- Mobile site
- E-Newsletters
-
- News feed
- Find us on Twitter
@Observer_Owl
Follow Watford Observer on Twitter
- Find us on Facebook
Watford Observer
Like us on Facebook
Watford confident ahead of Football League's misconduct verdict (From Watford Observer)
Get involved: send your pictures, video, news and views by texting WO to 80360, or email us
Watford 'extremely confident of positive outcome' ahead of verdict on Football League's misconduct charge
12:38pm Tuesday 18th December 2012 in Watford FC News
By Frank Smith, Deputy Group Sports Editor
Picture: Pippa Douglas
Watford are "extremely confident of a successful outcome" when the Football League delivers its verdict on the Hornets and Laurence Bassini's misconduct charge.
The Watford Observer revealed last month that the Hertfordshire side and their former owner Bassini had been charged with misconduct after alleged breaches of the Football League’s regulations.
It relates to two separate transactions that are said to have taken place in 2011 between the Hornets and a finance company called LNOC Limited.
One of the alleged transactions concerns two transfer instalments following Danny Graham’s move to Swansea City and the other is for two promissory notes worth £1.8m.
At Watford Association Football Club Limited's AGM last night, the Hornets confirmed proceedings were indeed taking place for the first time having previously refused to comment.
The top table consisted of director Stuart Timperley, who in the absence of chairman Raffaele Riva chaired the meeting, the Hornets' chief executive Scott Duxbury, head of finance Katie Wareham, company secretary Peter Wastall and Paul Windmill, of auditors Myers Clark.
Initially Timperley stated: "You will understand that it [the Football League charge] is something that I cannot comment on because we have ongoing issues in relation to the former owner and the Football League, and the club itself, and it would be inappropriate for me to make any comment on that in a detailed way. We are facing legal issues and we do not feel it is appropriate to comment."
Timperley confirmed the charges related to a period of time prior to the Pozzo family's takeover of the club, which was finalised on June 29.
When asked about the possibility of Watford receiving a points deduction, Timperley replied: "There is the possibility of a whole series of sanctions and I think I will leave it at that."
He later added: "For a number of years I chaired Football League tribunals so that is why I am a little circumspect about commenting.
"Scott has been extremely thorough in preparing for this so we are hopeful."
Duxbury added: "There is a wide range of sanctions that can be imposed, however, we continue to cooperate with the Football League so we remain extremely confident of a successful outcome."
The Football League charged the club and Bassini with misconduct in the summer and proceedings are still ongoing. Timperley said he expected a decision "by the early part of next year".
Watford Association Football Club Limited's annual accounts, which were released last month, claim Bassini’s Watford FC Limited received £2.13m from WAFCL for the year ending June 30 2012.
In the accounts, it states "a provision has been entered for the possibility of non-payment of this debt".
After the formal business of the AGM, the top table were asked whether they would be pursuing Bassini for the money the club claims it is owed.
Timperley replied: "There are other issues that are outstanding and we will be going through many issues."
The club gave Bassini the Yellow and Red Lion Pub in Vicarage Road as part of the takeover agreement. However, ownership of the pub has yet to be transferred.
Duxbury confirmed: "The Red Lion is in the process of transfer but at the moment the club still owns it."
"The Red Lion is in transition like the club," Timperley added.
Comments(57)
piemagico
says...
1:00pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Most likely outcome with Bassini seems to be that he defaults on the money and WFC keep the pub.
londomollari
says...
1:14pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Can't the Wobby find a different picture of Baz? Or use a picture of the Elephant Man's deformed k*ob? Every time I see this picture I want to insert that helmet into---well, you know.
lutondown
says...
1:20pm Tue 18 Dec 12
londomollari wrote:Lol. Good one!
Personally, I read very little in this at all, although I get the feeling a points deduction may be avoided. Hope so.
Can't the Wobby find a different picture of Baz? Or use a picture of the Elephant Man's deformed k*ob? Every time I see this picture I want to insert that helmet into---well, you know.
lutondown
says...
1:22pm Tue 18 Dec 12
piemagico wrote:I know we can all interpret things differently, but can't see anything other than a professional exec. On the ball here. Thank God for Pozzo(s) Nani and Duxberry.
My reading of this is that Scott Duxbury is quite worried rather than extremely confident. But we'll see.
Most likely outcome with Bassini seems to be that he defaults on the money and WFC keep the pub.
We would be going Luton way otherwise. Fact not speculation.
lutondown
says...
1:23pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Watfordwes
says...
2:06pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Lets keep our fingers crossed that I am being overly pessimistic.
lutondown
says...
