We’re not selling Liverpool FC, Tom Hicks tells fans

Jan 21 2008 by David Bartlett, Liverpool Daily Post

LIVERPOOL FC co-owner Tom Hicks has denied claims he has had an offer to buy the club and insisted he and his family “expect and intend” to own the team for many years to come.

His comments follow reports that Dubai International Capital (DIC), a rival bidder at the time Hicks and George Gillett bought the club in February 2007, had formally offered or were about to offer to buy the club for sums varying from £350m to £500m.

Another report stated the club had already been sold and quoted a Hicks family member as saying: “They cannot wait to get rid of the club.”

Hicks issued a statement which said the report that the club had been sold to DIC was “a complete fabrication and is absolutely and categorically untrue”.Š

He added: “I have not received any offer to purchase the club from the DIC or anyone else, much less accepted any such offer.Š Nor do I have any intention of doing so.

“I and my family have always been, and remain, fully committed to co-owning the club. No one in my family has ever indicated any intention or desire to sell our stake in the club, and we expect and intend to be co-owners of the club, and to actively and enthusiastically support the club’s manager, players and fans for many years to come.”

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A DIC spokesman said the company did not comment on speculation. Liverpool FC would not comment either.

Hicks has fallen out of favour with the fan base after he admitted having met Jurgen Klinsmann to discuss the possibility of the German taking over if Rafael Benitez were to leave the club.

Fans have welcomed the renewed interest of DIC with many calling for Hicks to sell up, and protests against the Americans are expected at tonight’s match against Aston Villa.

Les Lawson, secretary of LFC official supporters club, said he thought Hicks and Gillett should sell their shares and that if they did not, they had a “hell of a lot of bridge building” to do with the fans.

Past Liverpool players have also come out in support of selling to Dubai.

Ian St John, who won two league championships with the club, said: "I think a DIC takeover would be a great thing for Liverpool.”

davidbartlett@dailypost.co.uk