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Boro chief scoffs at foreign takeover talk
Middlesbrough, 12:22, October 29, 2008 ,
Chief executive Keith Lamb has promised Middlesbrough fans the club will never be handed over to big money foreign investors.
Lamb has spoken out at the level of foreigners who have crept into the game by taking over Premier League sides with the promise of unlimited cash to bring in the world's best talents. And, while that might seem like a good prospect for supporters of those respective clubs, he fears what will happen when the money men turn their back on the game?
In the meantime Lamb says Boro will always be run by people local to the area who have the best interests of the club at heart.
He said: "I can never envisage a time when this club is owned by somebody whose roots are outside the area.
"It is important that people realise how much Middlesbrough Football Club is part of the community.
"We are only here because of the people of Middlesbrough and this community is so vital."
On the potential future problems, Lamb added: "I am not in favour of foreign owners.
"I believe football clubs should belong to the towns and cities they represent.
"I am fearful for the long-term future of football if we continue to go down the foreign-ownership line.
"What happens when those tractor-loads of money turn round and go back again?"