Source: Liverpool_Echo
Liverpool FC sale: chairman Martin Broughton heralds 'new era'
Martin Broughton[LNB]LIVERPOOL FC chairman Martin Broughton today heralded a new era at Anfield after he, Managing Director Christian Purslow and Commercial Director Ian Ayre removed Tom Hicks and George Gillett from the club.[LNB]Liverpool have been provisionally sold for £300m to New England Ventures - an American sports investment company which runs the Boston Red Sox baseball team - restored to its former glory by NEV over the past decade.[LNB]Today Broughton declared them 'winners' as he revealed the takeover now sees Liverpool freed of £200m of debt.[LNB]£37m of 'external debt' remains. But that is basically a typical working overdraft facility and the agreed deal would see Liverpool carrying the second lowest debt burden in the Premier League.[LNB] Broughton said the new owners are committed to building a new stadium - possibly by redeveloping Anfield - in a bid to keep the club's history and traditions in place on the present site. Broughton said they would investigate an idea to redevelop on the current stadium site first mooted by Anfield legend Kenny Dalglish.[LNB]If not feasible he said they will build a new stadium on the alternative site in Stanley Park.[LNB]Broughton also revealed a tight contractual agreement has been put in place to ensure the debt for taking over Liverpool can never be put back on the club again - as Hicks and Gillett did sparking the crisis of the past few years.[LNB]He acknowledged there will now be court action to try and prove the sale to New England Ventures is legitimate and has been properly handled. He insists it has been.[LNB]But Hicks and Gillett, who it is understood walk away with no profit at all from three-and-a-half years in charge, are bound to contest the sale in court, meaning a period of uncertainty for fans about their exit being final.
