October Newsfile

Newsfile Archive

There have been many questions raised over the weekend as to the legality of the proposed take over by a consortium headed by David Sullivans brother Clive. The people involved are happy that no rules have been or will be broken. The following article from Total Wales sums it up nicely.

CLIVE SULLIVAN, the brother of publishing tycoon David, is convinced that he will be allowed to head a takeover of Cardiff City Football Club in the New Year.

He insisted it was not a back-door attempt by David Sullivan, chairman of Birmingham City plc, to gain control of the Bluebirds.

"We have studied Football League rules and I am sure there is nothing to prevent the brother or sister of a man with a financial interest in a football club becoming a director of another club," said 53-year-old Clive Sullivan, who lives in Essex.

League rules prohibit a person or any of his associates with an interest in a club becoming involved with any other club and state that a close relative of that person - "shall be deemed to be an associate".

But Clive Sullivan said, "The relatives specified by the League do not include brother and sister. In any case, David is not involved in my deal, nor will he be invited to become involved - unless the rules change."

The Football League had not been consulted about Penarth-born millionaire Clive Sullivan joining the board, said City chairman Steve Borley.

"We don't need to do that," he said. "We may get faxes back from the League when we eventually submit details of Clive becoming a director, but we do not believe any League rule has been broken.

"I would like to point out that although the group Clive heads intends to buy a 55 per cent controlling interest in the club, he will only be acquiring ten per cent of the shares."

Clive Sullivan added, "We have gone into this thoroughly and would not have wasted our time if we thought there was a problem. We have taken advice and don't foresee any problem."

Clive Sullivan visited Ninian Park for the first time in 30 years on Saturday to watch the Second Division match against Gillingham.

He was undeterred by City's 2-1 defeat and said he would press ahead with his plan for a £2.5m investment by himself and other Welsh businessmen, some of whom are based in the Channel Islands.

Five or six associates have been mentioned, but he added, "It may not be as many as that. The less people there are, the more commitment from individuals concerned.

"My contacts don't necessarily want to be in the public eye, but I am prepared to be the public image of the group and the deal is due to be completed on January 25.

"Obviously, the result was disappointing, but I was pleased by the commitment from a side playing with 10 men for 70 minutes against what I am told was the best team Cardiff have played this season.

"I was also very encouraged by the size of the crowd, almost 3,000 up on the last home game and by the fantastic response we got when Michael Isaacs and I were introduced on the pitch before the kick-off."

Last week's £500,000 investment by local businessman Isaacs enabled City to sign 6ft 5in defender Jorn Schwinkendorf from German club Mannheim for £110,000.

Sullivan showed his commitment by loaning the club £165,000. He had warned that the final decision on the investment by the group would be taken after considering the level of support forthcoming locally.

"We need local businesses to increase involvement, raise levels of sponsorship and embrace the club's partnership philosophy."

"It's not something you can just throw money at and, of course, our plan must receive shareholder approval. But I do not think we would have gone public unless we were relatively sure there is a strong likelihood of the plan succeeding.

"The aim of the group is to deliver First Division football in two years and be challenging for a Premiership place in five years. You have to set targets.

"That's difficult because targets move in any business, depending on circumstances. But I believe that First Division football in two years is a reasonable initial objective.

"And the club could undoubtedly sustain Premiership football if it got there. I remember standing on the terraces at Ninian Park as a kid when there were crowds of 30,000 and 40,000.

"Perhaps I have let my heart rule my head with this venture. Nevertheless, it is a business proposition with great potential and long-term there is a possibility of a financial return."