1,000 Days Since Almost Taking over at Port Vale

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If things had turned out just a little differently, Gianni Paladini would have just celebrated his 1,000 days since his takeover of Port Vale. Before Paladini turned his interest towards Queens Park Rangers, he first sought to invest in Port Vale.
Paladini's return to Port Vale last month in the Carling Cup (which saw Port Vale win and Gary Waddock lose his job) was his first visit since his effort to take over failed.
As reported by the Stoke Sentinel after the Port Vale victory over QPR:
STOKE SENTINEL September 20, 2006:- VALIANTS' REVENGE
Port Vale manager Martin Foyle dedicated his side's thrilling Carling Cup victory over Gianni Paladini's QPR to chairman Bill Bratt. Bratt and his QPR counterpart sat apart in the directors' box for the game, which was the Italian's first return to Vale since he fell out with Bratt during a failed takeover bid three years ago. But Bratt finished the game much the happier of the two men as Vale came from behind to claim a 3-2 win and a place in Saturday's third-round draw thanks to goals from Jeff Smith, Danny Whitaker and Richard Walker.
Paladini's return brought back memories of the power struggle which split fans and led to some supporters launching a hate campaign against Bratt.
Foyle hopes victory over Paladini's side will ease some bitter memories for Bratt.
He also believes the club is better off having turned away Paladini in favour of a rival offer from Vale fans Stan Meigh and Peter Jackson.
Foyle said: "People don't realise what the chairman went through for that seven months. It was cruel and it was personal.
"That is a little present for him because I think he might have been as proud as punch.
"Football is a cruel game and it can get personal, whether it is players, managers or whoever.
"The chairman took it to heart at the time, but it turned out he was right."
Foyle, who said his side weren't at their best despite victory over a Championship outfit, now hopes to pull out a Premiership giant in Saturday's draw.
He added: "It would be nice, and I think the supporters deserve that because they have stuck with us through thick and thin and we haven't had too much to shout about recently.
"But I'm not going to get too carried away until I see the draw."
Sentinel

Stoke Sentinel - September 20, 2006
VALE OFFER NO COMFORT TO PALADINI

Some of us have to stay at home to be ignored, though QPR chairman Gianni Paladini was probably grateful to be left alone with his thoughts after his return to Vale Park ended in an emphatic Carling Cup defeat.....
Vale chairman Bill Bratt resisted the urge to stick three fingers up to Paladini, a man he has had no time for since the two fell out over the Italian's failed takeover bid three years ago.
Vice chairman Peter Jackson revealed he did break the ice with a chat with his former rival.
He prefered to keep its contents behind the boardroom door, though it's quite possible the two men were wondering which of their clubs is the more likely to be playing in the Championship next season.....
The Sentinel

HOW IT WAS BEING REPORTED "BACK THEN"
BBC Stoke - December 2003
An Italian is just the job for vale
Valiant 2001 - the consortium which currently runs Vale
Port Vale's board have unanimously agreed to go ahead with a takeover deal involving Italian football agent, Gianni Paladini.
There's been yet another development in the long-running story of the proposed takeover at Port Vale with the announcement that an Italian football agent has agreed to buy the club.
Gianni Paladini has managed the careers of Fabrizio Ravanelli, Benito Carbone and Brazilians Emerson and Juninho.
The football agent used to play for Italian giants Juventus and Napoli, and also the national team.
His interest in the club stems from his son Stephen, who is a Port Vale supporter and is fronting most of the money in the proposed deal to buy a controlling interest in the Second Division club.
Paladini has yet to complete the takeover, but his bid has been accepted by the club's Board of Directors.
The Italian's offer comes in the wake of the withdrawal of supporter Peter Jackson's bid, who backed out after being identified by a local newspaper.
Paladini says he intends to strengthen the team significantly, but must first prove to the Football League that he has the finances to take the club forward, as only then will their transfer embargo be lifted.
BBC

