When I was a whippersnapper, on a Saturday afternoon myself and a couple of mates would play football at the garages over the road from us using an abandoned and (mercifully permanently open) garage as our goalposts. We would always have Radio WM tuned in on the radio just inside the garage turned up as loud as it could go (not very loud) listening out for the Villa score.

Whenever there was a goal involving one of the teams from the West Midlands you’d hear a tune (the same as Grandpa’s truck horn in the Lost Boys) followed by ‘It’s a Goal!’.

We’d all then run over to the radio in a state of excitement praying that the Villa had just scored.

My dad used to take me to ten or so home games every season and just so you know my age, I as four when we won the league and five when we won the European Cup. Villa were my life; my bedroom was painted claret and blue and I remember being over the moon at getting a Villa table lamp for my birthday one year.

Football was magic then – I didn’t care who we were signing or how much money we had. I knew that we weren’t as good as Liverpool with Dalglish and Rush (we had Simon Stainrod and Steve Hodge) but it didn't matter to me then and I didn’t care, as I was absolutely certain (I still am) that Aston Villa are the greatest.

I can remember, even at Junior School, having a certain contempt and bewilderment for any kid who wasn't a Villa fan but especially those who ‘supported’ Liverpool as ‘they were the first team they saw win on the TV’. These were kids were from Harborne and Quinton for Gods sake and we all knew one. They just didn’t get it and never will.

The proper fans amongst us got into this obsession not because we were winning everything but because it was Aston Villa, our local team. Let all these morons demanding instant success spout off their crap and let it pass you by. To me, Sky TV, The Premier League, The Champions League, Chelsea, Man City and everyone else that can be bracketed into that group are doing their best to wreck this game, but it won’t last forever and I’m happy with our setup and happy that we don’t have some anonymous middle eastern oil barren in charge.

I live in Ireland now and get to five or so home games a season (strangely enough my visits to family always coincide with a home game) and I still get the same feeling when I walk up the steps into the Holte End as I did the first time I went.

I love this bloody football club and I want to get back to Wembley and win the FA cup and I want to see great European nights at Villa Park again. If we stick with it now I reckon we have the right man in charge to get us there.

It’s just not going to happen over night and would you really want O'Leary, Taylor, Gregory or Little back? Now Big Ron in 1992 I may have to think about, but for now, up the Villa!

Comments (121)

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Damian said:

... We don't always publish these types of posts that get sent in but this reminded me of playing in the school field when I was a kid and watching Grandstand looking out for the Villa result and seeing as we have little else today, it is posted. Thanks Dave.

Comment 1, made on July 06, 2009 at 12.30 pm

stephen said:

... good post. I totally agree

Comment 2, made on July 06, 2009 at 12.33 pm

vijay said:

... Dave mate, great stuff, i get frustrated cos all i want is for our club to be a sucess

Comment 3, made on July 06, 2009 at 12.38 pm

Daniel Wilson said:

... I used to pretend to be Dean Saunders, in my lovely green red and black away kit, and constantly tried to recreate his goal against Ipswitch (He's seen the keeper off his line... It's UNBELIEVABLE!!!) you know the one. Good times

Comment 4, made on July 06, 2009 at 12.39 pm

Panos said:

... Great post Dave!

Comment 5, made on July 06, 2009 at 12.40 pm

Sheriff Kimbo said:

... Top stuff Dave. Top stuff indeed.

Comment 6, made on July 06, 2009 at 12.45 pm

Filo said:

... Damian, maybe these are the post you should usually put up! I'd much rather read a decent post like this than to listen your ill informed ramblings about MON and Randy's lack of activity in the transfer market.

Comment 7, made on July 06, 2009 at 12.45 pm

sam4villacilla4life said:

... can i jus say that there is loads to talk about 2day rgarding transfers firstly zaki claims that villa offered 11million for him in january and also that 2 south americans want to join villa

Comment 8, made on July 06, 2009 at 12.49 pm

Mega said:

... Du Du Du Duuuh... went the WM horn. Uased to give me the tingles when with 10mins to go youd hear the "ITs a GOAL" and run to the radio, I used to put my ear to the speaker to make sure I heard everything. Great post, perfect memories from a golden age.. we had an entry as our goals. ! Im the same and living in Ireland now, manage 10 home games max.. god bless Ryanair !