2:44pm Tue 18 Dec 12
I think everyone who sanctioned this sale of a club to a bankrupt is culpable and that includes the FA
.
Harrydownunder
says...
2:50pm Tue 18 Dec 12
bushey tales
says...
2:52pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Watfordwes
says...
3:17pm Tue 18 Dec 12
lutondown wrote:This is a really good point, makes a mockery of their fit and proper person requirements
Can't see the point in speculating. At least we will not be pushovers anymore to the old far ts in the FA.
I think everyone who sanctioned this sale of a club to a bankrupt is culpable and that includes the FA
.
SAHornet
says...
3:19pm Tue 18 Dec 12
BoldenGoys wrote:WHAT????...get a life, pal !
How on earth did you come up with 'verdict to' in your headline and 'verdict into' in the first sentence? Surely it should be 'on' in both cases.
lutondown
says...
3:23pm Tue 18 Dec 12
bushey tales wrote:I wouldn't imagine Ashcroft would have too many fools around him. Nonetheless the question burns as to why the club was sold under dubious business histories which included name changing etc. you change names for a reason.
There was a prolonged period of whispering between Timperley and Duxbury before the former made his statement. I got the impression they were reasonably confident there wouldn't be a points deduction, but were probably anticipating sanctions of some sort. But that's purely my take on how they reacted. I've no idea about Duxbury but Stuart Timperley must be an extremely good man to have on your side in such an event.
This went by the FA, GT, Lord A's advisors. Perhaps there's a case of counter suing against incompetence by the new owners? Just a thought, so daft as it may be!
WessexLad
says...
3:42pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Harrydownunder wrote:Precisely!
How can the headline be that we are extremely confident when stuart timperley refused to comment on anything, and rightly so in the middle of proceedings.
akureyri
says...
4:48pm Tue 18 Dec 12
akureyri
says...
4:48pm Tue 18 Dec 12
bushey tales
says...
5:18pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Retlas
says...
5:33pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Surely if a quote is attributed to someone then it should be in the context of the report.
Shoddy writing and kite flying I suspect!
Also – sideways would be fun!
bushey tales
says...
5:54pm Tue 18 Dec 12
DuffmanWFC
says...
6:14pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Maybe a fine may be imposed as we have no previous bad form with the football league! Then we can sue that scumbag Bassini even harder!
Mickey Quinn, not so thin
says...
6:28pm Tue 18 Dec 12
DuffmanWFC wrote:Unfortunately I think there's precedent that ownership change is irrelevant. Its the club that will be punished not the owner.
Hopefully a points deduction can be avoided due to ownership change!
Maybe a fine may be imposed as we have no previous bad form with the football league! Then we can sue that scumbag Bassini even harder!
QUINNPT
says...
7:13pm Tue 18 Dec 12
L*ton as a prime example when alledged bad goings on were supposedly undertaken by a previous regieme, the FL still came down on them hard. If we just get a slap on the wrist, a fine and a warning or ban from using third party finance houses then that will not be so bad. Points deduction, Transfer embargo, forced relegation or explusion from the FL would be bad. (these are the sanctions that cah happen)
As usual like with all football clubs its the fans that suffer, which we have no control off.
We await in anticipation. My plea to the FL while the club may be partly at fault, by all means fine the club, but use that money for the community.
In addition if Bassini has alledgely broken the rules, then ban him from owning another club or oder him to pay the alledged money owed to the club.
Holly68
says...
7:58pm Tue 18 Dec 12
In terms of the pub, I guess it will remain in the hands of the club until such point as all issues resolved, which could take ages, as implicated by Timperley's words "we are facing legal issues", and whilst "provisions" have been made to write off then£2.13M owed by the previous owner, I'm sure we all hope the club try their best to recover some if not all the debt before any transfer of ownership of pub happens, if legally they can do that.
In terms of the previous owner, not sure how he sleeps at night, but ultimately what goes around comes around, the "Net" as they say is well and truely "Closing In" !!!!
gloryhornet4
says...
8:05pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Watfordwes wrote:I think all fit & proper has ever meant is photo ID, verification of address, not a current bankrupt/voluntary arrangement, not a disq director and nothing material on a CRB check.
lutondown wrote:This is a really good point, makes a mockery of their fit and proper person requirements
Can't see the point in speculating. At least we will not be pushovers anymore to the old far ts in the FA.
I think everyone who sanctioned this sale of a club to a bankrupt is culpable and that includes the FA
.
The rest is up to each club and not a guarantee a new owner has a pot to p155 in. Maybe why we keep seeing that red helmet rather than the Elephant Man's (deformed) piece of pork.
Mickey Quinn, not so thin
says...
