It's f.ck all really in wider business terms...Compared to unicorns in the tech world etc... football clubs are much harder work. It's been a life's work for Levy and far from a smooth path, with unpredictable events and uneven playing fields as well to contend with.
You come across terribly in a vindictive, bitter, scathing, disrespectful way in nearly all of your posts about Levy, conflating issues with him at every opportunity.I'm not really old enough to have held concerns for 20+ years
I have held reasonably large stakes in a couple of companies for over 10 years though. I think both still have some way to go in terms of appreciation.
Do you really think the Glaziers should be held up as a yardstick to judge football club owners by? Why would you choose them and not Nassef Sawiris and Wesley Edens for example?
I have never said that Lewis or Levy are money grabbing, that is putting words in my mouth. Their biggest goal is increasing their net worth as is the case with 99%+ of investors around the World.
If I make it to 87 I have no idea what I would be doing. I think if I made it to 87 and had a net worth of £4b I'd probably try to do a bit of a Jack Walker and see if I could through some of my wealth at the football team I love and see if I could get it to win a trophy or two before I popped my clogs. Our owners have not taken a dividend for years because the asset is growing in value. I don't take dividends from many of my investments. The growth in value of the equity is good enough.
I am absolutely bloody jealous of their success mate.... We all should be! Actually though I am not a big enough risk taker to have done what Lewis did betting against the pound and as I am already more than comfortable I'm not actually that bothered at trying to increase my net worth. I prefer to spend as much time as possible with family and friends these days.
I think much of what our owners has done is excellent. I think they were excellent owner to take us from where we were in 2001 when they took over to about 2016 or so. To actually take that final step though and become a true top club we now need a reasonably large injection of liquidity. I do take issue that despite making (a paper) fortune out of THFC our owners have no desire to inject funds or dilute their ownership to bring in that liquidity.... and by the way I have both injected funds and diluted by equity for an external liquidity injections in businesses that I have owned before..... and those weren't even passion projects.
I guess what I am most disappointed about is that owning a football club should be at least part passion project. Our owners are supposed to be Spurs fans and yet it always seems incredibly difficult to see anything of the 'passion'
I'm not bitter about Levy. I think he is an extremely clever man and a brilliant business man. Why would I constantly say those things about him if I was vindictive or disrespectful of him?
To post the way you do about Levy would suggest it's hard to believe you were 'very pro Levy'.
Hard to believe maybe but what I say here is true. I appreciate what he did at Spurs for several years and he has been handsomely rewarded for that.
Thank you sir. It seems that some on here portray me as some sort of ranting fool but I always try to present my side of the argument coherently and stay cordial.
I'm not really old enough to have held concerns for 20+ years
I have held reasonably large stakes in a couple of companies for over 10 years though. I think both still have some way to go in terms of appreciation.
Do you really think the Glaziers should be held up as a yardstick to judge football club owners by? Why would you choose them and not Nassef Sawiris and Wesley Edens for example?
I have never said that Lewis or Levy are money grabbing, that is putting words in my mouth. Their biggest goal is increasing their net worth as is the case with 99%+ of investors around the World.
If I make it to 87 I have no idea what I would be doing. I think if I made it to 87 and had a net worth of £4b I'd probably try to do a bit of a Jack Walker and see if I could through some of my wealth at the football team I love and see if I could get it to win a trophy or two before I popped my clogs. Our owners have not taken a dividend for years because the asset is growing in value. I don't take dividends from many of my investments. The growth in value of the equity is good enough.
I am absolutely bloody jealous of their success mate.... We all should be! Actually though I am not a big enough risk taker to have done what Lewis did betting against the pound and as I am already more than comfortable I'm not actually that bothered at trying to increase my net worth. I prefer to spend as much time as possible with family and friends these days.
I think much of what our owners has done is excellent. I think they were excellent owner to take us from where we were in 2001 when they took over to about 2016 or so. To actually take that final step though and become a true top club we now need a reasonably large injection of liquidity. I do take issue that despite making (a paper) fortune out of THFC our owners have no desire to inject funds or dilute their ownership to bring in that liquidity.... and by the way I have both injected funds and diluted by equity for an external liquidity injections in businesses that I have owned before..... and those weren't even passion projects.
I guess what I am most disappointed about is that owning a football club should be at least part passion project. Our owners are supposed to be Spurs fans and yet it always seems incredibly difficult to see anything of the 'passion'
The problem with the Tech world is that it is just as easy to lose a fortune as make one (I should know as I've had a few shocking investments in that sector over the past 10 years
). Picking a company on the up and then getting out again reasonably quickly can be a reasonable strategy but some of these tech companies eat through capital ridiculously fast, they are also prone to a rival company doing exactly the same thing but better and a huge percentage of these companies will never actually make a single £ in profit.Dunno mate, my dad was a teacher and had 6 boys to feed, we didn't have a load of money growing up and he was tight as fcuk. Now he's retired saved well he has loads of money, he squanders the fudge out of it to cold callers and roofers that promise him a brand new roof by spraying water on it.