Comment 9, made on July 06, 2009 at 12.55 pm

Billy7 said:

... is everyone remembering a time from the past regarding our football team or is it just me? Anyway, i went to a Villa game September 1988, v Liverpool, great goal from Mcinally, Houghton equalised for them. It was my birthday and i got presented a cake by Derek Mountfield, and my picture was in the programme the next week home to Forest! Best day of my life!

Comment 10, made on July 06, 2009 at 12.55 pm

pc said:

... this is an amazing post. great read a bit off topic but: anyone see this http://www.mcfc.co.uk/Video/In...ew-June-09 he mentions villa as much as he mentions city. looks uneasy in that man city shirt is it just me who thinks barry will return to villa park some day ?

Comment 11, made on July 06, 2009 at 1.02 pm

David Lewis said:

... a bit off topic but: anyone see this http://www.mcfc.co.uk/Video/In...ew-June-09 he mentions villa as much as he mentions city. looks uneasy in that man city shirt is it just me who thinks barry will return to villa park some day ? Hmmm... very interesting... all judas claims aside, i think i can detect a hint of uneasiness in his voice when he mentions villa. Almost as if he isn't sure if he's made the right decision. After Barry talking of lack of silverware, wouldn't it be poetic justice if we win something this season!? Especially if we manage to beat man city in the final of a cup!

Comment 12, made on July 06, 2009 at 1.12 pm

pete said:

... use to live by the villa ground and we use to sit in aston park listening to the crowd when we scored.great days

Comment 13, made on July 06, 2009 at 1.14 pm

John Heath said:

... Whilst we are on the subject of days gone by, and reminising about our childhoods ... I used to live on Nechells Park Road as a lad, and from the age of about 6, I remember waiting until I thought my Mum wouldn't come back upstairs to check on me after putting me to bed, and I would quietly sneak into my parents bedroom. This, you see, was the only room which gave an uninterupted view of the 'A' and 'V' floodlights that lit up the night sky on our midweek Wednesday night games. I always dreamed of playing at Villa Park, and of donning the claret and blue. After losing out to Mark Kendall in trials at Bodymoor Heath during the summer of 1978 for the Youth Team Goalkeeper contract, I thought all hopes were gone. Not the case, as I fulfilled my dream of playing on the hallowed turf in 1984 in the Birmingham Works FA Trophy, playing for TI Tubes Aston, under the floodlights no less as we moved into extra time and penalties. The dream of pulling on the claret and blue was also fulfilled in 2000, when managing and playing for the Aston Villa Stewards Football Team at Bodymoor Heath. Not the first team I know, but how many Villa fans have ever played football at either location representing an Aston Villa Team ? Now, at the end of my playing career, I can remember with fondness all that I achieved during my semi-pro days, and the last match in which I played. That last match was at Church Road, Boldmere, playing for the Boldmere St Michaels Old Boys against Aston Villa Old Stars - all the best players from around the European Cup winning era. To top it all, Sid Cowans and Tony Morley voted me man of the match after we won 3-2 ... what better way to bow out.

Comment 14, made on July 06, 2009 at 1.15 pm

EdVilla said:

... A mate who i know is part of Chelsea supporters clubs and says that Villa and spurs put a bid in for J.Cole in June it was not rejected but Chelsea would not agree until Carlo had met all the players in pre season Joe does not want to leave but will go if Chelsea make it clear he is not going to play next season as they don't want to loss him on a free next year I really hope it's true but it's just what I hear from him down the pub.

Comment 15, made on July 06, 2009 at 1.15 pm

Tim Wood said:

... Top quality post Dave! Damian I'm not having a dig but as Filo said above, I would rather read a decent post like this every day than the same old same old media made up gossip about what players MON wants to sign. lets leave those posts until something actually happens. I'm sure everyone else does the same as me and has the news now web page open waiting for the next bit of media nonsense.

