Out the door on 74

[markavfc40]

It actually is incredibly long, and while there might be plenty to complain about, putting everything down at once obscures your message. Never use ten words when one will do.

Dave that is fair enough. Feedback in the main to the open letter has been very positive from supporters. There is a lot that needs to be put to Randy and to do that was always going to require a substantial letter. It has already been reported on in the local and national press and with letter being relatively substantial it has helped publicise/draw attention to the issues at the club.

They aren't veiled threats at the end either. We are genuinely in this for the long haul and protests in one form or another will continue. That isn't a threat that is a promise. What we are asking of Randy Lerner is not something that cannot be achieved or asking him to go the extra mile. We are asking him, if he stays, to simply ensure that people with the proven expertise and experience are brought onto the board as that way we give ourselves the best chance of employing a manager that can bring us relative success. If he does stay he will also need to invest over the summer as only a fool would suggest we can get promotion with these players.

I think it would be best for all concerned if Randy did motivate himself to sell. His heart is clearly not in Aston Villa any more and we deserve better than that.

[Archbishop Herbert Cockthrottle]

I think that the walkout went well last time and I hope it succeeds in future. It might not do much aside from venting our spleen but that can't be a bad thing.

However, I can't see anything short of complete boycott of tickets, attendance and merchandise making any difference to the sale of the club.

I'm not a great fan of open letters (even when I agree with the most of it) purely because they are always long winded, preach to the converted and lose their point in ire.

Anyone who has sat through a powerpoint presentation will testify that a few bullet points speak a 1000 words.

[The Edge]

Maybe if Mr Lerner hadn't turned into a hermit there would be no need for such actions as the fans would know what is going on. It's the feeling of helplessness and despair that has prompted the letter and the protests. I'm totally behind anything that highlights our feelings towards the plight of our club and the deafening silence from our current "custodian"

[The Edge]

It actually is incredibly long, and while there might be plenty to complain about, putting everything down at once obscures your message. Never use ten words when one will do.

Dave that is fair enough. Feedback in the main to the open letter has been very positive from supporters. There is a lot that needs to be put to Randy and to do that was always going to require a substantial letter. It has already been reported on in the local and national press and with letter being relatively substantial it has helped publicise/draw attention to the issues at the club.

They aren't veiled threats at the end either. We are genuinely in this for the long haul and protests in one form or another will continue. That isn't a threat that is a promise. What we are asking of Randy Lerner is not something that cannot be achieved or asking him to go the extra mile. We are asking him, if he stays, to simply ensure that people with the proven expertise and experience are brought onto the board as that way we give ourselves the best chance of employing a manager that can bring us relative success. If he does stay he will also need to invest over the summer as only a fool would suggest we can get promotion with these players.

I think it would be best for all concerned if Randy did motivate himself to sell. His heart is clearly not in Aston Villa any more and we deserve better than that.

"We deserve better than that"
Hear Hear.

[dave.woodhall]

You didn 't have to put in anything that hasn't been said hundreds of times already.

And this is the language of the playground.

They aren't veiled threats at the end either. We are genuinely in this for the long haul and protests in one form or another will continue. That isn't a threat that is a promise.

You're dealing with multi-national billionaire businessmen here. Saying  "That isn't a threat it's a promise" might get you likes on Facebook but it won't get you taken very seriously in the boardroom. 

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

It actually is incredibly long, and while there might be plenty to complain about, putting everything down at once obscures your message. Never use ten words when one will do.

Dave that is fair enough. Feedback in the main to the open letter has been very positive from supporters. There is a lot that needs to be put to Randy and to do that was always going to require a substantial letter. It has already been reported on in the local and national press and with letter being relatively substantial it has helped publicise/draw attention to the issues at the club.

They aren't veiled threats at the end either. We are genuinely in this for the long haul and protests in one form or another will continue. That isn't a threat that is a promise. What we are asking of Randy Lerner is not something that cannot be achieved or asking him to go the extra mile. We are asking him, if he stays, to simply ensure that people with the proven expertise and experience are brought onto the board as that way we give ourselves the best chance of employing a manager that can bring us relative success. If he does stay he will also need to invest over the summer as only a fool would suggest we can get promotion with these players.

I think it would be best for all concerned if Randy did motivate himself to sell. His heart is clearly not in Aston Villa any more and we deserve better than that.

"We deserve better than that"
Hear Hear.

Too bloody right we do!

[lordmcgrath5]

If you want to succeed it's probably not a good idea to publish a long-winded criticism that goes on to make demands before finishing off with veiled threats.

It's not actually that long-winded. There's a lot to complain about, isn't there?

It actually is incredibly long, and while there might be plenty to complain about, putting everything down at once obscures your message. Never use ten words when one will do.

We could keep this going forever if that's what you want - so I'll disagree with you again and reiterate that there's a lot to complain about. Your turn.

[markavfc40]

I’m not going to convince you Dave clearly. What I would say is we are just a small group of normal fans who go to work every day and are spending our spare time organising this campaign. We aren't going to get everything right. Not even close. If others feel they can help including yourself then we would welcome the input.

