Chris Heck - President of Business Operations

[dave.woodhall]

The problems started before Heck - price rises and Terrace View for a start. 

[Risso]

If it's not true, then Heck has nothing to worry about. If there's any of it that's true, then he's going to have to explain himself to Nas. Certainly none of his actions so far really make him stand out as a consumate professional. The way he got the North Stand story out was amateurish beyond belief, and the rebranding has become a complete fiasco.

One decision, for me, really sums up Heck's time with us so far. The badge (even though the redevelopment is the one that is a bigger issue)

Parking, for a moment, how people feel about the crest designs and which one is objectively better, it was all done and dusted in November 2022 when the round design was chosen.

Chris Heck's first major decision last summer was to reopen the whole question of the badge. Can anybody hand on heart say this was a good decision? Here we are in Feb 2024 and we still haven't got a clear visual identity which must be having some impact on merch sales and which hasn't, in my opinion, really served the interests of the club. It has just led to another year of debate, arguments and ambiguity and whatever 'win' they would have got out of launching a visual rebrand has been squandered because we are all sick to death of it now. It will surely be  damp squib now whenever they finally 'reveal' what he has gone with.

Exactly.

The change from the round badge to a 'consultation' for the new badge - handled terribly
The way the new badge was revealed by a fan trawling the trademark site - embarrassing
The actual new badge itself with the drop shadow - almost universal agreement that it's terrible
The 150 anniversary badge and the way it was revealed on his personal Twitter - amateurish
The interview where he revealed he was parking the North Stand project - laughably bad.

And that's all the stuff he's supposed to be good at.

[ChicagoLion]

I think it would be easier to ask, what has he done well?

[Brend'Watkins]

It's a bit futile getting so hung up on the badge. Whatever design is finally agreed upon it's not set in stone from that point till eternity. If there's enough of an issue about whatever design is chosen with the fan base it will be changed again and again...

[chrisw1]

If it's not true, then Heck has nothing to worry about. If there's any of it that's true, then he's going to have to explain himself to Nas. Certainly none of his actions so far really make him stand out as a consumate professional. The way he got the North Stand story out was amateurish beyond belief, and the rebranding has become a complete fiasco.

One decision, for me, really sums up Heck's time with us so far. The badge (even though the redevelopment is the one that is a bigger issue)

Parking, for a moment, how people feel about the crest designs and which one is objectively better, it was all done and dusted in November 2022 when the round design was chosen.

Chris Heck's first major decision last summer was to reopen the whole question of the badge. Can anybody hand on heart say this was a good decision? Here we are in Feb 2024 and we still haven't got a clear visual identity which must be having some impact on merch sales and which hasn't, in my opinion, really served the interests of the club. It has just led to another year of debate, arguments and ambiguity and whatever 'win' they would have got out of launching a visual rebrand has been squandered because we are all sick to death of it now. It will surely be  damp squib now whenever they finally 'reveal' what he has gone with.

I've no real problem with ditching the old badge, I can see the logic behind that and the truth is that process was flawed too.  The fact the YTS designed the new one on Microsoft paint is a bit of a pisser though.

[Drummond]

If it's not true, then Heck has nothing to worry about. If there's any of it that's true, then he's going to have to explain himself to Nas. Certainly none of his actions so far really make him stand out as a consumate professional. The way he got the North Stand story out was amateurish beyond belief, and the rebranding has become a complete fiasco.

One decision, for me, really sums up Heck's time with us so far. The badge (even though the redevelopment is the one that is a bigger issue)

Parking, for a moment, how people feel about the crest designs and which one is objectively better, it was all done and dusted in November 2022 when the round design was chosen.

Chris Heck's first major decision last summer was to reopen the whole question of the badge. Can anybody hand on heart say this was a good decision? Here we are in Feb 2024 and we still haven't got a clear visual identity which must be having some impact on merch sales and which hasn't, in my opinion, really served the interests of the club. It has just led to another year of debate, arguments and ambiguity and whatever 'win' they would have got out of launching a visual rebrand has been squandered because we are all sick to death of it now. It will surely be  damp squib now whenever they finally 'reveal' what he has gone with.

Yes, the round one is shit and most people didn't like it, regardless of whether it was the one voted for (if you have 2 shit choices you pick the least shit). The lion faced the wrong way for a start.

