LFC SURVEY: Fans remain unconvinced by Liverpool’s US owners

Jan 29 2008 by David Higgerson, Liverpool Daily Post

TOM HICKS’S assurances over Liverpool FC’s new stadium, its financing and the future of Rafa Benitez have failed to convince fans he is the right man to be in charge at Anfield.

That is the overwhelming message of the latest exclusive survey of Liverpool FC fans, conducted by the Liverpool Daily Post in the wake of last Friday’s £350m refinancing deal and confirmation of the new stadium designs by Hicks.

The survey, of around 1,200 fans, saw 88.9% say they would have preferred Hicks and US business partner George Gillett to sell up to Dubai Investment Capital, the organisation the Americans beat to buy Liverpool last year.

That is only slightly lower than the 89.2% who wanted Liverpool FC to be sold to DIC during our original survey last week.

While 67.8% say they are no happier with the situation at Anfield than they were a week ago though 32.2% did feel more positive, despite the continuing absence of any statements from co-owner George Gillett.

The fans surveyed do appear more prepared to take Hicks at his word over the future of manager Rafa Benitez.

Last week, just 22.7% of fans said they expected the Spaniard to start next season as Liverpool manager, following his high-profile falling out with Gillett and Hicks.

But now, the number expecting to see Benitez in charge next season has risen to 49.6%.

Other findings of the new survey show:

61.2% of fans consider themselves “very concerned by the level of debt now on the club’s books”, although 46.6% say the situation is not as bad as they feared

Less than one quarter – 24.2% – believe Hicks can repair his relationship with Liverpool fans

25.3% believe the latest stadium designs are better than they’d expected, but 36.8% say they still have doubts whether the new stadium will even be built

63.3% feel the priority for the club should now be supporting Benitez in the transfer market, something Hicks has pledged to do in the summer.

Les Lawson, secretary of the official LFC supporters association, said: “It’s going to take more than a few months for them to change fans’ opinions.

“Actions will speak louder than words, and at the moment, many fans feel betrayed.”

John Mackin, of Reclaim the Kop, said: “The debt is still on the club, because any payment on that loan is going to come out of what the club makes. I think the trust has been broken, and it’s going to take an awful lot more than this.”

SPORT: PAGES 44, 48

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