Elton John Farewell Gig @ The Vic 2022

Are there any official photographs of the two concewrts at the Vic?

 

Interesting to note that not once did he mention the owner in either of his speeches at the concerts, or on his Instagram page. He mentioned SD, RE, the team and the fans. He even talked about how great the stadium was looking now, which I thought would be a lead into Gino, but nope. Maybe I'm looking too deeply into that, but it did seem to be a pointed omission.

 

Luther did not get told about the Life Presidency offer. It was an attempt by the club to put one over on him from a PR perspective. Should tell you everything you need to know about how the current lot view our legacy.

 

Well, we know you support Barcelona, soooooooo

 

You have only £200m in the bank ?
Good points about directing funds to lasting legacies like stadium and academy. Exactly what he should do if he does anything. Can't believe he'd want to own the club again or be a minority shareholder. Whilst he didn't specifically compliment the owner he was clearly appreciative of their naming of the GT and EJ stands.

 

I think he has to decide if he wants to be 'just' a fan, popping along, waving and dining with Gino, or get more heavily involved. And assuming more heavily involved doesn't mean executive responsibilities or a stint as head coach, possibly he can open up some doors to American investors in particular. He could offer up (good health allowing) a few years of regular visits and active engagement with the club, essentially being the figurehead of a consortium, in return for people with large pockets buying out Pozzo. He wouldn't need to have any day to day role running things and maybe not even put his own cash on the line.

Otherwise, @hornetboy1 is bang on and I hope Elton finds a way to establish a legacy that means the club continues to grow in the way it his in his lifetime.

 

Answered my own question: https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/l...n-wows-watford-crowds-vicarage-road-concerts/

Found what I needed

 

At his age, I very much doubt he will want to be massively hands on in running the club - but he may just have people around him now who would and would act out in his wishes. He’s also been very vocal that his kids love football and support Watford…so maybe he wants to get involved by way of leaving something behind for them.

As UEA says, I suspect he could get a consortium together if he truly wanted - but I do think he respects Gino’s running of the club and would probably only think about an outright purchase if Gino intimated a desire to sell.

 

I find it exciting that EJ wants to be part of things again and I hope it’s not just emotion speaking during what was obviously a very successful concert.

But if he is serious, and I have no reason to doubt he is, then it would be good to know what role he sees himself having. I would assume he’d want a seat on the board and I’m sure the club would welcome that.

Like I said before, if he invests I think it would be legacy related. Extending a stand named after himself and rebuilding a stand named after someone he considers a big friend seems very appropriate. Maybe footing the bill for a Cat One academy to see young players come through the ranks would be a tremendous thing to achieve and something Gino and the current board have an extremely poor track record on.

But it’s not just about money. Elton is such a big profile in the States, and he could really grow our reputation in a market Watford are keen to establish themselves in. Not only in America, he is a worldwide superstar, and when he was chairman last time, it really elevated the club’s profile just by his association.

I can see no downside to this, but I doubt he’d really want to own the club outright. Maybe a partnership with the Pozzo family could be something, but I do feel the Pozzo’s like running the entire show their way, so maybe that wouldn’t be a viable option.

But whatever happens, it’ll be great to have him back in whatever capacity.

 

Left back

 

In the changing room?

 

He is the one person who could ask the question "What the f*ck is going on with this Mogi Bayat bloke and transfers?" and create enough fuss to make sure a proper answer was given.

He is the only real fan representation we have that has clout and we should definitely be thankful for that.

 

We should make a giant Rookery Stand-sized banner with that question on it

 

I always thought his lasting legacy would be to buy the freehold of the ground and put it in the names of Trustees-with some fan representation-that meant it could not be used as security for any loan. Meaning any finance we had to have must be secured on the players or TV money or if a " general " loan then fine but such lenders/investors could not rely on the ground as collateral.
Of course it might restrict options if moving was ever contemplated in a serious way (which I don't think was the Bushey Hall golf club idea) but then they (Gino or however bought the shares off him) would have to convince the Trustees who would be external to the interest of the owners. The Trustees (as a Corporate body) would outlive Elton thus creating a legacy for him as 6 year old walking into the Vic in 1953

It also might restrict future investment/options for Gino but in reality we the fans don't want to see the current financial situation/outlook bring the club to its knees. By buying it off Gino for its market value c £50m not the re-instatement value of £90m value as it currently is (which itself is dependant on many factors) it would redeem the Macquari Loan of £50m and leave Gino as the only lender with his c £50m invested. I agree Elton should not be involved in the club as anything other than the fan he is but he would cap his investment and leave a legacy

 

https://mobile.twitter.com/wd18fans/status/1544398870087712774?s=21&t=_tGLiKnurM1bBwstBNSAmw

Love that he said he was talking to Scott and told him he will have an active role in the club next year. Didn’t even give him a choice, just told him.

 

Well Watford won’t be turning away this type of opportunity. A Watford diehard, with a wealth four times that of the owner and a high profile all over the globe. Can’t see SD saying “thanks Elton, but do one”.

It’ll be music the their ears. Now all we need to know is at what level will his involvement be. I think chairman could be his title as I believe SD holds that as well as CEO.

 

Just holding Dux and Pozzo to account would be good for a start. Those two have been getting away with mismanagement for a few years now.

 

I am sure most of his wealth is tied up in a family trust to secure it for his children. Not sure there would be much scope to start spending tens of millions on buying a football stadium.

I am sure his involvement is more likely to be as a critical friend to the current owners and advocate to introduce new influencers to the beauty of the club.

 

I can see Elton's love for the club "being used" by the owners to increase revenues and investment opps, but I can't see them taking any notice of any other little bits of advice he has for them. He is effectively just a loud influencial fan.

 

What is your source for ‘4 times the owners’?

I’m sure I read that the Pozzos are worth over a billion with their power tool empire.

 

I have access to Gino's and Elton's bank accounts. Gino has £100m and Elton has £400m. I hope I've not said anything I shouldn't have??

 

I thought that the Pozzo's flogged their business to Bosch about 30 years ago?

 

Level 42?

Elton can certainly give the Pozzos lessons in love for the club

 

Captain obvious here, but…This would have been amazing to be at….

 

But surely the football business is running in their family?

 

Level 42 played a few years ago at the Colosseum. They were fantastic.

 

Are you hearing what I hear ? The sun goes down and they are now in very hot water. Belief is leaving me now and the chant has begun for this to be over.

 

The latest Wobby exclusive is that Elton's greater involvement will amount to being around more and possibly lending his image to try and make some of the commercial arrangements more lucrative.

https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/s...nt-elton-johns-greater-role-watford-revealed/

 

Wouldn't surprise me if he were to lead a consortium to buy the club.

 

Went to see Elton last night in Dublin with my wife and adult kids. It was an absolutely incredible event and he was the ultimate showman. I was not sure how the kids would like it beforehand, but they hugely enjoyed it. Elton and his band (mostly the same vintage) performed on a level that belied their ages. The crowd were fully engaged and it created a fantastic atmosphere. There was a five year gap between ticket purchases and last night, due to Covid and his hip replacement. Some peripheral reference to WFC in the videos and slides and some fans wearing their Watford scarves. He got a dig in against the Mail, which went down well with the crowd.

Sad that he will not be touring again, but at 75 he deserves his chance to retire.

I'm coming over with my boys to see us against Huddersfield next week. Hoping to be as entertained as last night!

 

Did Elton’s band play 4 or 3 at the back?

 

Oh, come on!