The Takeover Thread - Recon Group - NOW WITH NEW POLL

[UK Redsox]

How do you pronounce Xia?

We're all calling him "Dr X" surely?

[Monty]

If you can imagine a letter between S and Sh, that's how to pronounce the X in 'Xia' (or so I'm told).

[CJ]

Can the title of this thread now be changed, surely??

Time for a new one - the XIA Dynasty?

[PaulWinch again]

His personal wealth isn't really relevant is it? It's the Recon Group buying us with him as the Chairman.

[tomd2103]

Comment by Randy

Goodbye to all that…
Announcement of agreement to sell Aston Villa to Tony Xia

In spite of my personal affection for reading history I have come to trust the future more than the past. And when I refer to the 'past,' I do so lightly and lightheartedly. I refer to recent accounts - mostly in the press regarding the sale of the Club, that are so many miles from accuracy or truth that I can only assume that they too were written by people whose tongues were firmly embedded in their respective cheeks. It is football after all.

As I've said, it was my hope that ownership and custodianship of the Club would have been transferred some years ago when I knew that personal and professional matters made it impossible for me to contribute the time I did in my first five years with the Club. Time and immersion that is crucial to any formula for success. Still, fates are fickle in football so that we could claw back to safety last season, end up at Wembley at a Cup Final sitting amongst old friends!, and then spend the 2015/16 campaign at Bannockburn!

As I expect this to be my last message to supporters through the Villa website I thought it worth reiterating that my approach from the beginning, consistent with my longstanding affection for The Trinity, was in three parts: Villa Park infrastructure, Bodymoor Heath infrastructure and the Villa squad. I have a sneaking suspicion that my best chance of any tolerable memories in this regard will lie with the father and son of this trinity…! In the end, however, so many wonderful young players came through Villa during my time and it is to them and supporters alike whom I am indebted. Also, of course, I wish - without mentioning names, to say thank you to countless people with whom I worked at Villa Park and BMH who have touched me personally and from whom I have learned so much.

Finally, being conscious of the popular and dark pastime of wondering aloud how much was spent, or lost, I should like to think that I 'left behind' value which will hopefully endure and benefit this beloved old Club. In being sadly more than tone deaf, I'll not weakly risk trying to sound any positive notes. But what I will say is that if spending to restore and preserve the wonderful Jacobean Holte Hotel at the southern tip of the Ground, or researching and adding the Holte End mosaic as a nostalgic nod to that wonderful Leitch Stand of our past, add to the tally of personal losses then I can offer no counter argument other than to say I would do the same all over!

It is here that the agreement I wish to announce with Tony Xia ties into my short narrative: Tony has built his career around infrastructure. He is certainly a hugely successful businessman but importantly for me he is passionate about architecture, site design and planning. His commitment to invest in the squad, and leadership at Bodymoor Heath was expressed early on but as we visited together, and had some unrushed time to discuss his plans, Tony's excitement to develop Villa Park shone through. I remain convinced that this is a crucial part of the Club's future as it provides a critical, long-term second source of revenue and therefore sustainability for the Club from which squad-funding can potentially come.

It is with that that I want to say thank you, and to wish Tony every success going forward.

Bannockburn?? WTF?

I have to wonder about the state of his mental health after reading his last few musings on the official site.

[Monty]

Can the title of this thread now be changed, surely??

Time for a new on - the XIA Dynasty?

Traditionally the first dynasty in China. They also probably didn't exist except in legend. A good omen?

[Gerrin]

His personal wealth isn't really relevant is it? It's the Recon Group buying us with him as the Chairman.

Is it not Rui Kang Group?

[tomd2103]

Oops.  Typed in recon.com and came across something entirely different!

[villadelph]

What an absolute shitt farewell message.

Don't let the door hit you in the ass Randy, you stooge.

[Tokyo Sexwhale]

Can the title of this thread now be changed, surely??

Probably warrants a new thread now it's official. 

This thread marks the end of the Lerner Era. 

Now is the time for the X Era!

[Witton Warrior]

Hello Doc!

How much money have you got mate?

[Monty]

Oops.  Typed in recon.com and came across something entirely different!

Hahaha

[UK Redsox]

I like the look of the new owner

[Tuscans]

http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~5580405,00.html

Here's the little blighter

[The Laughing Policeman]

Tony's excitement to develop Villa Park shone through. I remain convinced that this is a crucial part of the Club's future as it provides a critical, long-term second source of revenue and therefore sustainability for the Club from which squad-funding can potentially come.

That bit sounds like  a new Witton End with added facilities.