The Takeover Thread - Recon Group - NOW WITH NEW POLL

[PaulWinch again]

Surely if their intention was one of money laundering, they would have gone for a lower profile business rather than a high profile football club with frequent media attention.  Isn't it more likely they either see an opportunity to turn a quick profit (most achievable via success on the pitch) or it's a rich mans vanity project?

i think they see the opportunity to make money which may not be related to on pitch activity.

Well they won't succeed at that if they don't relate it to on the pitch activity. The best way for Villa to make a lot of money is to be in the Premier League.

[ChicagoLion]

Surely if their intention was one of money laundering, they would have gone for a lower profile business rather than a high profile football club with frequent media attention.  Isn't it more likely they either see an opportunity to turn a quick profit (most achievable via success on the pitch) or it's a rich mans vanity project?

i think they see the opportunity to make money which may not be related to on pitch activity.

Well they won't succeed at that if they don't relate it to on the pitch activity. The best way for Villa to make a lot of money is to be in the Premier League.

What if they develop the land? They may see the club as an anchor tenant. There are lots of opportunities to make money from the site. To think that this is a football only purchase is a bit naive. I hope I am wrong.

[Toronto Villa]

Blimey it's unbelievable on here. The sheer misery and gloom. Randy has finally sold the club. Hollis a man of excellent reputation has overseen the sale to people he clearly must trust. Sold to man where he described his ambitions glowingly and transformational. Yet we have more experts on here than any of those involved in these transactions and the sky is falling in.

Nobody has any idea in 2008-2009 when things looked great under Randy how things would turn out in 2016. So why jump to conclusions now about this man and the people he has trusted? They may not all be here long term and it is possible that they will operate to get things going at the club before Xia brings in others as longer term hires. We just don't know. For me today marks the start of a period we have all been crying out for, with a new manager and staff. Brian Little still at the club. Now the proper work starts on the team and getting the right players in and getting rid of some to secure promotion. That's as far as I am looking.

[Clampy]

Blimey it's unbelievable on here. The sheer misery and gloom. Randy has finally sold the club. Hollis a man of excellent reputation has overseen the sale to people he clearly must trust. Sold to man where he described his ambitions glowingly and transformational. Yet we have more experts on here than any of those involved in these transactions and the sky is falling in.

Nobody has any idea in 2008-2009 when things looked great under Randy how things would turn out in 2016. So why jump to conclusions now about this man and the people he has trusted? They may not all be here long term and it is possible that they will operate to get things going at the club before Xia brings in others as longer term hires. We just don't know. For me today marks the start of a period we have all been crying out for, with a new manager and staff. Brian Little still at the club. Now the proper work starts on the team and getting the right players in and getting rid of some to secure promotion. That's as far as I am looking.

Yep, you wouldn't think Randy had sold up and we now had a new manager, owner and a potentially new exciting future to get behind. 

[Chico Hamilton III]

Blimey it's unbelievable on here. The sheer misery and gloom. Randy has finally sold the club. Hollis a man of excellent reputation has overseen the sale to people he clearly must trust. Sold to man where he described his ambitions glowingly and transformational. Yet we have more experts on here than any of those involved in these transactions and the sky is falling in.

Nobody has any idea in 2008-2009 when things looked great under Randy how things would turn out in 2016. So why jump to conclusions now about this man and the people he has trusted? They may not all be here long term and it is possible that they will operate to get things going at the club before Xia brings in others as longer term hires. We just don't know. For me today marks the start of a period we have all been crying out for, with a new manager and staff. Brian Little still at the club. Now the proper work starts on the team and getting the right players in and getting rid of some to secure promotion. That's as far as I am looking.

Yep, you wouldn't think Randy had sold up and we now had a new manager, owner and a potentially new exciting future to get behind. 

Proud History, Potentially New Exciting Future.

I'm sure I've heard summat similar before...

I think we should forgive people for not going overboard with the enthusiasm just yet. 

[UK Redsox]

What if they develop the land? They may see the club as an anchor tenant. There are lots of opportunities to make money from the site. To think that this is a football only purchase is a bit naive. I hope I am wrong.

Would the VP/BMH areas really be in that much demand as development sites ?

