The Takeover Thread - Recon Group - NOW WITH NEW POLL

[pauliewalnuts]

One thing I can say is that surely we can discount the likelihood that he has only just put the club for sale.

Look at the evidence:

- a season and more of drastic cost cutting
- the conversion recently of 90m of debt to equity
- him making that first statement a month ago

And, finally, what would be the point in making this announcement now?

To my mind, it looks as if the stories about interested buyers are true, but that the "deal done" stuff is a little wide of the mark.

What it all comes down to is, if there is a deal going through at the moment, then we had really better hope it gets done sooner rather than later, or it'll be a summer of drift, which is the absolute worst thing for us.

I suspect it will be weeks not days, otherwise he'd just have waited a few days before making any sort of announcement and announced the deal.

I agree with you Paulie. As you say, if a deal was close, then he may as well have waited a few days or a week or two to come out with this.

I suspect he has sounded buyers out at his billionaires yacht club and that BoA have probably been working for some time on it, maybe even a season or two.

As long as something can be sorted by July, we should be alright.

Mind you:

Pat Murphy ‏@patmurphybbc  54s
You @AVFCOfficial fans,remember this - don't shoot the messenger.But told no deal has yet been done,that bank 2 handle it only appt'd 2day

[Holte132]

this cherished, ancient Club.


Only an American would call something that's 140 odd years old, ancient!

[Ads]

Oh dear! The lazy Americans won't even be awake for another few hours either!

[Clampy]

The statement doesn't surprise me at all and it's pretty much what I was expecting. Let's hope it's done sooner rather than later.

[Chris Stares]

Now is it me or are those statements from Randy and the General just a little bit strange ?

Not just you.  Both statements have a slightly surreal feel to them, like the ramblings of tortured minds with odd moments of lucidity.

[PeterWithesShin]

Fair enough statement imo, even if it leaves us currently in no mans land. He said he'd do a statement after the season and he does it the day after season's end. He said when he bought us that if h wasn't up to it he'd leave, and that's what he's doing.

One thing I will always appreciate about Randy is he 'got' us.

"During my time with Villa, I have tried to strengthen and improve the Club's physical infrastructure both at Villa Park and Bodymoor Heath while also trying to carry on the McGregor tradition of being mindful of the local community we serve. Above all in this effort is the connection the Club has made with Acorns; the caring, kindness and warmth that players, staff, managers and supporters have shown to Mr Strudley and Acorns has wiped away all disappointments and sobered my finest memories. Still, I can see now that it is time, if possible, to hand these privileges and responsibilities to the next person or group to take the Club forward. I am appreciative of the support I have received, even in these last years of comparative struggle when criticism was due, and will look on with others - with fingers crossed, for stronger future performance appropriate to our size and heritage."

[Monty]

One thing I can say is that surely we can discount the likelihood that he has only just put the club for sale.

Look at the evidence:

- a season and more of drastic cost cutting
- the conversion recently of 90m of debt to equity
- him making that first statement a month ago

And, finally, what would be the point in making this announcement now?

To my mind, it looks as if the stories about interested buyers are true, but that the "deal done" stuff is a little wide of the mark.

What it all comes down to is, if there is a deal going through at the moment, then we had really better hope it gets done sooner rather than later, or it'll be a summer of drift, which is the absolute worst thing for us.

I suspect it will be weeks not days, otherwise he'd just have waited a few days before making any sort of announcement and announced the deal.

I agree with you Paulie. As you say, if a deal was close, then he may as well have waited a few days or a week or two to come out with this.

I suspect he has sounded buyers out at his billionaires yacht club and that BoA have probably been working for some time on it, maybe even a season or two.

As long as something can be sorted by July, we should be alright.

Mind you:

Pat Murphy ‏@patmurphybbc  54s
You @AVFCOfficial fans,remember this - don't shoot the messenger.But told no deal has yet been done,that bank 2 handle it only appt'd 2day

It would fit in with the mind-boggling levels of incompetence associated with Randy Lerner's business dealings. Remember, those billions were inherited, and he's never shown much aptitude in ventures of his own, whether with us or the Browns. What a nice man, but Christ what a crap businessman.

[VinnieChase84]

One thing I can say is that surely we can discount the likelihood that he has only just put the club for sale.

Look at the evidence:

- a season and more of drastic cost cutting
- the conversion recently of 90m of debt to equity
- him making that first statement a month ago

And, finally, what would be the point in making this announcement now?

To my mind, it looks as if the stories about interested buyers are true, but that the "deal done" stuff is a little wide of the mark.

What it all comes down to is, if there is a deal going through at the moment, then we had really better hope it gets done sooner rather than later, or it'll be a summer of drift, which is the absolute worst thing for us.

