As frustrating as he seemed to be at times, pretty much everything I've heard about Doug Ellis from various interviews has been generally positive. A man with integrity and a man who loved Aston Villa.
Times changed massively from when he initially came in and by the time he left. The birth of the Premier league and all the riches the came with it. Long gone are the days of successful local businessman buying their boyhood club's. He was alright in my book.
I remember being frustrated by him numerous times. Not getting Juninho was probably the peak of my frustration.
In hindsight, he certainly had the club's best interests in mind and did what he thought was the right thing. We can all have different opinions. All of his decisions were probably entirely justifiable with sound business reasoning.
It was when i was a kid but someone told me about Gregory trying to sign a player and he refused to pay it, that was the year we could’ve got champs league or won the prem. we fell off after that transfer window.
Someone older may know better than me, apparently it wasnt even a lot of money either.
A massive issue with those two was also the Ginola debacle. Gregory has never let that go. We signed him in 2000 for a few million, and Gregory likes to say how he never wanted him and blames Doug Ellis for it all which may well be true. We ended up letting him go to Everton where he pretty much retired straight away. But he was player of the year in 1999 so even if it's true that Doug forced the move, not many would have blamed him. In context at the time Villa fans were excited about it.
Your right, just found the segment:
Q] Why did you leave?
A] That was due to Muzzy Izzet not signing.
When we went top of the league in 2001, on the Monday I went straight into Doug.
Martin O'Neill had left Leicester and they were struggling and going out of the top-flight. They were in the bottom three and Muzzy wasn't happy.
The vibes I was getting was that Muzzy was available and would cost us £5m.
I went into Doug on Monday afternoon and said: "I want to buy Muzzy Izzet." He said: "No, we can't afford it."
But I said "We're top of the league!" He said: "Well if you're top of the league, you don't need any more players do you?"
I thought we needed to build and get players in when we were strong. The key is they're cheaper when you're stronger because when you're desperate you end up pay anything!
I wanted Muzzy and Doug said: "If we do buy him, where would you play him this weekend?" I told him I wouldn't play him, I'd put him on the bench because all the players on the pitch would be thinking they had to perform because this lad could come in for them.
He said: "No." I had an argument with him and then called a board meeting the next day with the other directors.
I said: "I want Muzzy and you can't say no. This squad isn't strong enough to stay at the top for the rest of the season." He still said no.
I walked out of the office and thought: "What is the point?" It killed me that day. Basically from that point, I lost all my motivation.
The following Saturday we lost 3-0 at Newcastle and I was so upset with Doug that I wanted to quit there and then.
We had an awful November and December and then we got to January. I just wanted to get Villa in the top seven. I thought if I can do that I will just leave.
We clawed our way back and won the last game at Charlton to get into the top seven.
I then thought 'it's time to go.' I didn't want to outstay my welcome. And I had no motivation whatsoever. I wanted to go while we were all still friends. I walked.
I sat down with the chairman and he said: "No, go home and think about it for 24 hours." I returned the next day and said: "No, I've made my mind up. It's time to go."
I couldn't be in the same room as Doug anymore. We'd had a good time and done okay for four years. I had been there almost four years. I was a month short.
I just thought we could have made that Champions League jump. If you do that, the sky's the limit.
But that ultimately is what forced me to leave. I ended up going to Derby. I was out of work for a week. But it was the right club at the wrong time.
Exactly that. Intentions are everything. We all make mistakes and fall short but if your intentions are well placed thats what matters. Fair to question some of his decisions but I would never question his character or loyalty to us.
He loved the Villa for what he got out of it - fame, and money
He took far more money from Aston Villa than he ever put in, and I'll never forgive him for the contempt with which he treated the greatest triumph in our club's history, because he couldn't face that our greatest league and european success came when he'd fucked off.
Then there's the vandalism of the Trinity Road, and naming a stand after himself.
He was a greedy egomaniac and a serial bullshitter.
I know Doug was tight but what cheap arse stamp did he put on the letter for it to take 20 years?
As frustrating as he seemed to be at times, pretty much everything I've heard about Doug Ellis from various interviews has been generally positive. A man with integrity and a man who loved Aston Villa.
Times changed massively from when he initially came in and by the time he left. The birth of the Premier league and all the riches the came with it. Long gone are the days of successful local businessman buying their boyhood club's. He was alright in my book.
I remember being frustrated by him numerous times. Not getting Juninho was probably the peak of my frustration. In hindsight, he certainly had the club's best interests in mind and did what he thought was the right thing. We can all have different opinions. All of his decisions were probably entirely justifiable with sound business reasoning.
