Villan4Life Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 Appointed a new chairman. But yet again appoints someone who has NO experience within Football. http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~5273031,00.html Quote Aston Villa Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Steven Hollis as the Club's new Chairman. Owner Randy Lerner said: "That Aston Villa can and should operate in a far more stable and on a far more successful level, both in terms of football as well as commercially, is plainly clear. It is similarly clear that this great club has not been on stable footing for at least five years. In May of 2015 I again reiterated my intention to sell the Club or, in the alternative, to shift to a Board governance structure that begins with the appointment of a new Chairman; a Chairman with a proven track record for getting into the thick of troubled organisations, working with embattled executives and getting results. Steve has taken the last six weeks to become familiar with the deeply serious predicament in which the Club has found itself and has my total support to address the issues we face. "We pursued Steve's candidacy in order to continue and strengthen the efforts that commenced in the summer of 2014 with the hiring of Tom Fox. Tom and Steve have spent time throughout December and early January and will therefore be in a position to work closely and immediately across all areas of the Club. We anticipate that Steve will give us additional reach within local business circles as well among government and quasi-government organisations. Steve has consistently demonstrated his commitment to Birmingham not only in his private commercial roles but also recently as deputy chair of the LEP and chair of the Birmingham Met. "Regarding my future role with Villa, I expect to remain engaged with both Steve and Tom although at a somewhat further distance that I believe suits the reality that I live full time in the States, and that is appropriate given Steve's need to have the room to make decisions on behalf of the Board. I feel that as the business of football grows alongside the growth of the sport globally with the English League at the forefront, having a Chairman that has earned an established business presence in the region in which the club plays creates an important strategic advantage that we have to date lacked sorely. In short, Villa's success is dependent in aggregate on the skills, determination and commitment of the Manager, Chief Exec and Chairman. I believe that Steve can contribute meaningfully alongside Tom and Rémi and identify opportunities that can take the Club forward and are related to his professional background." Chief Executive, Tom Fox, added: "I have now spent many hours with Steve both with Randy in the States, and at Villa Park and Bodymoor Heath. He's a very strong and yet modest person who will embrace the Chairman's role in the right way and for the right reasons. He cares deeply about Birmingham and the West Midlands and totally understands Aston Villa's place within this local fabric. He understands that significant progress has been made at the Club over the past year, both at Villa Park and Bodymoor Heath, but also recognises that there is still much to do to address the underlying issues across the Club and to build an organisation that can deliver consistent success. I believe Steve, based on his background and experience, will provide additional leadership to help us move quickly and decisively towards that objective. I am looking forward to working with him." Mr Hollis said: "When Randy approached me last November, chairing one of the UK's best known football clubs was not, quite frankly, on my list of possible opportunities. As I have got to know Randy and spent more time with Tom Fox and Rémi Garde it has become increasingly clear that a strong Board that drives the necessary discipline and leadership will be at the core of the changes that are needed to overcome the under-performance Aston Villa has experienced over the last five years. As we have witnessed in the Premier League this year with other clubs - money no longer buys success. Randy has consistently provided financial backing no less so than last year. Our future success however lies in building a winning culture that is underpinned by a commitment to continuous improvement both on and off the pitch. The business of football is no different to any other business in this respect. We have the talent and great assets at Villa Park and Bodymoor Heath. The Club needs a shake up and with Randy's continued support the Board will look forward to working with Tom and Rémi to help drive the changes that our fans rightfully demand and that our city can be proud of." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mwj Posted January 14, 2016 Popular Post Share Posted January 14, 2016 Why do you want footballers running businesses? 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post AshVilla Posted January 14, 2016 Popular Post Share Posted January 14, 2016 Welcome aboard Reg 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Villan4Life Posted January 14, 2016 Author Share Posted January 14, 2016 (edited) 1 minute ago, mwj said: Why do you want footballers running businesses? Steve Stride is a footballing man who would have been a better choice an knows Villa inside out. Other examples could be Big Ron, Graham Taylor or someone that Villa means something too. The last couple of appointments: Fox, Reilly, Almstead, Faulkner. not one of them has had anything to do with football or really understands it and each one hasn't been good at all for the club. That's why we need a footballing Chairman (i.e. Stride) Edited January 14, 2016 by Villan4Life Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevo985 Posted January 14, 2016 VT Supporter Share Posted January 14, 2016 The first paragraph is about as close as we'll get to Randy saying "I've **** up" 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ozvillafan Posted January 14, 2016 VT Supporter Popular Post Share Posted January 14, 2016 (edited) 4 minutes ago, mwj said: Why do you want footballers