Tony’s Statement.

[Richard E]

Open letter from who?

The Government. The other day.

[Monty]

Well that's pretty clear to be fair. Bit depressing, but clear enough.

[Chinchilla Bathhouse]

Open letter from who?

Tony.

Yes, sorry, I must have posted that exactly as the letter appeared. I was expecting it to be some pompous unhelpful plea to Tony from some fan.

[Richard E]

Apparently Bolton’s players have gone on strike because they haven’t been paid, so we might have a chance of at least finishing above them.

And any document containing the phrase ‘for the avoidance of doubt’ has been drafted by bloody lawyers.

[themossman]

Also, no crying laughing emojis.

[Toronto Villa]

Not very inspiring.

I didn’t expect it to be, but he does address some of the rumours. It’s quite candid, not necessarily bleak, but pragmatic. We’re not utterly fucked but we need to make some sound decisions very quickly. Players will leave some may arrive, and Bruce is manager.

[Clampy]

Well people wanted clarification on a number of things and that's what they've got.  It'll be interesting to see what happens on the transfer front though.

[itmustbe_it is!]

Thanks VCTM and The Edge. Looking forward to it! Been over 30 times to Liverpool and Everton but never seen the City Centre!

The Philharmonic is a good pub.

Is is - on Hardman St.  Few good pubs around that area - Fly in the Loaf, The Grapes & The Caledonia are all pretty good too, only a short walk from the Philharmonic.

Depends what sort of pub you want but I like a traditional boozer with good real ale. So my suggestions (roughly in walking order :

Start at the Philharmonic as suggested above, (architecture bit like the Bartons, but with famous toilets !)
Ye Cracke on Rice Street , then the Pilgrim just over the road
Down Hardman Street towards town - find the Roscoe Head just off it on the right (not the Roscoe Arms, thats a different story entirely)
Cross over the road at the bombed out church, head down Wood Street to the Swan - great rock music jukebox
Halfway down Wood Street there are a variety of modern bars that the more youthful might rate
The Beehive in Liverpool One, if its a nice day The Pump House at Albert Dock

By then you'll be so pissed you can go anywhere but Mathew street is where the inebriated tend to end up.

Then finish off with fish and chips from the Lobster Pot opposite Central Station.

Thats what I'd do anyway haha

[wozwebs]

https://www.avfc.co.uk/News/2018/07/06/open-letter-dr-tony-xia

Dear supporter,

Firstly, I would like to thank you for your patience during what has been an uncertain period on and off the pitch for the club. Losing out on promotion to the Premier League was a disappointment to us all – not least you, the fans, whose support took us to the brink of promotion.

I would like to apologise for the lack of communication in recent weeks. This has been largely as a consequence of the many business decisions that have been required to be taken as the implications of losing the play-off final become a reality that we must face.

I am now in a position to provide a comprehensive update on the club’s situation in the hope that we can continue our preparation for the season ahead with renewed focus and determination.

For the avoidance of doubt, I remain a proud and committed owner of this football club and with that accept and embrace the responsibilities to the fans, players and staff.

In recent weeks there have been changes at senior management level and these changes have been made with the intention of establishing a focused, calculated approach.

Of course, given the financial realities, it would be prudent of us to be open and receptive to any potential minority strategic investment that would aid our objectives to consolidate after a tumultuous summer and ultimately achieve our ambition of returning to the Premier League. We will be very selective in any discussions to ensure that the club’s best interests remain the focal point. 

Having assumed the role of acting CEO, I have been working closely with the senior management team to improve efficiency and effectiveness. A more measured approach will enable us to overcome the implications of Financial Fair Play after two years of significant investment in the football department. We need to generate sufficient revenue to ensure the smooth-running of the club without compromising the standards of this great institution.

With that comes a reality check over performance and expectation for the season ahead but also the opportunity to work smartly in the transfer market, bring through young talent and draw on the experience of our manager.

I have had numerous conversations with Steve Bruce in recent weeks, which only reinforced how fortunate we are to have someone of his experience and standing in the game. His leadership will be important for us on the field, as a club and as a community and I thank him for his loyalty.

These qualities will be essential as we begin a new season with the fresh hope and expectation it inevitably brings. While we would never want to compromise our ambitions, we must however be prepared to do so in a measured and realistic manner, hence the necessary business decisions I have outlined.

Lastly, I am aware that there are a number of stories being written about the club and to be definitive I would like it to be known that:

1. I have not put the club up for sale

2. I would consider minority investment stakes that bring strategic value to the club to help us achieve our goals but this will be considered extremely carefully

3. I have not received an offer of 51%

4. I have received an offer of 30% but we did not believe there was strategic value and we did not know the source of the money

5. We have been approached numerous times and we have turned away numerous approaches

6. FFP is a burden and we need to work within the defined parameters over the course of the next 12 months and beyond and as we have done in the previous 12 months

7. To be clear, to meet FFP we need to player trade. No shareholding sale of any size will contribute to meeting FFP. We must reduce costs and increase revenue

8. Selling any size of shareholding in the club will not aid in respect to FFP

9. Steve Bruce remains in charge with my support

10. There is significant football experience within our playing department and our football administration team who will be supported by the club admin team

11. I have made significant investments into the club and all loans provided up to 31st May have now been converted into equity as part of the club’s compliance with FFP rules

12. We are bank loan free but continue to evaluate opportunities to create sensible solutions with regards to financing as is common in most business practises

13. The EFL have shown no concern over the ‘lack of football experience within the club’ 

14. Work continues at pace at the Recon Training Complex as a result of the HS2 project

15. Work continues on the pitch at Villa Park and is on schedule

I would like to once again thank you for all your support.

Dr Tony Xia

[London Villan]

Finally got a PR person to write a release.

[Toronto Villa]

The one thing that would have been a tiny bit reassuring and more specific to Jack is that while it’s pretty clear we’ll be selling him and others, for Xia to have said we’re not just going to accept any old offers. That we will sell players at their proper market value.

[adrenachrome]

Yes, there is now a solicitor on the crisis board.

The crucial paragraph is where they mention  bringing through youth talent and relying on SBs expertise in the transfer market.

[manic-road]

Reading into that statement it looks like they will consider sensible offers for any player.

[sirlordbaltimore]

Well that's pretty clear to be fair. Bit depressing, but clear enough.

This.

Answers all the questions i had, whether i like the answers is neither here nor there.

Tells me clearly we have to sell a few names to sort out the FFP. We knew that

Tells me he has been in contact with the manager, and that some of the tabloid stuff was bullshit

And confirms he's open to investment if a sensible deal is presented.

Now can we get on with just supporting the team again and not going round in daily circles over the same old shit?

You'd think this kind of summer would bring everyone closer together behind the club they love not the total opposite

[BoVillan esq]

That's the coming season mapped out then, obviously Steve Bruce is in charge, looks like we've got a fun packed season ahead of us.