea fan Broughton, who admitted horse-racing was his main sporting passion, backed Benitez and insisted there would be no cashing in on Steven Gerrard or Fernando Torres at the end of the season.


Staying? Fernando Torres

Broughton insisted there was no deadline for repaying £100m of the club’s £237m debt and that RBS were prepared to wait for the sale to go through.

He said the Americans were seeking a ‘reasonable price’ and added: ‘Rafa is a good manager. We want him to stay and he’s under contract.’

Torres is still waiting to return to Spain for a verdict on his knee injury after flights were grounded, because of the Icelandic volcano.

Mail Online

Good article that Daz and all the right noises from Broughton and the manager, there is an unfortunate similarity to the statements H&G made upon their arrival but nobody with an iota of concern for their reputation or credibility would attempt to pull the same scam.

Spot on stuey.

We've heard it all before, let's hope the outcome is vastly different this time.

Well, we can hope.

It's a shame we're so untrusting after what we've been through with H&G.

Well, we can hope.

It's a shame we're so untrusting after what we've been through with H&G.

Cynicism breeds the same mate, can't be helped.

He said the Americans were seeking a ‘reasonable price’  Greedy bas**rds more like!!

Can't blame Rafa for keeping his cards close to his chest, everything he says is taken out of context.

To what extent do you trust Rafa in the transfer market? TBH, if we got new owners and they made £100M to spend, I would have big reservations about where Rafa would go with it

To what extent do you trust Rafa in the transfer market? TBH, if we got new owners and they made £100M to spend, I would have big reservations about where Rafa would go with it

Why? When has he ever had big money to spend to lead you to that conclusion? All managers make mistakes at times, i dunno why theres this huge belief that Rafa can't buy good players.

Ferguson. Spent 30m on Berbaflop, wouldn't pay the 25m or whatever it was for Tevez. Hows that working out?

Personally won't trust that we have any sort of funds until i actually see a player of real quality being presented at Anfield.

Everey manager makes mistakes in the transfer market...But look at the positives from Rafa's transfers Xabi Alonso,Pepe Reina, Daniel Agger, Fernando Torres,Luis Garcia,Mascherano, just to name a few.If Rafa had a budget of 100 million i would happily back him

Well give Rafa this well give Rafa that well how about insted of saying just do it!

Why? When has he ever had big money to spend to lead you to that conclusion? All managers make mistakes at times, I dunno why theres this huge belief that Rafa can't buy good players.

Ferguson. Spent 30m on Berbaflop, wouldn't pay the 25m or whatever it was for Tevez. Hows that working out?

Personally won't trust that we have any sort of funds until I actually see a player of real quality being presented at Anfield.

Everey manager makes mistakes in the transfer market...But look at the positives from Rafa's transfers Xabi Alonso,Pepe Reina, Daniel Agger, Fernando Torres,Luis Garcia,Mascherano, just to name a few.If Rafa had a budget of 100 million I would happily back him

What these guys said.

Show me the money Martin.

If Rafa does get significant funds he must do better in the transfer market than he has done in the past , the big money buys he has got right its the middle order money signings where he has struggled and also the turnaround of players has to stop .

If Rafa does get significant funds he must do better in the transfer market than he has done in the past , the big money buys he has got right its the middle order money signings where he has struggled and also the turnaround of players has to stop .

Who's fault is it that he has had to make so many middle order signings? And plenty of those middle-order signings have been quality as well.

Where are they then ?

Where are they then ?

One fu**ed off back to Spain in the summer, Arbeloa!! Luis Garcia wasn't a bad buy either, Momo did alright until that injury in Portugal. Even though we regard Pepe as a quality signing, he was only bought for about £6 million.

The Greek has done a job this season and Rodriguez has started to fit into the team recently and neither were big money buys.

Where are they then ?

