The Takeover Thread - Recon Group - NOW WITH NEW POLL

[Toronto Villa]

Hmmm, very difficult to read this one.  He could be the harbinger of new ownership.  It's unlikely that a high profile exec would move with the uncertainty of a sale hanging over the club.  Also, Lerner hasn't exactly had a great record of working with the more high power types, so it could all point to a deal being a good way towards completion.  On the other hand though, Lerner might have belatedly decided to have another crack at things and is putting in place the building blocks to avoid the mistakes of the past.

I'd verge towards the latter, as I don't think someone new would be appointed by 'owners' we haven't had a sniff of yet.

I do agree with you that the original Randy was a pretty good owner to have and if he is giving it another go this would be a good way of avoiding some of the previous errors. It would be some turnaround though.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

And Randy has stated he intends to be more hands on than in the past - is this his 3rd or 4th visit in recent months? I think he fully realises he took his eye off the ball/trusted others too much and is now having another (brief but a bloody sight better) go, perhaps to prepare for a successful sale in 12 (or more) months time.
As long as the club benefits, I'm behind it!

[silhillvilla]

Lerner Mk II - GCK, sounds good to me.

[old man villa fan]

The question is if the report is true, how did the Telegraph pick up on it.  This type of appointment can be carried out away from the spotlight.  Seems to me that this has been deliberately leaked.  On top of recent signings and possibly others to follow, something is in the wind.  We have gone from free transfers/out of contract players to this.

To what? A £4 million signing and a vacancy being filled is hardly big business. 

I bow to your better judgement based on closer knowledge.

[kippaxvilla2]

This has the sense of being a really good appointment for Villa.

He surely has to know what he is about coming from a well run club like the Arse. 

He at least has PL experience, notwithstanding the role he is currently employed in.

I have a good feeling about it.  And bearing in mind I have turned into the archetypal miserable bastard in recent years, then you all should rejoice.

[dave.woodhall]

Hmmm, very difficult to read this one.  He could be the harbinger of new ownership.  It's unlikely that a high profile exec would move with the uncertainty of a sale hanging over the club.  Also, Lerner hasn't exactly had a great record of working with the more high power types, so it could all point to a deal being a good way towards completion.  On the other hand though, Lerner might have belatedly decided to have another crack at things and is putting in place the building blocks to avoid the mistakes of the past.

I'd verge towards the latter, as I don't think someone new would be appointed by 'owners' we haven't had a sniff of yet.

I do agree with you that the original Randy was a pretty good owner to have and if he is giving it another go this would be a good way of avoiding some of the previous errors. It would be some turnaround though.

I was reminded today of the divine Goldie Hawn in Private Benjamin, who, when she was about to leave the army, changed her mind "because I haven't given it my best shot." Maybe the equally privileged but slightly less beautiful Randy Lerner now thinks the same.

[kippaxvilla2]

She was really fit in that.

[ozzjim]

She was so lovely in that film. Made me feel Randy.

[Matt C]

Did he mind?

[rob_bridge]

My punt is no buyer so Lerner stays and has a different stab at making the club professional, solvent and moderately successful.  At least better than the last 4 years of waste bordering on disaster.

This guy seems to be a step in the right direction.

About Bloody Time!

One small request if he is appointed spare us the corporate shitfedt blurb. There's no shareholders to woo. Just normal fans.

[Steve67]

She was so lovely in that film. Made me feel Randy.

No wonder Randy spends his time in the States then!! Corrupted by H&V mods!!

[Toronto Villa]

Hmmm, very difficult to read this one.  He could be the harbinger of new ownership.  It's unlikely that a high profile exec would move with the uncertainty of a sale hanging over the club.  Also, Lerner hasn't exactly had a great record of working with the more high power types, so it could all point to a deal being a good way towards completion.  On the other hand though, Lerner might have belatedly decided to have another crack at things and is putting in place the building blocks to avoid the mistakes of the past.

I'd verge towards the latter, as I don't think someone new would be appointed by 'owners' we haven't had a sniff of yet.

I do agree with you that the original Randy was a pretty good owner to have and if he is giving it another go this would be a good way of avoiding some of the previous errors. It would be some turnaround though.

I was reminded today of the divine Goldie Hawn in Private Benjamin, who, when she was about to leave the army, changed her mind "because I haven't given it my best shot." Maybe the equally privileged but slightly less beautiful Randy Lerner now thinks the same.

In 1999, shortly after I moved to Canada from the US, I was invited by a work colleague to an area just north of Toronto called Muskoka. It's an area that Toronto city folk escape to getting away from the stresses of metro life. Beautiful lakes, cottages, scenery. It is an area also affectionately known as Hollywood North, where the "stars" congregate and get away from their everyday life and stardom. Locals treat them as locals as opposed to superstars of stage and film. Sat on a dock next to my colleagues modest boat one Saturday evening, sun setting, a voice from behind us said "lovely evening isn't it?". We turned to see Kurt Russell and Goldie out for a walk. Kurt was very handsome and gracious, Goldie was everything you hoped she was. Beautiful and that smile was radiant. We exchanged pleasantries and they went on their way. Good memories though.

[pauliewalnuts]

The good thing about Tom Fox is that he's served a decent apprenticeship at a smaller club with a lesser history.

I just hope he can make the step up.

[Dante Lavelli]

I hate to say anything positive about Spurs but the Joe Lewis > Levy > Football Man* (Arnesen/Comoli/Baldini) is one we could easily replicate. 
If anythingRandy is currently more generous than Lewis.

* It's clear that they've never quite got the 'football' appointment right, but the structure itself looks good to me.

You mean the model where they have won next to nothing, spent shed loads of cash and had about 13 managers in ten years or whatever it is? I find Daniel Levy the epitome of smoking mirrors.

They may spend a lot, but it's all paid for, which is demonstrated by the fact (my recollection) they make a profit most years.  Therefore its a sustainable model which should not result in the retrenching that we've undertaken for the past 3/4 seasons.  I cannot stand the club but I think they're well run.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

The good thing about Tom Fox is that he's served a decent apprenticeship at a smaller club with a lesser history.

I just hope he can make the step up.

Brilliant paulie! Love it!