MikeMcKenna

Bicks Brilliant idea, especially naming it after Terry Weir. Good nights work! Might be worth a pint next time I see you!

Hi General As you know there a number of Official Aston Villa Supporters Clubs based upon geographical location throughout the UK and indeed the World. Would the club consider the idea of allowing a internet based community to form an "official" supporters club? Many people linked to message boards such as Villa Talk meet up from time to time at games and for social occassions. Allowing them to form an "official" supporters club would enable them to enjoy the privileges currently available only to those linked by geographical location. Regards Mike McKenna

I assume you are talking about orange trees? :wink: :wink:

Hi General So refreshing to hear that Randy is not interested in hogging the spotlight and maintaining the traditions of the club. As 2007 it is the 25th annversary of the clubs European Cup victory I would ask that he considers an update of the home and away kits from that season and using the round version of the clubs crest. Per ardua ad astra

17 - 0 to the Villa! COME ON YOU LIONS!

We need closure

Agreed in reality if the ground was renamed to generate a truckload of cash to say MBNA Arena, we the supporters would still call it Villa Park come what may but hopefully we would have more to invest in the facilities and playing side. Ultimately whilst we are proud of our traditions, nothing now remains of the "Villa Park" of old apart from the North Stand which in itself is a monstrosity and even that is relatively modern. The only thing for me that is sacrosanct is the name of the club.

Why doesn't he ask him next time he offers to withdraw if his costs are paid by Lerner? He comes across like a blundering numpty. {edit MN, not GT} What's Neville's motive for "buying Villa" What's Lerner's motive? What are the differences? Pete Are you normally susceptible to stories in "The Telegraph"? Do you not question for one moment whether this is true?

I have no idea, but like you said its fairly obvious that they are all in it for the MONEY. I just hope that all the bidders plans are fully scrutinised to ensure that none pose a risk to the long term future of AVFC. Problem is we have to trust a certain someone to ensure this and I will not hold my breath.

Cali I dont think GT is trying to "smear" - he's not that kind of guy. Facts are Lerner IS "American" and on the face of it doesnt know anything about football/soccer. That of course doesnt mean he cannot do a good job for AVFC, but it would be nince to know what his bigger plans are.

What does Graham Taylor know about the situation? Sure he's a former manager who has no contact with the club. I think that people who have no in-depth contact with the club should refrain from making such comments about possible TO participants. No-one apart from Mr Lerner and possibly Doug Ellis and Rothschilds know the motives of Randy Lerner. Mr Lerner may well have an impressive future plan laid out for the club. Taylor simply doesn't know the man, or the intricate details of the bid. Makes me soooo mad. Joe, Neither do we know "the intricate details...." and continuing with my "devils advocate" theme, MAYBE JUST MAYBE, GT does indeed know more than we do.

do you think he will win Mike,and if you do when will it be :winkold: Fran, I am not at all certain. I am in Italy at the moment so have been out of the loop a bit, but I do not think its as clear cut as everyone thinks. What I cannot understand is: If Mr Lerner is so massively wealthy, why is there no bid on the table and why is it all taking so long? What is the hold up? His bid was supposed to be the one that would "blow all others out of the water"............... maybe its something got to do with Ellis wanting some kind of position at the club,it is very odd that there has been know bid all the same . Dont think so............ Despite reports the contrary, I believe ellis accepts and understands that there will no role for him in running the club in anyway whatsoever. The "hold up" if there is one, must amount to more than this............

That's the same crap they said about Glazier taking over ManU. But in that case, it was probably true. Look, the bottom line is that a takeover is a financial investment, I don't care who takes over the club. Neville, or anybody else is about the same thing, MONEY. It's a hypocritical (sp?)argument. :evil: Cali No offence mate, but your post is contradictory. Was it either "crap" or "true" what they wrote about Glazier? I am simply playing devils advocate here. Unlike most, I am not yet convinced who is the best owner for our club and in the absence of any hard information remain sceptical about ALL the potential bidders motives. Bandwagons in favour of one or other worry me!

Cat amongst the pigeons time............ :?: Neville ups the stakes and plans to install Taylor as Villa chairman By Gary Jacob THE battle to take over Aston Villa will intensify this week when Michael Neville is expected to raise his offer for the club to a little above the asking price. Neville has already indicated to the club’s advisers that he would offer £64 million but the Solihull businessman wants to fend off Randy Lerner, another potential buyer, who is likely to table a formal offer in the coming week. Neville believes that raising his offer is valid because Villa have the makings of a top-six side but, more importantly, some of the extra money spent could be recouped from the development of land around Villa Park. Neville was in regular contact with Martin O’Neill before the Irishman was appointed manager and has offered Graham Taylor the chance to return as chairman. Taylor, the former manager, would not be drawn on the subject yesterday, except to say that he has been in close contact with O’Neill. Taylor also questioned the credentials of Lerner, the owner of the Cleveland Browns American football franchise. “It concerns me,†he said. “He has got the money, but the Americans have a different motive (for buying Villa). What do they know about football?†http://tinyurl.com/zmcnz

do you think he will win Mike,and if you do when will it be :winkold: Fran, I am not at all certain. I am in Italy at the moment so have been out of the loop a bit, but I do not think its as clear cut as everyone thinks. What I cannot understand is: If Mr Lerner is so massively wealthy, why is there no bid on the table and why is it all taking so long? What is the hold up? His bid was supposed to be the one that would "blow all others out of the water"...............

Judging by this poll so far, it will be very interesting if Lerner doesnt win! I am not a betting man, but.............

Ciao! Malc Neville hasnt borrowed from Petchey.

Luton is also closer to MON's home?

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!