Will Watford follow similar path as Pozzo-run Granada?

11:23am Wednesday 20th June 2012 in Sport

Watford fans are already discussing what will happen to their club should the Pozzo takeover go through. Many have used Spanish side Granada CF, who were bought by the family in 2009, as an example of what the future may hold.

Granada CF reporter for El Centrocampista and Inside La Liga, Heath Chesters has written an article for the Watford Observer on the how the Pozzo family run the Spanish club to give an insight into what the Hornets fans could expect.

"Granada CF were once a permanent fixture amongst the Spanish elite, during the 1960s and 1970s. There was a cup final appearance in the 60s and regularly in the top-half of the table. When I first started watching them in 2005 though, they had fallen a long way from those lofty heights.

A promotion from the fourth tier of Spanish football, to the Segunda B4 at the end of the 2005/2006 season was a glimmer of hope. For another three years though, they would struggle not only on the pitch, but financially too, plunging further and further into the red.

Foreign ownership can often generate mixed feelings amongst fans. Especially when little is known about the new owners, or perhaps more importantly, their intentions.

Crippled with debts and struggling in the dungeon divisions of Spanish football, and literally weeks from closure, many fans of Granada CF had considerable doubts when a delegation from Udinese arrived in the city.

Things began to change very quickly. Quique Pina, their Spanish representative, was installed to run things as club president. In the background but ever busy was Gino Pozzo, the son of Udinese supremo Giampaolo Pozzo. Debts were quickly cleared and the books were balanced, a good sign for starters.

Shortly after, Granada CF were loaned numerous players from Udinese, including several "investment" signings, bought specifically by Udinese to send to their new affiliates. The rapid changes were impressive off the field, but on the pitch, things weren't as impressive as hoped to begin with.

With the target an immediate promotion to Segunda, manager Miguel Ángel Álvarez Tomé was dismissed midway through the season, with the team struggling to stay near the top of the table. His replacement was Fabriciano Gonzaléz, a battler in the lower leagues, who would ultimately steer them to promotion at the end of the season. Back in the second tier of Spanish football, after an absence of 22 years.

The following season, there were more player changes and arrivals from Udinese, including more "investment" signings. The fans were euphoric with promotion the previous season, but at best, they were looking forward to a season of consolidation in the Segunda. A poor start to the season was perhaps predictable, with so many player changes once more.

The side started to gel and the stands started to swell at their Nuevo Los Cármenes home, whilst results gradually started to come. A fantastic home record saw Granada climb steadily up the table and end up clinching the final play-off spot. Whilst I'd certainly thought the team were capable, I don't think any of the fans could quite believe their fortune.

Proud to have reached the play-offs, the fans cheered their team past Celta Vigo in the semi-finals, after a penalty shoot-out victory, and went on to beat Elche in the final on away goals. For the first time in 35 years, Granada CF made their return to the Primera.

Back in the top flight, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid, some fans were perhaps a little unrealistic in their expectations. Many hoped for big-name signings. Indeed backed with additional financial support from the Pozzo family and their investors, Granada CF made ambitious approaches for numerous quality players. Sadly, having been outside the top-flight for so long, few of the big name players they approached, had faith that the "project" was anything more than a flash in the pan.

Key players from the promotion winning side remained, several of them contracted to Udinese, but the club also forged relations with Benfica, signing a number of players either on loan, or on free transfers. Whilst good additions were made, it was mainly the lack of attacking potency that made things difficult.

Struggling by January and in the bottom three, promotion-winning manager Fabri was relieved of his duties, in a move that genuinely split the opinions of the fans. Abel Resino was appointed with the task of keeping the club in the Primera and he made a great start. Ultimately a lack of fire-power couldn't lift the club clear of the relegation scrap. But Granada CF survived on the final day as Atlético Madrid sent Villarreal down.

With the new season beckoning and Granada CF having remained in the top-flight, the "project" looks set to continue growing. Quique Pina is to remain as club president, whilst in the background, Gino Pozzo guarantees further investment.

