Villa appoint Mervyn King to their board

Aston Villa have appointed former Wolverhampton resident Mervyn King, the former Governor of the Bank of England, to the club board.moreKing, the Lord of Lothbury, is a life-long supporter, having developed a passion for Villa while living in Wolverhampton.

He moved to the city as a child when he relocated from Buckinghamshire and was educated at Warstones Primary School and then Wolverhampton Grammar School.

His dad, Eric, was a secondary school teacher at the former Robert Street Secondary Modern in Lower Gornal, while the family were based at Canterbury Road in Penn.

Wolves players Bobby Thomson and Nigel Sims lived on the same street and remained there after transferring to Villa, sparking King's love affair with the claret and blues through his neighbours.

His appointment comes a month after Birmingham-based businessman Steve Hollis became the club's new chairman, replacing owner Randy Lerner.

Hollis said: "I was delighted when Mervyn agreed to join the board. His dedicated support for the club is well known.

"Mervyn successfully steered the Bank of England through the most turbulent economic headwinds in living memory.

"His appointment to the board is a huge boost as we plan our path back to more successful times."

King added: "It is a privilege to be asked to serve as a director of this great club.

"I watched my first match at Villa Park more than 55 years ago, and have experienced the highs and the lows since then.

"I shall do my best to help the rebuilding of Aston Villa as together we return it to its position as one of the top clubs in the world."

Villa are currently bottom of the Premier League, ten points adrift of safety.