Sadly, but understandably, a good deal of criticism of Randy Lerner and the board has lately been developing, and I feel it’s all exacerbated by the lack of intelligible communication from them as to why certain things have been happening.
The issue that I have the most difficulty in dealing with is the fact that expectations were raised so high for the best part of 4 years, and that now it shows a danger of going pear-shaped. I hope that apparition is just that – that it’s a figment of fear on my part. Who knows, fortune may turn in the chairman’s (and Villa’s) favour, though our experience of the over-careful management of the 1960s, 1980s and the early noughties may tell us something different.
It is easy for us in hindsight to say this is wrong and that is wrong, but businessmen do make mistakes, and Randy’s had his fingers burnt – possibly through not understanding enough about what football in the UK is all about. Not least that, football-wise, the West Midlands is different to London and the North West.
The General has previously indicated that Randy is appreciative of Villa’s heritage and its value to the fans, and Randy duly pumped in a good deal of money to try to bring back the good days to Villa Park – I think we all recognise his efforts in that direction.
But where do we stand now – at this moment? I feel that the club is very much at yet another cross-roads. Not only has the chairman retrenched on expenditure but there is a national and world-wide economic problem that shows signs of not going away. Although (amazingly) employment levels have improved in the West Midlands, there is not a secure economic situation, and the current generation of young people (the future supporters of Aston Villa and of football in general) have largely been sidelined in the employment stakes. Therefore, how will Aston Villa be able to prosper in future with the prospect of fewer paying supporters?
It’s in the tackling of that question that is the key, in my opinion. And in tackling it, Randy should be getting some expert medium and long-term advice from people who understand enough about these issues. A think-tank of such expertise – possibly including Graham Taylor – may be the answer.
Perhaps the chairman has already done this or is in the process of doing it. Alas, we don’t know.
There was a very well-known writer-historian named Jack Urry who wrote in the 1880-1926 period, particularly about the Villa. He stated (and I believe him) that one very major factor why the Villa were successful almost entirely throughout his period was because they kept faith with the fans. They were in tune with what the fans were looking for and delivered - successfully.
That attitude persisted through to WW2 in fact (except for that notorious dip in the mid-1930s).
That's the kind of world I believe in - not the consumerist world - which is about to die on its feet. Even Doug Ellis had a better sense of what the fans wanted, I believe. All you have to do is look at Doug's regime in early 1969 to see what kind of response he got - because they communicated in a way that the fans wanted!!
If that's not the world of today then it's going to get it's uppance - believe me. Good faith is the glue and the clue to how society properly works. In fact, in any form of marriage!
Meanwhile, frustrated fans sit and wait. We have no choice but to wait and see what transpires over this season.
In the meantime, should the message from Villa fans to Randy be along the lines of: “We’re not happy, but we wait with baited breath to receive your half-term pronouncements for this season and beyond”?
The issue that I have the most difficulty in dealing with is the fact that expectations were raised so high for the best part of 4 years, and that now it shows a danger of going pear-shaped. I hope that apparition is just that – that it’s a figment of fear on my part. Who knows, fortune may turn in the chairman’s (and Villa’s) favour, though our experience of the over-careful management of the 1960s, 1980s and the early noughties may tell us something different.
It is easy for us in hindsight to say this is wrong and that is wrong, but businessmen do make mistakes, and Randy’s had his fingers burnt – possibly through not understanding enough about what football in the UK is all about. Not least that, football-wise, the West Midlands is different to London and the North West.
The General has previously indicated that Randy is appreciative of Villa’s heritage and its value to the fans, and Randy duly pumped in a good deal of money to try to bring back the good days to Villa Park – I think we all recognise his efforts in that direction.
But where do we stand now – at this moment? I feel that the club is very much at yet another cross-roads. Not only has the chairman retrenched on expenditure but there is a national and world-wide economic problem that shows signs of not going away. Although (amazingly) employment levels have improved in the West Midlands, there is not a secure economic situation, and the current generation of young people (the future supporters of Aston Villa and of football in general) have largely been sidelined in the employment stakes. Therefore, how will Aston Villa be able to prosper in future with the prospect of fewer paying supporters?
It’s in the tackling of that question that is the key, in my opinion. And in tackling it, Randy should be getting some expert medium and long-term advice from people who understand enough about these issues. A think-tank of such expertise – possibly including Graham Taylor – may be the answer.
Perhaps the chairman has already done this or is in the process of doing it. Alas, we don’t know.
There was a very well-known writer-historian named Jack Urry who wrote in the 1880-1926 period, particularly about the Villa. He stated (and I believe him) that one very major factor why the Villa were successful almost entirely throughout his period was because they kept faith with the fans. They were in tune with what the fans were looking for and delivered - successfully.
That attitude persisted through to WW2 in fact (except for that notorious dip in the mid-1930s).
That's the kind of world I believe in - not the consumerist world - which is about to die on its feet. Even Doug Ellis had a better sense of what the fans wanted, I believe. All you have to do is look at Doug's regime in early 1969 to see what kind of response he got - because they communicated in a way that the fans wanted!!
If that's not the world of today then it's going to get it's uppance - believe me. Good faith is the glue and the clue to how society properly works. In fact, in any form of marriage!
Meanwhile, frustrated fans sit and wait. We have no choice but to wait and see what transpires over this season.
In the meantime, should the message from Villa fans to Randy be along the lines of: “We’re not happy, but we wait with baited breath to receive your half-term pronouncements for this season and beyond”?