[Clampy]

Blimey it's unbelievable on here. The sheer misery and gloom. Randy has finally sold the club. Hollis a man of excellent reputation has overseen the sale to people he clearly must trust. Sold to man where he described his ambitions glowingly and transformational. Yet we have more experts on here than any of those involved in these transactions and the sky is falling in.

Nobody has any idea in 2008-2009 when things looked great under Randy how things would turn out in 2016. So why jump to conclusions now about this man and the people he has trusted? They may not all be here long term and it is possible that they will operate to get things going at the club before Xia brings in others as longer term hires. We just don't know. For me today marks the start of a period we have all been crying out for, with a new manager and staff. Brian Little still at the club. Now the proper work starts on the team and getting the right players in and getting rid of some to secure promotion. That's as far as I am looking.

Yep, you wouldn't think Randy had sold up and we now had a new manager, owner and a potentially new exciting future to get behind. 

Proud History, Potentially New Exciting Future.

I'm sure I've heard summat similar before...

I think we should forgive people for not going overboard with the enthusiasm just yet. 

There's not going overboard and there's panicking about what might happen.

[Toronto Villa]

Blimey it's unbelievable on here. The sheer misery and gloom. Randy has finally sold the club. Hollis a man of excellent reputation has overseen the sale to people he clearly must trust. Sold to man where he described his ambitions glowingly and transformational. Yet we have more experts on here than any of those involved in these transactions and the sky is falling in.

Nobody has any idea in 2008-2009 when things looked great under Randy how things would turn out in 2016. So why jump to conclusions now about this man and the people he has trusted? They may not all be here long term and it is possible that they will operate to get things going at the club before Xia brings in others as longer term hires. We just don't know. For me today marks the start of a period we have all been crying out for, with a new manager and staff. Brian Little still at the club. Now the proper work starts on the team and getting the right players in and getting rid of some to secure promotion. That's as far as I am looking.

Yep, you wouldn't think Randy had sold up and we now had a new manager, owner and a potentially new exciting future to get behind. 

Proud History, Potentially New Exciting Future.

I'm sure I've heard summat similar before...

I think we should forgive people for not going overboard with the enthusiasm just yet. 

He's not going overboard. He's used the term "potentially new and exciting" which is what it is. Or you could just remain skeptical and cynical which some people have chosen to be. Xia isn't Lerner so if nothing else as a new owner, just as Randy did he is going to want to spend a bit if nothing else to back up what he has said and to start to prove to doubters that he is legitimate. For me that is a damned sight better than the future that we would have if Randy was still here.

[Chico Hamilton III]

Blimey it's unbelievable on here. The sheer misery and gloom. Randy has finally sold the club. Hollis a man of excellent reputation has overseen the sale to people he clearly must trust. Sold to man where he described his ambitions glowingly and transformational. Yet we have more experts on here than any of those involved in these transactions and the sky is falling in.

Nobody has any idea in 2008-2009 when things looked great under Randy how things would turn out in 2016. So why jump to conclusions now about this man and the people he has trusted? They may not all be here long term and it is possible that they will operate to get things going at the club before Xia brings in others as longer term hires. We just don't know. For me today marks the start of a period we have all been crying out for, with a new manager and staff. Brian Little still at the club. Now the proper work starts on the team and getting the right players in and getting rid of some to secure promotion. That's as far as I am looking.

Yep, you wouldn't think Randy had sold up and we now had a new manager, owner and a potentially new exciting future to get behind. 

Proud History, Potentially New Exciting Future.

I'm sure I've heard summat similar before...

I think we should forgive people for not going overboard with the enthusiasm just yet. 

He's not going overboard.

I know. That's why I didn't say he was.

[stuart r]

What if they develop the land? They may see the club as an anchor tenant. There are lots of opportunities to make money from the site. To think that this is a football only purchase is a bit naive. I hope I am wrong.

Would the VP/BMH areas really be in that much demand as development sites ?

