20110328

Lloyds deny ‘exit fee’
Related links
Teams
Also see
Lloyds Banking Group has denied their insistence on an ‘exit fee’ is curtailing Craig Whyte’s protracted Rangers takeover.
The Scottish tycoon is keen to take over take over 75 per cent of Sir David Murray’s shareholding, with London-based property developer Andrew Ellis becoming a 25 per cent partner in a £33million deal.
The deal had been expected to be finalised by now, although it has been claimed that Lloyds’ desire for an ‘exit payment’ of more than £1m was one of the key stumbling blocks.
The bank has issued a swift response stating the claims are ‘baseless and without foundation’ while they also recognise the importance of a potential takeover going forward.
Baseless
“Any potential takeover is a matter for Rangers Football Club and its shareholders,” read a Lloyds statement.
“Suggestions that Lloyds Banking Group is blocking a deal to acquire the club are baseless and without foundation.
“We understand the concerns of Rangers’ supporters, given recent media speculation.
“Lloyds Banking Group recognises the importance of Rangers FC to its supporters, shareholders and to the wider football industry in Scotland.
“We are committed to supporting the Board of Rangers FC in their plan to ensure the financial stability of the club.”
‘ );
}
});
$.ajax(
url: “/yourview/comments_json/0,26302,6839536_”+selectedPageNumber+”_20,00.txt”,
cache: true,
dataType: “json”,
success: function(json)
loadingFinished = true;
$(‘#load-comments’).html(”);
processJSONComments(json, selectedPageNumber);
if (typeof _hbPageView != “undefined”)
myPN = hbx.pn + ” – ” + selectedPageNumber;
myMLC = hbx.mlc + “/” + selectedPageNumber;
_hbPageView(myPN, myMLC);
if (typeof SKY_TRACKING != “undefined”)
// section will remain as it is on the page
// contentType will be “article comments” or “match comments”
SKY_TRACKING.contentType = “article comments”;
SKY_TRACKING.pagination = “page ” + selectedPageNumber;
sky.tracking.launch ( SKY_TRACKING );
$(‘#load-comments’).css(‘min-height’, ” );
$(‘#load-comments’).css(‘display’, ” );
$(‘#load-comments’).children(‘.ss-opinion-comment-box-comment’).show();
},
error: function (XMLHttpRequest, textStatus, errorThrown)
loadingFinished = true;
$(‘#load-comments #loading’).remove();
$(‘#load-comments’).children(‘.ss-opinion-comment-box-comment’).show();
});
window.location.hash=’yourviewcomments’;
return false;
});
}
function processJSONComments(json,page)
var perPage = 20;
var beginIndex = (page-1) * perPage;
var createdComments = 0;
var comment;
$(‘.ss-opinion-comment-box ul.pagination li’).removeClass(‘on’);
$(‘.ss-opinion-comment-box ul.pagination’).find(‘li:eq(‘+page+’)’).addClass(‘on’);
$(‘.pag-key span’).html(page);
for(var i in json)
comment = jsoni;
createComment(i, comment);
createdComments++;
updatePagination(page);
}
function processXMLComments(xml,page)
var perPage = 20;
var beginIndex = (page-1) * perPage;
var createdComments = 0;
$(‘.ss-opinion-comment-box ul.pagination li’).removeClass(‘on’);
$(‘.ss-opinion-comment-box ul.pagination’).find(‘li:eq(‘+page+’)’).addClass(‘on’);
$(‘.pag-key span’).html(page);
$(“comment”,xml).each(
function(index,node)
createComment(index, node);
createdComments++;
);
updatePagination(page);
}
function updatePagination(page)
var paginationItems = $(“ul.pagination”);
var totalPages = 0;
var startPage = 1;
if( totalPages ‘ +
startPage + ”;
if( startPage == page )
$(node).addClass(‘on’);
else
$(node).removeAttr(‘class’);
$(node).html(pageHtml);
startPage++;
}
);
}
);
setupCommentPageClickHandlers();
}
function createComment(index, commentNode )
if(commentNode.ownerDocument)
var user = $(“user”,commentNode).text();
var favTeam = $(“favTeam”,commentNode).text();
var comment = $(“body”,commentNode).text();
var dateCreated = $(“dateCreated”,commentNode).text();
var editorComments = $(“editorComments”,commentNode).text();
else
var user = commentNode.user;
var favTeam = commentNode.favTeam;
var comment = commentNode.body;
var dateCreated = commentNode.dateCreated;
var editorComments = commentNode.editorComments;
var nomination = commentNode.ysTitle;
var commentHTML = ”;
$(‘#load-comments’).append(commentHTML);
}
Lessons learnt
Peter Fraser thinks Jack Wilshere and Scott Parker should be assessed with perspective.
England chat
Look back on our live interactive England chat as we dissected Saturday’s defeat of Wales.
‘Their Spirit Lives On’
Nat Brown reflects on an emotional time for Macclesfield Town with skysports.com’s Ben Collins.
Gallas extends Spurs stay
Tottenham have secured William Gallas’ services for the long term after the defender signed a two-year contract extension at White Hart Lane.
Bale back in training
Tottenham have revealed that scans on Gareth Bale’s hamstring showed only a minor strain.
England lose Lennon
Aaron Lennon has returned to Tottenham after pulling out of the England squad to face Ghana on Tuesday due to a minor hamstring problem.
Barry to captain England
Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry will captain England during the friendly with Ghana on Tuesday night.

Read more:
Bank denies Gers blockage

