Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine

Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Villa'Zawg on July 18, 2011, 08:05:43 PM

Title: Dispatches - Bryan Robson in murky deals
Post by: Villa'Zawg on July 18, 2011, 08:05:43 PM
Just started with clip of far eastern gent saying "put £5m into the fund and we'll go and see Alex Ferguson and he'll tell you he will give us players". Interesting.
Title: Re: Dispatches - Bryan Robson in murky deals
Post by: LeeB on July 18, 2011, 08:07:18 PM
Just posted a thread off-topic on this, can we merge please?
Title: Re: Dispatches - Bryan Robson in murky deals
Post by: TheSandman on July 18, 2011, 08:09:47 PM
Somebody mentioned that in GM ages ago.
Title: Re: Dispatches - Bryan Robson in murky deals
Post by: ventnor villain on July 18, 2011, 08:11:34 PM
Just started with clip of far eastern gent saying "put £5m into the fund and we'll go and see Alex Ferguson and he'll tell you he will give us players". Interesting.

That'll be another TV station the purple-nosed one won't be talking to then.
Title: Re: Dispatches - Bryan Robson in murky deals
Post by: Villa'Zawg on July 18, 2011, 08:16:11 PM
Sorry, I didn't see the other thread.

Robson "I am the global football ambassador for Manchester United" - You're not now son.
Title: Re: Dispatches - Bryan Robson in murky deals
Post by: woody4866 on July 18, 2011, 08:17:27 PM
Lets be honest, they are all at it - its just some are more clever at it than others
This goes back to Venables and beyond
Title: Re: Dispatches - Bryan Robson in murky deals
Post by: PeterWithesShin on July 18, 2011, 08:17:43 PM
I started a thread as well. Can we have a 3some of all threads?

Captain Marvel is coming across well isn't he.
Title: Re: Dispatches - Bryan Robson in murky deals
Post by: cdbearsfan on July 18, 2011, 08:27:08 PM
I was wondering when Small Heath were going to get a mention!
Title: Re: Dispatches - Bryan Robson in murky deals
Post by: London Villan on July 18, 2011, 08:27:53 PM
Oh dear Bryan...

I amazed there isn't a manu bar in Brum!
Title: Re: Dispatches - Bryan Robson in murky deals
Post by: cdbearsfan on July 18, 2011, 08:30:09 PM
Just mentioned McLeish.
Title: Re: Dispatches - Bryan Robson in murky deals
Post by: London Villan on July 18, 2011, 08:31:50 PM
Just mentioned McLeish.

Wouldn't that be just typical for him to get his named involved in this!
Title: Re: Dispatches - Bryan Robson in murky deals
Post by: villajk on July 18, 2011, 08:32:33 PM
Just mentioned McLeish.

when he was at blose.  It's was quite strange hearing his name associated with them when he's now ours, whether we like it or not.
Title: Re: Dispatches - Bryan Robson in murky deals
Post by: Mike Jeffries on July 18, 2011, 08:34:08 PM

The shocking bit, is that I'm not shocked by any of it.  We're so used to football ownership often being dodgy as hell that I fear we just get used to it, which is bloody terrible.
Title: Re: Dispatches - Bryan Robson in murky deals
Post by: Villa'Zawg on July 18, 2011, 08:34:34 PM
Just mentioned McLeish.

I'm not saying this just because they mentioned our manager but it is clear that these jokers are bullshitters.
Title: Re: Dispatches - Bryan Robson in murky deals
Post by: cdbearsfan on July 18, 2011, 08:34:42 PM
Just mentioned Spurs.

** Bing-bong ** VillaDawg to the thread...

EDIT: woah, that is fucking spooky!
Title: Re: Dispatches - Bryan Robson in murky deals
Post by: PeterWithe on July 18, 2011, 08:34:44 PM
Hardly anything earth shattering so far, I hope some of the shit they throw at SHA in the next bit will stick
Title: Re: Dispatches - Bryan Robson in murky deals
Post by: Villa'Zawg on July 18, 2011, 08:42:44 PM
Just mentioned Spurs.

** Bing-bong ** VillaDawg to the thread...

EDIT: woah, that is fucking spooky!

You might know that I like to understand the facts. So I've just done a quick search on here for mentions of Spurs posted by "villadawg" and mentions of Spurs posted by "cdvillafan". 30 each.  ;-)
Title: Re: Dispatches - Bryan Robson in murky deals
Post by: PeterWithesShin on July 18, 2011, 08:43:35 PM
Depressing how little is known about who actually owns clubs.