Comment 16, made on July 06, 2009 at 1.17 pm

Tom said:

... Lovely stuff that.

Comment 17, made on July 06, 2009 at 1.17 pm

upthevilla said:

... Great post Dave....I being the pesimistic person I am hated that sound on WM as I always thought it was a goal for Blues or the team playing us!!! Thankfully, apart from relegation season, it was mainly good news. I used to play on the road in Stockland Green thinking I was Warren Aspinall!!!

Comment 18, made on July 06, 2009 at 1.22 pm

Damian said:

... Timmyrara And I agree ... but it isn't easy.

Comment 19, made on July 06, 2009 at 1.25 pm

Matt82 said:

... I like this post, i was the same back in the day - football down the park, radio on listening for any villa action! My love affair with football and Villa began back in 1990 - football had become a new interest to me only i couldnt find a team that i liked at the time. My mates tried and failed to get me to follow WBA. Then during Italia 90 this guy scored for England with a superb volley against belgium............... The rest as they say is History.

Comment 20, made on July 06, 2009 at 1.34 pm

deansaundersperm that's perm said:

... I'd have Little back

Comment 21, made on July 06, 2009 at 1.35 pm

john said:

... Anyone seen bill howell's latest today saying we put in an 11m bid for Zaki in January? It's also saying we're "heavily" linked with Falcao of River Plate, who we were linked with some time ago and some other south american midfielder playing in Italy... Doesn't sound like too much into it, but he doesn't normally print articles linking us with players unless there is.

Comment 22, made on July 06, 2009 at 1.43 pm

Ed Villa said:

... No relation to EdVilla above. http://www.thevillablog.co.uk/aston-villa-blog/avfc-news/a-swedish-attacker-a-no-to-bramble-and-a-hit-list/ Please see comment 35, I posted on the Joe cole link. 'I really hate people that post stupid links to players from a 'contact' or saying they've seen a player near VP but I did recieve a genuine call earlier in the week from a very good friend whose father is a retired football agent and now does somekind of consultancy work for Chelsea. Anyway he says Joe Cole has had an offer from Villa. As I say I don't want to appear a Dick but thought it warranted a comment on here.' thoughts?? P.S love the post Dave UTV

Comment 23, made on July 06, 2009 at 1.46 pm

Martin Clabon said:

... Great post, brought back memories, very poignant. I'm about 5 years older than you so was about 10 when we were winning the big ones. It was the same time as England were winning the epic Ashes and I thought Villa would dominate football and England walk every Ashes. The optimism of youth, subsequently that great Villa team was systematically taken apart and we are still recovering. While I am not sure, I agree that MON could be the right man to lead us back to glory but it is much harder now than ever. This is why it annoys me when so many are negative and slag off MON so constantly especially when many do not have a clue (there are some notable exceptions in the negative camp who post good, if depressing stuff). Could MON be the new Ron Saunders, maybe, I just hope we give him the chance for us to find out

Comment 24, made on July 06, 2009 at 1.49 pm

rhodrillwyd said:

... I feel a bit emotional!

Comment 25, made on July 06, 2009 at 1.51 pm

Young Villa said:

... Great post.Does anyone remember the advert that came on TV immediately after we won the european cup back in 82? Was only eight at the time and I just cant remember what it was,but can remember at its time it was really unique! Memories.........

Comment 26, made on July 06, 2009 at 2.06 pm

Richard Bunn said:

... Great post Dave, gave me goosebumps! Let's all chill and look forward to getting this JOKE of transfer window out of the way!

Comment 27, made on July 06, 2009 at 2.09 pm

waynieG said:

... great post mate good to read something different to all the speculation.

Comment 28, made on July 06, 2009 at 2.19 pm

Jinksy said:

... Loved the post but..........I'm from Harborne & have Claret Blood Running through my Blue Veins. I've even got it on my paver outside the Trinity. Saying that the w****r across the road was a Liverpool fan.....

