MikeMcKenna

delete sorry wrong button!

True, but if he has say 10% he holds the balance of power in several ways. Its is estimated that up to 20% of shares are untraceable. Therefore if Lerner or anyone else was able to obtain all the others that would only give them 70%. Maybe some of the people who know this stuff can confirm but I beileve that a 70% shareholder cannot do certain things without calling an EGM and that they need 75% to avoid this. Furthermore I believe it is not possible to delist the plc without 95% of the shareholding. I assume there is some way around "untraceable" shares but if ellis held 10% he could stop Lerner or any other party from taking the company off the LSE and generally make life difficult.

Sorry but the guy obviously hasnt got a clue. The stated price is £64 mill. As for Poker players, some cheat!

Mike seems a strange thing to come out with. If this is the case shouldn't this been seen as a positive. Mark, I am didnt say it was good or bad, I just would like to know why the Merchant bank tasked with selling the club are reputedly meeting with a potential manager.

Thank you for the kind words, I love you too!

Folks the article below is the best synopsis I have read so far of the situation at the moment. Gary Jacobs of the Times is IMHO right on the money. If Lerner bids and O'Neill signs tomorrow, I will admit that I am very wrong. However my understanding is that there are still "problems" and that MO'N will not make a decision till Friday at the earliest. He is really pissed off at the leaks to the Enema Pill Howell and at the way his possible appointment has been handled. He is further bemused by Rothchilds involvement (?) in the managerial appointment. MO'N is a man of principle and he apparently does not like the various attempts to manipulate him. Several of questions to the club? (and Bill I know you read VT) 1) Did a representative of Rothchild have a meeting with MO'N yesterday? 2) Why and who is feeding negative spin about the different bids to the local hacks? 3) Is a certain reporter of the local rag fairly and truthfully reporting information to the readers of the newspaper or is he serving someone elses interests and what is getting in return? 4) Is Rothchilds acting impartially and in the interests of ALL the shareholders? 5) Are Mr.Ellis and the board working towards the best interests of the shareholders of Aston Villa PLC? 6) Are all the potential bidders being kept fully and fairly informed? 7) Are member of the AVFC PLC board and Rothchild fully honouring the confidentiallity agreements signed by various parties?

Are these the Dubai people suposedly connected with Still, or is this a new one? **** this my brain is fried I need a holiday! Nothing to do with Still......... Mike I hope your sig still applies. In fact I am pinning all my hopes on you! I am thinking of changing my sig as I write. (EDIT: Thread now changed!) All the stuff I have heard today has got me more and more confused. Depending on who you listen to: 1) Lerner is on his way back. A deal has been done and just requires the rubber stamp. Then he's not coming back as he can do it all remotely and via his representatives. 2) Athole Still and his bunch are in "Pole Position" 3) The Dubai Royal Family, have been working quietly behind the scenes for several months and are now "favourites" 4) Neville isnt finished yet and shouldnt be written off 5) Padfield has serious backers who could yet figure 6) There's a Russian somewhere in the background GOD KNOWS....... Have we got 3,4 or even 6 parties interested in buying Villa? If even half of this true surely not even ellis can manage to p**s off them all! I am so glad that I am off abroad on Saturday for a while! Its doing my head in! A deal will be done but when is anyone's guess now. If I had to stick my neck I would still reckon this week, but it gets foggier by the day!

Are these the Dubai people suposedly connected with Still, or is this a new one? **** this my brain is fried I need a holiday! Nothing to do with Still.........

I heard earlier that it very possible that these Americans are representing the Dubai people, so you may well be right.

Cue Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid soundtrack!

I am sure their "understanding" is fair but I hope all parties concerned in this fiasco also undertstand that one man's "understanding" is not neccessarily anothers'

Juju I have enough problems with the fantasy world that is Aston Villa without becoming involved in another!

Yes Rev, but its only a game! This thread is more important than life and death to paraphrase what Bill Shankly said

Malc I partly agree depending on whether we mean the same man! And I also accept that there MAY be more "twists and turns" but I am coming rapidly to the conclusion that time is running out for some and that it MAY only really delay the inevitable. :yawn: :yawn: :yawn: :yawn:

Thetrees, You need to keep an eye on the incoming flights from OHIO Midweek PM!

Why the **** would anyone wonna talk to Doug again after what he said!. Doug is a rude idiot. Jez thats incredibly polite

The Rollercoaster, Part 2, opens at a football club near you soon PB I missed it. Is that all they said, any more details?

Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder. – George Washington I hope Lerner knows this quotation from his former president. I also suggest that IF he ever gets down to negotiating with ellis again that he asks Doug to consider the following before talks begin! * "It still remains true that no justification of virtue will enable a man to be virtuous." * "Prosperity is the measure or touchstone of virtue, for it is less difficult to bear misfortune than to remain uncorrupted by pleasure." * "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power."

Jim I dont think any of those points are true to their full extent. I really think the race is still on and that several groups are still in with a shout!

Malc I think they may have if this goes on much longer. ellis will not imo get away with it again.

I think its a good thing and indicative of stuff happening.

Because if the reports were true they would be in deep shit. It is from Rothschild. It just has the AV logo on it. Highly likely that is driven by Rothchild and other directors covering their arses. But the timing is definitely significant imo.

I think you are very probably right, rumour is that some board members are not happy. What is more I think this is a preface to further imminent events. Cue Lerner?????????

Actually this is very interesting, especially the bit in bold. It is basically answering the rumours that ellis was trying to angle an executive position for himself. I think we can take it folks that they have now said categorically that he isnt and CAN'T !!! I believe this statement is VERY significant!

Definitely not. This was as big a shock to Neville as everyone else Caught everyone on the hop hasn't it True, but in the main scheme of things it doesnt make a great deal of difference. A bid was in the offing anyway.