In a remarkably revealing article for the Boston Globe, which saw one of their writers follow John W Henry during the dramatic days before the sale of Liverpool Football Club, it is revealed that the deal was nearly scuppered by a $10m demand from one bank to cover costs on Deadline Day. Henry replied furiously:
“I can’t believe this thing could blow up. This is crazy. I’m not going to give them another dime.’’
With the bank representative nowhere to be seen, Henry took a walk outside to get some fresh air. With over a 100 people from the media outside, he decided to go out through an unattended side door. He was discovered by a TV crew and photographer but to cover his identity, he took off his glasses and ducked, which seemed to work. He didn’t fool an old Liverpool supporter who said to him: “You are the messiah.” Henry thanked the man but at this stage the American was dazed and confused:
“I miss my wife, my daughter, and the baby. I love the way the baby smells. I am a little homesick, to tell you the truth.’’
He wanted to get out and away from attention, and so he attempted to call his driver to rescue him. Deprived of sleep, he accidentally misdials and phones one of the bankers who owns most of the debt on the club. Henry threatens to pull out of the deal entirely:
“I’m going to the airport. Maybe to Boston.’’
The threat pays off as a broad smile crosses his face and he calls up his NESV partners saying:
“Congratulations, we own a football team. I can’t believe we went through all that stress for nothing today.’’
A day later, he makes an unscheduled trip to Anfield, footage of which is available below.
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“Congratulations, we own a football team.”
No sir you own THE football team.
‘football’ was a nice touch though.
W. Henry sack hogdson n bring rijkard that all.
John Henry please give old scratch me chin the bums rush.
Every thing depends now on the 24th october
and I have every Faith that we will do it
come on Scouse’s lets all get behind the
manager and our great team.