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Moore ponders future after stormy AGM
LIVERPOOL, England, Dec 2 (Reuters) - Liverpool chairman David
Moores, who has a controlling stake in the club, says he is
considering his position because of the strain of takeover
talks.
'This last 12 months has not been easy. It's been unbearable. I
haven't slept and my family - it's difficult for them,' Moores told
the club's annual general meeting on Thursday.
'I have to consider my options. I love the club, but clearly that's
not enough. I can't compete with Mr Morgan's millions,' he
added.
Moores, who owns a 51 percent stake in Liverpool, was referring to
businessman Steve Morgan, who told the meeting that he had made a
fourth bid to invest £70million in the club.
'There is an offer on the table,' said Morgan. 'And the money can
be in the bank by Christmas.'
A consortium, led by U.S.-based film producer Mike Jefferies and
lawyer Stuart Ford, said on Thursday that they may make a takeover
bid and had approached the club's financial advisers.
That was later denied by Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry who
said no talks had taken place.
'We are not in discussions with them, I can confirm that,' he
said.
Another controversial bid from the Thai government, later taken on
by Thai media tycoon Paiboon Damrongchaitham, stalled earlier in
the year.
Moores's comments came after Morgan's wife Didy complained of
Liverpool's reluctance to deal with her husband and said he had
spent more than £300,000 in fees in his attempt to put money into
the club.
'It's as if a deal would be done with the devil rather than my
husband,' she said.
Moores said the latest offer from Morgan was being considered but
the club were also bound to investigate the approach from L4.
The AGM also heard that the cost of a proposed switch from Anfield
to a new 60,000 seater stadium at Stanley Park had risen from an
estimated £80million to £115million.
Parry said the club was looking for a grant from the North West
Development Agency but the chairman of the NWDA wanted a
groundshare with city rivals Everton and a government ruling was
expected by the end of the month.
Parry also revealed that the club decided to sell Michael Owen to
Real Madrid for eight million pounds when the England striker
refused to sign a new contract.
'It is telling that there were no other bidders for Michael Owen,'
said Parry. 'We did test the water and there was no interest.'