Comment 29, made on July 06, 2009 at 2.22 pm

Mega said:

... Someone should mail this post and related thread afterwards on to MON, RL and AV staff.... Let them get back in touch with what made us fall in love with the Villa... at least we might get a petition going to bring back the AV floodlights !. Best rumour of the day for me, Megson has put in a bid for 3m for Zat Knight... there could be a god in this transfer window

Comment 30, made on July 06, 2009 at 2.24 pm

Mike Carter said:

... Great post, but leave off Brian Little!

Comment 31, made on July 06, 2009 at 2.24 pm

paul mclafferty said:

... i could have wrote this dave but im ten years older than you lol and beleive it or not the goal tune was the same when i was young and still is. great read and brought back a lot of memories, not many chelsea and mnac fans could have the same passion. i always maintain when villa win something then i think ive earned the right to cheer loud.

Comment 32, made on July 06, 2009 at 2.27 pm

Harry Stanton said:

... I remember when me and a mate went to watch the friendly with Partizan Belgrade when Savo missed a bunch of headers during the game. We were saying that they would definitely go in when the season was underway... the delusion of a footy fan. Also remember using teletext to keep in touch with results, didn't have Soccer Saturday then!

Comment 33, made on July 06, 2009 at 2.38 pm

David Lewis said:

... If knight is wanted by bolton, could this pave the way for cahill to return as part of the deal?

Comment 34, made on July 06, 2009 at 2.40 pm

peter cain said:

... have you seen the mail headlines being linked to 2 south Americans now wait for Mon to deny this story

Comment 35, made on July 06, 2009 at 2.42 pm

Mark said:

... As a boy we used to bunk off school and play five a side in the carpark behind the old club offices. It was walled all the way around and we used to use a small "bouncy ball". No-one ever told us off and we used to hang around getting autographs. Andy Gray once nearly killed me driving his Mini-Cooper.

Comment 36, made on July 06, 2009 at 2.43 pm

Adey Stuttard said:

... Dave, Agree with all - great post, although the only thing that disappoints is the lack of fans at the great European nights last season - out first proper battle in the UEFA Cup for a long time and to me the crowds were disappointing. My first memories of Villa were keeping a scrap-book with all the newspaper cuttings (I lived in Cornwall as a kid and couldn't get to Villa) and remember the headline in the Daily Mail along the lines of: "Villa get to Final, Little by Little by Little" as Brian scored a hat-tirck in the League Cup semi final against QPR - pure brilliance!

Comment 37, made on July 06, 2009 at 2.45 pm

Adey Stuttard said:

... i could have wrote this dave but im ten years older than you lol Ditto, Paul

Comment 38, made on July 06, 2009 at 2.46 pm

true villa the blue nose said:

... 1874 after the way we just gave up on europe this year i cant see the crowds being much better. i took the missus to her first villa game(the draw against halfjreeehuh,cant even spell the name sorry) and it wasnt great to say the least. but it aint put her off

Comment 39, made on July 06, 2009 at 2.49 pm

peter haworth said:

... Great post,really enjoyed it bought back memories of my youth! Is there any truth in these rumours about the 2 South Americans ?

Comment 40, made on July 06, 2009 at 2.55 pm

Mega said:

... Well hopefully Zat Fright will go, and we might sign Hangeland ? He is apparently big buddies with Carew.. Express and Star : - "Villa target Brede Hangeland has rejected a new Fulham contract – putting Martin O’Neill on red alert" Dont know where the mail gets it stories these days, cant see MON signing a striker, let alone a S.American that takes at least a year to settle in ?

Comment 41, made on July 06, 2009 at 3.12 pm

colm tarpey said:

... Dan82, Ha i remember that Jersey....although i hated the big stupid MULLER sign across the front so I picked it off with my fingers! took ages....Ray Houghton was my man though, Jesus that guy was awesome.....