8:06pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Holly68 wrote:"I don't think we need to expect the worse, as it states the club are fully co-operating with the FL and it states they are "extremely confident", so being that Duxbury was a lawyer, I am confident if they are confident 😊"
I don't think we need to expect the worse, as it states the club are fully co-operating with the FL and it states they are "extremely confident", so being that Duxbury was a lawyer, I am confident if they are confident 😊
In terms of the pub, I guess it will remain in the hands of the club until such point as all issues resolved, which could take ages, as implicated by Timperley's words "we are facing legal issues", and whilst "provisions" have been made to write off then£2.13M owed by the previous owner, I'm sure we all hope the club try their best to recover some if not all the debt before any transfer of ownership of pub happens, if legally they can do that.
In terms of the previous owner, not sure how he sleeps at night, but ultimately what goes around comes around, the "Net" as they say is well and truely "Closing In" !!!!
Not so sure. As a lawyer he'll know that the last thing he should do would be to publicly state that he expects a severe penalty. "extremely confident" will just be posturing I'm afraid.
Stoney77
says...
8:13pm Tue 18 Dec 12
SAHornet wrote:Why the need to be so harsh?
BoldenGoys wrote:WHAT????...get a life, pal !
How on earth did you come up with 'verdict to' in your headline and 'verdict into' in the first sentence? Surely it should be 'on' in both cases.
Bringe
says...
8:19pm Tue 18 Dec 12
When he took over it took about two minutes for fans to expose his dodgy past and I'd really like to ask the FL how on earth he passed their due diligence process and do they consider themselves derelict of duty to a moderate degree?
Holly68
says...
8:27pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Reginald Dwight
says...
8:44pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Holly68 wrote:indeed it is. The money owed to the Club is probably the least of his worries right now. If the alleged debts to former WFC directors and numerous other parties involved in funding Bassini's purchase of the club are true then i would imagine he and and his lawyer Angelo Barrea will be having a very nervy Christmas.
I don't think we need to expect the worse, as it states the club are fully co-operating with the FL and it states they are "extremely confident", so being that Duxbury was a lawyer, I am confident if they are confident 😊
In terms of the pub, I guess it will remain in the hands of the club until such point as all issues resolved, which could take ages, as implicated by Timperley's words "we are facing legal issues", and whilst "provisions" have been made to write off then£2.13M owed by the previous owner, I'm sure we all hope the club try their best to recover some if not all the debt before any transfer of ownership of pub happens, if legally they can do that.
In terms of the previous owner, not sure how he sleeps at night, but ultimately what goes around comes around, the "Net" as they say is well and truely "Closing In" !!!!
We all hope the club escapes the vile legacy these two left behind them. Surely some porridge awaits if these alleged criminal financial irregularities did take place
lutondown
says...
9:14pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Reginald Dwight wrote:Don't think Bas does Xmas mate
Holly68 wrote:indeed it is. The money owed to the Club is probably the least of his worries right now. If the alleged debts to former WFC directors and numerous other parties involved in funding Bassini's purchase of the club are true then i would imagine he and and his lawyer Angelo Barrea will be having a very nervy Christmas.
I don't think we need to expect the worse, as it states the club are fully co-operating with the FL and it states they are "extremely confident", so being that Duxbury was a lawyer, I am confident if they are confident 😊
In terms of the pub, I guess it will remain in the hands of the club until such point as all issues resolved, which could take ages, as implicated by Timperley's words "we are facing legal issues", and whilst "provisions" have been made to write off then£2.13M owed by the previous owner, I'm sure we all hope the club try their best to recover some if not all the debt before any transfer of ownership of pub happens, if legally they can do that.
In terms of the previous owner, not sure how he sleeps at night, but ultimately what goes around comes around, the "Net" as they say is well and truely "Closing In" !!!!
We all hope the club escapes the vile legacy these two left behind them. Surely some porridge awaits if these alleged criminal financial irregularities did take place
Hayes Hornet
says...
6:33am Wed 19 Dec 12
JoeWFC_12
says...
9:51am Wed 19 Dec 12
I have a good feeling that it wont be a points deduction, the new management at the club has co operated fully and I dont see why that would go against us..ultimately its "we" the fans that suffer.
Then again...the league needs to question themselves in why they let Baz even run a club in the first place, considering his history.
If all does not go well with there decision...there is always the route of the Court of Arbitration for Sport...we could argue like in Chelsea's case that the punishment does not fit the crime!
Anyways enough of the speculation for now...we will have to wait and see.
Lets enjoy the football side of things on saturday with the hint of Christmas included!
chrisptrifle
says...