[VillaTim]

It's a bit futile getting so hung up on the badge. Whatever design is finally agreed upon it's not set in stone from that point till eternity. If there's enough of an issue about whatever design is chosen with the fan base it will be changed again and again...

the badge seems to be causing a disproportionate level of angst for sure

[Risso]

It's a bit futile getting so hung up on the badge. Whatever design is finally agreed upon it's not set in stone from that point till eternity. If there's enough of an issue about whatever design is chosen with the fan base it will be changed again and again...

It's not the design itself, it's the absolutely stupid way he's gone about everything.

[Villan82]

It's a bit futile getting so hung up on the badge. Whatever design is finally agreed upon it's not set in stone from that point till eternity. If there's enough of an issue about whatever design is chosen with the fan base it will be changed again and again...

It's not the design itself, it's the absolutely stupid way he's gone about everything.

Thank you Risso. I even said 'parking how people feel about the design' but I think reading what is posted is gone out of fashion.

[Toronto Villa]

the badge and stadium issues will pale into insignifcance if indeed he is creating this environment internally. The correlation to the communications disaster on all projects wouldn't be such a shock if those producing the work are all fucked off.

[Nelly]

I really miss Christian Purslow

Don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone.

Maybe Heck is Purslow's QUEEG.

We are talking jape of the decade. We are talking April, May, June, July, and August Fool. Yes, that's right - I am Purslow.

Appreciate what you've got. Cos basically, I'm fantastic.

This whole thing does seem like he's been secretly reading from the junior encyclopedia of how to run a football club.

[nick harper]

Irrespective of how true this all is, the fact this detail has been shared publicly must make working at Villa pretty toxic right now. Office working culture can very easily become very unpleasant where trust and open communication is breaking down. Not good for a club with ambitions and trying to compete at the top end of the league.

If there are problems at the top of a club, it usually filters down and affects all staff eventually.

[Drummond]

If it's not true, then Heck has nothing to worry about. If there's any of it that's true, then he's going to have to explain himself to Nas. Certainly none of his actions so far really make him stand out as a consumate professional. The way he got the North Stand story out was amateurish beyond belief, and the rebranding has become a complete fiasco.

One decision, for me, really sums up Heck's time with us so far. The badge (even though the redevelopment is the one that is a bigger issue)

Parking, for a moment, how people feel about the crest designs and which one is objectively better, it was all done and dusted in November 2022 when the round design was chosen.

Chris Heck's first major decision last summer was to reopen the whole question of the badge. Can anybody hand on heart say this was a good decision? Here we are in Feb 2024 and we still haven't got a clear visual identity which must be having some impact on merch sales and which hasn't, in my opinion, really served the interests of the club. It has just led to another year of debate, arguments and ambiguity and whatever 'win' they would have got out of launching a visual rebrand has been squandered because we are all sick to death of it now. It will surely be  damp squib now whenever they finally 'reveal' what he has gone with.

Exactly.

The change from the round badge to a 'consultation' for the new badge - handled terribly
The way the new badge was revealed by a fan trawling the trademark site - embarrassing
The actual new badge itself with the drop shadow - almost universal agreement that it's terrible
The 150 anniversary badge and the way it was revealed on his personal Twitter - amateurish
The interview where he revealed he was parking the North Stand project - laughably bad.

And that's all the stuff he's supposed to be good at.

I'm not sure but have you mentioned it before? 

[Mister E]

the badge and stadium issues will pale into insignifcance if indeed he is creating this environment internally. The correlation to the communications disaster on all projects wouldn't be such a shock if those producing the work are all fucked off.

That's exactly the point - "it's not what you do, it's the way that you do it".
If only a small part of the Twittered letter is true, the owners have no choice to but to sack him off, pronto. I'm sure that the EPL and the FA have clear guidelines on governance and good practice in business, and having robust HR guidelines that conform to legislation will be part of that. Organisations cannot operate effectively when a corrosive culture of rule-breaking, employee-denigration and a total flaunting of the basics of employment law exist.
Just look at Twitter for proof - $45bn dropped off its value as a result of Musk being an utter cnut.

[Dante Lavelli]

Dan Bardell would’ve had interactions around the club and beyond the fan experience.  If he isn’t suprised by the leaks then its bad news for the club.  A bit gutting to be honest, as the football side is in the best shape for a generation.

ps can someone explain the “Dan Bardell, who?” Joke?