You suspicions aren't correct..... I am also from an East End working class family.... I came into the World in Stepney Green and then moved to Walthamstow (a long while before its recent gentrification). We had no money as a family. My Dad had all sorts of jobs but amongst those he eventually put himself through evening classes etc to qualify as a lawyer when I was in my mid-teens and he had started to represent footballers who I played with/against in Sunday League, district, county and pro club academy football, kids who didn't really have anyone that they trusted to protect their interests. Despite negotiating many good contracts and sponsorships for several players my Dad never took a single penny in payment for representing a footballer. Before I was even 10 years old I decided that I wasn't going to be poor like I was back then, so I worked hard at school, went through Uni and then literally worked my arse off (and I mean like 80+ hour weeks) for 15+ years in the financial world.
My Dad actually ended up becoming a pretty successful lawyer and making a decent amount of money in his later years - and good for him, he deserved it. While we were always pretty poor the one thing he always gave me was good advice, especially in terms of staying in school and working hard academically. He was also always brutally honest with me, if I was good at something he would tell me, if not he would'nt sugar coat it. I actually turned down a pro contract at Chelsea and chose to go to University to get an Economics degree instead after a long conversation with my father about the level we thought I might end up getting to as a footballer (we both agreed it wouldn't be the top level).
After maybe 18 or so years of mental working I had a bit of a burn-out and when I look back at that period I think I was about an inch away from a complete break-down.... That was actually the best thing that ever happened to me. I realised that I had made work my life and as a result I was missing out on life and most importantly missing out on my family. I had earned a lot of money but never really enjoyed it (even when on holiday I would be working pretty much constantly, same at family does, everything).... So I pretty much kind of just stopped. I took a break, I played golf again, I took my UEFA coaching badges so that I could get involved with coaching my kids at their local football club (and not be one of those parents/coaches that hasn't got a clue) and actually started to enjoy life. I started to volunteer in schools in deprived areas to help kids with interview techniques (I still do this and also some mentoring).
I've since started to work again (as I realised I did need SOME work in my life (life as an alcoholic may have ensued otherwise!) but not in the same way I used to. I now have the right sort of balance (as evidenced by the amount of time I spend on here instead of actually 'working'
Anyway - that's all a rather long life story there and sorry for going so off topic. But that's why it is folly to say that I don't respect Daniel Levy. I respect him massively, I don't think I could be as involved as he is in something for so long. Respecting him and thinking he has done a good job over the last few years do not have to go hand in hand however.
He got a first class honours degree from Cambridge so he is clearly of the highest intellect.
You suspicions aren't correct..... I am also from an East End working class family.... I came into the World in Stepney Green and then moved to Walthamstow (a long while before its recent gentrification). We had no money as a family. My Dad had all sorts of jobs but amongst those he eventually put himself through evening classes etc to qualify as a lawyer when I was in my mid-teens and he had started to represent footballers who I played with/against in Sunday League, district, county and pro club academy football, kids who didn't really have anyone that they trusted to protect their interests. Despite negotiating many good contracts and sponsorships for several players my Dad never took a single penny in payment for representing a footballer. Before I was even 10 years old I decided that I wasn't going to be poor like I was back then, so I worked hard at school, went through Uni and then literally worked my arse off (and I mean like 80+ hour weeks) for 15+ years in the financial world.
My Dad actually ended up becoming a pretty successful lawyer and making a decent amount of money in his later years - and good for him, he deserved it. While we were always pretty poor the one thing he always gave me was good advice, especially in terms of staying in school and working hard academically. He was also always brutally honest with me, if I was good at something he would tell me, if not he would'nt sugar coat it. I actually turned down a pro contract at Chelsea and chose to go to University to get an Economics degree instead after a long conversation with my father about the level we thought I might end up getting to as a footballer (we both agreed it wouldn't be the top level).
After maybe 18 or so years of mental working I had a bit of a burn-out and when I look back at that period I think I was about an inch away from a complete break-down.... That was actually the best thing that ever happened to me. I realised that I had made work my life and as a result I was missing out on life and most importantly missing out on my family. I had earned a lot of money but never really enjoyed it (even when on holiday I would be working pretty much constantly, same at family does, everything).... So I pretty much kind of just stopped. I took a break, I played golf again, I took my UEFA coaching badges so that I could get involved with coaching my kids at their local football club (and not be one of those parents/coaches that hasn't got a clue) and actually started to enjoy life. I started to volunteer in schools in deprived areas to help kids with interview techniques (I still do this and also some mentoring).
I've since started to work again (as I realised I did need SOME work in my life (life as an alcoholic may have ensued otherwise!) but not in the same way I used to. I now think (hope!) I have the right sort of balance (as evidenced by the amount of time I spend on here instead of actually 'working'
Anyway - that's all a rather long life story there and sorry for going so off topic. But that's why it is folly to say that I don't respect Daniel Levy. I respect him massively, I don't think I could be as involved as he is in something for so long. Respecting him and thinking he has done a good job over the last few years do not have to go hand in hand however.
