Written by John Tuesday, 08 December 2009 11:16
I haven’t written under a headline for a while, but I figured this was something worth drawing a little attention to.
I was on a happy jaunt to Blockbuster to pick up a DVD in order to waste away the remainder of my usual Sunday hangover sat on the sofa when I decided to pop into JJB on the local retail park. I wanted to have a look at boots and pick up a new stud spanner for a mate when I noticed something I haven’t noticed before in my 27 years of life.
Living in Essex isn’t conducive to getting to many games and I while away some afternoons by going to watch Colchester United or Ipswich town to get a hit of live action, but I have noticed a growing sway in support for the Villa to that of every Premier league fans second team.
It is something I am beginning to hear a lot in conversation in the pub or on a blog. Many are complimentary of our Manager or Chairman or our glut of young English talent or the counter attacking way we play and it seems there has been a shift in attitude towards our club that many of my friends labelled as ‘boring boring Villa’ for so very long.
Anyway, I digress.
I was standing in JJB in the heart of Essex where it is not uncommon to see a plethora of Spurs, West Ham, Chelsea, Arsenal, Man Utd and Liverpool shirts on display and there before my very eyes was a rack with a full range of Villa shirts; home and away in every size you could think of. As if this wasn’t enough there were mannequins modelling a Milner and Young shirt.
As many on here are from Birmingham this may seem rather inconsequential, but to me it is unheard of. There may as well have been a shining divine light from between two clouds accompanied by the tear jerking chorus of a choir of angels.
No longer will I have to order from the club site only to find they’ve sent me two shirts, both in the wrong size and one of which is long sleeved only for me to have to send it back. I can just pop down to the local retail park and pick one up.
For a chain the size of JJB to stock this number, they must think they have a chance of selling them. This suggests that support is growing for the club I love, even in the chav riddled back water that is Essex.
I was looking at our nice looking kit, knitted in a Middle East sweatshop somewhere by a foetus getting paid in bottle caps for the leading sportswear manufacturer in the world and it occurred to me that we are on the up, the sleeping giant has awoken and we are fast becoming everyone’s dark horses to win something of note very soon.
We have been building on the pitch, and building a squad, but good old Randy has been sorting out a tremendous amount of other stuff too.
We do now look to the outsider like a large well run, modern football club. We have a huge fan base that is probably growing faster than it ever has nationally since the glory days of the 80’s. We have state of the art facilities, a nice kit and soon to be a redeveloped larger ground.
Despite the negativity I am seriously excited about my future as a Villa fan although I can certainly see where Damian is coming from with his post yesterday.
We don’t want to believe, we have been hurt too many times before to open ourselves up to the kind of embarrassing humiliation we suffered at the end of last season and despite us wanting to get excited we won’t let ourselves. We are continually enticed to believe only to find it is a false dawn and we are once again left wanting as our cheers die and descend into a vacant hanging cadence.
Our progress has been gradual and probably will continue to be so, but it is progress never the less. We have come a decent distance since our club was bought and a new manager installed and we have arguably our best chance of silverware and a highest league finish in years, don’t be scared to believe, if we are let down again then we are Villa fans; we can handle it.
This may seem trivial to so many, and some may flout my sexuality or commitment to the club, but it really made my weekend.
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Damian
said:
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... I't snot that I don't want to believe, it's that I actually do believe the style of football we play is awful and I can't see us getting any higher than 6th with it. |
Rattus NorVillicus
said:
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...There may as well have been a shining divine light from between two clouds accompanied by the tear jerking chorus of a choir of angels. Damian: Have You Seen The Light ? |
John Samuels
said:
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... Damien, you old cynic, we are getting there. Slowly slowly catchy monkey. We are twice the team we were three years ago and at least we have players that may now be able to handle a more flowing, passing game. We just need the last couple of pieces of the jigsaw. |
Christian
said:
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... I remember seeing some Villa shirts in a shop in Norwich once, I thought it was a mirage! I'm Birmingham-based now so it's very common to see the claret and blue everywhere, but, when I was growing up I'd often see the famous colours on a sport's shop rack, run over and it'd ALWAYS (without fail) turn out to be a Hammers shirt  I agree that it does feel as though we're becoming fans' second team. I think it's the English core we have. Plus a lot of people have a soft-spot for MON (ironically, something a lot of Villa fans don't have). |
John Samuels
said:
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...I'd often see the famous colours on a sport's shop rack, run over and it'd ALWAYS (without fail) turn out to be a Hammers shirt I can relate. |
London Villa A1
said:
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... Living in London ive always had problems getting official merchanidise. My comment to the sales staff has been that obviously Villa kit has sold out so why not stock more. Another trick I do is when there is Villa mercahndise is to put a shirt over the front on Man U's Liverpools etc so Villa have more facings and look bigger and better. Actually this trick could be tried in Brum where ever any blue noses shirts are on sale.. |
Luke Marson
said:
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... We are twice the team playing the same football. We're getting there, but playing great football for 2/3 of the season doesn't matter if the other 1/3 is total dross. |
Joe W
said:
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... I was pleasantly suprised to see alot of people carrying bags from the villa shop in town walking around on saturday. I was stood waiting next to 2 guys from germany who had brought a couple of shirts to take back with them. |
Lloydy
said:
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... Thank god for a positive post. Damien I am not happy with the football at times.But I love my club and I love what we are about and I love the fact...yes fact..that we are on the way up. In MON we trust  |
Andi
said:
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... I have said many time before i DONT care what the football looks like NOW, when we are playing champions league football then i want to see some arsenal esk magic but until then i DONT care, DONT care who scores, DONT care how we score just as long as we WIN and we get our goal. Once we have our goal lets worry about how pretty our football is but until then HOOF HOOF AWAY as long as it gets us 3 points |
Christian
said:
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... First thing I pack for a holiday abroad is my Villa shirt! Anybody else do the same? Great when somebody recognises it too. |
Andi
said:
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... Christian 1983 - always pack my villa shirt first mate, and wear one to the airport at silly o'clock freezing my nuts off and i usually find a bar with shirts on the wall or celling and offer one of my tops in exchange for beer and only if i can postion it on the celling or wall usually covering half of the scouse shirt that is already there |
jack gallimore
said:
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... Why don't you people support your local team? If we do well you will be accused of being glory hunters! |
Andi
said:
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... At the HULL game before kick of i was in the ASTON HOTEL as normal chatting away to a few pals, on the way out i noticed these 2 blokes anyway we got chatting they had come from DENMARK for that game to watch CAREW, they looked like a walking VILLA shop the amount of scalfs hats and bags they had and according to them we are big over there |
Michael
said:
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... how come you became a villa fan john if your from essex? good choice, but im just curious. |
Daniel Wilson
said:
