This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/business/7217238.stm

The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Fans make Liverpool takeover move Fans make Liverpool takeover move
(about 6 hours later)
Liverpool supporters are to launch an ambitious plan to buy the football club from its current American owners.Liverpool supporters are to launch an ambitious plan to buy the football club from its current American owners.
US tycoons George Gillett and Tom Hicks recently finalised a £350m refinancing of the club which they bought in 2007.US tycoons George Gillett and Tom Hicks recently finalised a £350m refinancing of the club which they bought in 2007.
But the Share Liverpool FC Group is to reveal plans for a buy-out of the club by 100,000 Reds fans around the world.But the Share Liverpool FC Group is to reveal plans for a buy-out of the club by 100,000 Reds fans around the world.
The model proposed will be a Barcelona style, "member-share" scheme, aimed at raising £500m to purchase the club from its US owners and build a new stadium.The model proposed will be a Barcelona style, "member-share" scheme, aimed at raising £500m to purchase the club from its US owners and build a new stadium.
606: DEBATE Can the fans succeed in their bid to take over the club? 606: DEBATE Can the fans succeed in their bid to take over the club?
As well as UK-based fans, a website will be launched to attract interest from Liverpool's supporter base around the world, particularly in East Asia.As well as UK-based fans, a website will be launched to attract interest from Liverpool's supporter base around the world, particularly in East Asia.
Club refinancingClub refinancing
Those behind the move are football business lecturer and Liverpool fan Rogan Taylor, former director of communications at the Premier League Phil French, and lawyer Kevin Jacquiss - an expert in launching co-operatives.Those behind the move are football business lecturer and Liverpool fan Rogan Taylor, former director of communications at the Premier League Phil French, and lawyer Kevin Jacquiss - an expert in launching co-operatives.
"The time is right to offer a different solution to the rising concerns that football fans have about the patterns of ownership developing at our major football clubs," said Mr Taylor, who is director of the Football Industry Group at the University of Liverpool. "The time is right to offer a different solution to the rising concerns that football fans have about the patterns of ownership developing at our major football clubs," said Taylor, who is director of the Football Industry Group at the University of Liverpool.
Full details of how the fans' group hopes to buy the club will be revealed later on Thursday, although the initial figures seem to suggest an investment per supporter of £5,000 each.Full details of how the fans' group hopes to buy the club will be revealed later on Thursday, although the initial figures seem to suggest an investment per supporter of £5,000 each.
Thousands of Liverpool fans have already demonstrated their dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs Rogan Taylor, Share Liverpool FC GroupThousands of Liverpool fans have already demonstrated their dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs Rogan Taylor, Share Liverpool FC Group
Many Liverpool supporters have been unhappy at the recent uncertainty surrounding the refinancing of the club.Many Liverpool supporters have been unhappy at the recent uncertainty surrounding the refinancing of the club.
After much delay, and reports that either one or both of the owners was willing to sell a stake to Dubai's DIC, a refinancing deal was signed last week with the Royal Bank of Scotland and US bank Wachovia.After much delay, and reports that either one or both of the owners was willing to sell a stake to Dubai's DIC, a refinancing deal was signed last week with the Royal Bank of Scotland and US bank Wachovia.
Tom Hicks confirmed to the BBC last week that of the £350m refinancing package, £105m of that will be debt tied to the club. Hicks confirmed to the BBC last week that of the £350m refinancing package, £105m of that will be debt tied to the club.
Of that total, £45m will be used for future player transfers and to meet the club's working capital needs, and the remaining £60m is thought to be free for start-up money for a new Liverpool stadium.Of that total, £45m will be used for future player transfers and to meet the club's working capital needs, and the remaining £60m is thought to be free for start-up money for a new Liverpool stadium.
However, some supporters are unhappy about debt being placed on to the club, and there is also a perception that the owners' support for manager Rafa Benitez has not been as strong as it might.However, some supporters are unhappy about debt being placed on to the club, and there is also a perception that the owners' support for manager Rafa Benitez has not been as strong as it might.
Debt burdenDebt burden
"Thousands of Liverpool fans have already demonstrated their dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs," said Mr Taylor. "Thousands of Liverpool fans have already demonstrated their dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs," said Taylor.
"Large amounts of debt often devolves onto clubs newly purchased, but the fans know that in the end, it will be they themselves who will have to pay it off through increased ticket prices and other schemes."Large amounts of debt often devolves onto clubs newly purchased, but the fans know that in the end, it will be they themselves who will have to pay it off through increased ticket prices and other schemes.
All looked rosy when the US duo took over in early 2007All looked rosy when the US duo took over in early 2007
"In such a case, why not simply buy the club yourselves?""In such a case, why not simply buy the club yourselves?"
He said that many fans were unaware that there were other ways of financing and taking ownership of big clubs.He said that many fans were unaware that there were other ways of financing and taking ownership of big clubs.
Mr Taylor said that in Germany and Spain most top-level football clubs were not for sale as they were owned by many thousands of "member fans". Taylor said that in Germany and Spain most top-level football clubs were not for sale as they were owned by many thousands of "member fans".
"The Champions League has been won on six occasions in the last 15 years by clubs owned and run in such a way," he said."The Champions League has been won on six occasions in the last 15 years by clubs owned and run in such a way," he said.
Barcelona, which won the Champions League in 2006, is owned by its 100,000 fan-members.Barcelona, which won the Champions League in 2006, is owned by its 100,000 fan-members.
Stadium planStadium plan
Earlier this month a survey carried out by the Liverpool Supporters' network showed that 76% of 2,000 fans questioned said they would "seriously consider reducing their financial commitment to the club" if the current owners stayed in charge.Earlier this month a survey carried out by the Liverpool Supporters' network showed that 76% of 2,000 fans questioned said they would "seriously consider reducing their financial commitment to the club" if the current owners stayed in charge.
When asked to choose between the owners and the manager as to who had the best interest of the club at heart, 99% backed Benitez.When asked to choose between the owners and the manager as to who had the best interest of the club at heart, 99% backed Benitez.
However, Tom Hicks and George Gillett have insisted that they are fully behind manager Rafael Benitez. However, Hicks and Gillett have insisted that they are fully behind Benitez.
They also say the club plans to build the 71,000-seat venue close to Anfield in Stanley Park in time for the 2011-12 season.They also say the club plans to build the 71,000-seat venue close to Anfield in Stanley Park in time for the 2011-12 season.