Comment 42, made on July 06, 2009 at 3.19 pm

whitey said:

... First game I ever went to was about 1983/84 when I was 8. The most exciting day of my life and we lost at home to Notts Forest 5-0. I remember we had Mervyn day in goal, Tony Dorigo left back and Steve McMahon in midfield. That's about all I can remember of the team. I was instantly hooked and things could only get better! Beating Tranmere at Villa when Bozzie saved 3 consecutive pens in the shootout was the best game I can remember for sheer elation. Beating United in the final was incredible. I was there and loved every minute of it. That's what we as a club need. A trophy. An FA Cup or a UEFA or League Cup. Something that is possible. It's what creates memories, not finishing 4th or 5th in the Prem. (Although that would be kin amazing).

Comment 43, made on July 06, 2009 at 3.21 pm

David Lewis said:

... The first match I can remember going to (although very vaguely as I was young)... was when villa beat port vale. Any help on any details would be much appreciated. It was absolutely hammering it down with rain and I think it finished 7-1 or 7-0, think it was a cup game too. Just remember being totally overwhelmed by the atmosphere. Can anyone add anything to my memory banks?

Comment 44, made on July 06, 2009 at 3.41 pm

Steve Clayton said:

... Anyone remember double strike on Brmb (or was it capital gold then?) Had to pick 2 strikers from the midlands teams or their opponents to score. I was made up when I won a voucher and had my name read out on radio as a kid.

Comment 45, made on July 06, 2009 at 3.43 pm

Adey Stuttard said:

... lewis-dp, 27 Jan 1990, 6-0 FA Cup. This is a great website: http://www.soccerbase.com/head...eam1id=154

Comment 46, made on July 06, 2009 at 3.43 pm

Dave said:

... Jinksy - I wrote this and I think you misunderstood me - I didn't mean kids from Harborne supported Liverpool - that's where I'm from as well. I was just using it to demonstrate how daft it was for them to be following Liverpool given the fact they lived in Brum.

Comment 47, made on July 06, 2009 at 3.44 pm

Dave said:

... First game was on new years day we beat the Albion 3-1 - think it was 1984 or 85..

Comment 48, made on July 06, 2009 at 3.47 pm

David Lewis said:

... Thanks 1874AVFC, It was a brilliant match... from then on I was hooked!

Comment 49, made on July 06, 2009 at 3.51 pm

VillaMitch said:

... Check this link out: http://www.skysports.com/story...2,00.html According to Amr Zaki himself we tried to sign him in Jan for £11m. Not sure if we will be in for him again and not sure he would actually be a good signing. His stats are ok but he hasn't played for anyone any good, is 26 and managed 10 in 29 last season, a lot of which were from the penalty spot. As an outsider I don't really know what happened with him after January at Wigan but it looked to me that the attention he was getting went to his head and he went off the rails. He looks big and powerful but might be a pain in the arse flash-in-the-pan.

Comment 50, made on July 06, 2009 at 3.58 pm

Jig said:

... To Young Villa, The advert was by Davenports, A guy watching the Final, the whistle blows and the guy turns to his dog and says they've done it lad they've done it while patting the dogs head. This advert came on almost straight after the game finished.

Comment 51, made on July 06, 2009 at 4.08 pm

oldvillan said:

... my first home game was the second leg of the league cup final against rotheram,we won 3-0 on the day 3-2 on agregate.september 1961...

Comment 52, made on July 06, 2009 at 4.20 pm

straff24 said:

... i work in a school in washwood heath and its sad to say, but out of the 500 or odd kids at the school 95% are man united fans, all but 1 have never been to old trafford, gone are the days when you got behind your local club,,when i was at school it was us or the shite, with the odd glory hunter,, how times change..............UTV

Comment 53, made on July 06, 2009 at 4.22 pm

Young Villa said:

... Thanks Jig,thought I may have imagined it..............

