Randy Lerner: A Case Study On Foreign Ownership

Michel Platini has been outspoken since his instalment as UEFA president in January, believing there too many problems in the English game, one of them being foreign ownership. He recently said, “I am totally against the philosophy in England today where Americans are buying clubs, not because they love football but because of money. Football is part of the cultural heritage of a nation. How can an American or Chinese understand English football?” In some instances Mr Platini may have a point, but in the case of Randy Lerner and Aston Villa, he could not be more wrong.

Since the completion of the takeover from Doug Ellis in August 2006, it is clear that Lerner’s motivations for the purchase of Aston Villa were not money. Ellis, despite his shortcomings, did a good job in appointing Marin O’Neill as manager and his insistence on selling the club to the right man. Many potential investors viewed Aston Villa as a potential cash cow with valuable land and upcoming television revenue coming as part of the takeover deal. However, it was clear from the offset that plundering the club for assets has never been on Lerner’s agenda. Not only has Lerner backed Aston Villa financially, he has overseen many necessary changes in the club’s infrastructure, winning the fans over in the process.

Completing the rebuilding of the outdated Bodymoor Heath training ground and transforming it into a state of the art facility was first on the agenda. Since this was completed, he has paid for fans to be bussed to the Chelsea away game last season, the renovation of the historic Holte Pub, and the appointment of General Charles Krulak as a fans consultant. His re-branding of the club has led to a lucrative deal with Nike and no doubt his contacts can also seal a lucrative main sponsorship deal when the current one runs out.

His crowning glory thus far, however, came during the last home game of the 2006/07 season against Sheffield United, where he honoured the heroes of Aston Villa’s historic 1-0 victory over Bayern Munich in Rotterdam in 1982, parading the players and the European Cup on the pitch before the game to a rapturous reception.

Lerner’s respect for the fans has made him a popular figure with the Villa faithful, and his right-hand man General Krulak especially so. His constant dialogue with fans on fan-run internet forums has proved revolutionary in the running of the club, with issues being channelled directly through to Lerner himself in some circumstances.

The owner and his American team certainly do not claim to know everything about football as a game, but this has not been a sticking point for the fans who are currently being treated to exciting football on the pitch and excellent customer service off it.

Does Randy Lerner love football? He claims to, and would look foolish not to given the time, effort and money he has already invested in Aston Villa. Indeed, £40million has been spent on players since his arrival in 2006 and yet Martin O’Neill is building for the future in the knowledge that despite the pressure the fans and media put on him, he is not going to be unsettled from above.

The five-year plan set out by Lerner and his team after his takeover is a sure indication of this.

Lerner has honoured the heritage of Aston Villa arguably more so than his predecessor, and his nationality has so far had little bearing on the respect he has shown for the fans of the club. Perhaps Platini was talking about the recent takeovers at Manchester City, West Ham, and the mooted takeover of Birmingham by Carson Yeung.

In a recent interview, Platini made exception for the current Chelsea owner stating, “I think that [Roman] Abramovich loves football.” In the future, he should include Randy Lerner in that bracket.

Is Randy Lerner a true football fan? Share your views by leaving a comment below.