General Krulak (No Transfer Questions allowed)

[David-Copenhagen]

Can I be the next to bid you welcome.

As you know the PL is a very strong brand all over the world. And Aston Villa is also a known brand, not as strong as it could be, but there are a lot of fans over the world. All the local fans will be able to give you inside to each market and a lot of us are in positions were we might be able to help Villa, which I am sure we will all do for free. How can Villa use us? And how can we set up communications - maybe through the fan clubs?

Just one idea would it be possible to do a AVTV channel - screening reserve games and youth games + interviews and stuff - just like Man U. and Chelsea does? It could be distributed via satellite, i.e. Astra or hot bird and could be sold as an “add on†package for i.e. £5 a month or via web. I mean we have the interviews already on villa World and I guess that most reserve games are taped anyway? Just an idea - I think a lot of fans around the world would like to have an opportunity to follow the club even closer.

Another idea - would it be possible for Villa Park to host concerts and the like - that could make a little more use of the stadium when Villa are not playing.

Cheers David

[damo6]

Another idea - would it be possible for Villa Park to host concerts and the like - that could make a little more use of the stadium when Villa are not playing.

they tried that one before but didn't it have to stop because of complaints from the local residents etc

you know the ones who must have missed that whacking great football stadium when they bought/moved into the properties :roll:

[AndyAVFC]

Another idea - would it be possible for Villa Park to host concerts and the like - that could make a little more use of the stadium when Villa are not playing.

they tried that one before but didn't it have to stop because of complaints from the local residents etc

you know the ones who must have missed that whacking great football stadium when they bought/moved into the properties :roll:

Any who are very close could be given a free ticket!!

[dont_do_it_doug.]

Just one idea would it be possible to do a AVTV channel - screening reserve games and youth games + interviews and stuff - just like Man U. and Chelsea does? It could be distributed via satellite, i.e. Astra or hot bird and could be sold as an “add on†package for i.e. £5 a month or via web. I mean we have the interviews already on villa World and I guess that most reserve games are taped anyway? Just an idea - I think a lot of fans around the world would like to have an opportunity to follow the club even closer.

Thats a fantastic idea. I'd love to catch our reserve games on the box.

[jones1328]

How about a monthly AVFC magazine. My local CO-OP has the Blues mag, plus the likes of Liverpool, Man U etc.....

Being the biggest club in the Midlands, I'd expect an AVFC magazine to be there too..

[paddy]

How about a monthly AVFC magazine. My local CO-OP has the Blues mag, plus the likes of Liverpool, Man U etc.....

Being the biggest club in the Midlands, I'd expect an AVFC magazine to be there too..

We have Claret and Blue but you really struggle to get hold of it, I used to buy it loads when I was younger and while I know they sell it at the club shop now you never see it in WH Smith or anywhere like you used to.

[LancsVillan]

How about a monthly AVFC magazine. My local CO-OP has the Blues mag, plus the likes of Liverpool, Man U etc.....

Being the biggest club in the Midlands, I'd expect an AVFC magazine to be there too..

We have Claret and Blue but you really struggle to get hold of it, I used to buy it loads when I was younger and while I know they sell it at the club shop now you never see it in WH Smith or anywhere like you used to.

And as for seeing anywhere outside of the Midlands I see more rocking horse .......

[musicw8832]

Much of this has to do with commercialism and this is one of the strongest attributes Randy Lerner and his team bring to the table. I think given time many of the things mentioned will no longer be an issue, they would have already been looking into this in some considerable detail.

[stevenjos]

i always see a blue magazine with some part-time gypsys from a sty more than i see claret & Blue mag.

[OutByEaster?]

A question ;

Are you aware of our member "the Trees" and his ongoing mission to track the flights of Mr Lerner and yourself across the globe ?

Oh and I've taken to banging my chest in the morning and shouting integrity.

Nice speech, good to see you living by your principles.

[hobbo]

General,

I'm chuffed to pieces that you've addressed my questions (MON contract and stadium expansion).

To say that I'm proud to be a Villa fan is a massive understatement.

One controversial point on 'The Stand'.

I didnt like the way Doug managed Villa and I thank the Lord, every day, that Randy took over but I would leave The Doug Ellis Stand as The Doug Ellis Stand.

The guy went on way too long, focused way too much on profit vs growth, didn't know how to manage a 21st century football club, has an ego the size of a small city and has caused me so much angst it's incredible.

However, he IS Villa through and through (in his world, at least) and he was there at Liverpool wearing his Villa tie and cheering us on - which he doesnt have to. Leave the stand as it is - he gave us Randy, at the very least!

Let the abuse commence... :yawn:

[Simon]

However, he IS Villa through and through (in his world, at least) and he was there at Liverpool wearing his Villa tie and cheering us on - which he doesnt have to. Leave the stand as it is - he gave us Randy, at the very least!

Randy gave us Randy - Ellis, by his own admission, did his best to screw up the deal by giving him a "hard time".

Villa "through and through"? Sorry mate, but i just don't buy it. The "gold and black blood" running through his veins bears testimony to that.

But i don't want to turn this thread sour so let's just get back to the love-in with the General.

