EVERYONE from Irish property developers to fake sheikhs seem to think that they could buy Aston Villa, but as weary supporters await the next instalment in the perennial takeover saga, the man behind at least one fantastical story related to the Midlands club is braced for his final chapter.
Paul Garland, a conman who posed as a football agent with links to a host of Barclays Premiership clubs, is due to be sentenced next week at York Crown Court after confessing to an elaborate ruse that left his unfortunate neighbours £160,000 out of pocket. The 39-year-old faces lengthy jail time after pleading guilty to 11 counts of deception, culminating in him persuading Brian and Phillipa Manley to put their life savings into his bogus sports investment company.
Garland, who used the money to fund a flash lifestyle, was involved in an unsuccessful US-backed takeover of Leeds United by Nova Financial Partners before Ken Bates eventually bought the club. A former bankrupt, he also claimed to act for Ray Ranson, the former Manchester City defender, who has twice tried to buy Villa but whose best offer of £47 million was rejected last summer by Doug Ellis, the club’s chairman and majority shareholder.
However, Ranson, an experienced financier, is understood to have been represented by an investment banker.
Garland’s involvement in the latest Villa takeover bid raised questions about the deal. He is said to have introduced Michael Neville, a local businessman and supporter, to Brian and Luke Comer, two Irish brothers, to form a consortium considering a £64 million takeover. Villa’s financial advisers have yet to receive any formal offer.