Having been sensibly managed financially, without overstepping their boundaries or risking debt, the club is now in a position to assemble a strong side for the season ahead. Romanian international Gabriel Torje, on loan from Udinese, amongst the first of the expected arrivals.

Meanwhile it's not just the first team that have benefited from investment. The youth system has enjoyed great support and development. The B side gained promotion to the fourth tier, where the first team were not so long ago. The youth teams at all levels have enjoyed excellent seasons and has focused principally on developing players from the province.

In Granada and Udine, fans of the respective clubs are already welcoming the latest "brotherly" addition to the "family" - Watford FC. Few can doubt what the Pozzo family have achieved at both Udinese and Granada CF.

Whilst many English clubs have experienced extremes of good and bad foreign ownership, with the Pozzo family and their investors at the helm of Watford, fans can be assured their club is in safe hands. These are passionate football people. Whilst it's fair to say that they will want to see a return on their "investments", they will want to ensure it comes in equal measure – on and off the field."

Comments(65)

WanderingDynamo says...
11:32am Wed 20 Jun 12

Excellent piece.

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a1derek says...
11:41am Wed 20 Jun 12

Indeed, a very good piece, but let's get the deal done first shall we?

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Hungry_Hornet says...
11:45am Wed 20 Jun 12

Fantastic to hear that the Pozzo's focused on developing the youth at Granada via the local region, and not buy shipping in talent from abroad. Honestly, what's not to like about this guy? Nothing from what I can see.

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AngelHornet says...
11:50am Wed 20 Jun 12

a1derek wrote:
Indeed, a very good piece, but let's get the deal done first shall we?
Totally agree!

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llloydwithathirdl says...
11:52am Wed 20 Jun 12

Makes the WST statement seem very silly.

I can't handle all this waiting - we really need this deal to go through. It would be such a positive step for the future of our long suffering football club.

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WFC4ever says...
12:02pm Wed 20 Jun 12

a1derek wrote:
Indeed, a very good piece, but let's get the deal done first shall we?
True and then make sure any new ownrs back up their talk with action.

Remember Vialli and Simpson are 2 people who had great ideas..which failed.

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Chris the Vic says...
12:07pm Wed 20 Jun 12

A very interesting article.

I would welcome the WO investigating this and confirming whether the article is factual.

If it is I hope that the deal does go through and I will look forward to the sight of WFC rising up the league.


I would also look forward to the WO questioning the WST in detail regarding the statement they issued and why they had not investigated the benefits apparently accrued by Grenada.

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akureyri says...
12:17pm Wed 20 Jun 12

Who are the Watford Supporters Trust and what is their mandate?

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Prpwfc says...
12:21pm Wed 20 Jun 12

''The good thing about this is if all goes to plan that investment has to come from the owners back pockets and not the put on the club dept's ''

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Hornets number 12 fan says...
12:35pm Wed 20 Jun 12

Thats a very reassuring piece. I'm sure the deal will go through as this has been in the pipeline for months now since first being reported in February. I feel that Watford will finally have come through the bad times and out the other side.

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Colin West's mullet says...
12:36pm Wed 20 Jun 12

aaaargh I can't take the tension! sign the deal, sign the deal!

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tonupchris says...
12:41pm Wed 20 Jun 12

God I hope this is done deal soon. I can't stand this waiting and keep checking online every 30 minutes to see if there are any updates.
Please don't muck this up and if anybody knows these guys tell them to ignore the WST.

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SMP says...
12:51pm Wed 20 Jun 12

Colin West's mullet wrote:
aaaargh I can't take the tension! sign the deal, sign the deal!
No, get the deal RIGHT for the long term future of the club that we all love and THEN sign the contract! Patience is a virtue and the outcome will be worth the wait!

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Harrydownunder says...
12:54pm Wed 20 Jun 12

It's at times like these living in Australia is painfull. I am waking up at night every hour to log in and see the latest. This does indeed sound like a very positive move for the club. Only thing that annoys me is it looks like bankrupt bas is going to make a pile of cash out of the club!