I suspect it will be weeks not days, otherwise he'd just have waited a few days before making any sort of announcement and announced the deal.

I agree with you Paulie. As you say, if a deal was close, then he may as well have waited a few days or a week or two to come out with this.

I suspect he has sounded buyers out at his billionaires yacht club and that BoA have probably been working for some time on it, maybe even a season or two.

As long as something can be sorted by July, we should be alright.

Mind you:

Pat Murphy ‏@patmurphybbc  54s
You @AVFCOfficial fans,remember this - don't shoot the messenger.But told no deal has yet been done,that bank 2 handle it only appt'd 2day

Bullshit. How could he have apt them today!? New yorks 5 hours behind so your telling me he lined this all up at 5am!?

[Monty]

Fair enough statement imo, even if it leaves us currently in no mans land. He said he'd do a statement after the season and he does it the day after season's end. He said when he bought us that if h wasn't up to it he'd leave, and that's what he's doing.

One thing I will always appreciate about Randy is he 'got' us.

"During my time with Villa, I have tried to strengthen and improve the Club's physical infrastructure both at Villa Park and Bodymoor Heath while also trying to carry on the McGregor tradition of being mindful of the local community we serve. Above all in this effort is the connection the Club has made with Acorns; the caring, kindness and warmth that players, staff, managers and supporters have shown to Mr Strudley and Acorns has wiped away all disappointments and sobered my finest memories. Still, I can see now that it is time, if possible, to hand these privileges and responsibilities to the next person or group to take the Club forward. I am appreciative of the support I have received, even in these last years of comparative struggle when criticism was due, and will look on with others - with fingers crossed, for stronger future performance appropriate to our size and heritage."

That paragraph radiates class.

[django]

I ca

Apologies if someone has already posted this but there is also a statement on the club website from The General, no less:

http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3825652,00.html

Jesus Christ, now that is in the realm of the spooky.

That's pretty bizarre.

At his age, and with his background, record and reputation especially in and around the US Marine Corps, where his father served, there simply are other calls to service for Randy Lerner. He has juggled several careers over the better part of the last 12 years and he knows that it is time for him to focus more narrowly in other areas. He has written intermittently over the years and I know he has been asked to do more. What's more, this country is in a time of great flux on many levels and he may make himself available for a role on some level. He and I have discussed his moving on from Villa and it has not been an easy decision. I know his love and passion for Aston Villa but I also know that he was raised to view his role as a custodian, rather than a personal identity, and that makes it more straightforward in his mind that it is time for the next guy to lead this cherished, ancient Club.

That makes it sound like he's joining the CIA or something.

I pictured him launching a coup in the states, to be fair it would explain why he'd taken his eye off the ball with us.

Word to the General, Lerner doesn't have a background in the Marine Corps just cos his dad served with them. They all sound a bit doolally.

[PaulWinch again]

I like Randy and he may well have 'got us', but unfortunately we are currently absolutely stuffed following his ownership.

[pauliewalnuts]

That line from General K:

"What's more, this country is in a time of great flux on many levels and he may make himself available for a role on some level."

Jack Bauer is looking like he's in a tricky mess at the moment. Replacement?

[maidstonevillain]

One thing I can say is that surely we can discount the likelihood that he has only just put the club for sale.

Look at the evidence:

- a season and more of drastic cost cutting
- the conversion recently of 90m of debt to equity
- him making that first statement a month ago

And, finally, what would be the point in making this announcement now?

To my mind, it looks as if the stories about interested buyers are true, but that the "deal done" stuff is a little wide of the mark.

What it all comes down to is, if there is a deal going through at the moment, then we had really better hope it gets done sooner rather than later, or it'll be a summer of drift, which is the absolute worst thing for us.

I suspect it will be weeks not days, otherwise he'd just have waited a few days before making any sort of announcement and announced the deal.

I agree with you Paulie. As you say, if a deal was close, then he may as well have waited a few days or a week or two to come out with this.

I suspect he has sounded buyers out at his billionaires yacht club and that BoA have probably been working for some time on it, maybe even a season or two.

As long as something can be sorted by July, we should be alright.

Mind you:

Pat Murphy ‏@patmurphybbc  54s
You @AVFCOfficial fans,remember this - don't shoot the messenger.But told no deal has yet been done,that bank 2 handle it only appt'd 2day

That will just be a formal instruction. To tie in with the Statement. Doesn't mean to say they haven't been advising for months.

[lardboy]

this cherished, ancient Club.


Only an American would call something that's 140 odd years old, ancient!

An American thinks 100 years is a long time, a European thinks 100 miles is a long distance.

[not3bad]

I'd just like to announce that the next messenger will be shot.  Thanks.