To those of you who are being supportive thank you. I know even some of those who support it aren’t 100% with what we are doing but doing something has to be better than doing what we have done for the last 6 years of decline which is nothing other than to call for another manager to be sacked. All that has done though is to take the focus off Lerner as we have all thought just maybe the next manager will get things right. Some of the managerial choices though have been very strange and this is down to the likes of Faulkner and Fox simply not having the knowledge/experience required to undertake the role of CEO. If we had better people on the board with the proven expertise in terms of running a football club I am confident we would have employed a manager and allowed him the tools, that meant armed the amount of money that has been spent, could have at least kept us competitive in the top flight.

The blame though ultimately sits with Lerner as he has employed the likes of Faulkner and Fox. Now we have Hollis running the club a guy who openly admits he had never had any interest in getting involved with a football club and now finds himself running one.

If Lerner is to remain it is crucial he gets the appointments above the manager right otherwise we will never employ a manager who can get things right on the pitch.

[dave.woodhall]

If you want to succeed it's probably not a good idea to publish a long-winded criticism that goes on to make demands before finishing off with veiled threats.

It's not actually that long-winded. There's a lot to complain about, isn't there?

It actually is incredibly long, and while there might be plenty to complain about, putting everything down at once obscures your message. Never use ten words when one will do.

We could keep this going forever if that's what you want - so I'll disagree with you again and reiterate that there's a lot to complain about. Your turn.

As I said above - there's no point in going over old ground and saying the same thing a hundred times. No more turns. 

[lordmcgrath5]

Long as you get the last one, eh? Twas ever thus.

[dave.woodhall]

I’m not going to convince you Dave clearly. What I would say is we are just a small group of normal fans who go to work every day and are spending our spare time organising this campaign. We aren't going to get everything right. Not even close. If others feel they can help including yourself then we would welcome the input.

To those of you who are being supportive thank you. I know even some of those who support it aren’t 100% with what we are doing but doing something has to be better than doing what we have done for the last 6 years of decline which is nothing other than to call for another manager to be sacked. All that has done though is to take the focus off Lerner as we have all thought just maybe the next manager will get things right. Some of the managerial choices though have been very strange and this is down to the likes of Faulkner and Fox simply not having the knowledge/experience required to undertake the role of CEO. If we had better people on the board with the proven expertise in terms of running a football club I am confident we would have employed a manager and allowed him the tools, that meant armed the amount of money that has been spent, could have at least kept us competitive in the top flight.

The blame though ultimately sits with Lerner as he has employed the likes of Faulkner and Fox. Now we have Hollis running the club a guy who openly admits he had never had any interest in getting involved with a football club and now finds himself running one.

If Lerner is to remain it is crucial he gets the appointments above the manager right otherwise we will never employ a manager who can get things right on the pitch.

The lack of football knowledge is something I totally agree with - and have been saying so since the day Lerner arrived. There is just one thing, and it's a point you've touched on here which hasn't been cleared up. Who is running the club; Fox or Hollis? CEO or chairman? Who reports to who? That's one point which could be asked and answered immediately if they have the will. 

[dave.woodhall]

Long as you get the last one, eh? Twas ever thus.

Absolutely but you missed out the bit about cliques and making money from Villa fans.

[stuart r]

You didn 't have to put in anything that hasn't been said hundreds of times already.

And this is the language of the playground.

They aren't veiled threats at the end either. We are genuinely in this for the long haul and protests in one form or another will continue. That isn't a threat that is a promise.

You're dealing with multi-national billionaire businessmen here. Saying  "That isn't a threat it's a promise" might get you likes on Facebook but it won't get you taken very seriously in the boardroom. 

I think thats a bit unfair, you've kind of pulled markavfc40 into saying something like that by accusing him of making veiled threats. Plus I reckon one can come up with a lot of old claptrap in boardrooms and be taken seriously. They're full of it. So a mild cliche saying you are promising action when accused of veiled threats is probably ok..... Also the facebook likes and that type of support help to give this action some momentum which in turn may be taken very seriously in the boardroom.

Probably won't affect anything but folk want to do something, anything. The feeling of helplessness as Villa get relegated is one of the toughest parts of all of this.

[dave.woodhall]

You didn 't have to put in anything that hasn't been said hundreds of times already.

And this is the language of the playground.

They aren't veiled threats at the end either. We are genuinely in this for the long haul and protests in one form or another will continue. That isn't a threat that is a promise.

You're dealing with multi-national billionaire businessmen here. Saying  "That isn't a threat it's a promise" might get you likes on Facebook but it won't get you taken very seriously in the boardroom. 

I think thats a bit unfair, you've kind of pulled markavfc40 into saying something like that by accusing him of making veiled threats. Plus I reckon one can come up with a lot of old claptrap in boardrooms and be taken seriously. They're full of it. So a mild cliche saying you are promising action when accused of veiled threats is probably ok..... Also the facebook likes and that type of support help to give this action some momentum which in turn may be taken very seriously in the boardroom.

Probably won't affect anything but folk want to do something, anything. The feeling of helplessness as Villa get relegated is one of the toughest parts of all of this.

I didn't pull him into anything - he was the one who said it in the first place. What I did say is what I stick by, and it's something that is an increasing feature of modern life. Do you want to protest for the sake of it, to do "something" or do you want to effect real change? If it's the former then go ahead, but the latter takes careful consideration of everything you say and do.

[lordmcgrath5]

Long as you get the last one, eh? Twas ever thus.

Absolutely but you missed out the bit about cliques and making money from Villa fans.

I have never accused you of either of those. Check your facts before making accusations like that, it's not appreciated and does you no credit.