Add to HR, Alonso was cheap in comparison to his now huge rep and the amount we gained on him. Yossi was only 5m, Agger, Skrtel (despite this season, i think he is quality)

In comparison to some of the huge fees being paid now, we have made some very good but shrewd buys in the last few years.

Add to HR, Alonso was cheap in comparison to his now huge rep and the amount we gained on him. Yossi was only 5m, Agger, Skrtel (despite this season, i think he is quality)

In comparison to some of the huge fees being paid now, we have made some very good but shrewd buys in the last few years.

Good thinking Big Van Vader

Was scratching my head for a second then and forgot about the other three. Imo Alonso was seen as his big money buy in his first season, even though I understand what you're saying.

Good thinking Big Van Vader

Was scratching my head for a second then and forgot about the other three. Imo Alonso was seen as his big money buy in his first season, even though I understand what you're saying.

Yeah, Alonso is kinda borderline there - but i threw him in still Considering he was a bit of a no-body that became great, was a good deal IMO. Though, he did have his average times as well.

Lets not forget either that Rafa has tried signing some other quality players and been scuppered by either Parry, or other clubs coming in with bigger wallets.

If Rafa does get significant funds he must do better in the transfer market than he has done in the past , the big money buys he has got right its the middle order money signings where he has struggled and also the turnaround of players has to stop .

The turn around of players has been brought about by the sell to buy policy he works under, bearing in mind he has totally revamped the full squad leaving only Gerrard and Carragher from the squad he originally inherited from Houllier all that for a net spend of 70 odd million over 6 years.

Would I trust Rafa with 100 million ?, F**k aye, it's not my money

Yeah, Alonso is kinda borderline there - but i threw him in still Considering he was a bit of a no-body that became great, was a good deal IMO. Though, he did have his average times as well.

The pedantic in me has to respond and say he was never a nobody at that point in his career, Madrid were aware of Xabi even then, remember watching him a few times for Sociedad the season before, wishing we could buy him.

The pedantic in me has to respond and say he was never a nobody at that point in his career, Madrid were aware of Xabi even then, remember watching him a few times for Sociedad the season before, wishing we could buy him.

The biased c**t in me has to say nobody is anybody until they have played for Liverpool

Good point though, I never knew much about him before us anyways but I had little knowledge of anything but English footy at that stage.

I haven't heard much of Xabi before he came here but I was aware teams were after him but he signed for us. Alonso was a real bargain at 10.5 million considering other teams paid big bucks for a player of similar position. And I think in our whole history, we've only spent 20 million on three players - Torres, Aquilani and Keane, whereas other teams are spend that amount or even more on many players.

In Rafa's reign so far, he's only able to buy one "quality" player at the time and as we know for us, signing one quality player isn't preferable due to the lack in squad depth. That's probably one reason why Rafa's had to sign 2-4 average/above average players instead.

However, back to the topic. I've heard these lines before and I'll only believe it when I see it.

It's a sign of the chaos at Liverpool that the appointment of a Chelsea fan as chairman is seen as a good result.

After a long career with BAT, BA and the CBI, Broughton has joined LFC to sell the club for American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett. Here's what you need to know about him...

1) Broughton, who celebrated his 63rd birthday two days before becoming chairman at Anfield, has been a Chelsea supporter for 56 years.


2) The businessman was born in Fulham but claims Stamford Bridge "was marginally shorter walking distance" than Craven Cottage from the family home, where his disabled dad repaired bus and car seats for a living. The family missed TV coverage of Chelsea's 1965 League Cup win because they didn't own a TV set until young Martin was nearly 20.

3) Broughton's no-frills upbringing probably explains why he he and his twin brother prefer to have their season tickets in the Matthew Harding Stand than in Chelsea's plush executive boxes.

4) The BA chairman sought an early end to talk of a strike last Christmas because he wanted to be free to watch Chelsea against Portsmouth on December 16. In the end, however, the industrial action was only called off after he won a court injunction on December 17.

