Clarification of Comments in the Guardian

Members of the Supporters Trust board are actively involved in local supporters groups, organisations and of course keep abreast of the message boards which are open to use by fans of all clubs.

We also receive much feedback and e-mails from our members and subscribers to our blog from where a number of City fans have told us that if it were a three-way choice they would prefer Ramos or Adriaanse ahead of Eriksson. The feedback we received prior to the comments made to the Guardian on Tuesday afternoon indicated that Eriksson would not be the first choice of the majority of City fans we are in contact with.

We understand that both Ramos and Adriaanse have been approached by City directly, but that Eriksson has not. Reports suggest that Eriksson has, however, been interviewed by Thaksin Shinawatra's advisors Seymour Pierce over the past few days with a view to taking the managerial job should the takeover go ahead. It is interesting to note that Athole Still told the BBC that these reports were "total rubbish".

With players returning for pre-season duty in two weeks, it is vital that a manager be appointed with the right experience to take the club forward, something which the ongoing uncertainty over the takeover is impeding.

City Share Price Movements (Week Ending 15.6.07)

This is the weekly article charting Manchester City Plc's share price movements during the last week. The price doesn't usually move very much and not many shares are usually traded, so you can pick up here at the end of each week our summary of the week gone by.

Last week saw a little more share activity than in recent weeks and the share price dropped 5p to close the week at 40p.

The week started with Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife having 21 bank accounts frozen. It was unclear if these bank accounts included other family members or associated. In response to those developments, Manchester City Plc confirmed that they were investigating how they may impact on Shinawatra's possible bid for the company.

By the end of the week there was no further news on progress although there was an interesting announcement which was picked up by many City supporters but not the media.

Anyone following the takeover over the last six or seven weeks, would be aware of Thaksin Shinawatra's Thai lawyer making regular pronouncements about the takeover bid and progress being made. Several times he has mentioned that the takeover should be completed within days or a week etc. Clearly, such pronouncements have not escaped the Takeover Panel's eyes resulting in Thaskin Shinawatra confirming that "Seymour Pierce Limited and Dr Thaksin wish to clarify that Noppadom Pattama is not authorised to speak on behalf of Dr Thaksin on matters governed by the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers and accordingly all of the statement made by Noppadom Pattama should be disregarded." The full announcements can be read here & here.

What lies in store for this week? Who knows but it is becoming clear that something needs to happen soon.

Last week:-
Finishing price (mid): 38p
Bid price: 33p
Offer price: 43p

Share price movement for the week:-
-2p

Volume:-
11/6 0
12/6 0
13/6 2,800
14/6 0
15/6 0

Total volume for the week: 2,800

All information taken from Plus Markets Group

Subscribe To The Manchester City Supporters Trust Newsletter

Issue 20 of our newsletter will be sent out this weekend.

The newsletter covers up and coming articles, gives a bit more of an insight then we publish here on the blog and will cover what we have been doing over the last month or so. You do not need to be a member of the Manchester City Supporters Trust to receive the newsletter. If you want to receive a copy, please e-mail us at mcfcsupporters@hotmail.co.uk and we will add you to the list.

Reaction To Recent Takeover Developments

The news over the last 24 hours that Thaksin Shinawatra has been charged in his home country on five counts of corruption, and had financial assets in Thailand frozen, indicates that the proposed takeover is now in jeopardy of failing. We understand that the deal has just a 50/50 chance of going ahead and that decisions will be made in the next 24 hours with Shinawatra still trying to obtain the full financing.

When Manchester City announced on 7 December 2006 that the board were in talks with potential investors, little did anyone realise that six months on the outcome would look like failure from a single bidder. This is hugely disappointing for all concerned, not least the fans and individual shareholders who believed we would be able to attract investment as a number of other premiership clubs have done.

Obviously until an announcement by either Shinawatra to go ahead with his bid, or the Manchester City board to withdraw from negotiations, there is no clear picture as to what the next steps will be. Either way, Manchester City needs to press on with appointing a manager and addressing the immediate matters of squad building and the season ahead.

We strongly believe that success on and off the pitch requires our Club, the shareholders, the community and most importantly the supporters to pull together as one. The Manchester City Supporters Trust will actively support any investor who shares those views and wants to play their part in a successful all inclusive long term partnership.

The Manchester City Supporters Trust must make it very clear that it does not support any current or past bidder for Manchester City Plc. When, or if, a formal bid is made, is the time to assess the suitability of a bidder and their long term plans for our Club.

Whatever may happen we continue to strongly believe and encourage shareholders and supporters, who want to play an active and positive part in the future of our Club, to stand up and be counted. Participating does not have to be via the Supporters Trust, it can be via the magnificent supporters clubs or other worthy supporters groups. The most important thing to remember, is that the key to future success lies in the hands of the supporters and shareholders and their active/ positive participation.

City Share Price Movements (Week Ending 8.6.07)

This is the weekly article charting Manchester City Plc's share price movements during the last week. The price doesn't usually move very much and not many shares are usually traded, so you can pick up here at the end of each week our summary of the week gone by.

Last week saw a little more share activity than in recent weeks and the share price dropped 5p to close the week at 40p.

Today saw alot of activity and interest in the current situation but for all the wrong reasons. This morning, Thaksin Shinawatra's Thai lawyer confirmed that Shinawatra would apply to the Bank of Thailand to withdraw funds to purchase Manchester City Plc. A few hours later the Thai Government confirmed that they had frozen 21 bank accounts of Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife whilst also confirming that they were seeking a freeze on their worldwide bank accounts.

In response to this latest development, Manchester City Plc confirmed that they were investigating how today's developments may impact on Shinawatra's possible bid for the company. Interestingly, Manchester City Plc confirmed that they were still talking to other interested parties. If ever there was a time for the "mystery Americans" to show themselves perhaps it is now?

The rest of this week promises to be an interesting one.

Last week:-
Finishing price (mid): 40p
Bid price: 35p
Offer price: 45p

Share price movement for the week:-
-5p

Volume:-
04/6 3,500
05/6 182
06/6 0
07/6 2,500
08/6 10,082

Total volume for the week: 16,264

All information taken from Plus Markets Group

City Share Price Movements (Week Ending 1.6.07)

This is the weekly article charting Manchester City Plc's share price movements during the last week. The price doesn't usually move very much and not many shares are usually traded, so you can pick up here at the end of each week our summary of the week gone by.

Last week saw Ray Ranson formally withdraw his indicative bid for Manchester City Plc but reserving his right to make a bid should any formal bids be forthcoming.

Whilst media speculation about Thaksin Shinawatra acquiring Manchester City Plc continues no formal bid has been made. Nothing has been heard from or of the "mystery American consortium" or indeed the other interested party (Manchester Evening News often refers to four interested parties) looking to acquire or invest in Manchester City Plc.

Until formal bids are made or additional information issued by the respective parties, share activity/ interest is likely to stay low. Saying that, there was a small amount os shares traded on Friday.

Last week:-
Finishing price (mid): 45p
Bid price: 40p
Offer price: 50p

Share price movement for the week:-
Nil

Volume:-
28/5 Market closed
29/5 0
30/5 0
31/5 0
01/6 4,407

Total volume for the week: 4,407

All information taken from Plus Markets Group