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... Nice post, I know exactly where your coming from after living practicaly my whole life in Aylesbury, the only shirts ever stocked round here were United, Liverpool and Arsenal. Suprise suprise when Chelsea brought the title there kit started appearing too. There is and always has been a massive Villa flag hanging from the roof in JJB's though which I thought was a nice touch. |
Andi
said:
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... Jack - I could walk to Villa Park from my house, dont live in birmingham anymore but Villa was my local team even now i still go i drive 70mile round trip every other week to go. |
Daniel Wilson
said:
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... jack gallimore - There was no local team for me unless you call Aylesbury United a team?? Villa had a lot of my favourite players growing up and just grew and grew and grew on me, to the point where it became love, I promised to have her through better and worse & we were married. its been almost 20 years now, and although she has cheated on me a few times, kicked me when I was down and made some really stupid questionable decisions were still going strong. |
Andi
said:
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... Apprantley people Carew's camp are discussing with FEBERNACHE about this 5million move Carew got 18months left on his contract ??? 5million for big john do we want that to happen ? |
stig
said:
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... I have a lot of family in Norwich, It always peed me off that there was never any Villa shirts noticeably on sale in any of the major sports shops in Norwich. It has been like that for years, and as Norwich is full of Arsenal, West Ham, and Tottenham fans - maybe a few Norwich fans aswell, their shops reflect it. Spuds shirts everywhere!!!!!! However I noticed the shift very recently aswell, it was like JJB in Castlemall had gone Villa Mad!!!!! If you book them, they will come. |
John Samuels
said:
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...Why dont you people support your local team!!! It's a long story jack and if i thought anyone would really care i'd post. When I trot it out I usually get nods of agreement and people generally agree that i have every right to support the team that got me into a sport I had previously shunned in favour of Warhammer figurines until I was ten. Dark days indeed. |
maximilian
said:
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... hate to put a dampener on things but jjb are only stocking the strip because your club have decided to get a little up to date with merchandising your stick - it is now sale on return. if jjb don't sell, they don't pay |
SuperBox
said:
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... John Nice post, I know what you mean, being a Villa fan who lives at least 80 miles from Birmingham (south) means all we got was United, Liverpool, Spurs and West Ham. I'll have to check out the local JJB to see it with my own eyes. Damian Your glass is clearly half empty all the time. Yes it aint't perfrect, but I thought with Milner, Downing and Young all mixing it up at the weekend it looked a lot better. I agree with Chiefy, we need some wins, then we can attract the players we need to become more creative and cultured, though you can take it too far, look at Arsenal, all flair, no spine. We are building for the future, in the right way. Never been happier as a Villa fan (in over 20 years of occasional highlights, followed by massive periods of crushing dissappointment and frustration). Back to Ellis and D'OL - No thanks. |
John Samuels
said:
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... maximillian, Ellis would never have come up with anything as clever as that. Good way to get the name out and piuck up a few sales at the same time then. |
Damian
said:
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... SuperBox yes - it looked a lot better. but that was two games. lets see it after 8 more shall we and then tally up what we have from it i'm just not going to get carried away after two games. again |
Andi
said:
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... does nobody care that BIG JOHN could be leaving ?? hopefully its lazy papers again but he did have his most succesful spell in turkey, if he did go back BEKISTAS fans wouldnt be to happy |
Christian
said:
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... Jack Gallimore- It's not always as simple as 'support your local team'. Don't really want to bore anyone, but my family are from Brum and Porstmouth. They moved to Norwich before I was born. All I knew, from an age when I could understand, was that I'd have to be a Villa fan or a Pompey fan! The Villa family members were more persuasive, got me a kiddies shirt etc, so that was that! |
Daniel Wilson
said:
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... Chiefy, does nobody care that BIG JOHN could be leaving ?? hopefully its lazy papers again but he did have his most succesful spell in turkey, if he did go back BEKISTAS fans wouldnt be to happy I would care, but the story seems to have come from nowhere and the fact they mention that Randy wouldn't object due to wanting to 'balance the books' seems utterly made up. It would be very difficult replacing him in Jan and if Gabby got injured we would have very few attacking options. Unless we're picking someone like Keane from Tottenham up as a raplacement I can't see it happening. |
paul mclafferty
said:
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... chiefy... if i was honest with you then i wouldnt much care if carew was sold as i find him very lazy 80% of his playing time, and if we could get a worklike frontman in the form of dean saunders then i would be a happy chappie. |
Christian
said:
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... Stig, it's v weird coming on here and reading about Castle Mall??!! Yeah not much Villa support in Norwich, but it is changing. Carrow Road sells out every single week though, good bunch of loyal supporters. They don't harp on about it either, unlike Leeds for instance. |
SuperBox
said:
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... Damian I agree, let's not carried away, but things are looking up. I have concerns that the same middle 4 might be lacking that tough holding player, meaning we'll struggle against tougher opponents than of late. For me, the big dilemma is what we do up front, cos I'm not sure were getting the best out of Gabby, Big Jon, Emile...oh we don't have any more options, cos MON clearly doesn't think Delf is ready. |
kingfisher villa
said:
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... damien,i was at both the pompey and hull games and the movement from milner downing and young has convinced me we will finish 5th at worst,i know those two are poor teams but villa never even got out of 2nd gear and i predict here and now we will beat man utd on saturday by at least 2 goals as they have no defence |
Andi
said:
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... dan wilson and holteend paul -- if keane does, when keane comes come 5million for a 30 year old with 18months left on his contract isnt bad business even though it would sad too see him go |
John Samuels
said:
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...For me, the big dilemma is what we do up front, cos I'm not sure were getting the best out of Gabby, Big Jon, Emile...oh we don't have any more options, cos MON clearly doesn't think Delf is ready. Imo the fact that Delfouneso is getting chucked on with a couple of minutes to go at the end of games is a sign that he may become more prominent as the season goes on. MoN is very gradual and methodical at playing the younger players into the team. I can actually see Carew going soon, but I thought it would be the summer and I still think this will be the case. Lazy journo's bore me. Delph is almost ready, lets remember he's only 19. By all accounts he hasn't been on the greates form for England or the reserves although he has been playing. If he hits a run of good games he may well make a case for a few sub appearances, but he'll have to play his way in. I still stand by my commments that he is Petrov's eventual successor in the middle of the park alongside Milner. He'll be a first pick by the time he's 22 (same age as Daron Gibson who is about to replace Scholes) |
jerry
said:
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...Villa had a lot of my favourite players growing up and just grew and grew and grew on me, to the point where it became love, I promised to have her through better and worse & we were married. its been almost 20 years now, and although she has cheated on me a few times, kicked me when I was down and made some really stupid questionable decisions were still going strong. Dan, this blog gets better all the time. I loved this. From his nibs: SuperBox Don't get upset folks - it's just the disclaimer. |
paul mclafferty
said:
