c-krulak

General Krulak here: Hev in a thong....ouch!! After the Guardian article, my wife won't even talk to me!!! Changing room...a good idea. We will be redoing the store over time...and we will absolutely be able to put one of those in the new store. I am sure that Richard would be more than happy to give an interview...he is a super guy and very open. Just have someone ask him. Randy's goals. He absolutely has them....but I do not think it would be appropriate for me to share them on this forum. I am not worried about you all...but others. I was going to come over for the game but, to be totally upfront, my son who is in the Forces was able to get leave and bring his family to our house and my other son and his family were able to make it...so I decided to stay home and be with them. Do NOT think that I love Aston Villa any less...but the ARE my only kids. Forgive me.

General Krulak here: 1. Generals. Absolutely right on Viscount Sir William Slim!! A remarkable leader, motivator, innovator, and warrior. Talk about doing great things with minimal resources!! My comments re. Rommel are similar to Slim...a leader, innovator, with the ability to do a great deal with few resources. In my opinion, what makes a good leader is not necessarity the "flash" of appearance or dynamism of personality...a good leader is first and foremost a man or woman of Character. I define Character as 1) selflessness, 2) moral courage and 3) integrity. We have seen many people who are looked at as leaders who aren't men of character...those supposed leaders have "victories" that are 1) never sweet, 2) never stand the test of time and 3) never serve to inspire anyone...and the fact is, Leaders are in the Inspiration Business!!! To be a great leader, you must be a man or woman of Character. 2. Fan base. You all are spot on!! The midlands has the potential to provide a fan base second to none. Like any other product, we need to be seen as a mark of excellence, we need to be seen as a good value, and we need to be seen as caring. We will achieve these goals and when we do, we will look back at 2006-2008 as the great building years...years that all of us will be VERY proud to say..."we were there at the beginning." 3. I did not see "Gulf War, A Soldier's Story" so I don't know if I was in it. I commanded a Brigade during the Gulf War. 4. Richard Fitzgerald starts work on 1 Jan 2007 but is already doing a great deal for the Club. 5. Steve Stride has a wealth of institutional information and will remain with the Club in essentially his same position. 6. Normally I leave the box about 10 minutes before half-time and start visiting the stands....and will continue to visit until about 10 minutes after half-time. Last game I went to Holte End, Trinity, Holte Suite, MacGregor Suite, and the wheel chair area. 7. I will not be in Houston for the Browns game.

General Krulak here: 1. Ron had an absolutely brilliant day...except for the result. When he arrived in the Director's area he was a bit withdrawn but I think he quickly realized he was with friends....former members of his teams, people he knew from long ago, and the "crazy yanks" who now work for the Club...Randy, Directors, etc. I think he had a very good time. Right before the game, Steve Stride and I took Ron down to meet with Martin and Sir Alec....and more former players. This was an enjoyable time with much banter between the Managers...all very kind to Ron. When Ron went down to the entrance to the pitch, he was a bit nervous but when his named was announced, he took right off for the center circle. When he came back, he had tears in his eyes...he was very touched by the demonstration of love and affection and respect....the fans were great!! Ron remained with us after the game for an hour...talking with people in the box, with Sir Bobby Charlton, David Gill, Randy and others. All in all, it was a very good day except for the game. Even the game had one positive feature....it showed us where we needed to go!! 2. Favorite Military Figures: I confess to being somewhat "biased"...my favorite is Robert E. Lee. Next would be Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson. Lord Horatio Nelson is another. Giap...the achitect of the VietNam victory...was a remarkable warrior. Moshe Dayan of the Israeli Defense Force. Omar Bradley, "The Soldier's General" of WW II. Irwin Rommel, the "Desert Fox". All of these men had something special when it came to leadership, warfighting, vision and ability to "touch" the individual. 3. We are currently looking into a possible move into our own TV station production.

General Krulak here: 1. We do have all the photos of the Trinity Stand...and they are beautiful. We do have plans for the Holte Inn, the Holte parking area and the Holte End...and, likewise, we have plans for other parts of the stadium. We need to be very careful and circumspect as we move forward with these plans. The timing needs to be right....any expansion needs to be tied to success of the club and the return of fans. At the same time, there are architectural issues that we want to fix right now...and we will be doing that. ALL will be in the context of history and tradition...you will like them!!!! 2. I will look into the web site issue. The simple fact is that we do gain some revenue from the site...and that is important as we try to make the club better. You raise a key issue though.....there MUST be something of value provided to encourage joining the site. If that isn't happening, then we need to address it. 3. I see a few comments re. our kit. As I have mentioned before, we are looking into all aspects of our commercial deals...I would ask that everyone adopt a "wait and see" attitude...I don't think that Randy will disappoint anyone.

