SCOTTISH millionaire Stephen Thompson has reaffirmed his interest in buying the Newcastle Jets.
In a rare interview, the Dundee United chairman told the Newcastle Herald on Monday that talks with Football Federation Australia were continuing and he remained hopeful of a positive outcome.
The FFA announced on September 22 that “broad terms of the sale have been agreed”, but has reopened discussions with other parties after Thompson’s consortium did not meet an October 31 deadline to deliver on the $4million acquisition fee.
“We are still very interested,” Thompson, pictured, said. “We have to redo our financial model.
“In sport, things move very fast. Things are fluid.
“We are reassessing the financial model we put together. That is basically where we are.
“FFA wanted an answer. We said we can’t give you one just now.
“We have spent a lot of time and money on this so far.
‘‘I have visited Newcastle five times since December and met various people. I’m putting the effort in.’’
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FFA took control of the Jets in May after ousting Nathan Tinkler, but the governing body had been intent on selling the franchise before the 2015-16 season kicked off.
It will continue to bankroll the club but has made it clear ‘‘it’s not in our plans to own the Jets or any other A-League team’’.
It is understood FFA is talking to another possible buyer overseas, but sources have insisted it ‘‘will not be a fire sale’’.
The Herald has been told that the Jets, despite securing a number of new sponsors and operating on a shoestring budget, are set to lose more than $1 million this season.
‘‘I don’t believe a football club should be an endless money pit,’’ Thompson said.
‘‘It is wrong for the club.
‘‘You will end up back in the same situation three or four years down the line. The business has to be profitable or at least break even for it to be sustainable.’’
FFA have started preliminary work on a new broadcast deal due to start in 2017 that is expected to significantly improve the bottom line for clubs.
‘‘You can’t rely on just that,’’ Thompson said.
‘‘You need to engage properly in the community.
‘‘I am a football person through and through.
‘‘I have been up to meet people privately in the Newcastle community, business folk and get a feel for the place. There is no doubt it is going to take time to get everyone to re-engage with the club. Ultimately it’s the locals’ club.
‘‘My dad [who preceded Thompson as Dundee United chairman] once said: ‘The fans are the one constant that will always be there’.
‘‘Emotionally it is their club. I get all that completely.’’
Aside from negotiations with FFA, Thompson has come under pressure in Scotland.
Dundee United are last on the ladder by three points in the Scottish Premier League ladder. He has sacked a coach, sold star players and has come under fire from Tangerines fans.
‘‘We are not doing well this season. That happens in football,’’ he said. ‘‘There is no doubt that it has been a very, very tough year, and I have had to address a number of issues here. We are going to have to bring in players before the transfer window closes in January. We have spent eight years in the top six, played in four cup finals; you can’t judge us on the past three months.
‘‘The facts are Dundee’s debt was once £7.4 million [$15.8 million], now it’s down to £1.2 million in six years.
‘‘We never went through an administration process. That is something I am quite proud of.
‘‘Every creditor has always been paid.
‘‘Our youth academy is the envy of most in our game in Scotland, and we have invested in the whole facility this year. We had issues with the fans because we sold two players at the end of January just before the cup final.
‘‘You do it for the right reasons. We are trying to get rid of the debt and do business.
‘‘It is a difficult fine line.
‘‘I have sat down with the supporters groups in the past few weeks. We had an open and frank discussion on where we are so we can move on for the sake of the club.
‘‘That is exactly what I would do in Newcastle.’’
source:theherald.com.au
STUDIO 3 NEWCASTLE AUSTRALIA 