5) He laughs off the idea that a Chelsea supporter can't run Liverpool. He said: "Yes, I am a Chelsea fan, but first and foremost I am a very keen football fan. Football is a passion. Liverpool is an institution, it's been a great club, it needs to be a greeat club and that's what I'm committed to."

6) Broughton began work at a small accountancy firm in 1965 and might have stayed there but says he became determined to succeed in business after hearing a park football team-mate talk about his new job as a jet-setting executive with Coca Cola. He joined top accountancy firm Peat Marwick in 1970, went to British American Tobacco as an auditor a year later and became chief executive of the fags firm in 1993. He joined British Airways as chairman in 2004 and was president of businessman's lobby group the CBI in 2007.

7)/b> His business career has been marked by controversy. While at BAT Broughton caused a stir when he claimed that he would never like to see his two children smoking, and became embroiled in a row at BA when the company banned an airport worker from wearing a crucifix.

After the launch of BA's new Terminal 5 at Heathrow was beset by technical problems in 2008, Broughton refused to give embattled chief executive Willie Walsh a vote of confidence, saying: "Willie and I are both keen soccer fans. We are both aware that the chairman's vote of confidence is often the last act before the manager goes."

9) Despite his love for football, Broughton has a passion for National Hunt horseracing. He's a regular at tracks around the country, owns eight horses and was chairman of the British Horseracing Board between 2004 and 2007. He says his biggest gaffe is failing to buy Best Mate early in the Cheltenham Gold Cup hat-trick hero's racing career.

10) Broughton says a chairman should be like a good referee: It's when you don't notice him, but everything around him works well, then you say 'great game'."

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/blogs/mirror-football-blog/Martin-Broughton-Ten-things-you-need-to-know-about-the-new-Liverpool-FC-chairman-article393955.html

It's a sign of the chaos at Liverpool that the appointment of a Chelsea fan as chairman is seen as a good result.

After a long career with BAT, BA and the CBI, Broughton has joined LFC to sell the club for American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett. Here's what you need to know about him...

1) Broughton, who celebrated his 63rd birthday two days before becoming chairman at Anfield, has been a Chelsea supporter for 56 years.


2) The businessman was born in Fulham but claims Stamford Bridge "was marginally shorter walking distance" than Craven Cottage from the family home, where his disabled dad repaired bus and car seats for a living. The family missed TV coverage of Chelsea's 1965 League Cup win because they didn't own a TV set until young Martin was nearly 20.

3) Broughton's no-frills upbringing probably explains why he he and his twin brother prefer to have their season tickets in the Matthew Harding Stand than in Chelsea's plush executive boxes.

4) The BA chairman sought an early end to talk of a strike last Christmas because he wanted to be free to watch Chelsea against Portsmouth on December 16. In the end, however, the industrial action was only called off after he won a court injunction on December 17.

5) He laughs off the idea that a Chelsea supporter can't run Liverpool. He said: "Yes, I am a Chelsea fan, but first and foremost I am a very keen football fan. Football is a passion. Liverpool is an institution, it's been a great club, it needs to be a greeat club and that's what I'm committed to."

6) Broughton began work at a small accountancy firm in 1965 and might have stayed there but says he became determined to succeed in business after hearing a park football team-mate talk about his new job as a jet-setting executive with Coca Cola. He joined top accountancy firm Peat Marwick in 1970, went to British American Tobacco as an auditor a year later and became chief executive of the fags firm in 1993. He joined British Airways as chairman in 2004 and was president of businessman's lobby group the CBI in 2007.

7)/b> His business career has been marked by controversy. While at BAT Broughton caused a stir when he claimed that he would never like to see his two children smoking, and became embroiled in a row at BA when the company banned an airport worker from wearing a crucifix.

After the launch of BA's new Terminal 5 at Heathrow was beset by technical problems in 2008, Broughton refused to give embattled chief executive Willie Walsh a vote of confidence, saying: "Willie and I are both keen soccer fans. We are both aware that the chairman's vote of confidence is often the last act before the manager goes."