running businesses? I don't. I want people with football experience running football clubs because, despite what Hollis says, it's NOT like any other business. Edited January 14, 2016 by ozvillafan emphasis 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Villan4Life Posted January 14, 2016 Author Share Posted January 14, 2016 He's apparently a Manchester City fan as well this Hollis bloke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwj Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 (edited) 3 minutes ago, ozvillafan said: I don't. I want people with football experience running football clubs because, despite what Hollis says, it's NOT like any other business. I agree, but that's a pretty limited pool of candidates and I guess none of them wanted the job. Edited January 14, 2016 by mwj Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney_avfc Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 Success on the pitch is above and beyond all other factors that drive a successful football club. That is why the chairman should have some football background, and that is why running a football club is not like any other business. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Eames Posted January 14, 2016 Popular Post Share Posted January 14, 2016 (edited) 6 minutes ago, ozvillafan said: I don't. I want people with football experience running football clubs because, despite what Hollis says, it's NOT like any other business. I was once subbed off after 25 mins of a school 2nd XI match. I have football experience. Does that make me suitable? EDIT - this football experience thing is the biggest load of crap going. Its a meaningless platitude dropped by knobheads in the media and ex-players to maintain some sort of bizarre exclusivity to a game that has become more and more commercial over the last few years. Gabby has masses of "football experience" and I wouldn't trust him to leave the house fully dressed let alone run a football club. Edited January 14, 2016 by Eames 18 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradarmstrong_ Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 Quote He understands that significant progress has been made at the Club over the past year, both at Villa Park and Bodymoor Heath Fox is a joker. Bottom of the league = progress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rds1983 Posted January 14, 2016 VT Supporter Share Posted January 14, 2016 I assume that the intended sale is downgraded then. I doubt he would join as Chairman knowing the club is likely to be sold imminently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCJonah Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 Every appointment made by Lerner has either started, increased or barely stuttered our downfall to the championship. I have little faith this will make any difference to the club. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharkyvilla Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 Just now, Rds1983 said: I assume that the intended sale is downgraded then. I doubt he would join as Chairman knowing the club is likely to be sold imminently. Yes I think any thoughts of a takeover are pretty much dead. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevo985 Posted January 14, 2016 VT Supporter Share Posted January 14, 2016 7 minutes ago, Villan4Life said: He's apparently a Manchester City fan as well this Hollis bloke. How do you know this? Because I've googled him and can find very little about him, let alone what football team he supports. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Villan4Life Posted January 14, 2016 Author Share Posted January 14, 2016 1 minute ago, Stevo985 said: How do you know this? Because I've googled him and can find very little about him, let alone what football team he supports. http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-reveal-identity-new-10734005 Quote Aston Villa have appointed Birmingham businessman Steve Hollis as the new chairman of the club. The man tasked with helping to turn around the fortunes of the rock-bottom Premier League side has held lengthy discussions with owner Randy Lerner and will now begin his new project. Hollis was the former Midlands chairman of high-profile accountancy firm KMPG and is the current vice-chairman of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership.Although he admits it was a surprise to be approached by Lerner as ‘chairing one of the UK’s best known football clubs was not, quite frankly, on his list of possible opportunities,’ he is excited and fully-focused on taking the club forward. Hollis, a huge football fan, who was born near Liverpool and grew up supporting Manchester City, will begin work immediately. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jareth Posted January 14, 2016 VT Supporter Share Posted January 14, 2016 "Our future success however lies in building a winning culture that is underpinned by a commitment to continuous improvement both on and off the pitch." - translates to Fox and Remi doing their jobs better. What does Steve intend to add to this? And as for a board room 'shake-up' - well who exactly is getting their P45 then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwj Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 I have to say, disregarding the "football man" BS... his CV is pretty underwhelming 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Villan4Life Posted January 14, 2016 Author Share Posted January 14, 2016 (edited) 2 minutes ago, mwj said: I have to say, disregarding the "football man" BS... his CV is pretty underwhelming He has worked as Chairman at KPMG which is based at One Snow Hill which specialises in Audit, Tax and Advisory services. Where on earth does Lerner find these people an advert on Indeed.co.uk or something? Another puppet and "Yes" man for Lerner Edited January 14, 2016 by Villan4Life Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMightyVillans Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 One day we will actually get some exciting news 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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