Latest news with #JohnCoates
AU Financial Review
22-07-2025
- Politics
- AU Financial Review
The city that's ‘on the cusp' of being one of the world's greatest
John Coates has made a habit of getting his own way. For Sydney's star moment at the closing ceremony for the Atlanta Olympics in 1996, Rod McGeoch, director of Sydney's organising committee, wanted a big dance number with lots of schoolkids. 'Rod, we're not here for that,' Coates told him, and the idea was squashed. 'He stopped me every time,' recalls McGeoch. 'John Coates commanded the vision.' Which might explain the years of handwringing by the Queensland government over which stadium will be the main venue for the Brisbane Games in 2032. Two successive premiers backed wildly inappropriate options; Annastacia Palaszczuk proposed the Gabba, which was to be refurbished at a cost of $1 billion, a figure that had been plucked from thin air.
BBC News
10-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Stoke working 'round the clock' on deals
Stoke City manager Mark Robins says the club's recruitment team is "working round the clock" to bring in more signings ahead of the new Championship Potters, who finished a turbulent 2024-25 campaign two points above the relegation zone in 18th place, have brought in three new players so far this winger Sorba Thomas, Ukraine defender Maksym Talovierov and Manchester City loanee Divin Mubama have been added to Robins' squad with the hope that more are to follow soon. Robins said sporting director Jon Walters and owner-chairman John Coates are scouring the transfer market constantly."It's been all hands to the pump and they've been working round the clock to find solutions to the spaces we've still got," Robins told BBC Radio Stoke."It won't be wholesale [changes] because we've got to do things in an incremental way." The Potters boss added all three recruits were "really good, quality signings" who "will do well for us now and in the future". Thomas was the first through the door early last month, signing a three-year contract from Huddersfield."I tried to get him in January but it was impossible to do," Robins said."It would've been good [to have had him then] because it could've bedded him in."He wants to work really hard for the team and is someone who has really good qualities and will be a very good addition."Centre-back Talovierov arrived on a three-year deal from Plymouth and can be "as good as he wants to be" according to Robins."Speaking to him, you get the feeling he's so driven and, at 25, he's a really good age. "His work ethic is impressive and I'm delighted to get him. He stands out as a real leader, he's not the finished article and he knows that and he's got areas to work on and we'll work with him to make sure that happens." Mubama 'a dream to have' Mubama will be at Stoke for the season on loan from Manchester City having joined them on a long-term contract from West 20-year-old broke into the Hammers first-team under then boss David Moyes making 18 appearances - including eight in the Premier League - and scoring one goal."There is a player there that's untried but to have a break in and break out season in the Premier League is really difficult to do, especially when you're at certain clubs that have to get certain results," Robins said."Man City are a massive club and have a lot of history behind them now in terms of winning. He's signed a five-year contract there so he's got plenty of time to try to come through. "He's got raw talent and has a lot of attributes that will suit us - he's a dream to have." Stoke begin their latest attempt to challenge for promotion back to the Premier League against Derby County on 9 August and Robins is targeting a much-improved campaign this term."We've got to hope we can get big, big improvements quickly. For me, the quicker the better, but there's still a lot of work to do," he said."It shouldn't be 'we're going to go right there' but the expectation should be that we're going to improve and they [the fans] will be able to see that."We're trying to sign people who are going to make their mark on our supporters and the demands they place on us as custodians of their club. It's exciting."
BBC News
16-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Stoke City named best family club in English Football League
Stoke City has been named the best family club in the English Football League (EFL) during the 2024/25 season, beating 71 other teams to the was crowned EFL Family Excellence Club of the Season after judges praised the "outstanding" matchday experience at the bet365 Championship club came top across the three divisions and received a gold award for its matchday offerings for families for the fourth season in a report from the EFL's judge described The Potters as a "special club" with community and families at the core of everything it does. 'Worthy winners' "Stoke City is a wonderful family club with an outstanding matchday experience," the report in the competition are assessed via a number of criteria, including ticket purchasing, accessibility, facilities and communications. City's chief operating officer Simon King said the award was a "proud recognition" of the dedication of the staff and the investment from chairman John Coates."The two-way dialogue with our fans, whether that be in person, via our matchday surveys or fan assemblies, has underpinned this achievement as we remain relentless in our desire to make matchdays engaging, welcoming and accessible for families," he chief executive Trevor Birch described the club as "worthy winners" who had made a "positive and lasting impact" on their supporters. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Times
01-05-2025
- Business
- Times
Bet365 owners mull £9bn sale of betting giant
The billionaire owners of Bet365 are considering a sale of the betting giant for a possible £9 billion, according to reports. The group, founded by Denise and John Coates, has been holding talks with American banks and advisers over a sale of the business or some of its assets, according to The Guardian. It said Bet365 was weighing up a number of options, including a listing of the business, with a sale of a stake to a private equity firm before an initial public offering (IPO). Denise Coates is one of the richest women in Britain after having founded Bet365 with her brother John in 2000. She holds a stake of 58 per cent in the business and if the company sold at the reported