9) Despite his love for football, Broughton has a passion for National Hunt horseracing. He's a regular at tracks around the country, owns eight horses and was chairman of the British Horseracing Board between 2004 and 2007. He says his biggest gaffe is failing to buy Best Mate early in the Cheltenham Gold Cup hat-trick hero's racing career.

10) Broughton says a chairman should be like a good referee: "It's when you don't

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/blogs/mirror-football-blog/Martin-Broughton-Ten-things-you-need-to-know-about-the-new-Liverpool-FC-chairman-article393955.html

First question to our new chairman on point no 2 - So Mr Broughton can you tell us who beat Chelsea in the semi's of the 1965 Fa Cup competition?

First question to our new chairman on point no 2 - So Mr Broughton can you tell us who beat Chelsea in the semi's of the 1965 Fa Cup competition?

Off topic I know but the answer is Liverpool and it was at Villa Park.I know because I was there.I also think that Broughton has been brought in as a diversion to take the heat off Hicks and Gillett.

Where did I hear all this before? Mr. Broughton please dont try bullsh*t us. Hopefully hes not.

Didn't Hicks say we were going to have a big summer in the transfer market a few weeks ago shows what a lying tw*t he is, I won't believe anything about spending money on players till he is gone.

Didn't Hicks say we were going to have a big summer in the transfer market a few weeks ago shows what a lying tw*t he is, I won't believe anything about spending money on players till he is gone.

Yeah he did mate but he didn't say we would be "buying" big.  He was doing his usual - tell us what we want to hear and hope we don't read between the lines.

How about going for this new Brazilian sensation 'Neymar'?
I know it's a big risk, but if it comes off then he could be the next world superstar - plays for Santos as well, who we bought Lucas from, so there should be a relationship between the 2 clubs....

How about going for this new Brazilian sensation 'Neymar'?
I know it's a big risk, but if it comes off then he could be the next world superstar - plays for Santos as well, who we bought Lucas from, so there should be a relationship between the 2 clubs....

How much would he be? If it is a low risk, high reward then yeah.

How about going for this new Brazilian sensation 'Neymar'?
I know it's a big risk, but if it comes off then he could be the next world superstar - plays for Santos as well, who we bought Lucas from, so there should be a relationship between the 2 clubs....

Think we got Lucas from Gremio. However, from what I've heard Neymar is meant to be the dogs bollocks. However, can we afford to make risky signings if we get money this window? Never know when we will get money again, so gotta spend wisely!!

Think we got Lucas from Gremio. However, from what I've heard Neymar is meant to be the dogs bollocks. However, can we afford to make risky signings if we get money this window? Never know when we will get money again, so gotta spend wisely!!

where the f**k did I get Santos from?
Anyway I think it's unlikely we'll have the funds as the fee is supposedly already through the roof - just frustrating to have been linked to Aguero and Pato in the past and have missed out...

This Martin Broughton character is making all the right noises, the video interview on SkySports says 'months' for a deal to be wrapped up.

I like the cut of his jib.

How about going for this new Brazilian sensation 'Neymar'?
I know it's a big risk, but if it comes off then he could be the next world superstar - plays for Santos as well, who we bought Lucas from, so there should be a relationship between the 2 clubs....

He's f***in amazing. I hope Dunga takes him to the World Cup to gain experience and be used as a surprise factor during the games, but Dunga insists in saying no one should expect surprises from him. And considering Neymar never played for Brazil yet, it probably means he's not going to South Africa.

Robinho went back to Santos in January but he's been completely outshone by Neymar and Ganso (attacking mid, only 20). Actually at the age of 18, Neymar looks a far better player than Robinho was with the same age. Santos are the most exciting team in Brazil at the moment, if I'm not mistaken they've scored 8+ goals in 3 matches in 2010. It's only the state championship so far and the league only starts in May, but they've been absolutely brilliant.

