Who is Joseph Cala?

[thedoc]

It would appear that one Joseph Cala has bought a controlling share in Morecambe Football Club. This gentleman attempted to do the same thing as far as Portsmouth Football Club was concerned during 2012. And failed. Why? Pompey’s online fanzine Fratton Faithful explains:

“The latest name to be linked with a takeover of Portsmouth Football Club is that of Joseph Cala, an entrepreneur based in Italy and the USA.

But who is Joseph Cala?

Reliable information about the man is scarce, but he seems to be a slightly deluded daydreamer who has ambitions of creating an undersea resort complete with the biggest casino and spa in the world.

He has past history of owning a football club. All 11 days of it. Apparently, his time at Salerno Calcio (now playing in Serie D) was cut extremely short due to a "non-compliance" arrangement, with Cala failing to pay the bills despite promising a so-called "40 million euro investment" and an ambition for Salerno to become a Serie A club once again.

Doing a quick Google search of his name also brought up (an) interesting page relating to a conviction for attempting to defraud for one Joseph Cala back in 1972. Perhaps this is a different man to the one that Andrew Andronikou is supposedly talking to about taking over our club, perhaps not.

Early impressions of Pompey's possible latest owner are that he seems to be Sulaiman Al-Fahim (pipe dreamer), Ali Al-Faraj (defaulting on payments) and Vladimir Antonov (alleged criminal) all rolled into one!

Still, it is early days yet and the more investigative journalists/Pompey fans may well dig up some more dirt on Cala, or at least find some information to give us a crumb of hope because at the moment, this chancer sounds even worse than the previous owners!”

Morecambe’s local radio station, The Bay has published its own article about Mr Cala. They state that the `businessman’ has already stated: “I am not interested in club (sic), I would be only exclusively if the board resigned, because the problem in Morecambe is the board.” The article went on to say about the bid by Mr Cala to take over Portsmouth which faltered at the eleventh hour:

“Portsmouth FC’s chief executive David Lampitt spoke to BBC Radio Solent about Mr Cala’s bid. He said: "It is frustrating from our point of view, as time and resources have been wasted. He has not turned out to be who he claimed to be, or do what he claimed he would do. That is disappointing. Most people probably questioned the credibility of his proposals and his plans for the club anyway, so that is not a massive surprise."

Food for thought folks...

[mrpotatohead]

Why are you just rehashing old info that several people, including posh ,and myself have already posted, this is nothing new,we all know he's a nutty conman.

[fulwoodshrimp]

I realise the board are desperate but it seems like they are going down the same road with Mr. Cala as they did with Mr. Lemos. It doesn't seem to take us forward positively but rather brings us closer to administration or worse!

[mrpotatohead]

In their defence, there was nothing the board could do, Joseph Cala , although a total Cad and a complete Bounder, has, to press, yet to shit on us, he legitimately bought the G50 shares.

[mrpotatohead]

A bit like when Eric Pollard bought Home farm, or Phil Mitchell bought the Queen Vic

[Gone_Shrimping]

I realise the board are desperate but it seems like they are going down the same road with Mr. Cala as they did with Mr. Lemos. It doesn't seem to take us forward positively but rather brings us closer to administration or worse!

It is out of the PMG board of directors hands. They are mere spectators.

[BerlinWaller]

Cala seems to be very money orientated and has spent a lot of time going through the finances. I reckon he will be splitting beans in half when he takes over which could make some of the Freebie Brigade a bit nervous.

[Bryan]

Would rather start again watching footie round a picket fence than Cala taking over. Guys clearly not a fit for Morecambe. Yeah we are desperate but no good will come of this plonker taking over the club in the long run. Will fans take to him? Er, no. We need a lifeline but not him. Seems to be shoving his weight around and he's not officially in charge yet.

[captain sparkle]

Who on earth would have the bare faced cheek to travel across continents to come face to face with people, after reneging on a promised deal with them?
On the day, as well.
Surely there must be something in all the promises?

Mustn't there?

It's a bit of a risky thing to do, expensive as well, I would wager.

[Phoenix Shrimp 2017]

I’ll now move onto a sadder subject – Gateshead FC – our near neighbours seem to be in some turmoil both on and off the pitch. Stories are rife about ownership and budget issues, and have been for some months, but the news just yesterday of Steve Watson and Micky Cummins leaving to join York is pretty desperate. Why would two guys who are doing so well in difficult circumstances move to the perennial ‘basket case’? I feel for the Heed fans and they are making noises about the club collapsing.

The above is taken from the Hartlepool Utd trust publication regarding recent events at their neighbours Gateshead FC. The Gateshead supporters forum goes into more detail about their current owners antics and how they are now fearful for their future. Could so easily have been us.