I'm willing to bet the Fergie connection turns out to be a pile of shit.
Title: Re: Dispatches - Bryan Robson in murky deals
Post by: PeterWithesShin on July 18, 2011, 09:03:11 PM
Typical, I had to take a phone call and missed the last few mins. I saw where they named Sheff Utd as the club, but did they get any further proof on red nose apart from those photos?
Title: Re: Dispatches - Bryan Robson in murky deals
Post by: PeterWithe on July 18, 2011, 09:10:21 PM
Spuriously dragging Fergie into it sprinkled a bit of stardust on a pretty shit programme really, was anyone on here at all surprised by the goings on? Everything was deniable and could easily be put down to misunderstandings. 
Title: Re: Dispatches - Bryan Robson in murky deals
Post by: cdbearsfan on July 18, 2011, 09:12:54 PM
Bit of a damp squib. Looks bad for Robson but Fergie can just say he was being polite to an over-enthusiastic fan. Maybe he was.
Title: Re: Dispatches - Bryan Robson in murky deals
Post by: cdward on July 18, 2011, 09:15:14 PM
Interesting how they mentioned that the "fans can be a problem, so you need to put in a bit of money, so you get them on your side"
That's how i always thought we were viewed, and i mean we as in all football fans.
It's not surprising really though is it, i just kept thinking about Portsmouth, Blues, Notts County and now Leicester, they all fit the bill for these dodgy owners.
Football is being taken away from the fans, there must be a way to claim it back.
We are comparitively lucky with Randy, but he is still in it for the money as was Doug, as is every owner.
It's no surprise the Yanks haved moved into the PL more prominently, i thank God we are not in Blues position.
Title: Re: Dispatches - Bryan Robson in murky deals
Post by: dave.woodhall on July 18, 2011, 09:19:23 PM
Interesting how they mentioned that the "fans can be a problem, so you need to put in a bit of money, so you get them on your side"
That's how i always thought we were viewed, and i mean we as in all football fans.
It's not surprising really though is it, i just kept thinking about Portsmouth, Blues, Notts County and now Leicester, they all fit the bill for these dodgy owners.
Football is being taken away from the fans, there must be a way to claim it back.
We are comparitively lucky with Randy, but he is still in it for the money as was Doug, as is every owner.
It's no surprise the Yanks haved moved into the PL more prominently, i thank God we are not in Blues position.

Of all the criticism that can be hurled at Doug, I think "in it for the money" is a fair way down the list. He made enough of it, but I think that knowing Doug, the sheer egotism and self-publicity were far more important to him.

That programme - a few shysters want to earn some of the massive sums in English football and tell lies to get it. Hold the front page.
Title: Re: Dispatches - Bryan Robson in murky deals
Post by: PeterWithesShin on July 18, 2011, 09:26:24 PM
I was thinking there was going to be some big factual reveal at the end of the show and missed it because of the phone call. I'm guessing by the comments that there wasn't. So apart from Robson not doing himself any favours, it basically shed no light on anything.
Title: Re: Dispatches - Bryan Robson in murky deals
Post by: KevinGage on July 18, 2011, 09:29:40 PM
It's hard to say.  Wasn't he the first club Chairman to pay himself a salary?
And something like 95% of his personal wealth was generated via Aston Villa FC.

The financial aspect was definitely a huge motivation, I'd say.

The kudos and the networking with the great and the good in football was a nice bonus.
Title: Re: Dispatches - Bryan Robson in murky deals
Post by: PeterWithe on July 18, 2011, 09:38:35 PM
The biggest question I had after it is 'What sort of vulgarian keeps answering his phone during dinner with friends or potential business partners?'
Title: Re: Dispatches - Bryan Robson in murky deals
Post by: dave.woodhall on July 18, 2011, 09:40:24 PM
It's hard to say.  Wasn't he the first club Chairman to pay himself a salary?
And something like 95% of his personal wealth was generated via Aston Villa FC.

The financial aspect was definitely a huge motivation, I'd say.

The kudos and the networking with the great and the good in football was a nice bonus.

Doug would have you believe that such was his business acumen, were he not at Villa he would have earned much more as chair of ICI or similar. I may be wrong but I think he's such an egotist that given the choice of wealthy anonymity and being skint but famous, he'd have gone for fame every time.
Title: Re: Dispatches - Bryan Robson in murky deals
Post by: Villa'Zawg on July 18, 2011, 09:50:24 PM
It's hard to say.  Wasn't he the first club Chairman to pay himself a salary?
And something like 95% of his personal wealth was generated via Aston Villa FC.

The financial aspect was definitely a huge motivation, I'd say.

The kudos and the networking with the great and the good in football was a nice bonus.

