Question Nine: Do you regret turning down the chance of Olympic Football now that no development is taking place at Villa Park this summer?No. We held preliminary discussions with LOCOG about the possibility of hosting some games, (none of which were to feature Team GB), in the Olympic football tournament in 2008 and early 2009, but took the decision that the requirements of LOCOG around exclusive access to Villa Park and the potential disruption that would cause to our preparations for the start of the 2012-13 season, as well as our non-matchday business (such as conferences and weddings) during the summer, meant that hosting such games was not in the best interests of Aston Villa.This decision was never made in light of firm plans for development work to be taking place at the stadium this summer. We hope and expect that the Olympics will be a fantastic success for the country, and will be cheering on all of the British athletes involved in the games.Paul Faulkner, Chief Executive
From a Supporter's Consultation Meeting earlier this year:QuoteQuestion Nine: Do you regret turning down the chance of Olympic Football now that no development is taking place at Villa Park this summer?No. We held preliminary discussions with LOCOG about the possibility of hosting some games, (none of which were to feature Team GB), in the Olympic football tournament in 2008 and early 2009, but took the decision that the requirements of LOCOG around exclusive access to Villa Park and the potential disruption that would cause to our preparations for the start of the 2012-13 season, as well as our non-matchday business (such as conferences and weddings) during the summer, meant that hosting such games was not in the best interests of Aston Villa.This decision was never made in light of firm plans for development work to be taking place at the stadium this summer. We hope and expect that the Olympics will be a fantastic success for the country, and will be cheering on all of the British athletes involved in the games.Paul Faulkner, Chief Executive
So because Team GB werent going to come and the massively oversubscribed and commercially lucrative non-matchday business (such as weddings and conferences) and the disruption to the start of the season (but its ok for ManUre and Newcastle - both finished higher than Villa last season) its not in the 'best interests of Aston Villa'. Well done Paul. I think when a decision is made that can affect thousands of jobs, businesses and lives of ordinary people it should be taken out of the hands of those who think for the minority and should be put as an open question to the majority - the people of Birmingham.
I think they would have been better off holding some of these football matches at places like Walsall or Burton
Quote from: Pete3206 on July 27, 2012, 11:45:24 AMI think they would have been better off holding some of these football matches at places like Walsall or BurtonAll the football matches should be held in London.Its ridiculous to see the pitchside boards saying "London 2012" when the game is being played in another city, hundreds of miles away.High profiles matches could have been played at Wembley, Twickenham and the Emirates. Lesser matches could have been played at other London Premier League grounds. The real "who gives a feck" games could have been played at Brentford, Orient, Millwall etc.