[Bladesman]

Basically, tomorrow at 8:15am we are announcing a new chief executive.

This isn't just a chief executive announcement though, its been widely rumoured that the man who is being brought in is Trevor Birch. This coincides with our Chairman and owner Kevin McCabe taking on club Presidency at Ferencvaros. The rumour of Trevor Birch is probably dead on the money, as it was part of the same news drop that said Ferencvaros' current president was getting the boot, and that happened yesterday.

Trevor Birch is known primarily as an insolvency practitioner, who specialises in finding investment, and especially facilitating takeovers (Chelsea to Abramovich is the most notable of those).

Another key rumour that just won't go away over the past months, and one that is gathering force again is that Red Bull are preparing a move to invest in Sheffield United PLC, seeing our lucrative ownership of a Chinese Super League club (funnily enough who used to have the word 'Bull' in their name) as a key draw to the club. Other rumour from a similar source saying that there will be 'massive news' on 1st December

Trevor Birch has always been brought in to do something very important. So it boils down to either of these:

a ) Sheffield United are in major financial problems (probably stemming from our property dealings)
b ) We are going to be sold soon.

Anyway, you heard it here first ;)

[Bladesman]

Shocking news today!!!.....Its Trevor Birch
http://www.thestar.c...p?articlepage=2

Quote

He was the man who brokered Roman Abramovich's takeover of Chelsea and helped rescue Leeds from the brink of oblivion.
But Trevor Birch has been handed an altogether different brief after being installed at Bramall Lane.

Far from being flung headlong into a financial firefight the 51-year-old, who will this afternoon be unveiled as Sheffield United's new chief executive, envisages his time in South Yorkshire will be spent relieving manager Kevin Blackwell and chairman Kevin McCabe of some of the more arduous duties associated with running a football club whose portfolio includes interests in China, Hungary, Spain and Australia.

"Kevin (McCabe) has articulated a role and a vision that I can buy into," Birch said."Potentially, it's a great club.

"When you look at the teams in the Premiership it's more than capable of holding it's own. The key is to get back there."

There are, of course, no givens, but Birch's modus operandi will be welcomed by supporters and staff alike. "It's about being straight with people and being honest," he continued.

"Making sure everyone associated with Sheffield United feels good about themselves and their club.

"It's a community asset, everyone has a stake including the fans.

"Kevin wanted someone with the profile, experience and professionalism to take it forward and, hopefully, I like to think I bring that."

Birch arrives with a reputation as one of the game's shrewdest and most effective administrators so it is not surprising to learn that, behind the scenes, his appointment his regarded as a major coup.

A former player, he spent time on the books of Liverpool, Shreswbury and Chester before qualifying as a chartered accountant.

But it was at Stamford Bridge where he rose to prominence courtesy of his involvement in the Russian billionaire's history-making acquisition in 2003.

Having assumed ownership, Abramovich and his advisors attempted to retain Birch's services despite recruiting Peter Keynon.

The managing directorship of Chelsea Village Group was reportedly offered as bait - "We don't want to lose him," a senior source was quoted as saying at the time - but Birch declined and later became of chief executive at Leeds.

After a brief period as chairman, which saw him again avert the threat of administration, Birch departed Elland Road following a buy-out by Gerald Krasner's consortium and spells at Everton and Derby subsequently followed.

Most recently he has been working at one of Europe's most influential firms in the sporting-rights sphere.

Having been handed responsibility for, among other things, the club's transfer dealings, one of Birch's first tasks will be helping Blackwell deliver during the January window.

But with restructuring and identifying new sources of investment among his other areas of expertise, Birch's influence is likely to extend far beyond the boot room.

I love the bolded bit, if only he was going to relieve Blackwell of his duties :D

Anyway, looks like we are in the late evening of Kevin McCabe's reign now. Birch won't have come cheap, and he will have a very specific purpose. Hopefully we will find out more at a press conference at 3

[Bladesman]

We've just announced £5million+ profits from the last year (not including sales of Kyle Walker or Naughton)

Stonr rumour is we will be sold VERY soon (week or two), Blackwell will resign when this happens and Shearer will become manager (his last appearance on MOTD this weekend apparently).

[Muggy]

Bladesman, on 25 November 2009 - 10:38 PM, said:

Stonr rumour is we will be sold VERY soon (week or two), Blackwell will resign when this happens and Shearer will become manager (his last appearance on MOTD this weekend apparently).

:0 :0 :0

[BristolCity1992]

Why would you want Shearer?

[Bladesman]

Because Mr McCabe likes his big name managers e.g. Bryan Robson.

He's hardly my choice :(

MASSIVE NEWS TODAY!!! WE SIGNED WOLVES NUMBER FOUR CHOICE GOALIE AND A FULHAM RESERVE CENTRE HALF.

Really gets the blood pumping

[Shakhtar]

Bladesman, on 26 November 2009 - 06:26 PM, said:

Because Mr McCabe likes his big name managers e.g. Bryan Robson.

He's hardly my choice :(

MASSIVE NEWS TODAY!!! WE SIGNED WOLVES NUMBER FOUR CHOICE GOALIE AND A FULHAM RESERVE CENTRE HALF.

Really gets the blood pumping

Pricks.

Ikeme-inho! Good keeper.

This post has been edited by Shakhtar: 26 November 2009 - 06:33 PM

[Bladesman]

Bladesman, on 19 November 2009 - 06:53 PM, said:

a ) Sheffield United are in major financial problems (probably stemming from our property dealings)
b ) We are going to be sold soon.

I'd say I was sure which one it was by now, but personally I don't feel £50million of debt for a championship club is conclusive enough.......