Social media can be a weird, wonderful, humorous and downright degrading place I’ve had to discover this season but it also appears to lend itself incredibly easily to innocent, but ill thought out (or timed), tweets.
The Birmingham Mail confirmed on Wednesday that following earlier speculation about the Brookvale parking site, our owner had now taken on another loan using that piece of property as security as he continues to scramble to provide short-term cash injections that carry with it the potential for long-term catastrophic results.
I’m sure many of you remember the programme Father Ted, Father Jack had a particular line that I shouldn’t repeat here but bare it in mind – actually a few of them apply in many ways.
Dr Tony Xia in his statement told us that we had ‘no bank debt’ as if it was soothing information and should reassure us that we were debt free even.
Chant it with me!
No bank debt – other kinds of debt exist, we’re past the Tooth Fairy and Santa Clause stage of life (some of us at least!).
In any event, according to the Mail we haven’t ‘factored’ away Brookvale, we’ve used it as security on a presumed £4million loan from Puma Lending LTD (they are not a bank!). The £4million is an assumption based on it’s expected valuation as a site – so likely less in reality.
We now have a new company to watch – 1874 Developments Limited. Xia and Tracy Gu are the two listed directors there.
Now bare that latest development in mind when you think of the following tweet yesterday from the club.
Ready for the new season 👊#PartOfThePride #AVFC pic.twitter.com/9FwcF8jyFr
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) July 11, 2018
Fair enough it leans on the fact there was a coming Andre Green interview, but with everything going on off the pitch added to fans becoming aware of the above, it didn’t go down well.
We’re waiting to see if the club will be ready for the new season mostly.
That comes across as intensely sarcastic, considering the summer we've had.
— Matt AVFC (@everysongsung) July 11, 2018
10 worse men behind the ball, fat loser in charge with a host of 1st team coaches draining millions from our club, a total and utter fraud loaning money like its going out of fashion!!! #PartOfWhatFucfkingPride @Dr_TonyXia
— Villa Boy (@VillaBoy68) July 11, 2018
The loan helping? pic.twitter.com/k9RuFhVdcz
— thatcherlover (@thatcherlover) July 11, 2018
As a club villa aint ready for the new season be real @AVFCOfficial ?
— Matthew Henry (@Phillyceltics) July 11, 2018
That's a no. I actually shatting myself pic.twitter.com/VuX6gIb9Rd
— marc stix dawson (@stix2895) July 11, 2018
I fear the best part of it will be the new kit… I'm dreading this season
— Conchúr Mac Giolla Léith (@ckill82) July 11, 2018
Is he the only one left?
— David Stamp (@stampyshortlegs) July 11, 2018
I was referring to us not being 'ready for the new season' we're all over the place atm. Players won't know if we're coming or going anymore than we do ????
— minxnicki (@minxnicki) July 11, 2018
I think we will be okay anyway. Like yeh it will be a big loss, & yeh we may not get promoted next season, but we still give it a good go. Bruce has the same goal, by the end of the season, & he will wanna improve & get better, like we should still have a good squad to do well
— Crazy Steve (@CrazySteveYT) July 11, 2018
@CrazySteveYT its so nice to see someone else with this mind set! All this doom and gloom talk when the only person who really knows the extent of the debt and worry is tony
— LNDN Ghostwave (@GhostWave_H5) July 12, 2018
are we? are you sure?
— Charlie Littlejohns (@chazlittlej) July 11, 2018
No team,no money yeah can't wait
— jane mcconnell (@maccy73) July 11, 2018
Totally ready mate yeah #avfc pic.twitter.com/ZahIGUBKcj
— Adam Bernard (@VillasHerc) July 11, 2018