Clubs In Crisis
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www.ClubsInCrisis.com 08 April 2009 - 20:53

Cardiff City

Hammam named in Cardiff loan case

12-Mar-2008

The former chairman of Cardiff City football club, Sam Hammam, has been named as the man behind a bank demanding repayment of £31m in loans.

From BBC Football:

The club spent the day in the High Court after legal action brought by Swiss based financiers.

The Langston Corporation claims the club has failed to make a payment on the loan made in 2004.

However, for the first time, the club's barrister named Mr Hammam as the man behind Langston.

The bankers want the court to make a summary judgement in the case, which would see Cardiff City facing a bill to repay £24m immediately of the £31m that is outstanding.

But the club claims the loan is not repayable until 2016 and it could face an uncertain future if it loses the case.

At the start of the two day hearing, Langston's counsel, Michael Driscoll QC said: "It is common ground that the claimant loaned £24m to the club in 2004 and is yet to be repaid.

"The club says that nothing is to be repaid at this time, and the question is whether there is enough in what the club says to justify this case going to trial.

"The claimant says that there is nothing in what the club has said."

Cardiff claims a variation to the loan agreement in 2006 means the loan is not repayable for another eight years.

The judge, Mr Justice Michael Briggs, must decide whether he is able to issue a summary judgement ordering the immediate repayment of the £24m, or if the case should go to a full trial.

The judge is expected to reserve his decision before ruling in writing at a later date.

The Championship club is due to play Barnsley at Wembley stadium in April as FA Cup semi-finalists, but its chairman Peter Ridsdale, who succeeded Mr Hammam in the post, has said administration would be a realistic scenario should it fail to win the case.

This could result in an automatic points deduction and damage their hopes of building a new stadium on the outskirts of Cardiff.

Speaking before the hearing, Mr Ridsdale said: "If we were to lose we would go straight into administration - it's a straightforward situation.

"The club's Championship status would be determined by the amount of points we collect come the end of the season, minus 10.

"In terms of the stadium, it would depend who buys the football club and whether they prove to be an acceptable partner for the council and whether they have got enough money to finish the stadium off, which would probably be about £20m."


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Cardiff face going bust within days

03-Dec-2007

Cardiff City, who face being forced into administration by the end of the week, have called an emergency board meeting.

From Telegraph Sport, by By Darren Witcoop:

The Championship strugglers are facing mounting losses with the impending £35 million court case against the club.

Lawyers have been called in for tomorrow's board meeting to assess the club's chances of survival.

But the outlook is bleak, and the Bluebirds could go out of business unless a settlement can be reached before the hearing next week.

It is believed former owner Sam Hammam is behind mystery firm Langston, who are suing the club for immediate repayment of loan notes.

Cash-strapped Cardiff - whose legal costs have soared to £500,000 - admit they owe the money, but insist repayment is not due until 2016.

However, there is an increasing prospect that the debt-ridden Welsh side will now be forced into administration - meaning an immediate 10-point deduction and the likely sale of the club's best players.

Cardiff chairman Peter Ridsdale said: "I can confirm that the board will be meeting this week ahead of the scheduled court case. If it would solve the problem, I'd go tomorrow. But this isn't about me."

Cardiff play Charlton at home tomorrow looking for their first win in three matches. Two weeks ago manager Dave Jones was given a vote of confidence by Ridsdale but Cardiff are just two places above the relegation zone.

See also: Cardiff awaiting March court date, BBC Football


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Hammam predicts success ... others are worried

27-Mar-2005

From South Wales Echo:

Sam Hammam is adamant he will lead Cardiff City through their financial crisis.

'When I succeed, and I will, I will stay to enjoy the fruits of that success,' said a defiant Hammam, insisting the cash problems will disappear 'in seconds' when the stadium project starts.

'I will not fall, I will stay with the club. And the club stays with me,' he added. 'Yes, we have problems. Yes, we will overcome those problems. I am feeling buoyant, I am strong. I will not run away from the problems. We will face them and overcome them.'

Owner Hammam welcomes newly-appointed financial consultant Peter Ridsdale to Ninian Park on Tuesday and he will work from a temporary office near coach Terry Burton.

Terry Phillips, South Wales Echo, 26 March 2005



However, see also this story, from Wales on Sunday:

We're still paying for Ridsdale

CARDIFF CITY fans were last night warned that Leeds United are still paying the price for the Peter Ridsdale years.

The former Elland Road chairman was drafted in by City owner Sam Hammam last week as a troubleshooter to sort out the club's dire financial predicament.

But while Hammam desperately fights to win back supporter confidence, the mutterings from Yorkshire are in danger of undermining his cause.

John Boocock, former chairman of the Leeds United Supporters' Trust and a supporter since 1959, told Wales on Sunday: 'It is beyond me why anyone would want Peter Ridsdale to oversee the finances of their club.

'Have they learnt nothing from what happened at Leeds?

'If you speak to the average Leeds fan we cannot forgive him for what happened during his time in charge.

'The fact that he has never admitted he was wrong or made mistakes makes it even worse.

'He brought relative success on the field for a period but things went disastrously wrong off it and then Ridsdale walked away while the rest of us were left to pick up the pieces.

'If I was a Cardiff fan I would be very worried about his involvement, very worried indeed.'

Andy Rose, Wales on Sunday, 27 March 2005

============ Previously ===============
Stadium Delayed, Players Not Paid
03-Mar-2005

From the BBC:

Cardiff stadium work put on hold

Work on Cardiff City's new stadium has been delayed for up to three months.
Cardiff had hoped construction on the £100m development would begin in May, but they have now announced that no work will be possible before July.

A statement on the club's website said: 'The Club are disappointed that work may not begin until July/August 2005.'

Cardiff expect the 30,000-seater stadium and adjoining retail park at Leckwith to take 18 months to complete once construction work has begun.

Also from the BBC:

Cardiff financial worry continues

The Cardiff City board was locked in meetings on Wednesday to discuss financial concerns at the club.
Bluebirds players and staff have yet to be paid this month, with auditors being called in to examine possible cutbacks.

Chairman Sam Hammam is keen to reduce costs and it is understood that staff have been told to expect job losses.


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