The city council are developing 2 Enterprise Zones in the area. An Advanced Manufacturing zone in Aston (and right by Villa Park) and what they are calling The Food Hub in Witton which I assume is just a modern name for the wholesale market that is moving there. Dunno if it makes any difference to anything Villa related but does show a possible demand as a development site. http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/economiczones

[nick harper]

Blimey it's unbelievable on here. The sheer misery and gloom. Randy has finally sold the club. Hollis a man of excellent reputation has overseen the sale to people he clearly must trust. Sold to man where he described his ambitions glowingly and transformational. Yet we have more experts on here than any of those involved in these transactions and the sky is falling in.

Nobody has any idea in 2008-2009 when things looked great under Randy how things would turn out in 2016. So why jump to conclusions now about this man and the people he has trusted? They may not all be here long term and it is possible that they will operate to get things going at the club before Xia brings in others as longer term hires. We just don't know. For me today marks the start of a period we have all been crying out for, with a new manager and staff. Brian Little still at the club. Now the proper work starts on the team and getting the right players in and getting rid of some to secure promotion. That's as far as I am looking.

Yep, you wouldn't think Randy had sold up and we now had a new manager, owner and a potentially new exciting future to get behind. 

Proud History, Potentially New Exciting Future.

I'm sure I've heard summat similar before...

I think we should forgive people for not going overboard with the enthusiasm just yet. 

He's not going overboard. He's used the term "potentially new and exciting" which is what it is. Or you could just remain skeptical and cynical which some people have chosen to be. Xia isn't Lerner so if nothing else as a new owner, just as Randy did he is going to want to spend a bit if nothing else to back up what he has said and to start to prove to doubters that he is legitimate. For me that is a damned sight better than the future that we would have if Randy was still here.

Given the people who will be running the club day to day now, I think its perfectly reasonable to be concerned about the future. Change doesn't always mean better even if Xia has the best intentions.

Anyway, its done now, so we just have to wait to see how it pans out. Getting a decent footballing structure and personnel is one positive that is encouraging.

[robbo1874]

Surely if their intention was one of money laundering, they would have gone for a lower profile business rather than a high profile football club with frequent media attention.  Isn't it more likely they either see an opportunity to turn a quick profit (most achievable via success on the pitch) or it's a rich mans vanity project?

i think they see the opportunity to make money which may not be related to on pitch activity.

Well they won't succeed at that if they don't relate it to on the pitch activity. The best way for Villa to make a lot of money is to be in the Premier League.

What if they develop the land? They may see the club as an anchor tenant. There are lots of opportunities to make money from the site. To think that this is a football only purchase is a bit naive. I hope I am wrong.

be interesting to see the extent of Villa's property ownership within the locality. Here in Aus I have access to a website called RP Data, which allows subscribers to conduct title searches on defined land parcels and thus identify who owns the subject land.

Presume such a website exists in the UK and there would be H&Vers with access to it, who may be able to enlighten us?

[Jon Crofts]

Surely if their intention was one of money laundering, they would have gone for a lower profile business rather than a high profile football club with frequent media attention.  Isn't it more likely they either see an opportunity to turn a quick profit (most achievable via success on the pitch) or it's a rich mans vanity project?

i think they see the opportunity to make money which may not be related to on pitch activity.

Well they won't succeed at that if they don't relate it to on the pitch activity. The best way for Villa to make a lot of money is to be in the Premier League.

What if they develop the land? They may see the club as an anchor tenant. There are lots of opportunities to make money from the site. To think that this is a football only purchase is a bit naive. I hope I am wrong.

be interesting to see the extent of Villa's property ownership within the locality. Here in Aus I have access to a website called RP Data, which allows subscribers to conduct title searches on defined land parcels and thus identify who owns the subject land.

Presume such a website exists in the UK and there would be H&Vers with access to it, who may be able to enlighten us?

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/land-registry

There's a fee for a search.

[conman]

According to Companies House someone called Jamie Banfill was appointed a Director yesterday.

"business partner" of Samuelson

Another snout in the trough perhaps. The more learnt about our new board, the more I wonder about people in it for a personal quick financial gain.

I think they've come to the wrong club if that's what they're after.

not if we get promotion at the first attempt

[maidstonevillain]

Richards, Lescott, Gabby and Bacuna - there's a £15-20million write off right there. I don't care how dirty that money is.

I would imagine that has already been factored into the sale price.