Frankie 8,675 Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 From Northampton_Loyalist (who posts on FF): Just off the phone to Andrew Ellis As in THE Andrew Ellis. A mutual aquaintance put me in possesion of his mobile number. Mr Ellis was in a meeting but made 5 minutes to have a little chat. He was adamant that he could not in any way discuss the proposed move for Rangers, im guessing that is for pragmatic reasons as well as legal ones, the man simply did not want to be tied down to something he had said prior to moves being finalised. However... He was happy to give a brief run down of his time with the cobblers and his failed bid for QPR. On the first he reminded me of his involvement with the club as a director and made a point of reminding me that he had not been involved at the club during the time they went into administration. His plans for the club were fairly large and involved moving up the ranks. Loftus road was not big enough for those plans and the only viable route for building a stadium large enough to match his ambitions was to move. Being a fan and a personal friend of many fans, including 'officials' amongst the fans groups, he sat with them and explained what he wanted to do and how he planned to achieve it. They wanted something else for the club and so Ellis pulled out. (broadly speaking this is verifyable but there was also a matter of a �£100million guarantee needed by the bank) On Northampton.. A friend took him along to watch a game and looking around he saw that there were people with buckets out collecting cash to 'save the club' (true) and a thermometer on the main stand telling the world how much was needed (true). The cobblers owned not a single asset bar the players contracts (Ellis' words were 'I dont think they even owned a lawnmower'). Ellis and his former father in law (Cardoza, still cobblers chairman) came in and bought the club. The cobblers now own the sixfields stadium (they did not pre-takeover, they do now) and have invested several millions recently (true). Ellis did not explain why he left or talk about the proposed move to MK. In Northampton I had heard a rumour of him being sacked. That was all it was though, a rumour and I know that fans, despite being concerned about his plans for MK were generally speaking appreciative of his time at the club. On to Rangers. This is a direct word for word quote 'There will be NO flats built on Ibrox' The talk about Rangers developed out of the previous few minutes. Mr. Ellis told me that things are at a VERY early stage but should they progress he will 'certainly be in contact with you guys (the Rangers support as a whole) because we will need your help'. Mr. Ellis's previous talk on his other footballing ventures was explained by him as trying to offset some of the talk of (his words) 'asset stripper'. He was trying to show his track record, including trying to move QPR, was based on sound football reasons rather than sound property reasons. He is very clear on the matter that despite not being able yet to lay out plans for Rangers, his plans do not include in any way shape or form 'asset stripping', moving the club away from Ibrox or the club being milked as a cash cow. Not being a journalist and being a touch nervous, i had forgotten to ask an important question, is he alone or are there others? My personal thoughts are that he is 'masterminding' this move and there are other people with some decent clout behind him. Now, normally on threads like this you get 'source' posts galore. Well, the source is the man himself. That, however, makes none of the above true. I can only give you my personal feelings from chatting to him and they are, overall, good. He made it clear he is first and foremost a football man, and I think he is, he made clear his plans for previous clubs, although they can be looked at in certain ways, were always with the best interests of the club at heart and he made as clear as he could that his plans for Rangers are 'honourable'. I am swayed towards believing him but everyone needs to make up their own mind. On the truth of the above, I cannot 'prove' as such that this happened but neither do I feel the need to prove it. Messageboards are here to pass information on and this iis info I have recieved directly to myself from the main protagonist. In the fullness of time, and when he is able to say more, he has said he will be in contact, much in the way he would contact a journalist so i can only hope that happens. For now, I feel better about the whole thing than I did before. let the abuse commence Nothing all that new but interesting that Ellis took the time to speak with an 'ordinary' fan prepared to simply ring up and ask a few general questions. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnlyOneAmoruso 0 Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 He thought he may have had a bit of trouble grabbing his attention but glad to see Ellis listened to what was said and at least took the time to engage him. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
maineflyer 0 Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 The question is ...... why Rangers? 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 8,675 Posted March 11, 2010 Author Share Posted March 11, 2010 The question is ...... why Rangers? Very fair question actually... PM N_L and get Ellis' number? 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 8,675 Posted March 11, 2010 Author Share Posted March 11, 2010 He thought he may have had a bit of trouble grabbing his attention but glad to see Ellis listened to what was said and at least took the time to engage him. Yeah, I'm happy with that but hopefully we'll see a more formal approach taken with the fans in due course... Well done to N_L for taking the bull by the horns though! 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
williamh 0 Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 Like the man said on threads like this you get sources galore, what makes this one any different and any more believable. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluedell 5,686 Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 The question is ...... why Rangers? It's for sale and a hell of a lot cheaper than an EPL club? 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 8,675 Posted March 11, 2010 Author Share Posted March 11, 2010 Like the man said on threads like this you get sources galore, what makes this one any different and any more believable. For the avoidance of doubt, I know N_L would not have made this up... He's a good lad capable of getting off his own arse and finding stuff out while not being influenced by others. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluedell 5,686 Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 Like the man said on threads like this you get sources galore, what makes this one any different and any more believable. Some of us know N_L and have no reason to doubt what he says, and the fact that he has got the information first hand makes it different from normal rumours. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Northampton_loyalist Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 hello. Nothing at all makes it more believable william. I have been on websites for long enough to know that people either believe or dont I had a chance to get his number and took it and hopefully in future it will bear more fruit. He was certainly keen to say that he would be seeking out the fans help on matters and said that he wanted to at some point in the future sit down with fans reps. Im not a fans rep so probably wont be there (although i might try and wiggle my way in ) Just take it like you would take anything else that comes up online, look at it on its merits. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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