General Krulak here: 1.TicketAid: What a SUPERB idea!! This is one that we WILL make happen. Thank you so much for bringing it to our attention. 2. I do not consider posting on the web sites as a waste of time. As an example, the idea mentioned above will make a difference for Villa and, more importantly, for those less advantaged than we are. Additionally, I have met (if only by web) some really good people...men, women, lads and lassies. I would not have passed on that opportunity. It is also a way to listen and to tell. How can that ever be a waste of time? NEVER!! Of course my wife is about ready to rip my lips off!! 3.Ghost Riders in the Sky. I was down in the tunnel with Ron Saunders and didn't hear anything...sorry. 4. Aaron. The trip to Iwo Jima with the Bradley family was a very special time for me. You are absolutely right, tradition does mean a great deal to Randy and to all the Directors. It is for this reason that we are working so hard to improve Villa Park by returning to some of the former achitecture. This also means that we will be doing something to improve on what can be purchased that reflects our rich heritage. 5. Get some players. Well, we sure as hell all agree on that one. I have said, many times, what our process is to do just that.

General Krulak here: What are we going to do to make Villa a champion on the pitch? Obviously, this is the question on everyone's mind...particularly after watching the class of ManU and then losing to T'ham. If you think you all are gutted about this, think of Randy, Martin, the Team and all of us at Villa Park. We aren't feeling chipper today either. The answer is quite clear...and I have mentioned it on this Board more than once. 1. Martin is evaluating his squad. 2. Martin is looking at needs for today and, equally important, needs for the future. 3. Martin is looking at what players are available....this is difficult because some that are available at one point in time may not be available at another point in time. 4. Martin then decides who we need to go after and 5. Martin gets with Randy and they work out the plan to accomplish what they want to do. All the talk about Randy not being there to provide the support Martin needs is NOT accurate. Martin and Randy are on the same sheet of music. Remember, the January transfer window is not the best time to get players....everyone wants to keep their quality players and most teams are looking for basically the same type of "help." Just know that both Randy and Martin realize we need help and they will do all in their power to get that help.

Christmas Day!!! Merry Christmas to all the Villa Talkers...their families and extended families. We WILL get to where we all want to be. The ManU game showed that we won't do it over night....but it also showed what we need to do!! We just need to always remember that we have a great Manager, a committed owner, and super fans....it doesn't get any better when looking for a foundation to build upon. THAT is why we all should be confident that it will happen!!

General Krulak here: 1. Just got back into the US after the ManU game. I thought our lads played their hearts out...particularly the first half. There were one or two miscues that cost us dearly. ManU has a great side...you cannot take that away from them. As Randy and I sat on the plane together, many thoughts and comments were exchanged. Number one among them was that we ARE going to get to a point where ManU fears coming up against Aston Villa. Today was not the day. Our team played hard but ManU executed extremely well. What can you say when Wayne Rooney is a substitute??? We do have a HUGE weapon in our kit...we have Martin and he will get us where we need to be. We need patience...and we need a few transfer windows....but he will get us there!! 2. It was great to see Paddy. What a good lad. He is fighting the good fight...and is Villa through and through. 3. I confess that I had not seen the Guardian article until I came on the site. I wish they had mentioned Villa Talk and NOT the "thong"...now I have my wife ready to kill me. The article missed some key points....first among them is that Randy DOES recognise the importance of the fans and does NOT view websites as an irritant...rather as allies in this fight to the future. This is NOT about General Krulak, this is all about Aston Villa. 4. ArthurRimbaud. Thank you for the kind words. I know that you meant them as a compliment to Randy, the new Board and to Aston Villa. Please accept my thanks for your posting. Again, the bottom line is that my appearance on the site is an acknowledgement that Fans are an integral part of the team. In the National Football League, the Fans are called the "12th Man" because they have such an impact on what is happening on the pitch. That is what the Villa Fans are to Martin's Marines!! 5. I spent time in the Lower Holte End and the Trinity Road Stand during and after half-time. PLEASE know that we realize there are major issues with catering, crowding, etc. etc. We are working on the catering issue...we realize that having sufficient food, of good quality, at fair prices is important. We have a way to go here....we are working on it. Regarding the crowding, I confess that I love the crowds because it means lots of fans...but I also know we need to do something there too. That will require a longer term resolution. 6. Away fans. I spent an hour with our ticketing people on Friday and an hour on Saturday. I watched how they sell tickets...I watched two lads come up and be asked if they were Villa Fans...they said yes. The ticket agent then went into the records and saw that the lads did not have a "ticket history" with A-V. It turns out they were really ManU fans...trying to get into the stadium under the guise of Villa. They were not sold tickets. I was told exactly the methodology used by our folks to determine who gets a Villa Fan ticket...ticket history plays a huge role. I believe we are doing a pretty good job of ensuring that the tickets go to the right people. Apparently we use the same system as most of the good Clubs. Obviously we aren't successful every sale but I do believe we have a good system. I have asked our folks to ensure that we follow our guidelines to the "T". 6. Ticketing. I know we are walking a fine line with regard to season ticket holders and trying to get fans back into the stadium. This is a hard line to walk...because the season ticket holder is the heart and soul of the club. At the same time, we need to get people to come and see the change that is taking place at our Club. To do this....to avoid having a stadium that is only half-filled, we need to take some action. We are looking hard at ways to do this...and still be fair to our season ticket holders. We will get it right...but "how to do that" is what we are working on now. The bottom line is that it does none of us any good to have an empty stadium. As I have said many times on this thread, the first and biggest key is to WIN ON THE PITCH!!! When we win, CONSISTENTLY, people will come back. Until then, we need to do something to show people we want them to come home. We will figure out a way to be fair and just to the season ticket holder. Deciding not to buy a season ticket and wait for "deals" is certainly not the way to go. In the end, the season ticket holder WILL get the best deal. 7. I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