Comment 54, made on July 06, 2009 at 4.23 pm

Zorro said:

... lewis-dp In addition... Port Vale fans filled the whole of the witton lane stand as well as behind the goal - it was like Port Vale's cup final and their players were fully kitted out with new suits for the occasion. Birchy grabbed 2 goals although one was already going in from Adrian Heath as did Stuart Gray with two superb free kicks infront of the Holte - Platty and a trademark Ian Olney toe poke completed the six goal haul. It rained throughout the whole of the second half but we didnt give a shit - fantastic memories...

Comment 55, made on July 06, 2009 at 4.26 pm

TheJohnnyVillan said:

... On the subject of Zaki, Just proves to all those people who slate MON for his apparent lack of transfer activity, that he IS active and trying to sign players. Zaki is only one player that we know MON tried to sign, how many more may there have been? I trust MON is doing all he can to ensure we have a good crack at the top four next season. UTV

Comment 56, made on July 06, 2009 at 4.32 pm

VillaMitch said:

... TheJohnnyVillan said: On the subject of Zaki, Just proves to all those people who slate MON for his apparent lack of transfer activity, that he IS active and trying to sign players. Zaki is only one player that we know MON tried to sign, how many more may there have been? I trust MON is doing all he can to ensure we have a good crack at the top four next season. UTV Plus in January everyone was raving about how great Zaki was so we would have been chuffed to bits if MON had signed him. I remember Shearer saying on MOTD that he could be one of the players of the season. He went off the boil after that though so MON may have totally changed his opinion of him.

Comment 57, made on July 06, 2009 at 4.36 pm

TheJohnnyVillan said:

... Bottom line, MON knows exactly what he's doing.

Comment 58, made on July 06, 2009 at 4.38 pm

Mega said:

... I dont rate Emile Heskey as MON knowing EXACTLY what hes doing, id rather have signed no one than seeing the detrimental effect Heskey had on a winning side when he came in. I trust in MON, but he dropped the ball with Ivanhoe.

Comment 59, made on July 06, 2009 at 4.43 pm

Zorro said:

... Billy7 The best day of your life should have been even better - Liverpool's equaliser was a blatent act of cheating if you recall - a quickly taken free kick with Villa players lining up the wall, Spink was standing in the middle of his box when the ball drifted over his head and into the goal infront of the away support - 'still annoys me now would you believe but kind of fantastic memories nevertheless'

Comment 60, made on July 06, 2009 at 4.43 pm

VillaMitch said:

... Mega said: I dont rate Emile Heskey as MON knowing EXACTLY what hes doing, id rather have signed no one than seeing the detrimental effect Heskey had on a winning side when he came in. I trust in MON, but he dropped the ball with Ivanhoe. Never rated Heskey myself, but at the time, £3m for an England 1st team regular was a bargain and I thought it was a good signing as we were short of options with Big John injured. Everyone in the game who has worked with Heskey raves about him so I don't think this was bad judgement by MON at all. The back end of the season it was clear that MON preferred Carew and Gabby as his 1st choice pairing (and rightly so) but having Heskey as back-up in your squad isn't to be sniffed at in my opinion.

Comment 61, made on July 06, 2009 at 4.52 pm

Steve Badger said:

... Plus in January everyone was raving about how great Zaki was so we would have been chuffed to bits if MON had signed him. I remember Shearer saying on MOTD that he could be one of the players of the season. He went off the boil after that though so MON may have totally changed his opinion of him. My understanding was that MON was really keen on him, but totally changed his mind when he failed to turn up after an international. As for my first game, well I'm showing my age, but it just happened to be against Bournemouth in the 3rd div. 48,000 crowd!!!!

Comment 62, made on July 06, 2009 at 5.00 pm

David Tyler said:

... I generally have fond memories of the WM goal horn... it's definitely an archetypal part of being a kid of a certain age in the Midlands... but the only specific goals that I actually remember coming through was us being on the wrong of 5-0 against Forest once! Bah!

Comment 63, made on July 06, 2009 at 5.21 pm

ronrabbit said:

... I dont think the crowds will be any better for european nights this year than last. O'Neill showed everyone what he thought of the UEFA cup last year, and what evidence have we got to suggest this year will be any different? with a smaller squad this year surely we will be doing the same again. Or do we think O'Neill is going to pull his finger out of his arse and sign some players?