10:05am Wed 19 Dec 12
JoeWFC_12 wrote:Joe - you couldnt be more wrong. If Baz was still in charge all these debts would have been paid off already and this situation would never have arisen.
My feeling is that if Baz were still in charge then the League would of thrown the book at us & the rest!
I have a good feeling that it wont be a points deduction, the new management at the club has co operated fully and I dont see why that would go against us..ultimately its "we" the fans that suffer.
Then again...the league needs to question themselves in why they let Baz even run a club in the first place, considering his history.
If all does not go well with there decision...there is always the route of the Court of Arbitration for Sport...we could argue like in Chelsea's case that the punishment does not fit the crime!
Anyways enough of the speculation for now...we will have to wait and see.
Lets enjoy the football side of things on saturday with the hint of Christmas included!
Also, the SW corner would have been built by now and we would be well on the way to constructing a new east stand. We would also be sitting 5 points clear at the top of the table and have a new club safe, since Bazzer only wanted the keys to replace it and buy us a new one.
JoeWFC_12
says...
10:58am Wed 19 Dec 12
JoeWFC_12
says...
11:04am Wed 19 Dec 12
Mickey Quinn, not so thin
says...
11:11am Wed 19 Dec 12
Hayes Hornet wrote:Not so. The directors/Lord A willingly and knowingly sold to a known ex bankrupt with a number of failed businesses on his hands so are primarily responsible. The league are merely a check, though they clearly failed their check miserably. There are no checks that the FL can do that Lord A and the directors couldn't have done themselves.
Lets hope the Football League charge themselves with allowing a declared Bankrupt to take over a Football Club. They are the ONLY ones at fault
holtonian
says...
12:12pm Wed 19 Dec 12
lutondown wrote:Excellent point made.
Can't see the point in speculating. At least we will not be pushovers anymore to the old far ts in the FA.
I think everyone who sanctioned this sale of a club to a bankrupt is culpable and that includes the FA
.
Harry's Bar
says...
1:40pm Wed 19 Dec 12
londomollari
says...
1:55pm Wed 19 Dec 12
chrisptrifle wrote:You forgot to mention that Dyche would still be manager, and by now would have won 4 managers of the month awards. Further, Joe Garner and Big Chris would be the joint league leading scorers. Baz would have just won Sports Personality of the Year, and changed the clubs coat of Arms to a red hard-hat rampant.
JoeWFC_12 wrote:Joe - you couldnt be more wrong. If Baz was still in charge all these debts would have been paid off already and this situation would never have arisen.
My feeling is that if Baz were still in charge then the League would of thrown the book at us & the rest!
I have a good feeling that it wont be a points deduction, the new management at the club has co operated fully and I dont see why that would go against us..ultimately its "we" the fans that suffer.
Then again...the league needs to question themselves in why they let Baz even run a club in the first place, considering his history.
If all does not go well with there decision...there is always the route of the Court of Arbitration for Sport...we could argue like in Chelsea's case that the punishment does not fit the crime!
Anyways enough of the speculation for now...we will have to wait and see.
Lets enjoy the football side of things on saturday with the hint of Christmas included!
Also, the SW corner would have been built by now and we would be well on the way to constructing a new east stand. We would also be sitting 5 points clear at the top of the table and have a new club safe, since Bazzer only wanted the keys to replace it and buy us a new one.
JoeWFC_12
says...
2:08pm Wed 19 Dec 12
lutondown
says...
2:27pm Wed 19 Dec 12
JoeWFC_12 wrote:Jeez I'm a despot one minute to a potential breakaway maverick the next. I am obviously a man of many hats!
Yeah Big Chris would be linked with a move with Barcelona :)...Observer would be campaigning to have a public holiday in Watford called Dyche Day.... Baz would of changed his name to Florence Fazzini! Faz would of won us the bid for the Olympic stadium and the club now be called London Horns...leading to lutondown & Holly68 forming Watford United in a similar fashion to Wimbledon!
Holly, sorry but like it or not your now a minion. I do apologise, bring your fingers Saturday!
JoeWFC_12
says...
2:51pm Wed 19 Dec 12
@ChrisBottom16
says...
6:03pm Wed 19 Dec 12
The Football League 'FIT AND PROPER PERSON' test does not seem to do what it says on the tin. I imagine the conversation with Baz went like this...
FL - 'What name are you using today'?
Baz - 'No comment'
FL - 'Have you ever been declared Bankrupt'?
Baz - 'No comment'.
FL - 'Do you have the funds to support the club'?
Baz - 'No comment'
FL - 'Can you tell us where you get your funds from'?
Baz - 'None of your business'
FL - 'Ok Sir, you have passed the test with flying colours. We hope you enjoy your new venutre'.
