The retrenchment of expenses plan and the future of the club

[Archie]

I have been very struck by the recent decision of the club to cut paltry expenses like the free cup tickets for the staff (when the stadium is half empty in the first cup ties) and the free Match Programmes for the Lions Clubs' chairmen.

Obviously I have no problems to pay the match programmes from now on, this is not the point.
What leaves me perplexed is that the sums that you can save with this plan of retrechment of expenses will be about 1/1000000 of the costs that you have for some average players with top player wages like Dunne, Beyč and others.
So, decisions like these, on one side don't improve the financial situation of the club and on the other side cut to the quick the most genuine part of the club, the staff and the fans, giving the strong impression that the property is preparing to sell up the club, and in order to do so must give the purchaser the impression that the books are balanced and that there are not useless expenses.

Obviously I hope to be wrong but this is my impression at the moment.

Thoughts?

[The Villa Werewolf]

I have been very struck by the recent decision of the club to cut paltry expenses like... the free Match Programmes for the Lions Clubs' chairmen.

RANDY OUT!

[bertlambshank]

Welcome to the world of commerce.Its always the little man who gets it first.I think your right about Randy looking to sell.
He has more than enough trying to get the Brown's off their arse,never mind worrying about us.

[PaulTheVillan]

Can't remember the last time I had a match day programme. Probably 10 years ago.

[nigel]

I can't believe I see these "Randy Out" & "Randy going to sell" comments. (not just you werewolf & Paul)

I certainly can't see him selling, not in the near future anyhow.
Why would he invest so much into the club only to sell on at very little, if any, profit? I just doesn't make sense to me.
Personally I wouldn't want a Man City sort of owner either.

As for the "Randy Out" brigade. Be careful what you wish for, you only have to look across the City for proof of what might happen.

[Dave Cooper please]

Is there a Randy Out Brigade?
I see a Werewolf taking the piss and a few people who think Randy would sell if someone came up with the right money.
Certainly no Randy Out Brigade anyway.

[PaulTheVillan]

Randy not out.
Randy not sell.

Thank you please.

[levico]

It does look like Randy is trying to change the culture at the club - we see this happen in corporate life all the time. It's not always a bad thing but nevertheless I wouldn't be surprised if he was looking to sell. Hopefully if he does he will do the honourable thing and make sure that we don't have a SHA repeat. Surely there are still people with money left in the Arabian Gulf?

[The Villa Werewolf]

I can't believe I see these "Randy Out" & "Randy going to sell" comments. (not just you werewolf & Paul)

I wasn't being entirely serious.

[hutchavfc]

If not to sell but more likely to attract some other investors

[Rudy Can't Fail]

If not to sell but more likely to attract some other investors

I see Randy is now big pals with Warren Buffett. He seems to have a few billion to throw around.

[PeterWithesShin]

Cup tickets to staff aren't free for the club though are they?

[Steve Z]

I hope Randy doesn't want to sell, Look at the majority of foreign owners...Are they supporters of the club?? Look at the Balckburn chicken eaters for example..they all must of thought, as were all big Balckburn supporters we'll buy the club, plough lots of money into it...Not a chance.
Its all a big business now, to make money nothing else.
We are lucky to have an owner who does support the Villa
Football is no longer the working mans sport!!  IMO

[darren woolley]

He wont sell I think he's just watching the finances as he hasn't got a bottomless pit to dip into.

[Kevin Dawson]

Just had an e-mail from the club tellling me that tickets are still available for tomorrow's 3.00 kick-off v Wolves.

Think I might miss the game then!!!