We are presenting him with two framed pictures, have a lunch for him and family, go out on field for introduction.

Great game this Saturday...a chance to pay tribute to a living legend and a true Villan. The game will be great but seeing Ron Saunders will be the best!! Go Villa.

We will be required to tear down the old training ground building...part of the requirment to get permission to put up the new one. We will be building new pitches but will keep the old one...and come up with a way to potentially use them for youth. We are absolutely aware of the problems associated with distance from the training pitch for the fans and will be talking to MON to see if something can be worked out. We WILL be having a couple of "open houses" this summer so that the fans can wander around and see the new training ground and facility.

SM, I will pass your words on to Russ. I have asked him to do one thing for all sites....and that is to have a "before" picture of the training ground building as it now looks...and then have the new site to compare against as we move forward. We are making huge progress. Randy and I depart for UK tomorrow so I will be off site for a few days.

Ginge...I need to know you are old enough to drink before I buy!!! HRH...now that is one we need to work on.

We will be at Charlton game...and you are so correct...a must win. I don't think anyone could have anticipated the increase in takeover/takeover talks that are on-going. For Yanks, the new TV deal is not a big thing....certainly compared to the TV rights in the US. I am not sure what is driving most of this talk...but there is obviously an economic aspect to what we are seeing. I DO believe that there is a big difference between someone like Randy and some of the consortiums and other buyers....Randy has had this "dream" for years. Randy has a background in the UK...school, home, business. Randy is a sportsman and knows the sports business. My Christmas list looks like most folks my age: 1. Health...for my family and extended family 2. Safety for the troops deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan and around the world 3. A continuing steady progress on the pitch for Aston Villa 4. A return of the Fans to Villa Park

I knew it was a joke...just had to throw in the Scunthorpe comment. VERY TOUGH game yesterday. Frustrating to dominate the game and come away with nothing. 3 points would have meant a great deal.

No, I was going to wait until I get to Villa Park next week to look into that issue.

Randy normally does not sit in the front row of his box...he is normally either in row 2 or 3 near the aisle or sitting on a step in the aisle. With that in mind, I doubt if Mr. Glazer will join him in the aisle. Roger on the Birmingham shop....we already know we have a great deal of work to be done there. We don't just attend the "big" games....we were at Scunthorpe and enjoyed it as much as any. Obviously we are interested in the ManU game BUT more because of Ron Saunders than for anything else. We want to be there to honour him.

I will be on walkabout before game and during half time....look for the short guy who looks like a cross between Sty Stallone and Tom Cruise!!

General Krulak here: 1. Both Randy and I will be at ManU game. 2. That story re. "walking away" is not accurate. Randy is a businessman...so is Doug Ellis. They put their cards on the table...looked at them....stepped away to think about what they were holding...came back and played the cards. There was no rancor and anger...just two businessmen conducting a transaction that required a good deal of thought. 3. Randy ABSOLUTELY was aware that Aston Villa fans were sending letters and e-mails....and he was most appreciative. He is a man with little ego...he does not seek publicity but believes that actions speak louder than words. The actions of the Villa Fans spoke loudly!!

General Krulak here: 1. The HP tower is not in our plans...but it would make a good observation post. 2. Re. the architecture of Trinity Stand and the old Holte End. Please "stand by"...there will be work done, starting at Holte Pub and moving towards Holte End. You will like what is done...but it will take place over time. Semper Fidelis, General Krulak

Ian, I will have to check this out. Semper Fidelis, General Krulak

Paddy, I know you have many things on your plate....and the Holiday Season is coming upon us...BUT, could you please send me a quick PM? General Krulak

Paddy, you are a hard man!!! Give us a couple of days with family...remember the Christmas season...grandchildren...we WILL be there in a week. Semper Fidelis, General Krulak

Randy and I are back in the US trying to get our act together for the Holidays before we come back to UK. Unfortunately, we will not be at Sheffield game. Semper Fidelis, General Krulak

General Krulak here: We will get the ticket situation as "right" as we can get it. There is no desire to "screw" the fans and we won't do that. Semper Fidelis, General Krulak