Randy's Fox Hunt ends in success

Paul Faulkner

Aston Villa today announced a new chief executive after Paul Faulkner's swift and unexpected exit earlier in the summer.

The new geezer, Tom Fox,  has five years of experience as chief commercial officer at Cockney underachievers Arsenal and also spent time with overpriced trainers manufacturer Nike.

In July, ginger haired pen pusher Faulkner stunned the Villa family by  stepping down from the role after six years with the club including four as chief executive.

Fox

New broom Fox has a wealth of experience in sports-marketing. He opened the NBA's first office in Asia as managing director and also headed up sports marketing for Nike in Asia and the US and was involved in Pepsi's Gatorade brand.

Randy Lerner seems chuffed: "I was delighted and even flattered by Tom's interest in the Villa job.

"His achievements at Arsenal speak for themselves and, above all, his reputation as a leader and team builder makes him, to my mind, a great fit to take our club forward."

Robin

Chief financial officer Robin Russell chimed in: "I have got to know Tom over five years of Premier League meetings and have come to respect his professionalism and industry knowledge. I am looking forward to working with him."

Tom Fox added: "First of all, I would be remiss not to thank everyone at the Arsenal for all their support over the past five years.

"I consider it a huge privilege to have represented the club and to have helped move it forward.

"Aston Villa has always been an important club in English football and it has a long and rich history of success at the top of the game.

"The chance to work with Randy, Paul Lambert and Robin to help restore the club to its rightful place in the Premier League is a challenge I'm really energised by and greatly looking forward to."