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Back from Hammerau says...
1:14pm Wed 20 Jun 12

akureyri wrote:
Who are the Watford Supporters Trust and what is their mandate?
Their mandate is to speak on behalf of their membership.
As far as I'm aware, they're the only democratic body that represents Watford fans.

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Dr,Oftaw says...
1:26pm Wed 20 Jun 12

The fact they back youth is vitalyimportant. Because we lack the finance our academy is about to be downgraded under the new system. This means we will not be competing in the u'21 league which is replacing reserve football but would continue to play Stevenage boro reserves etc. to help develop youngsters you must play the elite clubs who are trying to exclude the likes of us while poaching our best on the cheap.financial backing would put us in the top tier academy football group which is a must if we are to produce and keep quality youngsters in the future.

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peter10531089 says...
1:57pm Wed 20 Jun 12

The acid test will be if Sean Murray and/or other better academy prospects are loaned/transferred the other way to Udinese where they would gain potential Champions League, Europa League and or Serie A experience and in doing so acrue an increased visibility and thus increased sell on fee that would benefit (potentially) all three clubs. Alexi Sanchez was one of Udinese's many South American purchases who played at Udine for a number of years before his transfer to Barca and this is the model they have been known to use for a long time. Its a model not disimilar to Ajax where there is an acceptance that players will eventually move on a lucrative deal for both player and selling club but because you have a conveyor belt of talent underneath it, in the long term the club(s) will benefit.

If the Pozzo family support the academy and the community then it might be a very different but exciting approach.
A preseason friendly tournament might be good!

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peter10531089 says...
1:57pm Wed 20 Jun 12

The acid test will be if Sean Murray and/or other better academy prospects are loaned/transferred the other way to Udinese where they would gain potential Champions League, Europa League and or Serie A experience and in doing so acrue an increased visibility and thus increased sell on fee that would benefit (potentially) all three clubs. Alexi Sanchez was one of Udinese's many South American purchases who played at Udine for a number of years before his transfer to Barca and this is the model they have been known to use for a long time. Its a model not disimilar to Ajax where there is an acceptance that players will eventually move on a lucrative deal for both player and selling club but because you have a conveyor belt of talent underneath it, in the long term the club(s) will benefit.

If the Pozzo family support the academy and the community then it might be a very different but exciting approach.
A preseason friendly tournament might be good!

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Dunderdale Pinner says...
2:57pm Wed 20 Jun 12

This looks very promising, but do not rush the deal, just make sure the relevant financial safeguards are in place and dot the i's and cross the t's, then we can look forward to a very interesting future. Agree a pre-season tournament with Udinese and Grenada would be interesting, and probably attract a decent crowd.

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abbotshornet says...
3:05pm Wed 20 Jun 12

All sounds very promising, lets hope it happens, then Baz will have done a good job for Watford FC.
The association could be very beneficial for all concerned. COYH

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Mickey Quinn, not so thin says...
3:26pm Wed 20 Jun 12

Dunderdale Pinner wrote:
This looks very promising, but do not rush the deal, just make sure the relevant financial safeguards are in place and dot the i's and cross the t's, then we can look forward to a very interesting future. Agree a pre-season tournament with Udinese and Grenada would be interesting, and probably attract a decent crowd.
....presumably with players swapping from team to team to team throughout the matches ?

Seriously this is starting to sound pretty promising. Not perfect (Elton-esque), but given where we are, the best we could hope for. Lets just hope it happens.

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lutondown says...
4:00pm Wed 20 Jun 12

Kevin Affleck has been on to this for ages. his Tweets are worth reading as they are informative and often accurate
One thing for sure if this goes ahead, Luton may still be only 15 miles due North but a million miles in reality

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Back from Hammerau says...
4:15pm Wed 20 Jun 12

According to Wikipedia, Udine has a shortage of men - 46.9% male and 53.1% female.
A trip over for a pre-season game could have its advantages.