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... i think with downing playing we should go 4-5-1 now using delph in the middle and gabby up front, if delph got a chance in a five man midfield i think he would shine. |
Rattus NorVillicus
said:
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...jack gallimore said: Because I'm a glory hunter - just not a very good one. |
SuperBox
said:
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...Because I'm a glory hunter - just not a very good one. Pancho - Now that IS comedy! Top Class! |
John Samuels
said:
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...Because I'm a glory hunter - just not a very good one. Coffee spitting moment again pancho...very amusing.    |
BobbyPark
said:
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... Villa support around the country is very good, there's probably more Villa fans in Cov than there are Sky Blues fans and loads of towns in the south Midlands (Daventry, Corby, Droitwich, Leamington) are big on Villa. There's also massive support in Ireland where we're probably the next best supported after Man U and Liverpool. If we get a sniff of top 4 or win a cup Randy will have to increase the capacity, no reason why we shouldn't be getting a regular 50 thousand within 5 years. The marketing dep't also seem to have it spot on. We know we're a great club and the rest of the world is starting to realise it to. IF LORDS IS THE HOME OF CRICKET, THEN VILLA PARK IS THE HOME OF FOOTBALL, the McGregor statue says it all ! |
Andi
said:
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...Because I'm a glory hunter - just not a very good one just had to hang up on someone because as they answered the phone i was roaring i need a wee now |
Andi
said:
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... There also seems to be quite a few VILLA fans in Burton, the people that support Burton and Derby you find follow us as well. Although there are quite a few idiots that follow Man U and Liverpool and when asked if they have ever been within spitting distance of the ground the answer is NO so then the conversation you was having about football at the time lose's interest and i walk off  |
Tjeiken
said:
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... I buy my villa shirts in norway don't have to order,just going to the shop buying them all sorts |
andrew powell
said:
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... As an American it seems like the brand is growing a little here too. My mother-in-law works for Nike here in the states and I noticed that this year is the first year that Nike have featured any Aston Villa products on their regular US site. In the past they have only featured their "bigger" names like Man U., Arsenal, and Barcelona. And while I'm sure they're not as popular as the other teams are, it's nice to get a little visibility. Last summer when I was wearing my team shirt at Disneyland I even met two Americans who considered themselves casual Villa fans. |
doubledown9
said:
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... Living in Devon I'm noticing the same thing with the shirts appearing not just in the major brand stores like JJB, but smaller independent sports outlets. Given that Devon is mostly Utd and Pool this can't be a bad sign. There is also much anecdotal evidence for the Second Club thing in newspapers and blogs etc. The Ireland thing is true, particularly in Kerry and Cork. |
Rios.Jockstrap
said:
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... I thought we played some delightful stuff during the first half agaisnt Hull?????????????? |
Chris Platt
said:
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... Went on vacation to California with the wife in September. I was walking around Monteray Bay Aquarium wearing my Villa shirt. Walked round a corner and thought I was looking in the mirror. Another Villa shirt staring at me!! We exchanged pleasantries, and I found out he lived in North Carolina... The power of the Villa |
Tim Hillman
said:
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... Damien I think you should write a post about where you live and how you became a Villa fan then everyone below can write where they live and how they came to love the Villa! It would be a fun post and would stop a bit of negativity and mid week blues! I for one don't give a rats ass about where you live as long as your a passionate fan and true to yourself I wouldn't care if you were conceived born and live in St Andrews as long as you bleed claret & blue and love the Villa then you're a fan!! Anyway just a suggestion! |
TheGreatDane
said:
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... I live in Australia and have to get a mate to post my shirts from England! Look forward to a change! UTV |
Rios.Jockstrap
said:
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... Nice Post John. Its something that ive noticed aswell, spendding a lot of time in the Southwest. Also when people notice you wearing a villa shirt, more and more now say how they admire the club and like the direction we are heading in. Also, the great thing about increasing your support base is that you also increase demand. Demands for results, demands for better players and better league placings, which is what we proberly see on here sometimes. Maybe some of this fickleness is a good sign |
Daniel Wilson
said:
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... CSM - I like it, would get everyone in a good mood before the Man United prediction thread |
Jord
said:
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... When I went to Australia two summers ago I was pleasently suprised to see a Villa shirt in a Sydney sports store amongst the the Chelsea, Man Utd, Liverpool & Arsenal shirts. We're a big brand. |
john franey
said:
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... There's also massive support in Ireland where we're probably the next best supported after Man U and Liverpool. Bobby id say after man utd,liverpool,arsenal,chelsea,leeds,man-city and obviously celtic it would be villa.Im suppoting villa over 20 years and i know of only about 10 supporters in my area. Over the past couple of years though you can get villa merchandise in any major sports retailer in ireland.I dont know if thats because the club have a bigger profile now or the fact martin o neill is our manager with the whole celtic thing over here. |
Chris Harper
said:
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... Nice post John. Its good to hear everyone's stories so I thought I would chip in with my penny's worth. I was 6 years old playing in the street when my mate 2 years older said he was a Villa fan. That was the beginning for me. It was a painful beginning however, as his older brother, 4 years older than me and a Man U fan, chased me around the street, caught me, then ordered me to say 'I support Man U' whilst clamping my head at the temples with his big knuckles. I stayed strong and had to tell a white lie, until he let me go at least! Long live Aston Villa!smilies/grin.gif |
Eoin Doyle
said:
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... Wicklow Villa would have to disagree with that. After Man U, Liverpool and Celtic, for most of my lifetime I would say Villa were more supported in Ireland than the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Leeds and Man City. Now of course, in recent years with all this Top 4 nonsense, you do see more Arsenal and Chelsea shirts than Villa, and that's just due to their success over the past 10 years or so. So basically after the Top 4 and Celtic, we're the next best thing over here. As for Leeds and Man City, I think I've seen more Spurs fans than those put together. And I live in Dublin. |
Gallie
said:
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... Sorry to come in here with a referee type comment, but i'm 34, Irish and have supported Villa from birth. I have to agree with Wicklow Villa on the fans thing. Miles more Leeds fans over here than Villa. Even Man City definately out number us...and not just this season. |
john franey
said:
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... Grinder I dont know about dublin but unfortunately wicklows full of leeds arsenal and chelsea supporters and i would say a lot of people would say to me villa would be their second team,But its when people start disliking us thats when you know were starting to become successful and winning things. |
John Samuels
said:
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...But its when people start disliking us thats when you know were starting to become successful and winning things. The next step |
oldnick
said:
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... Have to agree with damian in that the majority of our football is very poor 2 watch. There is no doubt in my mind that downing coming in and milner in the middle has improved us, but im just waiting for mon to change it all around again. For quite a while now my support for mr oneill has been dwindling down the scale. Man managment is second to none! Football tactician is just none! |