Comment 64, made on July 06, 2009 at 5.21 pm

Dan Naylor said:

... nice post Dave!! the good times will return again- very soon!

Comment 65, made on July 06, 2009 at 6.11 pm

Villa Nick said:

... I was always Simon Stainrod!

Comment 66, made on July 06, 2009 at 6.37 pm

upthevilla said:

... Correct me if I am wrong but I thought the advert was from Ansels? I got soaked during that Port Vale Game. Like an idiot I decided to stand at the bottom right (my usual) which was not covered. My firt game was when I was six and the year we won the league. It was Stoke at home and we won 1-0. Geddis I think.

Comment 67, made on July 06, 2009 at 6.39 pm

Mark said:

... Badger I was at the same game, what a cracker! Trinity Road first row of seats - of course it was standing in the first section then.

Comment 68, made on July 06, 2009 at 6.41 pm

Leicestershire AVFC said:

... I was nine years old when I went to my first game, it was againist wimbledon Saturday 26th October 1991, we went on a school trip and i didn't really follow football due to not having a dad or a father figure. In my class room, the teams people followed was forest, arsenal or leeds, i don't think anyone followed liverpool, and there was only one villa fan. Ok lets get back to the game we was losing 1 nil in the first half, in the second half scored 2 great goals to win 2-1, since then I became a proud villa fan ever since, 11 days to go until we sign our first player july 17th

Comment 69, made on July 06, 2009 at 7.03 pm

Andy Scarborough said:

... TrueVilla the Claret Nose, Yer missus is probably just grateful that it's only football that you get up to when out of her sight!! I reckon you're right about the Euro crowds though, MoN will reap what he's sewn there.

Comment 70, made on July 06, 2009 at 7.24 pm

Andy Scarborough said:

... lewis-dp. Could it have been the game which Villa won 7-2, it was January 1925 I think. Can't remember the weather though as I was only a young lad myself then.

Comment 71, made on July 06, 2009 at 7.28 pm

jerry said:

... Yesterday it was FatKev, today it’s Dave. True fans who present their support with verve and passion and in doing so, they lift our spirits. We can relive the excitement of our young days as Villa fans through their eyes. Dave’s words took me back – and believe me, it’s a long way back – to my childhood on the Beeches Estate. Saturday was a great day when the Villa was at home; my Dad took me down the Witton End. Same spot every time. A thousand years ago. It would be nice to see more of this but don’t hold your breath. A few months ago I got an email from Damo asking me to submit an article for consideration for posting. I felt honoured to be asked and actually submitted two articles. Not only were they not posted but I never even received an acknowledgement.

Comment 72, made on July 06, 2009 at 7.45 pm

Andy Scarborough said:

... Churchill, put them up in the forum then. I'm sure many on here would appreciate them, I certainly would.

Comment 73, made on July 06, 2009 at 7.53 pm

kieron said:

... My first game was at Villa Park against Vale in the FA cup. We won 6-0 and I remember Spinks and Cowans player. But I can't for the life of me work out what year it was, anyone help?

Comment 74, made on July 06, 2009 at 8.04 pm

kieron said:

... It was 1990!! How wonderful the internet is. That would mean i've been going to Villa Park for 18 years, man I feel old!

Comment 75, made on July 06, 2009 at 8.09 pm

True villa said:

... Villa swoop for new signing !!!!! Yes

Comment 76, made on July 06, 2009 at 8.13 pm

adam said:

... first game i was 12 and i think we lost on the last day to luton i think finished second and ran on the pitch with my pal. amazing time. even though we lost i was hooked great post dave

Comment 77, made on July 06, 2009 at 8.20 pm

kieron said:

... Oh yeah who would that be then true villa?

Comment 78, made on July 06, 2009 at 8.20 pm

Billy7 said:

... that Port Vale game, Stuart Gray (captain i think) scored a brazillian like free kick!! Quality. David platt got bought down, through on goal, blatant foul, the defender was booked. (before professional foul was deemed as a red card) i was 14! happy days!

