March
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Takover speculation has reared its head again just several weeks after the failed takover by Clive Sullivan. Yesterdays Wales on Sunday splashed an exclusive story over the sports section of the paper claiming that two consortiums are in line to takeover Ninian Park (one of them is Sullivan again). I have produced both the Wales on Sunday article below followed by a response from Steve Borley who was replying to many questions posted on the messageboard yesterday.

Personally if there is any potential deals in the offing then they should be left with the Club until a definate statement can be made. Steve B has been working since he Sullivan failure to attract more investment so you could probably speculate on a daily basis that someone is interested in taking over at Ninian Park.

Report from Wales On Sunday.
'Cardiff City are in fresh takeover talks with TWO consortiums ready to pump multi-millions into the relegation threatened club this summer. One of the groups, made up of London-based businessmen, are prepared to offer the Bluebirds MORE than the failed £2.5m investment planned by Clive Sullivan. The second consortium is the Sullivan group once more, with the Essex based businessman, having renewed talks with Cardiff chariman Steve Borley. The double move follows the sudden feel good factor about football in the Welsh capital following the Wales  v Finland Millennium Stadium sell-out and the anticipated 72,5000 crowd for the Brazil game. Bluebirds chief Borley, having been stung once with the first Sullivan deal falling through, adopted a guarded approach when asked about takeover talks. "We have not gone beyond initial discussions. There are no formal bids as such at this stage, although a number of people have shown an interest and we are following them up," Borley maintained. But Wales On Sunday understands the London group have already studied the Bluebirds' accounts in detail. They believe the investment is so worthwhile, knowing a successful Bluebirds side would draw sell-out crowds, that they have approached a leading bank in the City to put up the money. Negotiations are at a delicate stage and the London consortium wish to have their anonymity preserved for the time being. But an impeccable Cardiff source confirmed: "This group is totally separate to the Sullivan group. And they are talking about investing even more money. "Suddenly, after the Sullivan deal fell through, it looks like City could be spoiled for choice." Significantly, City's new chief executive David Temme has been busy changing personnel around at Ninian Park - seen as a sign by some that he is clearing the decks for a takeover. Borley maintained: "What David is doing is simply implementing a sound management structure at the club." But he admitted: "With that in place, we will attract investors. "David has a good track record in sport with his successes with the Cardiff Devils ice hockey team." Asked specifically if there would be new owners this summer, Borley said: "You have to remain optimistic and keep talking to people. But it has not gone beyond initial discussions." He enthused: "People are showing interest, particularly after the Wales game, which made potential investors realise there IS a football audience in South Wales. "I'm told that there were inquiries from more than 100,000 people to watch Wales versus Finland. "You get cynics saying there were 55,000 sightseers there simply wanting to see the new stadium. "But there were tens ofthousands of others who could not get tickets for the game." Borley pointed out: "We have been battling to get investment into this club for 18 months. "We've had a reasonable amount of success, but we are looking for the bigger one. "How many 50,000 plus gates do you want to see in the city before someone decides Cardif City are worth having a punt at?" The London group would not be over-concerned if City were relegated, believing that they stand more chance of early success by gaining promotion from the inferior Third Division. But they do have plans to take City through the League, pushing for a Premiership place. Their sudden interest may also spark Sullivan into rushing through a deal.

Steve Borley directly responded on the messageboard last night with the following statement.
I have not seen the Wales on Sunday but understand from postings and calls from fellow supporters that they have run a story on a takeover. All I can say at the momment is that they are well wide of the mark. There is no London consortium and the Clive Sullivan deal is dead. It is true that there has been interest as a result of the big crowd at the Wales game but that is all. I will continue to bring investment into the club and turn interest into cash but as for a takeover,it seems the silly season has come early. The most important thing for the club now is that we all rally behind Billy and the team to pull clear of relegation. The supporters can make a big difference as was shown in our recent away games and your support is vitally important.

So make of it what you will. I for one will treat all talk as just talk until an official announcement, and good luck to Steve in his efforts to get more investment into the club.