This is the same Football League that has allowed Portsmouth to be bought 4 (FOUR) times by various people and put into administration 4 (FOUR) times. They are also the same Football League that allowed Notts County to be bought by a company with 'suspicious names and origins' in it. A company who couldnt afford a parking ticket yet they were fine to run a football club.
he Football League are the biggest culprits of the lot. Any punishment handed down to us needs to go straight back on them.
@ChrisBottom16
says...
6:11pm Wed 19 Dec 12
holtonian wrote:It will take a brave man at the FA to mess with an old fashioned italian.... know what i mean lol
lutondown wrote:Excellent point made.
Can't see the point in speculating. At least we will not be pushovers anymore to the old far ts in the FA.
I think everyone who sanctioned this sale of a club to a bankrupt is culpable and that includes the FA
.
@ChrisBottom16
says...
6:16pm Wed 19 Dec 12
What will be will be and when it happens we will have to adjust accordingly and get behind the club with as much support as we can muster!
We are in a very strong position with the like's of the Pozzo's, Timperley and Duxeburry in charge.
What happens, happens. But we are Watford FC and we will come back better and harder than ever!
Hampshire hornet
says...
7:28pm Wed 19 Dec 12
lutondown
says...
7:29pm Wed 19 Dec 12
Hampshire hornet wrote:I didn't rub it down first...oops games up!
Did I miss the opening of the Graham Taylor Stand? Well done Baz, was the pub painted by trainees? Look at any window frame inside... Shoddy work...
Hampshire hornet
says...
7:29pm Wed 19 Dec 12
lutondown
says...
7:30pm Wed 19 Dec 12
Hampshire hornet wrote:And have you tried painting in Crocs? I'll borrow Mangos killer heels next time.
Did I miss the opening of the Graham Taylor Stand? Well done Baz, was the pub painted by trainees? Look at any window frame inside... Shoddy work...
I'm not the worlds most physical man....Lola!
lutondown
says...
7:30pm Wed 19 Dec 12
Hampshire hornet wrote:Keep beanies out of this
Shouldn't he be wearing a tin hat?, or should it be a black and white striped jumper, mask and beanie hat?
lutondown
says...
7:33pm Wed 19 Dec 12
@ChrisBottom16 wrote:And Chrissy boy, when a few of us asked these questions, the Bassettes went potty. Sorry they were potty from the day they were born!
Looks like i am late to comment on this one!!
The Football League 'FIT AND PROPER PERSON' test does not seem to do what it says on the tin. I imagine the conversation with Baz went like this...
FL - 'What name are you using today'?
Baz - 'No comment'
FL - 'Have you ever been declared Bankrupt'?
Baz - 'No comment'.
FL - 'Do you have the funds to support the club'?
Baz - 'No comment'
FL - 'Can you tell us where you get your funds from'?
Baz - 'None of your business'
FL - 'Ok Sir, you have passed the test with flying colours. We hope you enjoy your new venutre'.
This is the same Football League that has allowed Portsmouth to be bought 4 (FOUR) times by various people and put into administration 4 (FOUR) times. They are also the same Football League that allowed Notts County to be bought by a company with 'suspicious names and origins' in it. A company who couldnt afford a parking ticket yet they were fine to run a football club.
he Football League are the biggest culprits of the lot. Any punishment handed down to us needs to go straight back on them.
We were right...we only see them now when the team loses! Hah
Hampshire hornet
says...
7:34pm Wed 19 Dec 12
lutondown wrote:Saying nothing....
Hampshire hornet wrote:Keep beanies out of this
Shouldn't he be wearing a tin hat?, or should it be a black and white striped jumper, mask and beanie hat?
lutondown
says...
7:35pm Wed 19 Dec 12
Hampshire hornet wrote:Don't forget ya fingers Saturday. Your Don wants one of them for insubordination!
lutondown wrote:Saying nothing....
Hampshire hornet wrote:Keep beanies out of this
Shouldn't he be wearing a tin hat?, or should it be a black and white striped jumper, mask and beanie hat?
Hampshire hornet
says...
7:42pm Wed 19 Dec 12
lutondown
says...
7:59pm Wed 19 Dec 12
Hampshire hornet wrote:And if your name ain't down your not coming in!
We need Holly our consigliere
wheelsonfire
says...
9:34pm Wed 19 Dec 12
It just goes to show how well of we are without these dodgy dealers (to say the least).
Be nice to draw a line under it and move on to the new Pozzo blessed future!
Mohandas
says...
8:45am Fri 21 Dec 12
lutondown says...
12:55pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Frank, I knew what you meant, that's enough