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SAHornet says...
4:23pm Wed 20 Jun 12

Congrats for a change to the WO. A very informative and original piece and seems to be a genuine insight into our potential new owners. An insight which, for me at least, gave me a great feeling of security. The exact opposite to the feeling I had a year or so ago when Mr. Bassini stole the club from the shareholders. The Pozzo family seem to be be steeped in football and know how to make a club work. Now, I'm just shi**ing myself waiting for it to actually happen.

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goldenboytoo says...
4:30pm Wed 20 Jun 12

What's not to like about this plan? There would be owners with a very clear interest in how we develop our players instead of a bunch of vultures from the Premier League waiting to steal our best talent away for a pittance thanks to the new PPP arrangements ... this could now be resisted because we won't be so cap in hand for finances.
And there would also be the chance of a regular input of Udinese players, maybe squad players looking for first team run-outs and other developing youngsters, being sent here to hone their skills. It all looks like a win-win to me and the experience of Granada looks a very positive one. BTW, what a great piece from the Spanish journalist ... well done to the WO for approaching him, but let's hope it inspires them to work on their reporting skills instead of continuing to be a parroter of website and tweeting posts. WO reporting has not been the same since the great Ollie retired!

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andyhooked says...
5:31pm Wed 20 Jun 12

Just hope that the money is not held in Spanish or Italian banks, th euro crisis for Lord's sake!

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yellowwizard says...
6:19pm Wed 20 Jun 12

When this 'rumour' first appeared in the highly respected Italian sports paper 'Corriere Dello Sport', I said there is more to this then meets the eye. And so it has proved.

Whilst I hope this deal goes through, which like most fans I want to happen, I have one concern. What will happen to SD? There have been rumours that a certain Signore Zola may have a role to play. What role? I would like to know, as would all Hornets fans.

Hoping this is not too previous such as our earlier club statement.

Benvenuto La Famiglia Pozzo a Watford. Forza Hornetto! Vivere Udinese!

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WFC4ever says...
7:11pm Wed 20 Jun 12

I just hope these guys are more Elton John than Graham Simpson!

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akureyri says...
7:31pm Wed 20 Jun 12

There is a lot of text on Italian websites about the move, except no real detail about timescale.

Forza calabroni!!

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mickallen57 says...
7:35pm Wed 20 Jun 12

Wow if this is true can't wait the prem beckons

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Andrew1963 says...
10:16pm Wed 20 Jun 12

WFC4ever wrote:
I just hope these guys are more Elton John than Graham Simpson!
Bass is more Homer Simpson - i bet he mucks it up - ends up with nothing and we start the season -10!

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D.unstable says...
10:47pm Wed 20 Jun 12

Indeed let's hope that Baz knows it is the right time to go before it all goes Pete Tong and they walk away....anyone know how long these things usually drag on for?

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@heathFMResearch says...
11:57pm Wed 20 Jun 12

D.unstable wrote:
Indeed let's hope that Baz knows it is the right time to go before it all goes Pete Tong and they walk away....anyone know how long these things usually drag on for?
From memory, the Pozzo deal with Granada happened very quickly. Mainly due to the perilous situation they were in at the time.

Hard to say with Watford though. Probably still quite a bit of wrangling to be done yet. Depends if the valuations of both parties matches up too...

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Michel Ngonge was Brilliant says...
5:05am Thu 21 Jun 12

IF ... this deal goes through, I hope the new owners see the sense in continuity. I really doubted Dyche at the beginning of last season with the signings and performances. But he thankfully proved me very wrong. I think he is part, worked in and understands the fabric of the club over the past few years (which has been living within it's budget) and deserves a chance to continue. Zola lives off his name from his playing days and is not a manager. (just like Vialli).

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lutondown says...
5:50am Thu 21 Jun 12

The real issue Is not whose bloody manager but if we are still operating
We need this deal as things are not good.
I do note the Bas brigade are not so vocal in their support of their ' 'lord and saviour'

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corbindallas says...
6:33am Thu 21 Jun 12

lutondown wrote:
The real issue Is not whose bloody manager but if we are still operating
We need this deal as things are not good.
I do note the Bas brigade are not so vocal in their support of their ' 'lord and saviour'
Grow up Jason!

