Ranson reveals big City ambitions
Prospective Manchester City owner Ray Ranson has put plans in progress to take Manchester City to “the next level” if his potential bid to take control of the club is successful.
Ranson yesterday issued a statement confirming his consortium’s interest in the Eastlands club and, although he admitted that his proposals had not yet been welcomed by the City board, he said that he has big plans for his former club.
Reports suggest Ranson’s group are sitting on a potential £90million offer - which would include wiping out a £20million debt owed to chairman John Wardle and his former business partner David Makin, plus a £20million transfer kitty - and Ranson issued a statement through the Stock Market clarifying his current position.
“Ray Ranson can confirm that he is interested in buying the club and has, over the past couple of months, made indicative proposals to the club concerning a possible offer,” the statement read.
“Ray is yet to receive a positive response from the board to these indicative proposals and is currently considering making a further proposal to the board of the club.
“Ray recognises that the club is heavily indebted and his business plan is not dependent on leveraging the club further.
“Together, Ray and his partners have developed an operational plan for the club that is aimed at taking the club forward to the next level of its development, both on and off the field.”
City are thought to favour doing business with another party – with an American consortium and former Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra among those linked with a move, but Ranson has hinted that he may be put off making a formal offer if the board are unhelpful.
“Shareholders should be aware that there can be no certainty that a formal offer will be made,” the statement continued.
“But the likelihood of a formal offer being made to the shareholders may be improved with the club’s cooperation in further confirmatory due diligence.”
Meanwhile, the Manchester City Supporters’ Trust has acknowledged Ranson’s plans for City, describing them as “interesting”.
A statement on behalf of the trust read: “We are aware, in very broad terms, of the nature of Ray Ranson’s proposals, including his vision for the future of Manchester City Football Club.
“Whilst the proposals are interesting and appear progressive, we must make it clear that we have not seen any detailed proposals and there cannot make any substantive comment on his offer.”
But they insist that whoever is in charge next season should embrace a close relationship with the fans.
“The Manchester City Supporters’ Trust has made it clear that it believes the supporters are the real custodians of our club’s best long-term interests and that the best way forward for Manchester City is for the owners and supporters to work in partnership,” said the statement.
