Villa News

Richard FitzGerald On Villa Future

|
Image for Richard FitzGerald On Villa Future

Villa’s Chief Executive Richard FitzGerald has been talking to the business editor John Duckers at the Post.

Richard has adding his backing to the campaign to get an extended runway at Birmingham International Airport and he also revealed ‘a major Asian airline was looking to partner with the club if the problem could be overcome.’

‘International companies require international facilities.’

When asked if the Emirates were the backers he refused to comment!

He called the Nike deal ‘huge’ for Villa and re-affirmed ‘We are going to build a club, not just chuck money around’ and also that the Champions League is very much the aim for this club.

‘This is a five to 10-year project. We believe that we would like to be competing for the Champions League within the next five years. I know that there has not been a lot of trophies – we need to get back to winning ways. Randy Lerner is very passionate about the ground, he is very passionate about the club, he loves the history and tradition.’

He also backed the manager and his signings: ‘Martin O’Neill is a winner. I think that everybody will see that he is one of the top European managers. John Carew is everything you would hope for. In Villa terms, he can become the next Peter Withe.’

And on the match day ‘experience’ he knows there is some way to go, ‘There is no easy fix to that – a full Villa Park is a fantastic experience. We have to continue to invest in Villa Park’s infrastructure.’

Such exciting times, so many changes going on and so much to look forward to! Should be a very enjoyable ride following our years of stagnation. I have been lucky enough to meet Richard FitzGerald for lunch and talk at some length and I have to say you can just feel the ambition at the club right now.

They are quite rightly setting the staff free to prove themselves and many are floating to the top now some of the deadwood and ‘jobs for the boys’ guys have left. What is also great is these people are good, honest, down to earth guys who have tremendous track records and are looking to remain at the club for the long term to put us back up to where Villa should rightly be!

Finally we are back in safe hands and pushing forwards.

Share this article

Walking Where Angels Fear To Tread