Greg
said:
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... im a villa fan since im 8, im 26 now and the reason i started following villa, was because of Paul 'God' McGrath, i had no problems getting villa jerseys over here back then, i still have my mitre copiers, muller and ast computers jerseys, but since then the villains dried up, i havent been able to get any jerseys. I in 2 sports shops the wkned and they have porto n barcelona jerseys for a measley 25e but no villa shirts. The last villa thing i bought was dec '98 and it was a villa bomber jacket, cost me 95£, well worth it, villa drew home to man u 1-1 julian joachaim scored the equaliser to put us back top of the league. Jesus where does the time go, anyway the club is back in proper hands and moving in the right direction after 10 years of horrible medocrity |
GPalmer
said:
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... Nice piece - I think it's the big England contingent in our team that people like. I can't find any sort of patriotism for so-called English clubs in the Champions League anymore as they're as multinational as any other team in Europe. I'm not xenophobic or anything, but it's nice to see a majority of Brits in a British team, or Italians in an Italian team, etc. Having some potential England stars of the future also increases our appeal to kids, and something's obviously working to get 39,000 at home to Hull the other day. That sort of crowd only used to turn up for the Liverpool & Man U games. |
paul mclafferty
said:
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... people like the villa because we are a nice club that doesnt upset the apple cart, would love to be hated by all the plastic mancs and scouser fans as it would mean we are beating them regulary and winning silverware. |
Andi
said:
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... ASTON VILLA - Creating the England team of today, tomorrow and the future !!! get me a job in marketing |
Andi
said:
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...would love to be hated by all the plastic mancs and scouser fans as it would mean we are beating them regulary and winning silverware its coming and it starts saturday !!! we already done Liverpool and Chelski the hatred is coming |
Mike Carter
said:
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... Chiefy you poor soul. You must have been one of the lucky ones that made it out alive |
John Samuels
said:
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... I was never into football as a kid as I was a bit of a geek back then (side parting, clarks shoes and a quilted navy coat). I was a cub and went to the Scout jamboree at the Birmingham NEC when I was about ten. As you know, you pass right by Villa Park on your way in London side and it was pretty cool to look at as I'd never even seen a football stadium let alone been in one. Later on one of the Cub leaders (Baloo, a grey haired old Brummie) took a few of the kids who were up for it for a tour round Villa park laid on by the club as it was the close season. We got to see the dressing rooms and walk on the pitch and a guide told us some of the History of the club. I was sold, I bought a Villa pin badge that day which I still have on the strap of my 'man bag' and it goes everywhere with me. I was always Villa on Champ Man as I got older and got a hell of a lot of stick at School. I got taken to a few games by my old mand although he was a legend for stumping petrol and ticket money for me despite being an Ipswich fan, but he seemed to understand my passion for Villa. As a result of Villa getting me into football I now follow Colchester United a bit when I can be arsed to pay £18 to watch league one football and even got to see Villa there pre season. I used to go more often when I could get in for £2.80 as a minor. I am Villa mad, I drive my close friends and my girlfriend absolutely mental with it, but I still struggle to get to games and haven't been in a while. I support the club by buying a shirt every season and sometimes even two. I donate money to Acorns and follow the first team, reserve team and acadmey with avid interest. Unfortunately I am going to struggle to get to the cup final if we make it as I will have trouble getting a ticket, so if anyone is in a position to help out i'd be most grateful. UTV! JPA |
Andi
said:
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... JPA -- i will help you out mate depends on what they let season ticket holders have put there is 3 of us so i am sure we can muster some up fingers crossed |
pete
said:
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... jpa bloody sad story,why cant you get to see the villa when you can watch colchester when you are arsed. |
Andi
said:
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... JPA - if we do rovers we should get a big enough allocation so i should imagine we should be able to get a couple per season ticket if that is the case i will be able to sort you out a couple no problemo |
Daniel Wilson
said:
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... No.10 i'm guessing for JPA travelling from the other side of the coutry is difficult. To watch Villa I too have a round trip of over 100 miles and it just isn't possible on my budget. Add to that the fact that Saturdays and Sundays at work pay twice as well and it's a no brainer if I want to put food in my fridge for the month. I'd love to have Villa park on my doorstep. I'd be there every week, but until I have a well paid mon-fri 9-5 it's not an option |
John Samuels
said:
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...jpa bloody sad story,why cant you get to see the villa when you can watch colchester when you are arsed. It's the travelling that costs, coupled with the price of a ticket, food and a few beers it's not far off a hundred quid. Not to mention taking a whole day out. I do it every now and again, but I got busted last xmas on a driving indescretion shall we say, and I haven't been driving since last xmas. The train is a nightmare. And when I say 'I can be arsed' this isn't very often. |
John Samuels
said:
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...No.10 i'm guessing for JPA travelling from the other side of the coutry is difficult. Dan, cheers for the back up, its almost 200 miles from mine to VP. |
Andi
said:
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...It's the travelling that costs, coupled with the price of a ticket, food and a few beers it's not far off a hundred quid. Not to mention taking a whole day out tell me about it with fuel, food, ticket, beers, train fair because you get drunk and forget your driving, mrs moaning at you because you did the previous on way to picking up car it does all add up !!!! but i guess like most if you could you would. |
pete
said:
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... jpa talk about glory hunters,so the next time you will see villa it will be at wembley. |
Andi
said:
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... no10 - it is through no fault of his mate, he just lives far away i have to do a 70-80mile round trip to villa park but i am lucky enough to be able to do that, just because people live miles away doesnt make them any less a fan alot of people including JPA probably know more in fact they do no more than me about Villa but i go every week so how does that work then ??? |
Chris Harper
said:
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... You don't realise how lucky you are when only living 20 miles from the ground- I can hop on the train a mile down the road from where I live and be in Witton within 35 mins. Sometimes its only £1.50 return too! I just hope that it isn't Keef driving when the train pulls up... |
Andi
said:
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... Villa_Chris - i miss being able to walk to Villa Park and visitng around 5 pubs on the way, HOWEVER i dont miss BIRMINGHAM or KINGSTANDING |
John Samuels
said:
|
... I didn't pick Villa, Villa picked me. And to be honest if actually was a glory hunter and Villa ever bloody won anything it'd mean i'd be able to watch them more often. Wembley is 50 mins on the train and costs £28 return. |
Andi
said:
|
...And to be honest if actually was a glory hunter and Villa ever bloody won anything it'd mean i'd be able to watch them more often. Wembley is 50 mins on the train and costs £28 return Ticket to Wembley £50 Train return £28 JPA priceless |
Eoin Doyle
said:
|