[Posh]

Cala caused five long-standing turnstile operators to leave and has been doing the turnstiles himself.

They are screwed. Management team have left and gone to York, and transfer embargo in place.

[Seasider9601]

Interesting reading from the Gateshead forum:

"Thought I would bring this up to those who care.Joe Cala working 2 turnstile again (Joe Cala who is banned from anything to do with the day to day running of a football club).Hands me a pre ripped ticket which I then question and also question his involvement with our club,then pretends to not know what I’m on about and shouts for a steward to intervene.Only lucky that the steward knows me and calms everything down and I get to go in.Emailed the club but as my other mails haven’t been responded to I guess I know the answer."


And a whole HOST of other stuff.........

http://heedarmy.freeforums.net/thread/1 ... lub?page=6

[mrpotatohead]

Who was it that found Mr Cala for us???

[BerlinWaller]

Major problems at Gateshead with Mr Cala and his goons in charge.

[Phoenix Shrimp 2017]

Major problems at Gateshead with Mr Cala and his goons in charge.

Yes, but by some miracle they are in the play offs one point behind the mighty mega club Salford City FC. Bring back Cala I say. Through all the chaos he must be doing something right? Football eh. Never ceases to amaze us!

[nobbyshrimp]

https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/fo ... -1-9625952
Careful what you wish for

[Phoenix Shrimp 2017]

https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/non-league/fan-groups-express-concerns-over-joseph-cala-involvement-at-gateshead-after-portsmouth-and-morecambe-experience-1-9625952
Careful what you wish for

Yes I was obviously only joking when I said get him back.When you read that article Gatesheads' latest manager, with everything going on around him is performing miracles to keep them near the top of the league. Oh and that article lost credibility when they became the latest journos who can't spell Morecambe correctly.Having mastered it in the title they fail miserably in the article itself.

[BerlinWaller]

Michael D Williams has either wiped his twitter account or blocked me but he used to spout off as if he and his mate DiSteffano had all the answers. I hope the three bandits are kicked out of footy for good and Gateshead manage to pick up the pieces. Some of stories regarding tickets and player sales coming out are shocking.

[Phoenix Shrimp 2017]

https://www.gateshead-fc.com/club-state ... tAw2j-a8NI

http://backpagefootball.com/the-slow-de ... fc/120724/

The work of the new Heed owners is almost done. How do the EFL allow this to happen? Hang your heads.

[BerlinWaller]

Listen to the man, the myth, the legend himself here...
https://www.gateshead-fc.com/interview- ... newcastle/

[Seasider9601]

Gateshead FC are now up for sale.....

https://www.gateshead-fc.com/club-state ... ownership/

[BerlinWaller]

Gateshead FC are now up for sale.....

https://www.gateshead-fc.com/club-state ... ownership/

I think Phoenix Shrimp has already posted that link above Sir, just saying

[Seasider9601]

Never read above. I was half asleep when I posted it....!

[redrobo]

Listen to the man, the myth, the legend himself here... eq
https://www.gateshead-fc.com/interview- ... newcastle/

As much as I'm thankful he walked away from our club, he does make some sense regarding finances and in particular about clubs having budgets that far exceed their income and that as a result they had to sell or get rid of some high wage earners to reduce their costs.

He gave an example of their total playing budget being equivalent to one particular AFC Salford player which is ridiculous, assuming that he's correct in his example.

He also said that every EFL2 club receives £100K per month from the EFL which is considerably more than that in the National League.

If you get the time to listen the interview is 22 minutes long but he does make some interesting assessments of the state of the game in particular the finances of football which he says outside of the Premiership are ridiculous.

Judge for your self but for me I'm glad he's not involved with us, but he does have some interesting observations.

[BerlinWaller]

Listen to the man, the myth, the legend himself here... eq
https://www.gateshead-fc.com/interview- ... newcastle/

As much as I'm thankful he walked away from our club, he does make some sense regarding finances and in particular about clubs having budgets that far exceed their income and that as a result they had to sell or get rid of some high wage earners to reduce their costs.

He gave an example of their total playing budget being equivalent to one particular AFC Salford player which is ridiculous, assuming that he's correct in his example.

He also said that every EFL2 club receives £100K per month from the EFL which is considerably more than that in the National League.

If you get the time to listen the interview is 22 minutes long but he does make some interesting assessments of the state of the game in particular the finances of football which he says outside of the Premiership are ridiculous.

Judge for your self but for me I'm glad he's not involved with us, but he does have some interesting observations.

Remember when you thought Karl Oyston buying the club was a good idea?