For the record, i certainly don't want The Doug Ellis Stand reverted back to The Witton Lane Stand while the man is still alive. That would show massive disrespect and show us all up as hypocrites seeing as that's something we've all accused Ellis of in the past. Randy wouldn't do that anyway - he's already proven he has too much class to do something like that.

After he's "passed away" would be the time to reopen this discussion because there are far more deserving candidates to have a Stand named after them but that's for another day.

[atalbot01]

General,

I'm chuffed to pieces that you've addressed my questions (MON contract and stadium expansion).

To say that I'm proud to be a Villa fan is a massive understatement.

One controversial point on 'The Stand'.

I didnt like the way Doug managed Villa and I thank the Lord, every day, that Randy took over but I would leave The Doug Ellis Stand as The Doug Ellis Stand.

The guy went on way too long, focused way too much on profit vs growth, didn't know how to manage a 21st century football club, has an ego the size of a small city and has caused me so much angst it's incredible.

However, he IS Villa through and through (in his world, at least) and he was there at Liverpool wearing his Villa tie and cheering us on - which he doesnt have to. Leave the stand as it is - he gave us Randy, at the very least!

Let the abuse commence... :yawn:

Agree.. its only a stand after all.....!

[stevenjos]

dont agree..

its a sign over everything we became. stagnant and uninspiring.

[Ginge]

Much of this has to do with commercialism and this is one of the strongest attributes Randy Lerner and his team bring to the table. I think given time many of the things mentioned will no longer be an issue, they would have already been looking into this in some considerable detail.

Agreed, the commercial side of things have definitely slipped in recent months and we do all expect that this will be one of Randys first areas of improvement, after all this is one of the easiest ways to bring money into the ground on both match day and non match days. I give the current people, those that are left, until Christmas to get their act together.

[musicw8832]

I didnt like the way Doug managed Villa and I thank the Lord, every day, that Randy took over but I would leave The Doug Ellis Stand as The Doug Ellis Stand.

The guy went on way too long, focused way too much on profit vs growth, didn't know how to manage a 21st century football club, has an ego the size of a small city and has caused me so much angst it's incredible.

However, he IS Villa through and through (in his world, at least) and he was there at Liverpool wearing his Villa tie and cheering us on - which he doesnt have to. Leave the stand as it is - he gave us Randy, at the very least!

Let the abuse commence... :yawn:

By your very admission of "let the abuse commence" you acknowledge that this would be very unpopular. I dispise what Doug Ellis did to my club and the sooner the stand is re-named (whether he is dead or alive) the better.

But I agree with the other sentiments, let's let the love-in continue.

[monkey]

Late joining the love in, but having just read whole thread, still gobsmacked but delighted to find such openess and honesty on a fans website from a member of the board. Again, huge welcome to Randy, The Gen, and the rest of the board. You have shown your class since joining our great club, there will be ups and downs but communication on this scale will see us all pulling together thru any rocky patches.

WELCOME WELCOME WELCOME.

You have made it great to be a villa fan again, THANKYOU

[The_Lions_Roar]

Just one idea would it be possible to do a AVTV channel - screening reserve games and youth games + interviews and stuff - just like Man U. and Chelsea does? It could be distributed via satellite, i.e. Astra or hot bird and could be sold as an “add on†package for i.e. £5 a month or via web. I mean we have the interviews already on villa World and I guess that most reserve games are taped anyway? Just an idea - I think a lot of fans around the world would like to have an opportunity to follow the club even closer.

Thats a fantastic idea. I'd love to catch our reserve games on the box.

That would be a great idea, however i know the reserves dont get great attendances and i dont know how they compare to man u who show the reserve games on tv. But im guessing we might get just one man and his dog turning up if we were ot show the games. I think the TV channel is a great idea but leave out the reserve games until we get more sucessful.

[JohnCresswell]

Can we please keep this on topic and looking to the future, not at the past please.

[bickster]

Just one idea would it be possible to do a AVTV channel - screening reserve games and youth games + interviews and stuff - just like Man U. and Chelsea does? It could be distributed via satellite, i.e. Astra or hot bird and could be sold as an “add on” package for i.e. £5 a month or via web. I mean we have the interviews already on villa World and I guess that most reserve games are taped anyway? Just an idea - I think a lot of fans around the world would like to have an opportunity to follow the club even closer.

Thats a fantastic idea. I'd love to catch our reserve games on the box.

That would be a great idea, however i know the reserves dont get great attendances and i dont know how they compare to man u who show the reserve games on tv. But im guessing we might get just one man and his dog turning up if we were ot show the games. I think the TV channel is a great idea but leave out the reserve games until we get more sucessful.

Its very rare reserves games for any team anywhere get great attendances, most of the people get in free anyway (they are usually season ticket holders - the same deal applies in most if not every club), the only time reserve games get decentish attendances is when a star player is making a comeback, a local derby or some other important event. I really cant see a huge drop off in attendances for reserve games as a result of this (no-one goes anyway & those that do are committed beyond belief), what I can see however is a more informed fan base as a result of them being able to veiw such matches

FWIW I think the idea of AVTV along the lines of what Chelsea and Manure have is a great prospect. I'd certainly subscribe to such a channel as long as Jack Woodworm isnt the presenter of anything with any seriousnness

In a nutshell AVTV (on my Skybox) yes please - AVTV on the net with woodworm, I really cant see the point