BBC - December 30, 2003
Consortium saves Port Vale
Port Vale's immediate future has been secured following a major investment from a consortium led by Peter Jackson.
The consortium will purchase 30,000 shares at £5 a share to provide the club with an immediate injection of £150,000 to stabilise finances.
Jackson, a life-long Valiants fan, had to overcome a rival bid for Vale from Italian football agent Gianni Paladini.
"The investment ensures the future of the club is safe," chairman Bill Bratt told BBC Radio Stoke.
Consortium leader Peter Jackson
He added: "I believe the best decision has been made for the club and its supporters.
"We now have a solid foundation on which to build for the future and achieve our aim in progressing Port Vale both on and off the field."
The consortium - which will have a minority shareholding - will also take up an option to buy the remaining shares and have two seats on the board.
Jackson said: "We believe the club has great potential and we are confident we can introduce the right business management to enable the club to realise that potential."
The club is currently the subject of a Football League transfer embargo because of its financial difficulties.
BBC

The Sentinel (Stoke) December 30, 2003
Anger From Paladini After Increased Bid
Gianni Paladini has accused the Port Vale board of being "unprofessional" in their handling of negotiations to sell the club. Speaking minutes after learning his bid had been rejected, the Italian football agent said he was close to tears, having arrived at Vale Park yesterday morning believing he was set to finalise a deal.He said he was shocked by the last-minute arrival of successful bidder Peter Jackson and was so desperate to take control of the club he upped his offer during six hours of talks, although he refused to discuss the terms he put to the board.
Mr Paladini started the day as the firm favourite to become the club's new owner after tabling a £530,000 bid for 53 per cent of Vale's shares, with a £150,000 loan offered as an immediate payment to solve the pressing financial crisis.He said: "I feel very let down and emotional. Why did I come here to sign a contract to find they (the board) had someone else there? "We didn't expect another offer. It's very unprofessional."I'm very disappointed and I feel like crying. We put in a bid, we increased the bid."At one point we thought we had done the deal and I'm just in shock that they've accepted the other offer."I have had people come all the way from London and Manchester because we all wanted to do a deal."I don't understand why the board has made this decision and I'm baffled by it. I'm very disillusioned."
At one point I was prepared to take the club the way it is without making any checks, I was that committed to it, but I was advised against that by my solicitors." Mr Paladini insisted he will remain a Port Vale fan and will be there should the club need him in the future.And he said he hopes Stone-based businessman Mr Jackson will match his ambitious plans for the club and bring success back to Vale Park.He said: "I had players in mind to bring over - international players. I was thinking big-time for Port Vale and I hope the people who come in now have better ideas."I'm still available for Port Vale and I will still follow the club. If I can do anything for the club I will. If they need me in future I'm ready."
Mr Paladini declined to identify the big-name players, although national press had strongly linked former Italian international striker Fabrizio Ravanelli with the club.

The Sentinel (Stoke) December 27, 2003
Paladini Has Grand Plans For A Bright Vale Future:
Prospective Port Vale owner Gianni Paladini has announced ambitious plans to lift the club up the Football League ladder. The Italian football agent - who witnessed Vale's thrilling 3-2 win at Sheffield Wednesday yesterday - revealed his plans included signing a former international and finishing the Lorne Street Stand.
Paladini, who is waiting for acceptance of his offer from the board meeting on Monday, would initially purchase £150,000 worth of shares to take the club out of immediate financial trouble. He would then get an option to purchase the remaining £380,000 worth of shares to gain a controlling interest in Port Vale.He said: "I am fully committed to Port Vale now."This is not something that has happened overnight. Everybody thinks I am crazy, but only a crazy man invests money and doesn't take it seriously."For me to say we will be in the Premier League in two years is crazy, but if we are there, then why not? It depends what we do this year, if we get lucky and have a good run."Our first thing will be to finish off the stand because it is like a punch in the eye, the way it is now."We then want to start filling the stadium to capacity by bringing in exciting people and big names." Paladini is already hoping to bring a former international to Vale Park and suggested there may be more on the way.
He said: "I will have to speak of new players with the manager at first, but I don't think he will say no to the type of player I have in mind."I am hoping to bring a player to watch the first home game in the New Year. He won't be able to play because it will be too early. He played at international level until last year and he is the sort of player we need to bring to the club.Meanwhile, Vale director Charles Machin welcomed the Italian's influence and admitted he hoped a deal could be struck soon.Machin said: "I have drafted an agreement which I think is fair all round and Gianni is happy with that. If it is accepted by the club then, from Tuesday, we will be financially safe."I realise the fans will not have a controlling interest then, but they will have a very big minority interest at 46 per cent, along with four seats on the board. Hopefully it will be good news for the fans in the New Year."
See also Boardroom Blues