I’ve just come across an interesting article.
I’ll explain why I think it’s interesting at the very end, but for now, I’m just going to post it in it’s entirety.
Let us know what you think;
The Ignominy of Aston Villa
“Relegation looks all but certain for a legendary English club—a fate made painfully clear with a recent 6-0 drubbing
The Cleveland Browns should be thankful they don’t play in the English Premier League.
If they did they would be relegated—dropped, demoted, sent down because of their league-worst 3-13 record to a hypothetical NFL second division.
They would be, in short, Aston Villa.
Aston Villa is the worst team in the English Premier League this year. Going into last weekend’s game against Liverpool, Villa had won three of twenty-five games and were sitting at the bottom of the table. Barring a late-season miracle—like last year’s improbable escape by this year’s improbable league-leader Leicester City when they won six of their last eight matches—Aston Villa, along with two other bottom teams in the EPL, will suffer “the drop.”
It’s an ignominy made worse given Villa’s proud history: founding members of the Football League in 1888, founding members of the Premier League in 1992, winners of the European Cup in 1982, seven-time league winners, seven-time FA Cup winners. Villa is one of England’s legendary clubs. During the reign of Queen Victoria, Villa was huge.
But Queen Victoria is dead, and the fans filing into Villa Park last Sunday seemed resigned to the fact that their team’s chances of staying up were dead, too.
The game started in sunshine. But as shadows slipped across the pitch, so did Villa. Liverpool scored, then scored again. Liverpool ran rampant; the Villans seemed stuck in place. The only thing crisp about Villa were their striped claret and blue socks.
Relegation will have consequences. Foremost is the lost $100 million in broadcasting revenue ($140 million went to last year’s league champion, Chelsea), which accompanies the drop to the Championship (the EPL gives relegated teams “parachute payments” to lessen the financial blow, though that phrase can’t hide that someone is being pushed from a great height).
Relegation will be ugly. Not just lost revenue but lost relevance—lost players, lost fans, lost prestige. Arsenal was last relegated in 1913. Manchester United was relegated in 1974 but came back the year after. More often teams never recover, tumbling to lower leagues and struggling to return to the top flight. Remember Leeds? Fulham?
As the second half began, Liverpool scored a third time. Then a fourth, a fifth, a sixth. Kolo Touré, who had never scored for Liverpool, scored for Liverpool. The team scored four goals in thirteen minutes. Some teams don’t score four goals in a month. It was a scoring frenzy, a bloodbath. The traveling Liverpool fans were giddy and drunk, and would not stop singing. What started as a football match became a concert for singing Liverpool fans. The only drama was whether the Liverpool players might hurt themselves by pulling a hamstring in their celebratory scrums.
Villa fans streamed out of the park, shouting obscenities. One fan threw his hat on the field, then asked for it back.
Maybe he’ll want it next year. There’s always hope.
Because the other side of relegation is promotion. All over England this spring, the best teams in the lower divisions—like Hull and Brighton and Sheffield Wednesday —will be dreaming big. The top two teams in the Championship win promotion to the Premier League; the next four battle in a playoff for the third spot. These games may be the most exhilarating games in sport. Euphoric games, with players and fans bonded together by the dream of making it to Old Trafford next year. Where a single goal on a muddy field in Yorkshire could be worth $100 million. Imagine that!
Imagine, too, the wild possibilities that relegation and promotion could bring to sports in America. The Denver Broncos playing the Iowa Barnstormers. The Golden State Warriors visiting the Kalamazoo Pure. The El Paso Chihuahuas playing in Yankee Stadium.
Americans could learn something here. Not only the rough capitalism of relegation, but the irrational exuberance of promotion (many of the teams that are promoted go right back down the following year). Because in both they would experience something vital—real joy, real tears—the knowledge that rooting for ones team matters.
There is one American learning this lesson right now: Randy Lerner. Lerner is the American majority-owner of Aston Villa. He also used to be the owner of the Cleveland Browns.”
So what’s so interesting about that apart from the fact that I think it’s a good article, with what seems to be the author’s own really nice illustrations (in the actual article)?
Well, first off, it’s written by an American woman (it’s certainly written in American English).
But most importantly, is the paper it’s written in.
It’s the Wall Street Journal.
Which if Randy doesn’t read himself, you can bet his financial type friends/colleagues certainly do.
Which means it’s being brought up in conversation.