If it's true that he invested £500k at the beginning of the 80s, that was a large investment into a football club. I don't think even Doug could have known at the time what was coming with Sky 10 years later.
Title: Re: Dispatches - Bryan Robson in murky deals
Post by: London Villan on July 18, 2011, 09:57:05 PM
It's hard to say.  Wasn't he the first club Chairman to pay himself a salary?
And something like 95% of his personal wealth was generated via Aston Villa FC.

The financial aspect was definitely a huge motivation, I'd say.

The kudos and the networking with the great and the good in football was a nice bonus.

If it's true that he invested £500k at the beginning of the 80s, that was a large investment into a football club. I don't think even Doug could have known at the time what was coming with Sky 10 years later.

Without wanting to kick off a Doug thread, he only ever invested his own cash in the late 60's. About £50k at the time (which was a fair amount back then). In the early 80s he just guaranteed the overdraft, then sold the 82 team.
Title: Re: Dispatches - Bryan Robson in murky deals
Post by: dave.woodhall on July 18, 2011, 10:09:22 PM
It's hard to say.  Wasn't he the first club Chairman to pay himself a salary?
And something like 95% of his personal wealth was generated via Aston Villa FC.

The financial aspect was definitely a huge motivation, I'd say.

The kudos and the networking with the great and the good in football was a nice bonus.

If it's true that he invested £500k at the beginning of the 80s, that was a large investment into a football club. I don't think even Doug could have known at the time what was coming with Sky 10 years later.

Without wanting to kick off a Doug thread, he only ever invested his own cash in the late 60's. About £50k at the time (which was a fair amount back then). In the early 80s he just guaranteed the overdraft, then sold the 82 team.

He did use his own money in 1982, but it went to Bendall for the shares rather than to the club.
Title: Re: Dispatches - Bryan Robson in murky deals
Post by: hawkeye on July 18, 2011, 10:16:07 PM
Please lets not do the Doug thing, it has been done to death on here, its history- move on.

Back to topic, football is dodgy, has been for a long time, the difference is now the guys that would have been selling double glazing, second hand cars and more recently mobile phone franchises are agents.
The guys that used to be local businessmen made good are now millionaires and billionaires satisfying thier egos. The guys that used to be stuffed shirts in blazers are now skilled PR men with an eye for a fast buck and surround themselves with adminastrators who know how to keep the show on the road and attract the corporate purse.
Title: Re: Dispatches - Bryan Robson in murky deals
Post by: Phil from the upper holte on July 18, 2011, 10:20:32 PM
It's sad to see Robson sink so low the dodgy bastard
Title: Re: Dispatches - Bryan Robson in murky deals
Post by: dave.woodhall on July 18, 2011, 10:24:00 PM
It's sad to see Robson sink so low the dodgy bastard

Has he ever been any different?
Title: Re: Dispatches - Bryan Robson in murky deals
Post by: PeterWithe on July 18, 2011, 10:41:25 PM
It was a surprise to see him sober.
Title: Re: Dispatches - Bryan Robson in murky deals
Post by: Redman on July 18, 2011, 11:29:56 PM
Besides Robson incriminating himself, was interesting to hear him and Sim talking candidly and confirming what everyone knew already - that Mr Alex Ferguson is pretty much the Don Corleone of English football; exploiting relationships here, calling in favours there etc...

Only Robson comes out of this with a bloody nose but it won't have been comfortable viewing for anybody associated with Manchester United at a time when the public consciousness is focused on corruption.
Title: Re: Dispatches - Bryan Robson in murky deals
Post by: Villa'Zawg on July 18, 2011, 11:42:52 PM
Besides Robson incriminating himself, was interesting to hear him and Sim talking candidly and confirming what everyone knew already - that Mr Alex Ferguson is pretty much the Don Corleone of English football; exploiting relationships here, calling in favours there etc...

Only Robson comes out of this with a bloody nose but it won't have been comfortable viewing for anybody associated with Manchester United at a time when the public consciousness is focused on corruption.

As much as you Scousers would like to believe it, they didn't show any such thing about Ferguson. They showed that they wanted to make a bloke who they hoped to fleece for millions think that they had that type of relationship with Ferguson.
Title: Re: Dispatches - Bryan Robson in murky deals
Post by: Redman on July 19, 2011, 12:01:21 AM
Besides Robson incriminating himself, was interesting to hear him and Sim talking candidly and confirming what everyone knew already - that Mr Alex Ferguson is pretty much the Don Corleone of English football; exploiting relationships here, calling in favours there etc...

Only Robson comes out of this with a bloody nose but it won't have been comfortable viewing for anybody associated with Manchester United at a time when the public consciousness is focused on corruption.