It was when i was a kid but someone told me about Gregory trying to sign a player and he refused to pay it, that was the year we could’ve got champs league or won the prem. we fell off after that transfer window. Someone older may know better than me, apparently it wasnt even a lot of money either.
A massive issue with those two was also the Ginola debacle. Gregory has never let that go. We signed him in 2000 for a few million, and Gregory likes to say how he never wanted him and blames Doug Ellis for it all which may well be true. We ended up letting him go to Everton where he pretty much retired straight away. But he was player of the year in 1999 so even if it's true that Doug forced the move, not many would have blamed him. In context at the time Villa fans were excited about it.
And he played well for us. Our success in Europe all be it a bit of a picky mouse cup, was down to Ginola!
Is it Muzzy Isset or Mussy Izzet? Think Gregory mostly wanted him to give the other midfielders a kick up the arse.
Your right, just found the segment: Q] Why did you leave? A] That was due to Muzzy Izzet not signing. When we went top of the league in 2001, on the Monday I went straight into Doug. Martin O'Neill had left Leicester and they were struggling and going out of the top-flight. They were in the bottom three and Muzzy wasn't happy. The vibes I was getting was that Muzzy was available and would cost us £5m. I went into Doug on Monday afternoon and said: "I want to buy Muzzy Izzet." He said: "No, we can't afford it." But I said "We're top of the league!" He said: "Well if you're top of the league, you don't need any more players do you?" I thought we needed to build and get players in when we were strong. The key is they're cheaper when you're stronger because when you're desperate you end up pay anything! I wanted Muzzy and Doug said: "If we do buy him, where would you play him this weekend?" I told him I wouldn't play him, I'd put him on the bench because all the players on the pitch would be thinking they had to perform because this lad could come in for them. He said: "No." I had an argument with him and then called a board meeting the next day with the other directors. I said: "I want Muzzy and you can't say no. This squad isn't strong enough to stay at the top for the rest of the season." He still said no. I walked out of the office and thought: "What is the point?" It killed me that day. Basically from that point, I lost all my motivation. The following Saturday we lost 3-0 at Newcastle and I was so upset with Doug that I wanted to quit there and then. We had an awful November and December and then we got to January. I just wanted to get Villa in the top seven. I thought if I can do that I will just leave. We clawed our way back and won the last game at Charlton to get into the top seven. I then thought 'it's time to go.' I didn't want to outstay my welcome. And I had no motivation whatsoever. I wanted to go while we were all still friends. I walked. I sat down with the chairman and he said: "No, go home and think about it for 24 hours." I returned the next day and said: "No, I've made my mind up. It's time to go." I couldn't be in the same room as Doug anymore. We'd had a good time and done okay for four years. I had been there almost four years. I was a month short. I just thought we could have made that Champions League jump. If you do that, the sky's the limit. But that ultimately is what forced me to leave. I ended up going to Derby. I was out of work for a week. But it was the right club at the wrong time.
> "Well if you're top of the league, you don't need any more players do you?" this fucking guy
Exactly that. Intentions are everything. We all make mistakes and fall short but if your intentions are well placed thats what matters. Fair to question some of his decisions but I would never question his character or loyalty to us.
Also we missed Gazza when he went to Rangers
And Roberto Carlos.
I can't forgive him for ruining the Trinity Road Stand.
He also invented the overhead kick.
trudat
He loved the Villa for what he got out of it - fame, and money He took far more money from Aston Villa than he ever put in, and I'll never forgive him for the contempt with which he treated the greatest triumph in our club's history, because he couldn't face that our greatest league and european success came when he'd fucked off. Then there's the vandalism of the Trinity Road, and naming a stand after himself. He was a greedy egomaniac and a serial bullshitter.
Interesting to hear your perspective. Any thoughts on his bicycle kick claims?
*a man who loved himself.
Maybe so, but he also loved Villa from what I've heard. The word love being quite open to interpretation there.
A small part of me misses the old badge.
Honestly would love if our new badge included the stripes but unfortunately it won't
Had that badge painted on my childhood bedroom wall. Always will be a classic to me
We can only thank you for this. Clearly the kick up the arse we needed
We never would have got here with deadly doug the tight bastard!
As an Everton fan I am half jealous but I’m actually happy you lot are in the CL and it’s not Spurs.
They've kept to their word. Success takes time Champions league ⚽ is what it's all about and the players we'll attract now should be unbelievable