Han valde Everton före Villa 2004
Många av oss har hört vår vd Keith Wyness berätta om Villas planer. Nu har vi även fått svar varför en matchtröja kostar vad den kostar och att han blev tillfrågad redan 2004. Han ber även om ursäkt att svaren dröjt och att alla frågor inte besvarades pga många av de var liknande.
Where do you come from, what have you done before you got into the football?
Keith: I am from Aberdeen and have had 17 years in football as a CEO and five years working as MD at the Sydney 2000 Olympica. Before that I was co-founder of a cruise line and the youngest VP in the history of British Airways
How did you get the job as CEO?
Keith: Funnily I had discussed the job with Doug Ellis in 2004 but went to Everton. When I was involved in the transaction to take over the club I was honoured when the Chairman asked if I would help him turn it round. It is an honour to do all I can to bring Villa back to where it needs to be.
Are you employed by contract or do you have a further contract of employment?
Keith: My employment contract is confidential!
How does your day look like in the office? Do you have many meetings on a week?
Keith: With China the day start early and ends late and every day is very different which is the greatest joy of working in a football club environment. When the phone rings you never know what is going to be on the end of it!!
How many employees do the club have and do you have an office at Villa Park?
Keith: We have dropped from around 350 pre takeover to just over 100 now and have better results in every area of club operations. Yes, the office is housed in the North Stand.
Is there any lunch restaurant for the employees and is it open to the public?
Keith: Since we took over the club we opened a staff canteen which has been very well received, it is for employees only.
What's happened to Aston Villa. For being a stable 6-10 team in premier league now we are in the second division. How could it be so wrong? We have one of the better academies, but do not get so many players who then go through the club. Many leave and then gets its breakthrough in other clubs. What can the club do about it?
Keith: Many things were wrong and it has been analysed by many. The first thing was to stop the rot, you see what has happened to Sunderland and Hull this year after relegation. We have changed nearly every part of the club and tried to rebuild the internal culture. It takes time but we are in a hurry.
Have you played football, and in what club and series?
Keith: I was known as “chopper” a very slow but brutal centre half, I was so slow all I could do was ankle tap!
Why was the store closed on New Street?
Keith: When we took over the whole merchandise operation was losing around £1.5m!! we had to stop the bleeding and make things profitable. We can service customers without the vanity of the New St store. Retail in general is not the place to be now.
Do you have some rituals before a game?
Keith: Yes, secret ones.
I know you came and meet us Swedes last year. Do you often meet fans before a game or was this just a one-time deal? What do you think of the Swedish supporters club?
Keith: I always try and meet fan groups if possible and always have some meetings around every game. The Swedes were fantastic and I hear from one local Brewery that they drank them dry? Surely it cant be true?
Do you have a beer and pie in half-time like many others?
Keith: Im too nervous during games to eat.
What do you say about a match shirt with all the pressure costs almost £ 75? Isn’t it too expensive?
Keith: We do not manufacture the shirts and the price is set by the manufacturers, we are in line with nearly all major clubs cheaper than some and more expensive than some, We need to make sure the quality is there.
Are you also following the ladies team and the other teams in the club? How many matches do you see with the ladies team in a season?
Keith: We have just received a license for our Ladies team to play in the second tier of football and we are very proud fo the way that project is developing.
Does the ladies team have an academy and do they train at Bodymoor?
Keith: Not yet, they use Bodymoor at times when it is free.
Are you also following away games? Is´t many in the board on away matches and how are you get there? With the bus or car?
Keith: I always drive and make every game home and away.
What plans do you have to get bigger crowds?
Keith: We work very hard to promote the game with aggressive pricing and promotion, we all know that a winning team is the most important factor. Many people do not understand that there is not a direct correlation between rice and attendance. Luke Organ is working hard on attendance improvement.
What do you do before a home game. When do you come to Villa Park etc?
Keith: Many operational checks, emails,each game may have different issues re weather,security, hospitality etc Never the same and then meet fan groups or to see employees who have done great work and deserve recognition.
Would you like to see a match from Holte End? Do you think many would recognize you then?
Keith: Would love to but as I am not exactly small it may be hard, might need a beard and sunglasses!
What is the process in buying a new player – who is all involved?
Keith: Steve Bruce, Steve Round , the whole scouting team and analysts then myself and finally the Chairman.
Sammansanställning av frågorn
/Geddis
