Tony’s Statement.

[Mister E]

Although I am not saying that Xia didn't add to our financial problems but he inherited a financial time bomb of existing players' contracts. I think this gets forgotten with what has gone on since.

It's not forgotten, but Xia bought the club, and when you do, you buy all of the assets and liabilities that it has.  He'd have done his due diligence so none of it should have been a surprise.

That's true so none of it should have been a surprise. But the approach he took was to invest to get us out as opposed to a more conservative approach. Which could have been the way to go. No doubt there was naivety in a number of his decisions along with mistakes.

Was he naïve? Or did he entrust the available funds to people who spent it on the wrong players in the wrong system? - maybe that was his naivety (answering my own question!).

[Drummond]

Anyone read the FT article on why the Chinese owners are having difficulty? It's behind a paywall so I can't get back on again, though you may be able to first time.

[Chico Hamilton III]

Anyone read the FT article on why the Chinese owners are having difficulty? It's behind a paywall so I can't get back on again, though you may be able to first time.

I did. Can’t post the link or even paste the article. FT are paranoid about their content being shared. Xia is mentioned but the article stresses that very little is known about his background or finances.

[Risso]

Although I am not saying that Xia didn't add to our financial problems but he inherited a financial time bomb of existing players' contracts. I think this gets forgotten with what has gone on since.

It's not forgotten, but Xia bought the club, and when you do, you buy all of the assets and liabilities that it has.  He'd have done his due diligence so none of it should have been a surprise.

That's true so none of it should have been a surprise. But the approach he took was to invest to get us out as opposed to a more conservative approach. Which could have been the way to go. No doubt there was naivety in a number of his decisions along with mistakes.

Was he naïve? Or did he entrust the available funds to people who spent it on the wrong players in the wrong system? - maybe that was his naivety (answering my own question!).

The problem was that the funds that he said were available, and signed off the annual accounts to this effect, actually weren't.

[mr underhill]

Tony was full of shady shit but deserves a modicum of thanks for getting two genuinely minted people n board to save the club from oblivion. I wouldn't bet on seeing him inside VP again, mind.

[Drummond]

Although I am not saying that Xia didn't add to our financial problems but he inherited a financial time bomb of existing players' contracts. I think this gets forgotten with what has gone on since.

It's not forgotten, but Xia bought the club, and when you do, you buy all of the assets and liabilities that it has.  He'd have done his due diligence so none of it should have been a surprise.

That's true so none of it should have been a surprise. But the approach he took was to invest to get us out as opposed to a more conservative approach. Which could have been the way to go. No doubt there was naivety in a number of his decisions along with mistakes.

Was he naïve? Or did he entrust the available funds to people who spent it on the wrong players in the wrong system? - maybe that was his naivety (answering my own question!).

The problem was that the funds that he said were available, and signed off the annual accounts to this effect, actually weren't.

Or were when he signed them and subsequently became unavailable.

[Risso]

Or were when he signed them and subsequently became unavailable.

Quite possibly.  The end result is the same though, money that he promised to keep the club going wasn't available.

As for thanking Xia (comment before yours) for getting new investors in, I think I'll wait and see how it pans out.  The same was said about Ellis and Lerner, and neither of the new owners exactly worked out that well.

[Dazvillain]

Tony was full of shady shit but deserves a modicum of thanks for getting two genuinely minted people n board to save the club from oblivion. I wouldn't bet on seeing him inside VP again, mind.

You’re not for one minute suggesting that a seat next to Tony comp has finished !?

[VILLA MOLE]

Tony was full of shady shit but deserves a modicum of thanks for getting two genuinely minted people n board to save the club from oblivion. I wouldn't bet on seeing him inside VP again, mind.

You’re not for one minute suggesting that a seat next to Tony comp has finished !?

what would you ask him if said competition was still on ?   

[Fred Crump]

It would be great to see what happens if it is still on and aLF TiTiMUs gets to SIT NEXt TO HiM 

[Mister E]

It would be great to see what happens if it is still on and aLF TiTiMUs gets to SIT NEXt TO HiM 

That would probably remove Tone from the Board, quick-like.

[Toronto Villa]

How do your words and sentences sound in conversation when the letters are a mix of capitals and lower case sprinkled with emoji's?

[ChicagoLion]

It would be great to see what happens if it is still on and aLF TiTiMUs gets to SIT NEXt TO HiM 

Both have unusual ways of typing, never been seen together 

[cheltenhamlion]

I don't think Xia has any power any more and will shuffle off into the sunset in the next 6-12 months.

[mr underhill]

Do you see a valedictory appearance at VP, Chelts?