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lutondown says...
6:35am Thu 21 Jun 12

corbindallas wrote:
lutondown wrote:
The real issue Is not whose bloody manager but if we are still operating
We need this deal as things are not good.
I do note the Bas brigade are not so vocal in their support of their ' 'lord and saviour'
Grow up Jason!
Jason?
You've let the plot plod!

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lutondown says...
6:37am Thu 21 Jun 12

Meant lost the plot! T'is very early! Jason though? As in Friday the 13th no doubt! LOL
I can live with that

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lutondown says...
6:37am Thu 21 Jun 12

Meant lost the plot! T'is very early! Jason though? As in Friday the 13th no doubt! LOL
I can live with that

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corbindallas says...
6:42am Thu 21 Jun 12

lutondown wrote:
Meant lost the plot! T'is very early! Jason though? As in Friday the 13th no doubt! LOL
I can live with that
I meant Dan. Grow up Dan! Yes it is early, still if it's any consolation I do want the Pozzo family to take over Watford, cripes does that mean we agree on something!!!

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Mickey Quinn, not so thin says...
7:03am Thu 21 Jun 12

corbindallas wrote:
lutondown wrote:
Meant lost the plot! T'is very early! Jason though? As in Friday the 13th no doubt! LOL
I can live with that
I meant Dan. Grow up Dan! Yes it is early, still if it's any consolation I do want the Pozzo family to take over Watford, cripes does that mean we agree on something!!!
Luton - its still possible to be grateful that Bas came along when he did, recognise he'd made a reasonable fist of it, AND be supportive of the sale to the Pozzos now. There is a danger we will all be in agreement for a short while, but i'm sure a few will spit their dummies out if we aren't in the playoff spots come November ! Assuming the deal happens of course.

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COGGDAVE1 says...
7:33am Thu 21 Jun 12

The sniping continues, I have been guilty of it in the past, but with a whole new era in the offing, its time to stop.
The rights and wrongs of reign of the present owner have arguments on both sides, but I do believe Watford have been kept afloat, which if you cast your mind back, was/is some achievement.
If the deal goes through, we will have owners with huge football pedigree, unlike other take overs in recent times that have left clubs such as Portsmouth and Notts County floundering on the brink.
I think things are bad now, the present owner is struggling, but if things are that bad, why reject the 'Mapps' offer ?
It will be up to any new owner to put in place staff to run the club, including the Manager, if you are paying that sort of money, you have to be free to run the club how you think best
Replacing Sean, in my view would be a HUGE mistake, the guy carried out miracles in the short time in charge, but again it will be up to the new owners.
It also worries me about the exit of GT, I'm not sure we have the full story of this.
If the deal goes through, we will be in uncharted territory, and I for one, cant wait !!

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SMP says...
8:10am Thu 21 Jun 12

COGGDAVE1 wrote:
The sniping continues, I have been guilty of it in the past, but with a whole new era in the offing, its time to stop.
The rights and wrongs of reign of the present owner have arguments on both sides, but I do believe Watford have been kept afloat, which if you cast your mind back, was/is some achievement.
If the deal goes through, we will have owners with huge football pedigree, unlike other take overs in recent times that have left clubs such as Portsmouth and Notts County floundering on the brink.
I think things are bad now, the present owner is struggling, but if things are that bad, why reject the 'Mapps' offer ?
It will be up to any new owner to put in place staff to run the club, including the Manager, if you are paying that sort of money, you have to be free to run the club how you think best
Replacing Sean, in my view would be a HUGE mistake, the guy carried out miracles in the short time in charge, but again it will be up to the new owners.
It also worries me about the exit of GT, I'm not sure we have the full story of this.
If the deal goes through, we will be in uncharted territory, and I for one, cant wait !!
I think that the departure of GT was the intial paving of the way for the 'long term rumour' that new owners were on the way. He always stated that it was a temporary arrangement and by going early, deflected the attention of that departure away from the new owners situation.

