Ellis blamed for spoiling Villa bid

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Ray Ranson has accused Aston Villa chairman Doug Ellis of being obstructive after his joint takeover bid for the club with retail entrepreneur Richard Thompson collapsed yesterday.

Ranson, a millionaire businessman, remains interested in buying Villa, but Thompson has pulled out after losing patience with Ellis, who has declined to even meet the pair to discuss their proposal.

The duo went public with their intentions in March but the Villa board dismissed their £33 million approach because it "significantly undervalued the club".

"I'm keeping my options open," Ranson told The Birmingham Post last night. "Obviously I'm disappointed that Richard has decided to bow out but I can understand his frustrations.

"Doug Ellis, who has gone on record as saying he willing to listen to offers for the club, has declined to even meet us to discuss our plans.

"He has said our offer significantly undervalues the business, but if that is the case then tell us why."

Villa's current share price values the club at slightly more than £32 million and there had been talk of a renewed bid from Ranson and Thompson since their first effort was rebuffed three months ago.

That speculation ended yesterday when Thompson, who owns the Jaeger and Viyella fashion clothing brands, pulled out.

A statement from publicist Seymour Pierce said: "Mr Thompson has no current intention to make or act in connection with any other party to make an offer for Aston Villa .

"Mr Ranson reiterates his potential interest in making an offer for Aston Villa and continues to consider other options in this regard. However, there can be no assurance that any offer will be made."

The Villa chairman is thought to be looking for around £60 million for the club. Ellis knows the land close to Villa Park has development potential and has always made it clear that he would only sell if the price was right.

City experts, however, believe Villa is worth £45 million as a realistic price.

Ranson's interest appears genuine, and he plans take the club off the Stock Market if he is successful saying that dividends "should be paid to the fans in the form of a successful team that wins trophies".

Critics of Ranson and Thompson's bid claimed Thompson was looking to asset-strip Villa with a view to making a profit, but Ranson, who used to play for Birmingham City, always insisted he was a football man looking to improve the club's fortunes.

The only other known British-based interest in Villa appears to have to come from former Coventry City chairman Bryan Richardson, who was thought to be planning a bid with a foreign group.

Villa declined to comment last night as they are bound by Stock Market regulations.

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VFC and the Shareholders Association are dismayed at recent events leading to the collapse of the Ray Ranson and Richard Thompson bid.

At a time when it is becoming increasingly clear that the Chairman should be looking to succession and new owners because of his advancing years, falling status within the game and inability to cope he must facilitate conversations which may be in the best interests of the Club, it's supporters and shareholders regardless of his own selfish desires!

VFC and the Aston Villa Shareholders Association can only agree with the comments of Mr Ranson. "Doug Ellis, who has gone on record as saying he is willing to listen to offers for the club, has declined to even meet us to discuss our plans. He has said our offer significantly undervalues the business, but if that is the case then tell us why." Just how can Mr Ellis claim to be acting in the best interests of our club if he won’t even meet potentially important investors?

Spokesman Jonathan Fear said, “You have to ask why Mr Ellis won’t at least meet potential investors and the fact that he won’t makes us worry all the more that Mr Ellis is only interested in his own best interests. The initial offer from this group may well have been low but who is to say what could have developed to the benefit of the club from professional and constructive talks?”

“It is a great pity that Mr Ellis doesn’t consider consulting the rest of the shareholders when opportunities arise instead of continuing his dictatorial approach. We feel he needs reminding yet again that he owes us a moral, if not legal, obligation to act in the best interests of all shareholders and stakeholders. As someone with a vested interest he should stand aside when such offers are made so the board can evaluate each approach on its merits for the club”.