Hobson's choice would be to help Scunthorpe United bring in new players
BOXING promoter Dennis Hobson is hopeful of giving Scunthorpe United a January boost by securing a place on the board in time to help recruit some new signings.
Although the Sheffield businessman was cagey when asked about any potential investment, he is confident of using his list of contacts to strengthen a struggling Iron squad.
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Hobson believes a deal is growing closer to being done and is eager for it to be confirmed as soon as possible to make the most of the transfer window.
"I am hopeful," he told the Telegraph.
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"I would want to get it sorted soon, where they say, 'let's do a deal, let's get you on board. Then we go to work and you pull some strings like you say you can'.
"We're in a situation where we need a little bit of strengthening on the pitch but there are no finances available.
"I'll try to wheel and deal and if I can assist Brian, that's what I'll do.
"If we can, we want to try to stay in this division this season, that would be my priority.
"At the moment, it's not looking as though we're capable of getting through this dog fight."
Dealing with the likes of Ricky Hatton and former IBF light heavyweight title holder Clinton Woods have equipped him for the change in sport, according to Hobson.
"Football's always been in my blood. I've a good understanding of football," he said.
"I've got an understanding of how sportsmen work and I've got contacts, that's more the point.
"I know how to negotiate.
"I know quite a few people in football. Quite a few footballers like boxing and I know a few footballers through boxing.
"Ken Bates isn't everyone's cup of tea but I've always hit it off with him.
"I've got some relationships with some characters at football clubs and that could open one or two doors for us and assist us.
"It's just a matter of deciding what role we all agree I play.
"I would like to assist the club, I'd prefer to describe it that way, and I'll assist in every department if I can."
In the long-term, Hobson hasn't ruled out taking over from chairman Steve Wharton, who will step down in the summer.
He is keen to point out though, that he should not be seen as United's equivalent of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.
"I wouldn't say no but it's something we'd need to talk about," said Hobson when asked about the chairman's role.
"Nothing fazes me but it's not about titles. It's not an ego thing.
"Once I've thrown my name in the hat or my hat in the ring, then I'm in. I'm a doer not just a talker.
"I'll be an Ian Botham, an all rounder.
"As long as the fans don't think I'm going to come in like an Abramovich and throw money at it, that's not what I'm all about. I'm about wheeling and dealing.
"If I didn't think I could make a difference I wouldn't have got involved.
"I'm not just out to say I'm chairman or a director, it's all about what I'm doing and what difference I'm going to make, that's what I'm about."
Hobson, who is based in Jersey, says Scunthorpe is a club he's "always had a bit of an affinity for".
Although a Sheffield Wednesday fan, with a failed attempt to join the Owls board behind him, he knows both Laws and youth team boss Tony Daws and has business links in Immingham.
The ultimate goal is to get the Iron back into the Championship and he has ambitions of using his promoting experience to help raise the funds to do that by putting on concerts.
"It's making the club a little bit more fashionable and getting more corporate people involved," Hobson explained.
"It brings a few quid into the club, which helps the manager compete at that level and hopefully punch above our weight to get into the Championship.
"It's not just about taking away, it's about adding something.
"No-one's coming in to get rid of anyone. Anyone such as myself is there to add something, hopefully.
"It's not an ego thing, I can get my name in the paper every week through boxing, it's about the achievement. That gives me the buzz."
Comments
by ironite
Friday, January 04 2013, 3:54PM
“Are there any boxing enthusiasts out there who know anything about this guy, because I don't have a clue? To be honest I don't know a great deal about how Boxing Promoters work, so I'd be curious to understand where Hobson fits into the pyramid compared to say Barry Hearn (who's obviously used his sporting connections for the benefit of a football team).
As far as I'm concerned, we really can't afford to be picky or suspicious about potential investors in our current situation. He may well have no money (or relatively none), but neither do we. So what harm could it possibly do? Perhaps we should all embrace the fact that for some bizarre reason, he wants to take an interest in us. Who knows, maybe if he has some real celebrity and sporting connections, he can team up with Ian Botham (who tweets about our results every week) and try putting us back on the map?”
by Grey_squirrel
Friday, January 04 2013, 1:30PM
“DaBone, if he wanted to make money...why would he choose to come here ?
There is no doubt in my mind, he could make more money through his boxing promotions company or his other business interests.
Hobson can`t be more full of " it " than Wharton, surely ?
The self confessed lover of Scunthorpe United, had a fortune pf over 40mill pounds and yet never put any money in he didn`t expect back.
People who have been in the pro Wharton camp, or that choose to use him as a yard stick to what the next owner should aspire to, need to seriously wake up and smell the coffee.
Hobson offers contacts and in a previous statement made, promises funds...what do Wharton and the other board members promise ?.....not a lot”
by DaBone
Friday, January 04 2013, 12:52PM
“I just can't help but think this guy is full of it. SUFC interests or his own?”
by Blue_Jean
Friday, January 04 2013, 11:51AM
“Sod it, yeah you're right.
I'm in.
Let's get behind Mr Hobson.”
by Grey_squirrel
Friday, January 04 2013, 11:47AM
“Jean, Hobson said previously he wouldn`t throw money at the club, he never said he wouldn`t contribute financially, not really sure where you have read that.
I actually find it refreshing that Hobson sounds like he is forward thinking and his approach is realistic.
I particularly like his ideas on how to get the club to improve the clubs revenue streams, by holding concerts here and so on, such forward thinking has been alien to Wharton and the current board.
Jean, how could we be any worse with Hobson being involved with the club ?. Wharton has given NOTHING out of his own pocket which he hasn`t expected back and the other board members have contributed nothing financially.
Players have been let go too easily in the past with not enough effort gone into retaining them, the current board and Wharton lack ambition ans because of this, we are in a huges mess over 2mill in debt.
Wharton and his chrones has run this club into the floor, we need someone new.
Put it this was jean, we we don`t get anyone new in now to at least give us a chance of staying up, we will be in the BSP in 2 seasons time...ask Grimsby fans how they managed it, because that`s where we are heading if we don`t watch it.”
by carllewis2010
Friday, January 04 2013, 11:25AM
“The existing chairman and board will not like this,somebody who want to be involved with SUFC with drive and ambition.What have we got to lose at the moment our club does not have a pot to p**s in.IF team strengthening is not carried out now bsp league for us within 2 years.If wharton really wants out hand over your shares as promised and lets have a new regime from top to bottom at our stagnating club."UP THE IRON"!!!”
by Oldironfan
Friday, January 04 2013, 10:05AM
“Only egomaniacs but big money into failing clubs, particularly 'unfashionable' clubs that have little capacity for growth so this guys statement about promoting commercial development and contacts seems realistic to me.
Anyone willing to try and give us a boost at this stage has my vote. What his long term goals are remain to be seen but its going to take more than a few concerts to get us into the Championship!”
by Blue_Jean
Friday, January 04 2013, 9:49AM
“Don't like the sound of this at all.
If you have no money what exactly are you bringing in that we don't have already?
Apart from another ego and set of opinions = conflict and indecision.
You're not even a Scunny fan.
This would only end in tears.”