“Because the atmosphere is not what it was or what is should be or what I hope it will be, Vic [Crowe] asked us if we would mind not appearing on the coach because it could upset the team.”

Chairman Jim Hartley.


“I have the feeling that with the team’s results going as they are we are winning people over [to not oust the Chairman and instate Herbert Douglas Ellis].

“We are not saying “Out with Ellis”, we are saying that to break up the board might break up the team.”

Vice President Ron Heath.


“The President [Pat Matthews] has got his lines crossed [after sending a letter to shareholders claiming support for Ellis].

“He says that Mr Hartley is not well known but that is rubbish.

“Jim Hartley is only interested in Aston Villa - he would not want to be a director of another club, whichever it was,

“The issue is that the supporters want either Ellis Villa or Aston Villa.

“On one side you would have a board of puppets with the new directors having hardly any shares in the club on other you would have a board which says what it thinks to be right.”

Dick Greenhalgh, Director.