WEST Ham United's Managing Director recently went under the
spotlight to answer questions on all aspects of the Club's
future.
He spoke to Ken Dyer of the Evening Standard on topics from administration to the East Stand redevelopment and, after requests from fans, the full interview is reproduced here.
Q: Do you anticipate any takeover activity this summer? There has been speculation that both David Sullivan and Michael Tabor are interested. Would you sell if the price was right?
PA: Much has been written recently about potential takeovers and
consortiums. I would like to place on record that we have not
received any serious offer or even an expression of interest. The
board have a duty under the Takeover Code to make shareholders
aware of any serious offer for the company; it would then be the
decision of the shareholders if it is acceptable to them.
The Chairman has stated on numerous occasions that he would welcome
discussions with any potential serious buyer that could ensure
major investment into the team.
Q: If West Ham United do not go up, the £6 million parachute payment ends. How will you continue to service the debt in the Championship. In addition, Tomas Repka is leaving at the end of the season. Do you anticipate more big earners going before the start of next season and will you have to sell the likes of Matty Etherington?
PA: The Club has repeatedly assured fans that should we fail to
gain promotion we are not in danger of administration. Detailed
trading and cash-flow forecasts are maintained on a two-year
rolling basis, which assume Coca-Cola Championship status. These
take into account the loss of our parachute payment from next
season and are based on realistic assumptions regarding attendances
and other key factors.
Consistent with standard practice, a significant amount of the
recent transfer fee income will be received during the summer of
2005. We will also benefit from contracts expiring in respect of
high earning players signed while in the Premiership.
We have an excellent relationship with our bankers, who are
extremely supportive. Our loans are structured over a long period
with scheduled repayments that are included within our cash-flow
budget.
That said, with our ability to generate gate and commercial
revenue, we should still be able to sustain one of the highest
player wage bills in the division for as long as it takes to
achieve promotion.
As with all other football clubs we have to balance player sales
and acquisitions against the wages required for the overall squad.
In consultation with the manager this balance will be achieved and
may include some changes to the playing squad.
I do not, however, believe that other than players coming to the
end of their contracts there will be many changes and next season
we will benefit from a more stable squad than we had enjoyed during
the past two seasons.
The average age of the players who played in the final scheduled
League match of the season at Watford and are contracted for next
season was only 24. This added to the young players just outside
the starting XI is extremely encouraging.
Q: If Hammers win promotion will work be started on the redevelopment of the East Stand? Also, have you any plans to move from Upton Park?
PA: We continue to work on the existing plans to redevelop the
East Stand. Promotion alone would not dictate the commencement of
the rebuilding work. In the short term, we would wish to ensure all
available funds are directed at the team to give us the best
possible opportunity to consolidate our position back in the
Premiership.
We are, however, committed to finishing the stadium. Once built,
the new stand would take our capacity to 40,000 and make the Boleyn
Ground one of the best in the country. With the above in mind, I
would not envisage a move away from Upton Park.
Q: What has been the Board's biggest success and what will be your legacy and that of Chairman Terry Brown when you finally leave West Ham United?
PA: As a Board we accept that our current position makes it very
difficult for supporters to look positively at the Chairman's
12-year tenure. But those who can remember when he came to office
know that the Club needed to sell a player just to trade through
the oncoming season. Land desperately needed for redevelopment
needed to be purchased.
The infrastructure of the Club was in desperate need of investment,
our pitch had no drainage to speak of, we retailed out of a
temporary hut in the car park and our much-heralded Academy was
dormant. We even leased our training ground.
We have moved on, our Academy is the envy of most clubs, our
accounts show a net asset value of £40 million. We own our
ground, as well as two training complexes and have acquired a
purpose-built Football in the Community complex, probably the
finest in the country.
Q: Can you see West Ham United back in the Premiership and competing on an even keel with Club's such as Tottenham?
PA: Everyone at the Club is determined to work as hard as
possible to ensure the quickest return to the Premiership. Last
season we missed out in the Play-off Final, and this season we will
go back to Cardiff with another opportunity to win promotion.
If we aren't successful we will redouble our efforts next
season. Once we do gain promotion I see no reason why in time we
cannot challenge for Europe and domestic honours.
We will be in a far healthier financial position, having a low wage
base and a much lower debt position. Even in the Championship our
income, stripping out TV revenues, would still be the envy of many
Premiership clubs.
Q: What has been the Board's biggest mistake in the last five years and do you think it was a mistake to get rid of Harry Redknapp?
PA: I am sure most people would say our biggest mistake in the
last five years was to appoint Glenn Roeder and, looking at the
outcome of his second season, it would be hard to disagree.
However, this only tells half the story: people forget that he took
a team which only narrowly missed relegation under Harry Redknapp
to seventh in the Premier League the following season.
A combination of injuries to key players and the effects of the
first year of the transfer window mask the fantastic effort put in
by the squad after the January window, which allowed us to
strengthen the team. Although ultimately the 42 points we amassed
was not good enough.
Q: If you do not win promotion will Alan Pardew still be West Ham United manager next season?
PA: West Ham United has always tried to be supportive of its
managers and give them security to make decisions that are in the
best long-term interests of the Club. The constant speculation
concerning Alan Pardew's position is not helpful, but I am sure
he is strong enough to cope and not be distracted from his goal.
Alan is well aware that expectations are extremely high at this
Club and everyone demands a return to the Premiership as quickly as
possible.
Being linked by the media with possible replacements for a vacancy
that does not exist is not helpful, but unfortunately beyond our
control. I believe Alan is comfortable with the relationship he
enjoys with the Board and understands the pressure at West Ham
United.