I’ll bet he’s not too keen on that article, as it makes him look a bit of a mug.
That’s a shame isn’t it? Now he might get an idea of what us fans think of him.
And yes, the Browns really are bottom at the moment in the NFL, along with Tennessee Titans.
After all this time since Lerner left.
Is that likely to be a similar legacy he leaves us with?
I really hope not.
It’s just scary, isn’t it?
his mum will just tell he has been a naughty boy again.
That’s exactly what he will do Badger – ignore it! The man has no integrity and very little business acumen if the Browns and Villa are any measure of that.
The scariest part of that article is the Browns still being cannon fodder despite Lerner selling a majority share about 3 years ago. He didn’t sell outright although I don’t know whether he still retains any interest as I believe there was an option in the agreement regarding his remaining shares.
I read this last night and thought the same Badger. It blatantly criticises his business acumen and overall performance as well as what he is doing morally to a legendary institution.
Lerner and his cronies will ignore the sports pages and blogs, but this will be VERY embarrassing for them.
I could kiss the author!
Nothing in that article that wasn’t known the time he came, Fans from the Browns told us, so did a Yank that had the time to pop into our forum told us, a man that sorely he’ll bent in destroying our club.now look its world wide what he’s done ,even the Yanks are making it news, that man has no shame. Thanks to that woman that highlighted our demise.
I’ll even go as far as saying, that toe rag even put people on the board to keep us quiet, Hollis, and co was picked to appease us fans, what can they do for us knowing that man Lerner record.
The really scary part is the last decision he’s ever going to make for us. Assuming he’ll eventually sell, he gets to choose who to. Very scary indeed.
Having said that, he has the opportunity to make everything right with us, overnight. Give the club to the fans, we fucking deserve it after what he’s put us through!
One thing Lerner can’t be accused of is lacking consistency when it comes to decision making. Admittingly it’s consistently shit but he certainly doesn’t lack it. 🙂
This is a great listen and read from someone who knows what is going on!
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-exposed-worker-resigns-10914192
God if even the reception staff have a morale issue is it a wonder that the players have?
Lerner’s fiddling while Villa fans burn.
Looking forward to the summer – it means that the season will be over 🙁
Badger, it doesn’t give me any pleasure saying this but if this article is to be believed then my post about working conditions within Villa Park is bang on target. We are in terminal decline and unless the board goes with Lerner it won’t change.
It’s not only the players just turning up to get their wages it’s endemic throughout the club.
You got a dislike! Probably from Tom Fox. Sadness and more sadness. We need to rip up their world and throw these idiots of the stadium roof.
Hitch, i totally agree , but he wont move will he? a man that just sit and take it. Fans need to wake up now, i know its late for the premiere league but if we take anymore we are gone. All this body guarding has always been in the club, if you ask me that’s Ellis way, he always asked for attention at Villa, I’ve picks of him in muscling in on our photos as stewards. We are in trouble.
Hi Bill, seems someone doesn’t like hearing the truth but can’t say I blame them for that. What can the fans do – 100,000 signatures on a petition would force a debate in Parliament – now that would be something! Reality is I just don’t think in today’s society the opportuniy or drive exists to mount a 60’s style rebellion at the club. It’s ironic when we are all supposed to have more choice, more democracy that the mega rich can still do whatever they want with impunity.
Like others on here I genuinely fear for the future of our club.
And ain’t that the truth Hitch, how times have changed fans just take it and let it happen in today’s world. I see I can get dislikes speaking the truth, which exactly what I mean . Wish we could get that fighting spirit from the years gone bye. That might get some dislikes.
Even the Daily Mail has picked up the resignation letter story…
B, mail and the Mirror are reporting that a former employee at Villa Park has said that Fox and his cronies have hired bodyguards .
How do we make the most of this (the letter) whilst it’s still fresh in the media. It seems to me it’s a brilliant opportunity on the back of the article on Wall Street Journal. I sense this is the opening we needed. I’m too old to understand the power of social media but surely we should be using it now. Badger – any ideas?
Surely all organizations have a complaints policy or procedure in place for customers to complain if they are dissatisfied with the goods or level of service they have received, especially if they paid in advance and the goods they offer where damaged or broken to start with.