... Gaille That's shocking news to me I know Leeds have a following over here, but I would never have thought City would outnumber Villa. I grew up in Carlow, and it was obviously Man U, Liverpool and Celtic. But I knew and saw far more Villa fans than any other, the odd Arsenal fan here and there and absolutely NO Chelsea. Obviously I can just go on who I know, and what jerseys I see out in the streets but traditionally I would have always seen more Villa than the others. These days are diffent of course, a guy walked past me the other day near my house in a Portsmouth top! Also, big following in the North, I live near Croke Park, so after a recent match between 2 northern counties, every second person was shaking my hand and shouting up the Villa at me, as I was wearing the jersey. Must be the MON factor. Anyway, I guess it's a bit different depending on where you live. |
Lukas
said:
 |
... I would be besotted, to see the mighty Villa having their merch sold in places as far as the coast. It's a sign of people opinions are that this is a BIG team with fans spread across Britain! |
Paul Theiss
said:
 |
... I'm from Texas, as the name suggests, and I started regularly following football only at the start of the 2006-2007 season. I wanted to follow a team, but I didn't want to follow one of the big four because everyone here follows one of the big four. I was encouraged to follow West Ham because my wife's mom is from London and supports them. But the first game I saw West Ham play was against Villa, and, for some reason, I found myself more interested in Villa's performance than in West Ham's performance. The rest is history--I started checking news and blogs about the Villa, and I got hooked. I may not have the longevity as a fan, but I follow Villa religiously. Villa news is the first thing I check every game. I have three shirts, a t-shirt, a coffee mug, a stuffed lion, and a mouse pad. I've only met two other Villa fan in my life, and I've never been to Villa Park (although my wife is sending me for my 30th birthday). Proudest Villa moment: watching Villa play Chelsea at a bar, having Chelsea fan say, "I don't know much about your team," and getting to reply, "Well, we have more European Cups than Chelsea." |
John Samuels
said:
|
...Ticket to Wembley £50 Typing error, imeant to say £18 |
Andi
said:
|
...Ticket to Wembley £50 refund for JPA ....... TAXI !! |
John Samuels
said:
|
...Proudest Villa moment: watching Villa play Chelsea at a bar, having Chelsea fan say, "I don't know much about your team," and getting to reply, "Well, we have more European Cups than Chelsea." We have more of everything than that bunch of newly rich nobodys. Apart from the oodles of rubles. |
kingfisher villa
said:
|
... cheify dont knock kingstanding if fact i will take you down the kingfisher pub so you can tell all the lads what you think of ks |
Richie P
said:
 |
... i love the villa and follow everything they do but unfortunately i dont get to as many games as i would like to, i go to as many as i can but its an expensive day out, i live about 50min away from villa park so by the time youve got a ticket paid for petrol, parking, food and drink your looking at close to £100 if not more and as i have a young family and money is tight £100 is hard to come by these days. i went to villa v everton at goodison last month and i reckon that cost me more than £100 for a day out. |
Rios.Jockstrap
said:
|
... Has anyone else noticed the number of foriegn visitors we are now getting on matchdays? Most ive spoken to are from Scandinavia, but so far this season ive spoken to Germans, Austrians, people from the States, Eastern Europe and Dudley Surely a sign than we are beginning to be seen as a big club again? |
John Samuels
said:
|
... Does anyone else think that our scandinavian foolowing may have been inspired by having the likes of Allback, Laursen and Mellberg in recent seasons. Much like England fans taking an interest in Real and AC and even now LA galaxy? |
Andi
said:
|
... kingfisher villa already drank in there and been battered in there more of a drum or hind man myself not knocking it mate irony |
Andi
said:
|
... Kingfisher Villa - i thought K/S drank in the standing, sportsman, the mount, that place opposite the bilash on kingstadning road thought kingfisher was great barr ?? |
Doc
said:
 |
... I live in a village near Cheltenham, just down the M5 from Birmingham. We should have masses of Villa fans, and a load of interest in Villa. We don't. As some of you know, I'm also heavily involved in youth coaching, where all the boys support one of the Big 4 and the mention of Villa is as likely to raise a laugh or a yawn as anything else. But things are changing. A few boys are starting to turn up in Villa kits. Parents actively engage me about O'Neill's Villa, the signings, the players and the results. We're up there, and it's getting better. |
Andi
said:
|
... Damo - i know but this is a big one this is the barometer to see how far we have come, i cant wait ! but seen as though its your site |
Andy Scarborough
said:
 |
... Someone said "I didn't choose Villa - they chose me." That's just how it should be. I haven't been to VP for nearly 50 years. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. UTV |
Richie P
said:
|
... doc bowles how did you get involved in the youth coaching? where do you go to get the coaching badges etc? |
Stan Balaban
said:
 |
... Living in Dubai it did disappoint me to see the usual Man U, Liverpoo, Arse and Chelsea kits, but this season I've noticed more and more Villa shirts (and Man City obviously!) Don't see too many Spurs tops which is pleasing! |
doubledown9
said:
|
... JPA I can sympathise. My mom started taking me to games as a kid. She first got into the villa as a bus conductress doing the footie specials when we were in the third division. She has since moved back to Ireland but we were season ticket holders for ten years. I'm currently doing a phd in Exeter, I have no time and little money to get to matches. Hoping to go to the Burnley game in feb with my now 70 year old mother and maybee catch a game over Christmas. That will be about it, so like you I will be attempting to beg steal or borrow a ticket for wembley. |
doubledown9
said:
|
... Big John's agent has denied he will be leaving in January. It does seem like he is setting it up to merc it in the summer. "either an extension or a tranfer will happen in the summer. He may also play out his contract but I don't think villa are interested in that" |
Jae
said:
 |
... This is a long story but has a point. My wonderful partner decided to take me to my mecca graceland place for my bithday in November, Sin City itself, Las Vegas. I took a variety of T Shirts with me including 3 villa shirts away this season home and away last season. Now in Vegas people like to try and buy things off you if they are cool, I got 14 offers for my white away, 12 for the claret home and 6 for the blue away, the only 1 that got more was my yellow weenicons rocky t-shirt. tom Hanks and Randy have got us a lot of publicity over there. I purchased a Cleveland Browns top ( for the princely sum of $135 may i add, i will never moan about our prices again) and the first thing the sales rep asked when she heard my english accent was aah another aston villa fan i bet. To which i replied of course and she said you would be surprised how many come here for cleveland browns tops, they are more popular than the colts or the patriots with the brits since randy bought you guys. |
James Clift
said:
 |
... Does anyone have any idea how many season ticket holders we have this season? Thanks |
Alex Glynn
said:
 |
... I'm in one of the worst positions here... In a couple of months when I get off my bloody provisional to my full licence it'll cost me £27 of fuel and a five hour round trip to get to villa, not nice! Maybe I'll go for birmingham uni and buy three years worth of season tickets......... |
marcus taylor
said:
 |
... been readin a few of ur stories and its very pleasing to here our fan base is growing. i was born and raised in brum, with my whole family supporting villa apart from my old man who is a bristol rovers fan (someone has to do it). but ive recently moved away to gloucester where i completed a degree in sports coaching and im now a coach at a rugby club in gloucester. now being a rugby coach you probably think why would i be interested in football but my 1st interests was is in football but i found i was better at rugby . but i lived in gloucester for 4 years now, and at 1st villa werent really that big here, but over the years i have seen our badge more and more. i even saw milner and heskey on the back of england shirts instead of the usual rooney/gerrard/beckham. things are on the up!!! 1st the carling cup, then champions league football and we will eventually be where we belong in the world of sport!! |
marcus taylor
said:
|
... oh forgot to mention, i was a season ticket at the villa from the age of 12-17, unfortunatly have been busy wiuth the new life in gloucester to get to as many game |
Forest Hill Villan
said:
 |