Not that keen on some of Rafa's quotes in that article. Doesn't look good.

Gimp couldnt even keep quiet during YNWA, or join in for that matter.

It's confusing for me, does Broughton have the power now or do Hicks and Gillett? I know the whole board situation, but I know from a few of us Broughton just could be a front for H&G. He seems genuinely concerned for the future of the club, which I love, but I don't something about all of this smells fishy.

just thought i'd share the email i sent martin and the reply i received- i have taken the email addresses out for obvious reasons!

Kyle,

The sale is likely to take a few months.

There are a lot of potential investors but it is too early to say how many of them are serious potential investors. That is the "sifting" stage of the process currently underway. Please ignore any speculation you read in the newspapers. We have made clear we will not comment on any speculation otherwise you effectively confirm something by selective "no comment".

The club can compete in the transfer market and has no need to sell players to pay off debt.

Martin





 

 

Martin,

i appreciate a man of your stature is rather busy... but i just had a few questions to ask


when is the sale likely to go through?
is there a lot of potential investors?

and

can the club compete in the transfer market, considering the current financial situation.

tom hicks told me to email you, as i have been in correspondence with him

thanks and i hope to hear from you

kind regards

If true nice one Kyle.

Not positive about the sale taking a few months though, but positive from the perspective that we will be able to compete in the transfer market. Does that mean the Standard Charted 20 million will be pumped into transfers plus what ever Rafa makes on sales??

genuine email from him , dealing with BA on a business issue at the moment so i guessed his email and got one back, i emailed back to that one just saying that we all hope that he gets the "right" investors and gets the deal wrapped up soon

The club can compete in the transfer market and has no need to sell players to pay off debt.

I'd like to believe that.

Is right Kyle. Sounds good that mate.

Hopefully it's not a yarn to spin us with saying we can compete. I somehow doubt it though but time will tell.

Seems sincere enough to me.

Depends what he means by "compete" though. With the likes of Fulham and Birmingham, or with the likes of Chelsea and City?

He seems to say what the fans want to hear because he is only here short term and if what he says is bull sh*t he won't be acountable for his false promises as he will be ofski with his big cheque of the yanks .

We will know if he is telling the truth when we start signing players.

When he was being interviewed on LFCTV, he said he was only here until the club is sold. Surely the new owners will want to hire their own chairman.

Depends what he means by "compete" though. With the likes of Fulham and Birmingham, or with the likes of Chelsea and City?

Exactly what I thought!

or with the likes of Chelsea and City?

I think that's highly unrealistic. Ideally we need to spend roughly how much teams like Tottenham spend. Not sure if we will, though.

Broughton is saying 'a matter of months', 'several potential investors' and 'it's too early' too much for my liking.

Wonder what the cock thinks of Rafa Benitez now that he is managing Chelsea?

The same cock that helped get rid of G@H

The same cock that helped get rid of G@H

Gillett at Hicks?

Gillette at Hicks?

That works.

A clown replacing rafa with hodgson and bringing in more American owners.

A clown replacing rafa with hodgson and bringing in more American owners.

Whats wrong with American owners

Ding ding round 112

George v Corballyred sorry notorious1985


Let's get ready to..............

Thought you didn't like getting involved ?

Seems you can resist it.

Thought you didn't like getting involved ?

Seems you can resist it.

I'll drop you a pm

Believe it or not it's not about you..

And was a joke.. I'll try to avoid those too

Don't bother dropping me a pm.

And jokes are supposed to be funny

I'm corballyred will actually take that as a compliment sadly sorry to disappoint you I'm not. Been here quite a while lurk mostly if that is okay. Anyway not a big fan of the Chelsea fan broughton.

I'm corballyred

Mulder was right, the truth is out there. 

Mulder was right, the truth is out there. 

.