I just think that over the last 5 years we have been resigned to the fact the inevitable R word will happen,so a lot of the fight has been drained out of us fans and any sort of discontent among the fans within the stands is swiftly dealt with to avoid bad PR. I feel for Remi and all our discontent should be aimed at the tossers who run our once great club. Most of the stewards staff are on the side of the fans but are afraid to voice an opinion.
When relegation comes give them both fucking barrels, what will they do eject everyone from the ground who rises up and demonstrates their disgust at what has happened to OUR club.
We’ll never die, WE’LL NEVER DIE… UTV
Investment?
Is there any chance Lerner will invest in players next year?
Although I do not know how much Lerner has lost in Villa. I reckon he will either have to write Villa off as a total loss,and the club will definitely follow the path set by Leeds and Portsmouth. I don’t think parachute payments pocketed will give him his desired payback.
Or, he invests a minimal amount to secure promotion back to the Premiership. This would guarantee £100m+ and a chance to gain some value out of selling Villa.
Therefore,will he invest to be able to sell.
Ps – Mr Lerner, leave our club. Go! Sell! Set us free, as we do not want you lacklustre, poor judgement and lack of football acumen. You are currently staining our “proud history” and blundering into a NON “bright future”.
Lerner is the perfect example of a rich kid. His wealth is all inherited and was not earned himself and he has done his best to piss it up the wall, ruining two sports teams in the process.
I think he’ll try and run things as cheap as possible in the championship and I can see it failing again as teams down there are investing more and more.
I am a strong advocate that the culture from the top has a huge influence on every aspect of any organisation. Lerner’s “couldn’t be bothered” half arsed attempts at survival are a perfect reflection of the team right now, is it any wonder we’re such a shambles
Wow, we made the Wall St Journal…for all the wrong reasons!
It’s actually a very accurate article. She has pretty much summed us up. A once great club in complete disarray and all from mis-management.
She does make a good point about promotion/relegation. For most teams in N America, their season is basically over half way through. Football is so much better.
All in all though, another damning article about the Villa. Sad times.
I liked that news item from the B’ham Mail that some staff were being sent home at half time to save money. Pass that idea to Remi, could have saved four goals.
What is even odder about the Ex-Lerner Browns is that in lieu of relegation the bottom teams get the first draft picks next year i.e. the best new players from College Football. In theory that should get you off the bottom, but it seems after Lerner the smell of failure just hangs around.
Nothing we can do except no show. Villa cannot lose its catchment area or its history so it will still prove an attractive buy when some sensible person wants to take the corpse off Lerner’s hands. I wonder how long it will take him to realise it is dead?
No doubt Lerner was responsible for the failure of the Browns, but to blame him for their current state is misplaced given the draft system. Maybe a case of him selling to people just as incompetent as himself. That could easily be his legacy at Villa too.
Hollis is in place to prepare us for the Championship, and reduce or stop the losses. That means players will have to go or accept reduced contracts. The usual situation here is your best players go and you get left with the dross (at least CNZ is out of contract). I can’t see there being decent funds for players either.
I think Remi will leave. That does at least give us the chance to get an Allardyce or Pearson type to get us out of the division, but it’s Lerner so expect another failed appointment.
I can’t really see what King will be able to do unless he is part of a plan to move the club to new owners (not that that is anywhere close).
I can’t even see a glimmer of hope in any of this.
I have on this site so many times recently but words fail me. I actually laughed when the third goal went in, the whole club is in a state and the only decent thing at Villa is the manager, we don’t know if he will succeed and unfortunately for him I don’t think that decision will ever be his.
It such a shambles
How can we obtain a lit of companies Randy and his family have money invested in. Also who are his associates. I can’t not goto Villa but we can boycott merchandise and stop using any business partners of Villa. These arseholes only see us as customers and numbers.
Morgan, I’m with you all the way but most football fans are fools and sheep. If we collectively boycotted VP for the rest of the season, that idiot would be forced into action instead of the lingering inertia we’re experiencing at present.
But alas no. Fans attend blindly for whatever reasons and the status quo remains the same. The PL will do nothing because all they care about is money and the Sky 4\5\6.
Until there is sustained and cohesive action, nothing will change.
Morgan i hear what your saying but the boycotting the club is the only way. The B….d learner will be justified in his actions if good crowds still go through the turnstiles. so the fans have to refuse to go refusing to buy club merchandise in the shop will make no odds to him and he will carry on as normal. As i say failing to turn up is the only way