... I don't see why S'arf London should be left out of this geographic tour. (My father came from Blackheath Brum. I believe that Damian played with the famous Dulwich Hamlet, which is only a couple of miles along the South Circular from Forest Hill. We now live not far from Hereford. Our youngest boy is still at school and delights in spreading The Word amongst the heathen Manu and L'pool supporters - so called. We are really thrilled by this season and looking forward to going to Wembley in two months time. We think the manager and chairman have done a great job. Its so interesting to see the geographic diversity of a very small part of the fan base. |
kingfisher villa
said:
|
... chiefy the fisher is on the borders of ks & gb and is a villa stronghold as is the drum the pubs you mention in ks you get searched for weapons when you go in and if your clean they give you one but you do get a nice pint in the hind ps why did you get battered in the fisher? |
Steve Badger
said:
 |
... Jimbo, Does anyone have any idea how many season ticket holders we have this season? Pretty sure it's between 26-27000. It's deliberately limited, so non-season ticket holders get a chance to go. |
paul mclafferty
said:
|
... villa have always had a season ticket allocation of 22k but it has raised in the last couple of seasons, but i doubt it will be over 25-27k. |
paul mclafferty
said:
|
... i am very suprised about the amount of times the regular bloggers on here go to the villa games!! i now feel embarrased for people to tell me to look on the bright side when ive seen the game live and they have watched it on a screen after we have played crap. |
paul mclafferty
said:
|
... ive just seen on the vital villa blog are asking a question 'when did you start supporting villa?' i wonder where mr fear got the inspiration from to run it? any ideas |
Andy Pepper
said:
 |
... chiefy I;m from Burton and in fact used to play for Burton Albion but have always been a Villa Fan UTV |
Steve Oldaker
said:
 |
... anyone know if the second leg is on telly i know the 1st leg is on sky and the mancs second leg is on sky |
Damian
said:
|
... holteend paul everybody will have different views on this but having watched hundreds of games live (at the stadium) and much more on TV i can hand on heart say, that watching it on tv is just as good and in some cases, better than sitting watching it at the stadium don't get me wrong, given the chance, i'd be at villa park every week as you get something at the stadium watching your team that you dont get from the comfort of your living room and it doesn't matter how loud you have it and how big your tv is .. but watching games live on tv these days gives you just as much as you would get watching the game from behind the goal or on the half way line at the stadium |
paul mclafferty
said:
|
... damian... i usaully agree with you but not this time buddy as there is no level par than being at the game live. absalutly nothing compares.... |
Damian
said:
|
... like i've said. if i could go every week i would but from the point of view of being able to comment on the game i dont think there is much difference if any - in fact, for what you might not see at a game live and there are things the tv might pick it up and at the same time what the tv might not pick up the live punter might .. it swings both ways but - just opinoin |
paul mclafferty
said:
|
... i went to the shop at the weekend to get some magners only to find out they had sold out, so in desperation i bought the next best thing (bulmers), drinking this second rate cider (my opinion) i tried to imagine it was the same and no matter how many bottles i drank it still tasted like bulmers and couldnt even go close to my magners. |
paul mclafferty
said:
|
... i bet if i drank bulmers all the time then i would forget my magners and learn to think it was as good if not better. |
Steve Badger
said:
|
...i usaully agree with you but not this time buddy as there is no level par than being at the game live. Totally disagree. I was at that European game when Collymore scored that screamer. Unfortunately I was in the lower North stand. Hence I didn't know we'd scored until the cheer went up. I remember loads of similar examples and it was a reason I'd always stand in the middle Holte, as too low down meant you saw nothing with perspective and too far up meant you were watching insects. Whilst I agree with you in the sense that you get a better overall perspective and see stuff off the ball, it's not the be all and end all, imo. Btw, it would seem you're right about the ST sales. Fairly sure I did read it though, but suspect it was probably a bit of Villa PR. |
Steve Badger
said:
|
... Another classic was those two newcastle mugs fighting when $arry jumped in at SJP. I didn't even know it was two barcodes doing the scrapping until someone told me. |
david
said:
 |
... My Dad coached the Villa Amateurs back in the 50's and I used to go to school within sight of Villa park so I've never been in the position of having to decide which team to support. I'm now living near Burton so Villa are still my 'local' premiership team. villapep...I was at the game the night Burton Albion drew with Man U....you weren't playing that night were you? |
Andy Scarborough
said:
|
... Being at the game is all about atmosphere and tribal bonding. You just don't get that sort of thing down the local or in my living room. (A bit of tribal bonding happens now and then though). Let's hope that the fan base grows so that I am not "The Lone Villan" all the time. |
Daniel Wilson
said:
|
... IMO theres only one plus from being at the game and thats the atmosphere, you can't beat it, like Damian said, it doesn't matter how big or loud your tv is. Being at the ground is like visiting your second home for a true fan. When it comes to analysis though I'd have to say that from my own experiences I've taken more away from watching on the box. TV cameras will show you pretty much everything of interest and the more picky stuff gets discussed in the studio and circled out for everyone to see. I've only been to about 10 home games and have sat in 3 different stands, watched from multiple view points and have always managed to miss something. SO to be honest, although i'd completely agree that you can't beat being at the match for the whole experience, theres no reason why people who caught the game on their tv's or computers couldn't make perfectly good points about how we have performed. |
Martin Clabon
said:
 |
... Badger, but holte end is right that the experience is miles better. Also you see a load of stuff you wouldn't from the tv, running off the ball etc but you can miss stuff as well like a Peter Withe shin! holte end, you and me are lucky because we can go to the game regularly but when I lived in Leeds I only got to about 5 games a season because of the travel and lack of money. If I lived in norwich or Texas! I would hardly ever make it I suspect. Those who can't make it are just as good fans and following a blog is a way people can feel part of the club without being able to make it Having said that, holte end is right about the experience so when you can make the effort to make it to the ground and when you do make sure you make the most of it and that means singing and shouting your heart out. There are few enough who do ths nowadays with seating but do it any way as it adds so much to the atmosphere and experience |
david
said:
|
... Oh, Christian 1983...thanks for pointing out on the previous thread that there are still tickets available for Old Trafford...will be there Saturday evening now! |
david
said:
|
... Sid, do you think that crowd is quieter than it used to be? I'm sure a few seasons ago we'd hear the crowd singing as we approached the ground and that doesn't seem to happen at the moment. I used to take my son to the Holte End lower, but he was only little then and used to miss the most exciting bits as everyone would stand up at the key moments. We then got season tickets in the Doug Ellis stand. You get a great view of the match but I do miss the singing and atmosphere you get in the Holte End. Those moments when the singing spreads all round the ground are too few and far between, but they're awesome when they happen. |
kal from london
said:
 |
... damian i respect your rights as the host of this site to say your thing. i also really like the site but as a season ticket holder at the age of 40 who has been going to each home match since i was 6 and living in london ive paid my dues in the support category and i wanted to make my first post. i have to say that we should put into context what has occurred at villa since the randy oneill takeover. we are not close to winning the league but a few yrs ago we were in danger of going down and couldnt buy anyone in the market of any stature. the low point of that ellis oleary era in my opinion was us having to send erik bakke back to leeds as we couldnt afford his wages. he was a loan player from the league below. how could we ever compete under that criteria? here we are with a new exiting side and a largely full villa park. we sometimes hoof the ball forwards -oneill is fully to blame for this - but he also is there to be admired for bringing in a host of talent that gets me off my seat loads before i make the 2 to 3 hour drive back to the smoke on a cold rainy night. we have added alot of volume in the last few windows. now we have a real squad. reo coker, sidwell, davis, bouma, gardner, delph, collins or cuellar, guzan, delfounso, shorey, carew, clark, albrighton, bannan, beye, etc currently cant get into the first team. isnt this an unbelievable sign of progress in a relatively short amount of time? surely we only need to look for quality now - certainly a top striker as this is the only area of the team he has not spent big on yet. surely we should count our lucky stars, be thankful for the change and just look forwards to what could be an amazing team about to emerge to fulfill our desire to win trophies again....? |