I know….Chelsea player
You suspicions aren't correct..... I am also from an East End working class family.... I came into the World in Stepney Green and then moved to Walthamstow (a long while before its recent gentrification). We had no money as a family. My Dad had all sorts of jobs but amongst those he eventually put himself through evening classes etc to qualify as a lawyer when I was in my mid-teens and he had started to represent footballers who I played with/against in Sunday League, district, county and pro club academy football, kids who didn't really have anyone that they trusted to protect their interests. Despite negotiating many good contracts and sponsorships for several players my Dad never took a single penny in payment for representing a footballer. Before I was even 10 years old I decided that I wasn't going to be poor like I was back then, so I worked hard at school, went through Uni and then literally worked my arse off (and I mean like 80+ hour weeks) for 15+ years in the financial world.
My Dad actually ended up becoming a pretty successful lawyer and making a decent amount of money in his later years - and good for him, he deserved it. While we were always pretty poor the one thing he always gave me was good advice, especially in terms of staying in school and working hard academically. He was also always brutally honest with me, if I was good at something he would tell me, if not he would'nt sugar coat it. I actually turned down a pro contract at Chelsea and chose to go to University to get an Economics degree instead after a long conversation with my father about the level we thought I might end up getting to as a footballer (we both agreed it wouldn't be the top level).
After maybe 18 or so years of mental working I had a bit of a burn-out and when I look back at that period I think I was about an inch away from a complete break-down.... That was actually the best thing that ever happened to me. I realised that I had made work my life and as a result I was missing out on life and most importantly missing out on my family. I had earned a lot of money but never really enjoyed it (even when on holiday I would be working pretty much constantly, same at family does, everything).... So I pretty much kind of just stopped. I took a break, I played golf again, I took my UEFA coaching badges so that I could get involved with coaching my kids at their local football club (and not be one of those parents/coaches that hasn't got a clue) and actually started to enjoy life. I started to volunteer in schools in deprived areas to help kids with interview techniques (I still do this and also some mentoring).
I've since started to work again (as I realised I did need SOME work in my life (life as an alcoholic may have ensued otherwise!) but not in the same way I used to. I now think (hope!) I have the right sort of balance (as evidenced by the amount of time I spend on here instead of actually 'working'
Anyway - that's all a rather long life story there and sorry for going so off topic. But that's why it is folly to say that I don't respect Daniel Levy. I respect him massively, I don't think I could be as involved as he is in something for so long. Respecting him and thinking he has done a good job over the last few years do not have to go hand in hand however.
You suspicions aren't correct..... I am also from an East End working class family.... I came into the World in Stepney Green and then moved to Walthamstow (a long while before its recent gentrification). We had no money as a family. My Dad had all sorts of jobs but amongst those he eventually put himself through evening classes etc to qualify as a lawyer when I was in my mid-teens and he had started to represent footballers who I played with/against in Sunday League, district, county and pro club academy football, kids who didn't really have anyone that they trusted to protect their interests. Despite negotiating many good contracts and sponsorships for several players my Dad never took a single penny in payment for representing a footballer. Before I was even 10 years old I decided that I wasn't going to be poor like I was back then, so I worked hard at school, went through Uni and then literally worked my arse off (and I mean like 80+ hour weeks) for 15+ years in the financial world.
My Dad actually ended up becoming a pretty successful lawyer and making a decent amount of money in his later years - and good for him, he deserved it. While we were always pretty poor the one thing he always gave me was good advice, especially in terms of staying in school and working hard academically. He was also always brutally honest with me, if I was good at something he would tell me, if not he would'nt sugar coat it. I actually turned down a pro contract at Chelsea and chose to go to University to get an Economics degree instead after a long conversation with my father about the level we thought I might end up getting to as a footballer (we both agreed it wouldn't be the top level).
After maybe 18 or so years of mental working I had a bit of a burn-out and when I look back at that period I think I was about an inch away from a complete break-down.... That was actually the best thing that ever happened to me. I realised that I had made work my life and as a result I was missing out on life and most importantly missing out on my family. I had earned a lot of money but never really enjoyed it (even when on holiday I would be working pretty much constantly, same at family does, everything).... So I pretty much kind of just stopped. I took a break, I played golf again, I took my UEFA coaching badges so that I could get involved with coaching my kids at their local football club (and not be one of those parents/coaches that hasn't got a clue) and actually started to enjoy life. I started to volunteer in schools in deprived areas to help kids with interview techniques (I still do this and also some mentoring).
I've since started to work again (as I realised I did need SOME work in my life (life as an alcoholic may have ensued otherwise!) but not in the same way I used to. I now think (hope!) I have the right sort of balance (as evidenced by the amount of time I spend on here instead of actually 'working'
Anyway - that's all a rather long life story there and sorry for going so off topic. But that's why it is folly to say that I don't respect Daniel Levy. I respect him massively, I don't think I could be as involved as he is in something for so long. Respecting him and thinking he has done a good job over the last few years do not have to go hand in hand however.
