The Takeover Thread - Recon Group - NOW WITH NEW POLL

[PeterWithe]

Sorry, I'm confused. Are we now back at the point where we are saying that Dr. X has again turned into the equivalent of a Bond film baddie?

Even worse, bad shoes.

[Malandro]

The shoes were the give away, this is all going to end very, very badly.

Wrong thread

[Dante Lavelli]

Sorry, I'm confused. Are we now back at the point where we are saying that Dr. X has again turned into the equivalent of a Bond film baddie?

Even worse, bad shoes.

We've been here before; anyone not wearing Jeffery West shoes will ever get laid.  Is shoe quality part of the 'fit and proper person' test?

[four fornicholl]

The shoes were the give away, this is all going to end very, very badly.

Wrong thread

No way, I put my heart and sole into that post.

[PaulWinch again]

I don't like this Samuelson's involvement, but the fact he's currently listed on companies house doesn't mean he'll be a long term part of the club.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I don't like this Samuelson's involvement, but the fact he's currently listed on companies house doesn't mean he'll be a long term part of the club.

His dealings at Reading are well documented. He'll be looking at a two year contract on the board at a price that not only rewards him financially but if history is anything to go by, look to involve himself again with the next new owners after things go tits up.

The local Reading paper had an article about how Villa fans on twitter were covering up their ears, not wanting to hear anything bad as we all assume Xia is full of money.

To save you the time it's here.

[PaulWinch again]

I don't like this Samuelson's involvement, but the fact he's currently listed on companies house doesn't mean he'll be a long term part of the club.

His dealings at Reading are well documented. He'll be looking at a two year contract on the board at a price that not only rewards him financially but if history is anything to go by, look to involve himself again with the next new owners after things go tits up.

The local Reading paper had an article about how Villa fans on twitter were covering up their ears, not wanting to hear anything bad as we all assume Xia is full of money.

To save you the time it's here.

I understand that, but because it happened to Reading it doesn't mean it'll happen to us. It's not 'villa fans with their hands over their ears', it's Villa fans hoping for better things and who know as much, if not more, than a Reading newspaper.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Recon now registered in the UK as a Ltd Co.

That reading bloke is a director so likely to have some involvement at least in the initially stages.

https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/10176070/officers

I find this worrying.

Alan John Frank Hitchins, the guy who was the original director, appears to be a veterinary surgeon? Who is he, I wonder?

All you need to know here.

Right now I'm thinking one of two things:

1. Xia is being taken for a ride by the likes of Samuelson, Hitchens and possibly Wyness.

2. This looks likely to be the biggest scam in English football.

I was beginning to think along the same lines. There is also a third option where it could be that it's not even Xia's money. He is merely the front for Samuelson/Hitchens moving money (that they have access to) about.

Maybe Hitchens resigning from the board is linked to the rumours that not all directors would pass the Owners and Directors test. He is a director of a company that has unresolved court judgements against it.

I don't like the look of this at all.

After a bit of research, Hitchens seems to be small fry, I doubt he has two pennies to rub together. My concerns are more with Samuelson and his partner, Jamie Banfill, who doesn't seem to exist if you try search him, nevermind find a photo of him. With all that's gone on at Reading and Everton, not to mention with the FBI, I'd be really surprised if they were cleared by the PL/FA.

Then we have Wyness.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I don't like this Samuelson's involvement, but the fact he's currently listed on companies house doesn't mean he'll be a long term part of the club.

His dealings at Reading are well documented. He'll be looking at a two year contract on the board at a price that not only rewards him financially but if history is anything to go by, look to involve himself again with the next new owners after things go tits up.

The local Reading paper had an article about how Villa fans on twitter were covering up their ears, not wanting to hear anything bad as we all assume Xia is full of money.

To save you the time it's here.

I understand that, but because it happened to Reading it doesn't mean it'll happen to us. It's not 'villa fans with their hands over their ears', it's Villa fans hoping for better things and who know as much, if not more, than a Reading newspaper.

Paul, sure, I hope we pay him what he's asking and we never see his name again. However, the Birmingham Mail claimed he was our 'Deputy Chairman in waiting'. I really hope they're wrong. I wouldn't be too quick to dismiss the opinion of Reading fans and local media. Thanks in large parts to Samuelson, they almost lost their club.

I would hope that the Aston Villa Supporter Trust are in dialogue with their counterparts at Reading. They may also want a word with the chaps at Everton too regarding Wyness.

[Ger Regan]

I don't like this Samuelson's involvement, but the fact he's currently listed on companies house doesn't mean he'll be a long term part of the club.

His dealings at Reading are well documented. He'll be looking at a two year contract on the board at a price that not only rewards him financially but if history is anything to go by, look to involve himself again with the next new owners after things go tits up.

The local Reading paper had an article about how Villa fans on twitter were covering up their ears, not wanting to hear anything bad as we all assume Xia is full of money.

To save you the time it's here.

I understand that, but because it happened to Reading it doesn't mean it'll happen to us. It's not 'villa fans with their hands over their ears', it's Villa fans hoping for better things and who know as much, if not more, than a Reading newspaper.

Paul, sure, I hope we pay him what he's asking and we never see his name again. However, the Birmingham Mail claimed he was our 'Deputy Chairman in waiting'. I really hope they're wrong. I wouldn't be too quick to dismiss the opinion of Reading fans and local media. Thanks in large parts to Samuelson, they almost lost their club.

I would hope that the Aston Villa Supporter Trust are in dialogue with their counterparts at Reading. They may also want a word with the chaps at Everton too regarding Wyness.

We have a track record of ignoring stark warnings such as this. "Hands over their ears" perfectly sums it up for some to be honest.

[aj2k77]

Have Wyness, Samuelson or Banfill ever been convicted of anything that would break the fit and proper owner test?

I've read a few times now that the takeover won't be passed because of one of these but if they've never broken any of the rules then as dodgy as they may be or are rumoured to be there's nothing stopping any of them holding positions is there?

[adrenachrome]

I don't like this Samuelson's involvement, but the fact he's currently listed on companies house doesn't mean he'll be a long term part of the club.

His dealings at Reading are well documented. He'll be looking at a two year contract on the board at a price that not only rewards him financially but if history is anything to go by, look to involve himself again with the next new owners after things go tits up.

The local Reading paper had an article about how Villa fans on twitter were covering up their ears, not wanting to hear anything bad as we all assume Xia is full of money.

To save you the time it's here.

Thanks for taking the time to do this research, Rudy.

I remain optimistic overall about  Dr X and his funds, but the involvement of such seemingly shady characters does cast something of a shadow over the affair.

What has not has been mentioned at all as far as I can see, is that GB PLC seems to be involved in a trade/currency war with China which history has taught us is often a precursor to  the real thing, and the propaganda machine is on full ramp with events rapidly escalating in the South China Sea.

[KevinGage]

More here:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/david-conn-inside-sport-blog/2012/aug/21/reading-zingarevich-offshore-tax-havens

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Have Wyness, Samuelson or Banfill ever been convicted of anything that would break the fit and proper owner test?

I wouldn't put Wyness in the same category as Samuelson and Banfill. He is however, a real bully but not a clever one. Not somebody I'd want as CEO of our club.

This article mentions him about half way down but if you have the time, it's a great read of what went on at Everton when he and others tried to move them out of the city. Clicky

[robbo1874]

That piece by the Pompey supporter had me in stitches. Very well written.