Martin Clabon
said:
|
... r0bb0 it is definitely quieter. The upper holte still has good singing sometimes but it dies out quite quickly. We only get good atmosphere when there is something going on on the pitch whereas there used to be signing for the whole game. I go in the lower Holte and some people look at you when you are on your feet singing. MTV generation I'm afraid Away crowd is still fantastic but I only make it away a couple of times a season |
Martin Clabon
said:
|
... kal, great commitment there - puts me to shame as I am local and only make it to half the home games at the moment. In my defence I have a young family I am bringing up as Villa fans despite competition from my wife and will be a season ticket holder again when I can guarantee I will be free for more games |
Steve Badger
said:
|
...Badger, but holte end is right that the experience is miles better. Also you see a load of stuff you wouldn't from the tv, running off the ball etc but you can miss stuff as well like a Peter Withe shin! I did say you see stuff you don't see on TV, but as you hint, it can work both ways. I'd always recommend that if you can go, you should, mainly for that atmosphere. Those who can't make it are just as good fans and following a blog is a way people can feel part of the club without being able to make it Of course they are, which is why I'm going on about it a bit. This "you're only a fan if you go to the games", as was alluded to earlier, is utter bollox. I've done loads of years on the terraces and travelled thousands of miles watching the Villa. I wake up thinking about the Villa and go to bed wondering what's going to come up Villa-wise tomorrow. The sad fact is crowds piss me off these days. As does cold weather (I get plenty of that working oudoors in the winter, thank you). So give me a choice between sat on my arse in a nice warm pub or my house, with all creature comforts and freezing my tits off on a crap plastic seat where you can hardly move and it's a no-brainer to me. And anyway $ky, as much as I don't like it contributes massive amounts to football these days and when I can afford it I subscribe to it. So basically I'm an armchair fan. Whoopy bloody do. Most people are these days. Rant over when you can make the effort to make it to the ground and when you do make sure you make the most of it and that means singing and shouting your heart out. There are few enough who do ths nowadays with seating but do it any way as it adds so much to the atmosphere and experience On the odd occasions I do go, I always make a mug of myself, starting the chants and taking the piss etc. My missus usually tries to hide with embarassment , but it's the law, to me. Sid, do you think that crowd is quieter than it used to be? I'm sure a few seasons ago we'd hear the crowd singing as we approached the ground and that doesn't seem to happen at the moment. I'd got you down as older Robbo, otherwise I'd say you're having a laugh. On a real storming night, the old fogeys rattling their jewellery in the Trinity used to make more noise than the Holte do now. Kicking the front facade used to make a right row. I'm sure there's a few older fans will back me up on this. Seating just ruined football spectatorship for me, which is why I prefer to go away. It's miles better |
paul mclafferty
said:
|
... through the years of me supporting the villa i am grateful of being at some exellent matches, and appreciate money and travel are major factors why a lot of lads cant attend many matches but i would like to list a few matches i have attended where the atmosphere cant be matched by watching a moniter. league cup finals 94-96 european super cup final 2nd leg holte end last stand v liverpool lc semi v tranmere euafa cup v inter and a few more which would take all night to remember but in my own opinion you have to be there to really appreciate the buz. although i have also been to a few howlers when i really wish i saved my money as the f.a final which was the worst cup final ever and thats coming from a villa fan! and travelling to ewood park when we got hammered 5-0 and savo decided to spit at us. |
Daniel Wilson
said:
|
... Holteend Paul, lc semi v tranmere That is probably my favourite memory of watching the Villa, all be it on ITV. The atmosphere was emmense through the TV, I can only imagine what it must have been like when we got back into the game (was it Atkinson late on?) and then it went to penalties! If I could have been to one game in my life it would have been that one. Lets hope we do it the easy way against Blackburn and that I have some nails left to bite once we reach Wembley! |
Martin Clabon
said:
|
... holteend and badger, one thing I don't miss is fighting to retain your place on the terraces. When I was a kid I can remember getting shoved all over the place. It was just dying out when I started going but there used to be fights between one side of the holte and another to see who were the "top boys". I think that's where the old C Crew came from, they used to stand in the C Section of the Holte. Also been caught up in some battles with opposition fans, Spurs being the worst, not looking for it but there was a lot about in the 80's. The old boys only come out for big meets like blues now and that atmosphere the first couple of games Blues were back up in the prem was poison, just like quite a few matches back in the 80's but things have calmed down again now. I also went to school with the McCrackens (Blues hooligan family, Robert McCracken going on to box for the World Middle Weight championship) so spent half my school days avoiding getting the sh1t kicked out of me while never being able to quite back down. So like I say, things have got better in that way but the atmosphere has gone with it |
fatkevs
said:
 |
... You are a supporter if you support the team by going to games. A Fan still loves the club but is not a supporter. They cannot hear you shout over the internet or buy new players It is like saying you have scored looking at a picture |
Rattus NorVillicus
said:
|
... kal from london: A good post, and one that has my hearty agreement, only my eyes are hurting after reading it. Try to use paragraphs next time. |
doubledown9
said:
|
... Battle of the loanees ended with Bannan's Blackpool beating Osbourne's Boro 3-0, with young Barry picking up an assist. |
Steve Badger
said:
|
...holteend and badger, one thing I don't miss is fighting to retain your place on the terraces. A good point. That's why we used to get there at 1.00pm and cling to the bar in front of us. Me and a little crew never got moved Big difference from turning up 5 mins before kick-off. Also been caught up in some battles with opposition fans, Spurs being the worst, not looking for it but there was a lot about in the 80's. The old boys only come out for big meets like blues now and that atmosphere the first couple of games Blues were back up in the prem was poison, just like quite a few matches back in the 80's but things have calmed down again now. Par for the course. Young lads + piss + gangs = trouble, simple as. West ham always had a go, but yes, it was the cockneys and Man U mainly. I also went to school with the McCrackens (Blues hooligan family, Robert McCracken going on to box for the World Middle Weight championship) so spent half my school days avoiding getting the sh1t kicked out of me while never being able to quite back down Unlucky. Blues fans really are some of the biggest knuckle draggers going and hand on heart that's not just bias. They don't care who gets in the way of their chunky gold They cannot hear you shout over the internet or buy new players Glad to see you're talking as much sense as ever Kevs |
Martin Clabon
said:
|
... fatkevs, point taken but you support the club by buying the merchandise which funds the club and helps them buy players? I don't think the definitions are that clear as fan is short for fanatic, most of us support in one way or another and are borderline fanatics. Any way, the point is if some people can't make it to the games they still love the club fatkevs, really interested in this, you have a reputation of being a litte on the citical side and somewhat pessimisitic but I know you have followed home and away for a long time so clearly the club is a big part of your life. Do you still sing and shout and get behind the team or are you too disillusioned to do so? Genuine question PS - stil want to know why you think I've got no balls? |
