Supporters and shareholders of Aston Villa have joined together to fight what they see as the "endless cycle of under-achievement" their club has suffered for the past 20 years.
Press Release - 18th May 2004.
The year of the has been
Villa Fans Combined (VFC) and the AV Shareholders Association would like to express their thanks to both the manager and the team for the fantastic effort they have put in this season. It is clear that David O'Leary has worked miracles in order to not only ensure Premiership safety but to finish just one place away from European football. It is important to note that this was done whilst releasing fourteen players and having severely restricted transfer funds.
Villa has been turned into a 'nearly' club (see appendix) as Mr Ellis has proven to be incapable of taking the golden opportunities to move the club forward despite his often-repeated aims of Champions League football. It is clear that no manager will be able to meet that requirement under the constraints he places. It is now time for the board of Aston Villa, particularly the major shareholder Mr Ellis who is 80 and has failing health, to actively seek new investors.
If the manager isn't given full backing and potential investors are continually re-buffed in their approaches, the protests and dissatisfaction amongst fans and shareholders will grow. The foundations have been laid but to complete the job Mr Ellis has got to do what is right for the club and go.
Appendix:
Aston Villa's position and points for the last decade, proving despite two severely poor seasons Villa are 'nearly' there each season but Mr Ellis fails to take the next step. Over this time Brian Little, John Gregory, Graham Taylor and now David O'Leary have all been set the same unrealistic targets.
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