Sorry Don but I have to agree with other posters here that a merger between the two is unlikely to be either the solution or a good solution. Understandably CCFC fans see it from a Sky Blue perspective but the key is to see it from the perspective of the other parties. How do they benefit - it is easy to think CCFC will benefit but the other parties?
a merger creates a new entity generally and I think you are wrong in assuming an equal split is either a given or possible.
You have to look at what you are merging. Is it SBS&L with the London Wasps holdings (LWH) or is it Otium and LWH or is it even CCFC Ltd and LWH (very unlikely) or some other set up.
Having decided that then you need to look at what each of the bodies to be merged brings to the table and the effect on income steams, risk, control, value, etc. The risk factor is the important thing. Yes the LWH 2013 accounts do not look great but what about Otium or SBS&L?
Wasps are in the driving seat in this like it or not. Why would they want to merge now with a club that carries even more risk? Why would they want to give away rights to income to someone else whose recent history and performance has been nothing short of shocking? why share control with a club that is leaving in 4 years? Why do Wasps need to merge with CCFC when CCFC have to be at the stadium for a minimum of 4 years? What do CCFC actually bring to the table now for a merger - dreams of premiership rewards are just that dreams and carry no value in setting up a merger. If the intention is to take on board CCFC eventually why do Wasps need to give or compromise on anything when there is a possibility of getting it for nothing with little debt?
Not sure about this notion of isolating the loans - ARVO loans are secured on CCFC assets, CCFC shares etc and no disposal can be done without ARVO approval. At the moment ARVO and SBS&L receive interest on their loans if the loans are isolated where do they get the loans serviced from? You are asking ARVO and SBS&L to give up income and secured loans in return for the risky possibility of maybe getting a return at some point in the future.
It might make sense for CCFC but I just do not see how it benefits Wasps and that is the key. They will look at CCFC and see high risk, intransigent litigious ownership, a club with no choice about being at the Ricoh for 4 years at least, a team on the slide, declining crowds and therefore declining income, disenchanted and disconnected fans, income streams that barely cover the costs of putting a CCFC match on, ............. what exactly makes CCFC a must have to Wasps, yes they might like to use the stadium more but.............
Sorry don just do not see this
As for the Charity decision should they receive an offer from SISU. It does not simply follow that because say SISU offer more money that the Charity must accept it. Might make it more likely to be considered but the Charity must consider which offer actually best meets the aims and objectives of the Charity. That may well involve things that are not cash receivable by the Charity. It is about the package not just the cash. I do not believe the option agreement means they must accept the SISU offer simply that they must allow CCFC Ltd to bid and must consider it properly. Even in the imo unlikely event that AEHC accept the offer then I would think that the veto and ACL directors then come in to play.
The Trustees of AEHC even if directors of ACL have a duty to do what is best for the Charity (ACL doesn't come in to it) The directors of ACL have a duty to do what is best for ACL (the charity does not come in to it). Some characters wear two hats but never at the same time, they might be part of both but their responsibilities to each are quite separate
There is a in my opinion a clear plan as to how things should go....... offering the opportunity to CCFC Ltd liquidator is dotting i's and crossing t's I believe
btw my understanding is that the council officers have resigned as directors at ACL and are no longer on the Board.