As much as you Scousers would like to believe it, they didn't show any such thing about Ferguson. They showed that they wanted to make a bloke who they hoped to fleece for millions think that they had that type of relationship with Ferguson.
You've missed the point.

Sim exaggerated his relationship with Ferguson, sure. But his selling point was Ferguson's influence which was not exaggerated.
Title: Re: Dispatches - Bryan Robson in murky deals
Post by: cdward on July 19, 2011, 12:29:07 AM
Yes, the Fergie link was just to show off to potential investors. Mr Joe wasn't Fergies best mate, he just thought he was. I thought it was interesting how many clubs are owned by off shore accounts, not sure of the significance, is it just a tax fiddle or more significant?
Title: Re: Dispatches - Bryan Robson in murky deals
Post by: Villa'Zawg on July 19, 2011, 12:30:52 AM
Besides Robson incriminating himself, was interesting to hear him and Sim talking candidly and confirming what everyone knew already - that Mr Alex Ferguson is pretty much the Don Corleone of English football; exploiting relationships here, calling in favours there etc...

Only Robson comes out of this with a bloody nose but it won't have been comfortable viewing for anybody associated with Manchester United at a time when the public consciousness is focused on corruption.

As much as you Scousers would like to believe it, they didn't show any such thing about Ferguson. They showed that they wanted to make a bloke who they hoped to fleece for millions think that they had that type of relationship with Ferguson.
You've missed the point.

Sim exaggerated his relationship with Ferguson, sure. But his selling point was Ferguson's influence which was not exaggerated.

I didn't miss the point at all, I responded to what you posted.

He was being anything but candid and he didn't confirm anything other than his willingness to play on that particular perception of Ferguson in order to fleece someone he thought might invest millions pounds.

Title: Re: Dispatches - Bryan Robson in murky deals
Post by: Redman on July 19, 2011, 01:28:59 AM
Besides Robson incriminating himself, was interesting to hear him and Sim talking candidly and confirming what everyone knew already - that Mr Alex Ferguson is pretty much the Don Corleone of English football; exploiting relationships here, calling in favours there etc...

Only Robson comes out of this with a bloody nose but it won't have been comfortable viewing for anybody associated with Manchester United at a time when the public consciousness is focused on corruption.

As much as you Scousers would like to believe it, they didn't show any such thing about Ferguson. They showed that they wanted to make a bloke who they hoped to fleece for millions think that they had that type of relationship with Ferguson.
You've missed the point.

Sim exaggerated his relationship with Ferguson, sure. But his selling point was Ferguson's influence which was not exaggerated.

I didn't miss the point at all, I responded to what you posted.

He was being anything but candid and he didn't confirm anything other than his willingness to play on that particular perception of Ferguson in order to fleece someone he thought might invest millions pounds.
The very reason Fergie was the subject of their sales pitch was because of how influential he is (i.e. too influential). In fact, Robson may well have been cherry-picked for the company because of his close association. It's no secret that Ferguson has his choice of acolytes to swap favours with (Steve Bruce being the latest) and it's no secret that he loans players to whichever club his son happens to be managing. He exploits his many close relationships and in doing so, exerts a power beyond the four walls of Old Trafford. There's nothing revelationary or scandalous about that, it's just refreshing to see it spelled out on national TV, especially by somebody as close to Manchester United as Captain Marvel.

The only distortion we saw tonight was how Sim represented his relationship with Ferguson.
Title: Re: Dispatches - Bryan Robson in murky deals
Post by: john e on July 19, 2011, 08:45:25 AM
Didn't see the program, but sounds interesting.

Did they mention the Man Utd v Sheffield Wed
Match by Any chance !
Title: Re: Dispatches - Bryan Robson in murky deals
Post by: Risso on July 19, 2011, 09:09:53 AM
Didn't see the program, but sounds interesting.

Did they mention the Man Utd v Sheffield Wed
Match by Any chance !

Please never mention that again.
Title: Re: Dispatches - Bryan Robson in murky deals
Post by: Concrete John on July 19, 2011, 09:12:41 AM
Didn't see the program, but sounds interesting.

Did they mention the Man Utd v Sheffield Wed
Match by Any chance !

Please never mention that again.

I think is still has relevance today, as if Man Utd hadn't socred it would still be being played today.
Title: Re: Dispatches - Bryan Robson in murky deals
Post by: damon loves JT on July 19, 2011, 09:40:16 AM
I only watched the first five minutes. It came across as a pissed Bryan Robson and a conman telling a sucker anything he wanted to hear.

`Yeah, you can have Sheffield Wednesday no problem, and Leicester City, yeah, and for five million I'll throw in the Brian Rogers Connection.'

What a pile of crap.
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