Martin Clabon
said:
|
... Ahh, Dr Double Down. Now we know you are doing a PhD you realise we will be expecting big things from our resident boffin. 3-0 is about the ratio of talent Bannan to Osbourne also. shame he's too little to make it in a MON side although Wenger has moved from preferring big athletic players to small skilful ones, so maybe MON will do the same. Not holding my breath though |
paul mclafferty
said:
|
... changing the subject a little...i really hope most of the bloggers on here dont keep thinking we will walk past blackburn in the semi! far from it as i think some fans think we have already got to wembley as its just a case of turning up against rovers. be aware lads as we play blackburn three times in 19 days so big sam will have had his home work done. |
paul mclafferty
said:
|
... john carews agent has denied reports he is joining fernabache and cleveland browns have employed a general counciler what ever that is maybe its a yank name for manager so lerner can spend more time in england watching the villa. |
Steve Badger
said:
|
...changing the subject a little...i really hope most of the bloggers on here dont keep thinking we will walk past blackburn in the semi! far from it as i think some fans think we have already got to wembley as its just a case of turning up against rovers. I don't think it's an easy one, for one minute. But we have a good pedigree in this cup. It will be difficult, but we are better than them, imo. Then again, I'm sure they have qualified for something stupid like 6 SFs in the last 9 seasons If that's true, how many finals have they got into? |
Martin Clabon
said:
|
... holteend - will be a real tough 2 games against Blackburn, physical and big Sam knows how to grind out results and has a good record against MON. We are stil favorites though |
Peen Vageen
said:
 |
... Did anyone see this article by the way? http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/f...sfer-talk Aston Villa are pondering a move for Bobby Zamora as Turkish giants Fenerbahce prepare a £5million bid for John Carew. Yes, there's a reason Birmingham and Portsmouth are interested in him............he's sh!t |
Peen Vageen
said:
|
... It also says Zola is considering signing Adriano on a free, could be worth a shot if Big John leaves. He never really got to hit his peak as the death of his father (which led to alcohol abuse) had an obvious effect on his game, but he looks like he's put the past behind him and scored 19 goals in 30 games this season. I reckon MoN and Bodymoor will keep him on track (lets face it the Brazilian Serie A is still nothing compared to the PL) but potentially he could be amazing for us.....and MoN is all about the potential. |
Peen Vageen
said:
|
... Here's the right link to the Adriano story http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=710101&sec=england&cc=5739 |
Daniel Wilson
said:
|
... Peen Vageen, yeah I saw it, did have a little laugh to myself. Apparently were going to move for him if Carew goes, sounds like a pretty good swap if you ask me, or not... |
Andi
said:
|
... Kingfishervilla - Long story long time ago mate it werent technically in the fisher, used to kncok around the drum, hind, sportsman, tennis courts, churchtaven, Beeches, the pub by clifton bingo hall is it the towers ?, the pub oppostie asda cant remember its name etc etc didnt used to live far from, Schofields, Foley Arms, fast eddies, the fisher only drank in there a few times though knew most of the people in most of the pubs round there though, your talking about 7-10years ago now though mate long time ago |
neil57
said:
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... Good morning, folks, Great post and positive response. I live in N Ireland. I am hoping to go to Liverpool game. I had to join the NI supporters club to gain a ticket What a great excuse, Villa is a fine, proud club supported by nice people. Witness how outsiders were so impressed by Bullard's treatment when he injured himself. We are ,as I have said,most people's fav 2nd team. In NI, it is Man U,Best's,McIlroy's,Whiteside's etc influence, Liverpool due to Irish influence,Spurs,Arsenal and Chelsea cause in London(even WHU),Leeds due to Revie era, whom most support. MON now has raised our profile. We also have massive support for Rangers and Celtic, bigger in Ireland than Scotland. My Granddad went to VP, my Dad went in the 20s and 30s when we were 2nd best to the Ted Drake inspired Arsenal.Man U and Liverpool have only really come good since the 50s, inspired by Busby and Shankley. Pool fans here reckon the successive managers after Shankley, promoted from within each time, were the main reason for their success. I have always supported Villa as do my 18 and 12 year old sons. I am going to local supporters club on sat to watch Man U game, which I believe we will win. It is in Brown Cow in Carrickfergus,site of a fantastic Norman Castle. It is not posh to wear a soccer shirt around in NI. There are some fools around I do believe it is fashionable for kids to go to parties in footie kits. Good luck |
Andi
said:
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...damian i respect your rights as the host of this site to say your thing. i also really like the site but as a season ticket holder at the age of 40 who has been going to each home match since i was 6 and living in london ive paid my dues in the support category and i wanted to make my first post. i have to say that we should put into context what has occurred at villa since the randy oneill takeover. we are not close to winning the league but a few yrs ago we were in danger of going down and couldnt buy anyone in the market of any stature. the low point of that ellis oleary era in my opinion was us having to send erik bakke back to leeds as we couldnt afford his wages. he was a loan player from the league below. how could we ever compete under that criteria? here we are with a new exiting side and a largely full villa park. we sometimes hoof the ball forwards -oneill is fully to blame for this - but he also is there to be admired for bringing in a host of talent that gets me off my seat loads before i make the 2 to 3 hour drive back to the smoke on a cold rainy night. we have added alot of volume in the last few windows. now we have a real squad. reo coker, sidwell, davis, bouma, gardner, delph, collins or cuellar, guzan, delfounso, shorey, carew, clark, albrighton, bannan, beye, etc currently cant get into the first team. isnt this an unbelievable sign of progress in a relatively short amount of time? surely we only need to look for quality now - certainly a top striker as this is the only area of the team he has not spent big on yet. surely we should count our lucky stars, be thankful for the change and just look forwards to what could be an amazing team about to emerge to fulfill our desire to win trophies again....? respect kal my thoughts exactly we are further forward than many give us credit for |
Andi
said:
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... new link people Scott Parker is being mentioned in the same breath as Villa ???? not sure how true but just nother something i have heard, also Kenwyne doesnt seem to be happy according to sunderland fans although they expect a swap with Keane at sunderland |
frem
said:
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... people saying about are football being poor, well the first fifteen against hull we played amazing footy. on the ground, quick passing and we ripped them apart. after that it got slightly worse but after the match oneill said he wanted to play the type of footy we played in the first fifteen mins in the second half but we didn't. good footy will be here soon. james milner in the middle its only going to get better. |
John Samuels
said:
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...You are a supporter if you support the team by going to games. A Fan still loves the club but is not a supporter. I bet they're quite happy spending all my sky subscription and shirt money, not to mention the games I do get to. Man U have supporters all over the world buyinh merchandise that has propelled the club to where it is. To ignore this would be to limit themselves as a club. |
bradz
said:
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... Villa have supporters clubs all over the world...I lived near Düsseldorf, Germany for three years and travelled over with a 30 strong party of German Villans...the funny thing is that I was the only English bloke...but the main guy there that organises it Dirk Unschuld actually wrote the History of Cologne FC book!! They travel once or twice a year and love the Villa...fair play I say ;-) |
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