Chris Heck - President of Business Operations

[chrisw1]

They've made their business decision but you've obviously convinced yourself otherwise.  Answer this, why make the video?  There was absolutely no need for it.  Non whatsoever.  What senior business executive would knowingly make themselves and the owners look so disingenuous for the sake of it?

The reason they made the video is because we're not moving and the wanted to nip the rumours and speculation in the bud.  If there was any doubt at all, they'd have just kept quiet or given some flannel about still considering what's best for the club etc.

[Chris Smith]

I do think Chris has got a point. There aren't many businesses where the customers are as emotionally attached to the product as football fans. There would be upset if they'd announced we were going to leave Villa, from the majority of fans I reckon. If they announce a move some time after categorically saying we're not moving because of how historic the ground is, then there would be absolute civil war. I just can't see that they'd knowingly do that.

People are going to be angry about what they were always going to be angry about. If they announced a move or rebuild now, it wouldn't matter what he said or when. The anger would be coming regardless.

I think it's much more likely that he doesn't expect anyone to remember that he said that. The fact that he said it certainly isn't going to impact any business decision and certainly can't be taken as any kind of promise.

Aside from anything else, it's not his promise to make. He doesn't own the club. It's absolutely meaningless.

He could not have made the statements in that video without getting the nod from the owners. I’m fairly sure that we will be staying at VP for the foreseeable.

[dave.woodhall]

He may have flipped on some things and he may have flopped on others, but Heck has always categorically stated that we're not moving.

[Risso]

I do think Chris has got a point. There aren't many businesses where the customers are as emotionally attached to the product as football fans. There would be upset if they'd announced we were going to leave Villa, from the majority of fans I reckon. If they announce a move some time after categorically saying we're not moving because of how historic the ground is, then there would be absolute civil war. I just can't see that they'd knowingly do that.

People are going to be angry about what they were always going to be angry about. If they announced a move or rebuild now, it wouldn't matter what he said or when. The anger would be coming regardless.

I think it's much more likely that he doesn't expect anyone to remember that he said that. The fact that he said it certainly isn't going to impact any business decision and certainly can't be taken as any kind of promise.

Aside from anything else, it's not his promise to make. He doesn't own the club. It's absolutely meaningless.

I don't buy that sorry. He's the CEO of the club and therefore whilst not the owner, his words do have meaning. And the easiest thing would be to simply say nothing.

[edgysatsuma89]

They've made their business decision but you've obviously convinced yourself otherwise.  Answer this, why make the video?  There was absolutely no need for it.  Non whatsoever.  What senior business executive would knowingly make themselves and the owners look so disingenuous for the sake of it?

The reason they made the video is because we're not moving and the wanted to nip the rumours and speculation in the bud.  If there was any doubt at all, they'd have just kept quiet or given some flannel about still considering what's best for the club etc.

Yeah, I was convinced we were moving until that video, and I'm a cynical prick. I don't see what he gains by stating it. Maybe in 5 years he can say well "so and so has changed" but plans anytime soon? Nah.

[pablo_picasso]

I do think Chris has got a point. There aren't many businesses where the customers are as emotionally attached to the product as football fans. There would be upset if they'd announced we were going to leave Villa, from the majority of fans I reckon. If they announce a move some time after categorically saying we're not moving because of how historic the ground is, then there would be absolute civil war. I just can't see that they'd knowingly do that.

Chris Heck doesn't give two fucks what regular Villa fans think.

If we aren't A+ tickets, or whatever they are called, he isn't interested.

[LeeB]

He just really wanted to sing.

[Dogtanian]

I do think Chris has got a point. There aren't many businesses where the customers are as emotionally attached to the product as football fans. There would be upset if they'd announced we were going to leave Villa, from the majority of fans I reckon. If they announce a move some time after categorically saying we're not moving because of how historic the ground is, then there would be absolute civil war. I just can't see that they'd knowingly do that.

People are going to be angry about what they were always going to be angry about. If they announced a move or rebuild now, it wouldn't matter what he said or when. The anger would be coming regardless.

I think it's much more likely that he doesn't expect anyone to remember that he said that. The fact that he said it certainly isn't going to impact any business decision and certainly can't be taken as any kind of promise.

Aside from anything else, it's not his promise to make. He doesn't own the club. It's absolutely meaningless.

I don't buy that sorry. He's the CEO of the club and therefore whilst not the owner, his words do have meaning. And the easiest thing would be to simply say nothing.

Well not really. If the owners tell him tomorrow to move, he'll move. So it's literally not in his power to keep that promise. It would have been wiser to say nothing, definitely.

They will either move, rebuild, or knock down and rebuild stands. Thinking they're not going to do anything because they've made a video is a bit silly really.

[edgysatsuma89]

I just don't think the 'move' part of your last paragraph will happen anytime soon. The rest? Sure.

[chrisw1]

They will either move, rebuild, or knock down and rebuild stands. Thinking they're not going to do anything because they've made a video is a bit silly really.

Isn't it sillier to think our CEO would categorically state we are not going to move if we were planning to move? 

[Dogtanian]

They will either move, rebuild, or knock down and rebuild stands. Thinking they're not going to do anything because they've made a video is a bit silly really.

Isn't it sillier to think our CEO would categorically state we are not going to move if we were planning to move?

What I’ve said is that what he said in the video is not going to affect the business decision. And that if it suits their plans to control the narrative they would have no qualms about going back on previous statements, yes.

Hardnosed business people don’t let these things get in the way of the right decision.

I’ve always said I think they will redevelop on the existing site. I think that’s the more straight forward solution. But attachment, sentimentality, fan response, PR videos, or previous statements won’t factor into it one bit.

[kippaxvilla2]

The announcement of a stadium move would have been massive for him to make his own statement.  The fact that he’s stated we are not moving in his lifetime pretty well puts the kybosh on anything happening within the next ten years in my view.

[Dogtanian]

The announcement of a stadium move would have been massive for him to make his own statement.  The fact that he’s stated we are not moving in his lifetime pretty well puts the kybosh on anything happening within the next ten years in my view.

You give him ten years, eh? 

[Sexual Ealing]

The announcement of a stadium move would have been massive for him to make his own statement.  The fact that he’s stated we are not moving in his lifetime pretty well puts the kybosh on anything happening within the next ten years in my view.

You give him ten years, eh? 

Agree. He won't be here in three years IMAO.

[Chris Harte]

The announcement of a stadium move would have been massive for him to make his own statement.  The fact that he’s stated we are not moving in his lifetime pretty well puts the kybosh on anything happening within the next ten years in my view.

I bet he's glad you're not his doctor.

I see Heck getting a lot of stick, but he's improved the kit deal, he's improved on the front-of-shirt deal and he's applying methods to bring in more matchday revenue.

I didn't like the reversal of the club badge, nor did I like the cancellation (or is it a postponement?) of the North Stand redevelopment, but maybe we should trust him on the deals alone. He said in the interview in December that he "loves history", and he's said there's no prospect of us leaving VP for a long time to come in the recent video.

I suspect there is more news to come. Not sure when the new board members with backgrounds in stadium builds and infrastructure started but I'm assuming their expertise hasn't fully had chance to be exploited yet.