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buck-stops says...
8:17am Thu 21 Jun 12

I think the Pozzo's are very shrewd. They see a club on the edge of London performing well and with a feted youth academy. I think they see great potential in it. Remember a number of clubs in Europe have come to look at our academy and modelled there's on it.

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Michel Ngonge was Brilliant says...
8:22am Thu 21 Jun 12

lutondown wrote:
The real issue Is not whose bloody manager but if we are still operating
We need this deal as things are not good.
I do note the Bas brigade are not so vocal in their support of their ' 'lord and saviour'
True. No matter how it drags out I think weakness in the current owners is pure to see. If what they say about arguing over keys to the safe is true than that sums it all up in a nutshell.

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Frankie Frazer says...
8:56am Thu 21 Jun 12

Get the deal done! Baz seems to be getting more erratic with his comments and the time has come for a change. To be fair to the guy if he gets us sold I think most reasonable fans would say his tenure was far less turbulent than the previous owners time with the club !!!!
Love what they did with Grenada and its exactly the sort of model that needs to be followed by a club of Watfords size (at least there would be some investment)
Very nervous that the deal could fall down tho, just want it done and the new era to start !!!!!

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not a regular says...
9:05am Thu 21 Jun 12

Re: GT stepping down, he was always going to.

Imagine the possible outcry if he had resigned under Pozzo's reign... There might have been some unwarranted backlash against what appear to be very good owners.

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watford1881 says...
9:38am Thu 21 Jun 12

I think the change in owner is only a good thing.. The family seam sound..

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Bush Hornet says...
9:59am Thu 21 Jun 12

watford1881 wrote:
I think the change in owner is only a good thing.. The family seam sound..
If they seam sound then they should sow it up soon

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Colin West's mullet says...
10:10am Thu 21 Jun 12

the only surprise about GT going is that he hasn't turned up at Villa yet.

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Goldenboy1960 says...
10:45am Thu 21 Jun 12

buck-stops wrote:
I think the Pozzo's are very shrewd. They see a club on the edge of London performing well and with a feted youth academy. I think they see great potential in it. Remember a number of clubs in Europe have come to look at our academy and modelled there's on it.
It's amazing what people believe with good PR

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northofwatfordpete says...
10:50am Thu 21 Jun 12

Bassini will hang on as long as he can to get the best deal possible. There is always the chance that another buyer will show interest.

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StephenKilamanjiro says...
10:55am Thu 21 Jun 12

Just read on the net that the Pozzo's are considering walking away from the club because of the Bankrupt Toby's demand

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tonupchris says...
11:00am Thu 21 Jun 12

StephenKilamanjiro wrote:
Just read on the net that the Pozzo's are considering walking away from the club because of the Bankrupt Toby's demand
Where about's on the web does it say that?

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StephenKilamanjiro says...
11:14am Thu 21 Jun 12

tonupchris wrote:
StephenKilamanjiro wrote:
Just read on the net that the Pozzo's are considering walking away from the club because of the Bankrupt Toby's demand
Where about's on the web does it say that?
On various blogs, hopefully not true and just people who expect the sale of a football club to take the same time as the sale of a car

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tonupchris says...
11:22am Thu 21 Jun 12

StephenKilamanjiro wrote:
tonupchris wrote:
StephenKilamanjiro wrote:
Just read on the net that the Pozzo's are considering walking away from the club because of the Bankrupt Toby's demand
Where about's on the web does it say that?
On various blogs, hopefully not true and just people who expect the sale of a football club to take the same time as the sale of a car
I suspect that this is people guessing because it's not happened yet and not from anybody actually in the know. If this has been going on since February you would hope we're quite a long way down the line but as you say it's not like buying a car, we're talking millions of pounds.
I have to admit though it's frustrating as there are no updates.

