บท 332: Chapter 332: The Arrogant Old Trickster
The Arsenal training base, also known as the Colney Training Center, was located in the small town of Latimer in Hertfordshire, a densely wooded area northwest of London, about a 45-minute drive from the Emirates Stadium.
When it opened in 1999, it had a large commercial media building and indoor facilities built later. It was currently one of the best training bases in the UK.
When Charles Capet, accompanied by David Dein, arrived at the Colney Training Center, reporters from BBC Sport TV, Sky Sports, and newspapers like The Daily Telegraph, The Times, The Independent, The Guardian, The Observer, Daily Mirror, Sunday Times, Daily Express, Daily Star, Daily Mail, Daily Chronicle, The Evening Standard, Morning Star, The Sun, European Times, Sports Gazette, and News of the World had already gathered in front of the media building at the training base.
Charles' bodyguards held back the reporters, but they couldn't completely quiet down the scene.
It was the press officer of the Arsenal club who managed to appease the reporters and have them sit in the media interview hall of the media building.
"Charles, we can first take interviews from the reporters in the media hall and have a meeting with the shareholders in the afternoon," David Dein reminded Charles, coming to his side.
Charles nodded.
Subsequently, Charles and David Dein, accompanied by Arsenal's press officer, sat down together to receive interviews from the media.
In the administrative building behind them, Arsenal club chairman Peter Hill-Wood was chatting with the two major shareholders, Danny Fiszman and Berswick Smith.
"Peter, what do you think? The capital David has found this time is different. We originally planned to join forces with Stan Kroenke to counter him and Alisher Usmanov. Now, Capet Group has replaced Alisher Usmanov's Russian capital," Danny Fiszman said with a worried expression.
"Barclays Bank, Lloyds TSB Group, and Standard Chartered Bank have jointly supported him to allow his Capet Sports Entertainment Group to complete the acquisition."
"Plus, with David Dein's network, our opponent this time is no simple task!"
Peter Hill-Wood looked at the media building in front of him and said seriously: "These nouveau riches from the New World always think of making money through the team. If he takes over Arsenal, he will surely start the privatization process. At that time, Arsenal's financial reports won't be public, and the club will become a commercial puppet. As long as we remain united and do not allow him to continue acquiring your shares, Arsenal will still be under our control!"
Of course, Peter Hill-Wood said this primarily for Danny Fiszman and Berswick Smith, who together owned more than 50% of the shares!
This was also why David Dein, as the vice-chairman of Arsenal and the third-largest shareholder, could be directly expelled from the board of directors this year.
In the media hall, Charles spoke seriously: "In 2005, we sent our captain Patrick Vieira to Juventus.
Last year, Dennis Bergkamp retired, and we let Ashley Cole go.
This summer, we lost our current captain, Thierry Henry.
Arsene Wenger, as one of the most successful managers in the world, deserves more support..."
Charles didn't mention that everyone was aware of Arsenal's current predicament; the club had no money, burdened by heavy debts.
"Quiet, please! Let the reporter from the Daily Mirror ask a question!" the press officer called on a supportive newspaper to ask a question.
A redheaded woman stood up, "Mr. Capet, if Capet Capital acquires Arsenal, will it truly repay Arsenal's debts?"
Before Charles could respond, David Dein smiled and said, "Mr. Capet has already discussed with Barclays Bank and Standard Chartered Bank; at least PS200 million in loans will be repaid early!"
"Whoa," the reporters, not just the one from the Daily Mirror, but all the others were equally shocked.
"Moreover," Charles smiled, pointing at the reporter from the Daily Mirror, "Tell me, how much did Arsenal spend on signings this year?"
"PS23.5 million!"
"And how much income from player sales?"
"PS31 million!"
Charles nodded, "Arsenal, finishing fourth in the Premier League for two consecutive years, still made PS7.5 million from player sales this year! Arsenal is a contending team; finishing fourth in the league is not enough. Our goal is the Premier League Championship, the European Championship..."
Charles' passionate speech in the media hall, before hundreds of media personnel, fired up many people. The CSE Group's acquisition of Arsenal aimed to return Arsenal to its peak.
In contrast, the shareholders' meeting in the afternoon was much more subdued. Charles kept a close eye on club chairman Peter Hill-Wood and the other two major shareholders, Danny Fiszman and Berswick Smith.
"Gentlemen, PS300 million, I'll buy your shares, deal?"
Charles' gaze mainly focused on Danny Fiszman and Berswick Smith, who together held about 53% of the shares.
Peter Hill-Wood knocked on the table, with typical British pride, looked at Charles, then smiled, "Charles, Arsenal has a history of 120 years, with 13 English top-level league championship trophies, 10 FA Cup championship trophies, and 2 League Cup championships.
One European Cup Winners' Cup championship trophy!
Arsenal will not become a plaything and tool of American capital. So, Arsenal will not be sold to your Capet Group!"
Peter Hill-Wood's face was filled with arrogance; his British demeanor greatly displeased Charles.
"But, we welcome you to the board of directors!"
Charles looked around at the shareholders, who all seemed to follow Peter Hill-Wood's lead.
"Mr. David Dein will be my representative; he will keep an eye on Arsenal's affairs on my behalf. You have worked together for many years, so you should have built a strong rapport!" Charles smiled, daring them to kick him out of the board of directors.
"David, welcome back!" Peter Hill-Wood even shook David Dein's hand on purpose.
When Charles left the Colney Training Center, his face was dark. Peter Hill-Wood was indeed an old fossil and an old trickster!
Are there still few foreign investments in the Premier League now? Chelsea and Portsmouth were controlled by Russian capital;
Manchester United, Aston Villa, and Liverpool were dominated by American capital;
West Ham United was bought by an Icelandic consortium, and Manchester City was purchased by Thai capital.
Why not Arsenal? Fans and the English FA opposed it? Then let's play a game of public opinion!
*****
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