Paul Ragan to take over the Steelers
- Thread starter DevilDom
- Start date
I agree with Chris and Gareth (sorry for repeating myself frmo the other thread)
Some good strong answers to quash any rumours would be great tonight (hopefully what we'll get)
However, we should also have an announcement of a meeting to be held early in the new year at the latest, with accompanying press release on the Devils website.
Hopefully a meeting with fans was planned before the annoucement of the takeover was made as it seems these talks have been going on for some time.
Some good strong answers to quash any rumours would be great tonight (hopefully what we'll get)
However, we should also have an announcement of a meeting to be held early in the new year at the latest, with accompanying press release on the Devils website.
Hopefully a meeting with fans was planned before the annoucement of the takeover was made as it seems these talks have been going on for some time.
I think he said he wanted Shannon and Simon to both have investment within the club and was looking for further investment.
Perhaps it would be worth looking into a fans group being setup, where each person puts in a certain amount of money and the fans group is then part of the ownership of the club?
Perhaps it would be worth looking into a fans group being setup, where each person puts in a certain amount of money and the fans group is then part of the ownership of the club?
He also said the back office staff were going to be in Cardiff. He said the league needs strong owners if it is to survive. His vision is for more teams competing in the league, plus he wants live games on Sky on a weekly basis. Maybe blue sky but at least he has vision. He sees Cardiff as a success in the way it has turned itself around both on and off the ice.
Interestingly he said he had the respect of 95% of the people and those cynics are welcome to have a conversation with him in 6, 12 or 18 months time. He said he stood on the ice 8 months ago and said he was committed to the Devils and that nothing had changed. He is not going to get involved with the on ice stuff, he would leave that to the coaches. As has been said he knows people have been saying Sheffield will get more money than us but that is wrong we will have exactly the same budget.
He said the club was losing money but that is well documented but next year we wouldnt be.
He loves Wales and the Welsh and for the most part everyone makes him feel welcome.
Thats about all I remember but I thought he was very clear and concise on his intentions.
Interestingly he said he had the respect of 95% of the people and those cynics are welcome to have a conversation with him in 6, 12 or 18 months time. He said he stood on the ice 8 months ago and said he was committed to the Devils and that nothing had changed. He is not going to get involved with the on ice stuff, he would leave that to the coaches. As has been said he knows people have been saying Sheffield will get more money than us but that is wrong we will have exactly the same budget.
He said the club was losing money but that is well documented but next year we wouldnt be.
He loves Wales and the Welsh and for the most part everyone makes him feel welcome.
Thats about all I remember but I thought he was very clear and concise on his intentions.
phil PLT said:
All you Mods now seem to be pessimistic, why don't you collectively get it off your chests? 
There are lots of bits and pieces flying around. I want to take what Paul said tonight at face value, and believe everything. But I still want the chance to ask him some direct questions on the record, and have some direct answers.
Plus, he was saying some good stuff about the league, sustainability and moving it all forward. I would love to quiz him about all that at great length.
Plus, he was saying some good stuff about the league, sustainability and moving it all forward. I would love to quiz him about all that at great length.
I have no reason to doubt PR’s sincerity. If PR’s vision can be fulfilled then that is great news for us and UK hockey in general. I just hope the invested time in Sheffield does not hinder our focus on getting the best home we can from PI. As things stand, it would appear PI are going to build a substandard home for the skating community which will be our home for the next 25 years. If, as suspected, this home turns out to be the Skydome II then we’re going to struggle financially as a stand alone team for many years to come.
However, if the Sheffield and the league in general can start making some money then that can full some of the financial holes we will have year in year out. Likewise for other teams in this league who might be struggling to make profit.
I feel PR seemed a little peed off that he felt he had to justify his business dealings last night. A part of me really does feel that it’s none of our business (literally) but at the same time his speaking out to the fans last night was necessary and whatever worries, suspicions people may have, you must give him credit for doing that last night.
The team must continue to do its bit on the ice and as fans we need to continue supporting this club. We are where we are. Time will tell how things pan out.
However, if the Sheffield and the league in general can start making some money then that can full some of the financial holes we will have year in year out. Likewise for other teams in this league who might be struggling to make profit.
I feel PR seemed a little peed off that he felt he had to justify his business dealings last night. A part of me really does feel that it’s none of our business (literally) but at the same time his speaking out to the fans last night was necessary and whatever worries, suspicions people may have, you must give him credit for doing that last night.
The team must continue to do its bit on the ice and as fans we need to continue supporting this club. We are where we are. Time will tell how things pan out.
We obviously don't know the ins and outs of the "business deal" but I am gutted this couldn't wait until the off season or at least the end of the season.
Correct me if i'm wrong (and I know there are people who sit on here just ready and waiting to pounce on mistakes ) but isn't this the 3rd year of th Devil's "3 year plan" and I think it all boils down to actually winning something! Yes we did really well last year and I really enjoyed the season, and we came heartbreakingly close to 2 cups, but this year I think there are no excuses not to win something!
We have arguable the best team we've had in years, we have a "committed" owner, coach and management and the funding, and we just need to win a title!!!!! And I just wish this hadn't happened at such a pivotal time when we are looking like potential league winners and on this record breaking winning run! I just hope this doesn't disrupt things.
I know PR has said he will leave the on-ice things to G and the team, but this has got to have an effect - especially if there are still ownership rumours.
At the end of the day, he is a business man who specialises in aquisitions where he buys struggling businesses, turns them around and sells at a profit. Most people who do this can't afford to keep hold of assets as the money is needed to continue to buy, turnaround and sell other (bigger!) businesses. So I guess we have to hope that the Devils are a more of a passion to him as I can't see how especially with the loss of the rink, we look like an attractive proposition for him to keep running.
Also, I respect PR for what he said last night, and hope he is genuine but, he is hardly likely to stand up in front of the crowd and tell us that he may sell as he knows how damaging that would be!
I suppose only time will tell and in months/years to come 1/2 of us will be saying "I told you so" whichever way things turn, but in the mean time lets just keep our fingers crossed this season turns out as we all hope it will!
Correct me if i'm wrong (and I know there are people who sit on here just ready and waiting to pounce on mistakes
) but isn't this the 3rd year of th Devil's "3 year plan" and I think it all boils down to actually winning something! Yes we did really well last year and I really enjoyed the season, and we came heartbreakingly close to 2 cups, but this year I think there are no excuses not to win something! We have arguable the best team we've had in years, we have a "committed" owner, coach and management and the funding, and we just need to win a title!!!!! And I just wish this hadn't happened at such a pivotal time when we are looking like potential league winners and on this record breaking winning run! I just hope this doesn't disrupt things.
I know PR has said he will leave the on-ice things to G and the team, but this has got to have an effect - especially if there are still ownership rumours.
At the end of the day, he is a business man who specialises in aquisitions where he buys struggling businesses, turns them around and sells at a profit. Most people who do this can't afford to keep hold of assets as the money is needed to continue to buy, turnaround and sell other (bigger!) businesses. So I guess we have to hope that the Devils are a more of a passion to him as I can't see how especially with the loss of the rink, we look like an attractive proposition for him to keep running.
Also, I respect PR for what he said last night, and hope he is genuine but, he is hardly likely to stand up in front of the crowd and tell us that he may sell as he knows how damaging that would be!
I suppose only time will tell and in months/years to come 1/2 of us will be saying "I told you so" whichever way things turn, but in the mean time lets just keep our fingers crossed this season turns out as we all hope it will!