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lutondown says...
12:05pm Thu 21 Jun 12

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
corbindallas wrote:
lutondown wrote:
Meant lost the plot! T'is very early! Jason though? As in Friday the 13th no doubt! LOL
I can live with that
I meant Dan. Grow up Dan! Yes it is early, still if it's any consolation I do want the Pozzo family to take over Watford, cripes does that mean we agree on something!!!
Luton - its still possible to be grateful that Bas came along when he did, recognise he'd made a reasonable fist of it, AND be supportive of the sale to the Pozzos now. There is a danger we will all be in agreement for a short while, but i'm sure a few will spit their dummies out if we aren't in the playoff spots come November ! Assuming the deal happens of course.
I'm quite agreeable anyway plod!
What made u think otherwise
Don't get the grow up bit, as I was wrong on Dtche and said so, i think future news may take you back a step too
Now you want to call me by my name thats fine it's all there for am everyone to see on twitter.
Whatsmore I would back up everything I say so total transparency here

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AngelHornet says...
12:12pm Thu 21 Jun 12

StephenKilamanjiro wrote:
Just read on the net that the Pozzo's are considering walking away from the club because of the Bankrupt Toby's demand
If that was on rumours, I'd take it with a pinch of salt

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chrisptrifle says...
12:38pm Thu 21 Jun 12

Bush Hornet wrote:
watford1881 wrote:
I think the change in owner is only a good thing.. The family seam sound..
If they seam sound then they should sow it up soon
If they do sow it up, lets hope they don't make a pigs ear of it.

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buck-stops says...
1:20pm Thu 21 Jun 12

Goldenboy1960 wrote:
buck-stops wrote:
I think the Pozzo's are very shrewd. They see a club on the edge of London performing well and with a feted youth academy. I think they see great potential in it. Remember a number of clubs in Europe have come to look at our academy and modelled there's on it.
It's amazing what people believe with good PR
50 academy first team debutants in 12 years. A flourishing school at Harefield. Selling youth assets for seven figure sums. What's not to believe?

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jez1664 says...
2:49pm Thu 21 Jun 12

Looking at the Granada squad it is full of Spanish players on loan from Udinese. In which case Sean Murray will be a Udinese player on loan to Watford? Is this a Jimmy Carr style tax avoidance scheme?
If what people are speculating is true then the success of the Watford Academy is key making the club an attractive proposition to the Pozzo’s. If my memory serves me correctly it was set up when Graham Taylor came back to the club second time. If the deal goes through and leads to positive developments, it is another reason for us to be thankful for his vision and leadership over the years.

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lutondown says...
3:21pm Thu 21 Jun 12

Just a question. Not in the least bit contentious in intent, but who has the final word on the sale? I don't think Ashcroft would have sold the club without a few strings attached. It would be comforting to know that Bas cannot put to high a price to scare off new investment.

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Mickey Quinn, not so thin says...
4:25pm Thu 21 Jun 12

lutondown wrote:
Just a question. Not in the least bit contentious in intent, but who has the final word on the sale? I don't think Ashcroft would have sold the club without a few strings attached. It would be comforting to know that Bas cannot put to high a price to scare off new investment.
would think that Bas and only Bas will decide on the sale, but it will trigger repayment of the sums owed to Lord A at the sme time. The only protection for Lord A would have been that he recovers the agreed sum for the loan notes. Part of the proof of funds will be to ensure there is cash there immediately to cover this payment (by Bas out of his gross proceeds I would think)
.

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Bush Hornet says...
4:40pm Thu 21 Jun 12

chrisptrifle wrote:
Bush Hornet wrote:
watford1881 wrote:
I think the change in owner is only a good thing.. The family seam sound..
If they seam sound then they should sow it up soon
If they do sow it up, lets hope they don't make a pigs ear of it.
;-)

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Edwardz22 says...
11:44am Mon 25 Jun 12

Please wrap up this deal quickly so we can focus in july and august to get the team prepared. This is what watford needs good owners like the pozzo family coming in. Anything can happen in football and this could be watfords season in the championship. Im behind the pozzo family 100% and i'm sure the rest of the fans are to

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