Comment 79, made on July 06, 2009 at 8.21 pm

Altan Kargaci said:

... First ever Villa game was away at Selhurst park , we won 3-2 . It was the game that Dalian Atkinson scored that goal . Unfortunetly I was not in the away end , I was stuck in the "family stand"...! UTV

Comment 80, made on July 06, 2009 at 8.24 pm

adam said:

... and what a goal that was altan. in my top 3 villa goals

Comment 81, made on July 06, 2009 at 8.25 pm

Altan Kargaci said:

... and what a goal that was altan. in my top 3 villa goals Send's shivers down my spine every time I see it . Give me Deano and Dalian any day of the week .

Comment 82, made on July 06, 2009 at 8.29 pm

adam said:

... come on then true villa who is it. or are you talkin out of ya arse AGAIN

Comment 83, made on July 06, 2009 at 8.30 pm

Leicestershire AVFC said:

... I really think we will lose out on berg if spuds sell bent to mr potato head, come to think about it for a player now worth 10 million instead of 5 million last week, i dont think hes worth it even though he score a few goals in under 21,didnt baro get the golden boot award what has happened to him now 11 days to go until we sign our first player july 17th

Comment 84, made on July 06, 2009 at 8.46 pm

Leicestershire AVFC said:

... true villa.. does your mummy know you are up out of bed, you have school in the morning, 11 days to go until we sign our first player july 17th

Comment 85, made on July 06, 2009 at 8.49 pm

Altan Kargaci said:

... 11 days to go until we sign our first player july 17th Explaine ........???!!!???

Comment 86, made on July 06, 2009 at 8.49 pm

Carl Main said:

... Looks like MON was busy in Jan, for all the haters out there... http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11677_5417232,00.html

Comment 87, made on July 06, 2009 at 8.51 pm

Leicestershire AVFC said:

... because sir martin o'neill always sign his first player in mid july, he did it for leicester and the last 2 summer transfers 11 days to go until we sign our first player july 17th

Comment 88, made on July 06, 2009 at 8.55 pm

Leicestershire AVFC said:

... main dog great link, I think sir martin o'neill is our greatest manager since ron saunders, ... because sir martin o'neill always sign his first player in mid july, he did it for leicester and the last 2 summer transfers 11 days to go until we sign our first player july 17th

Comment 89, made on July 06, 2009 at 9.00 pm

Leicestershire AVFC said:

... sorry there copy and paste a bit to much there 11 days to go until we sign our first player july 17th

Comment 90, made on July 06, 2009 at 9.01 pm

taglor said:

... Can all you doom merchants just shut up. We signed Heskey in January, for goodness sakes HESKEY!!! What more do you people want ffs

Comment 91, made on July 06, 2009 at 9.16 pm

Steve Badger said:

... AVMark, Badger I was at the same game, what a cracker! Trinity Road first row of seats - of course it was standing in the first section then. Yep, what a first game. Andy Lochhead in the air

Comment 92, made on July 06, 2009 at 9.17 pm

Steve Badger said:

... You can put any thoughts about Tuncay out of the way. MON won't touch him after this: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1197891/EXCLUSIVE-Tuncay-Mido-Alves-stun-Southgate-training-Middlesbrough.html?ITO=1490 How arrogant are these players becoming?

Comment 93, made on July 06, 2009 at 9.20 pm

Steve Badger said:

... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/spo...l?ITO=1490

Comment 94, made on July 06, 2009 at 9.21 pm

sazavfc said:

... copy and paste this if you 'taglor' is a complete wasteman

Comment 95, made on July 06, 2009 at 9.21 pm

Leicestershire AVFC said:

... sazavfc how old are you, come on really, i think you should be stop drinking that breast milk because its damaging your brain 11 days to go until we sign our first player july 17th

Comment 96, made on July 06, 2009 at 9.26 pm

Leicestershire AVFC said:

... badger im glad southgates players aint turning up for training, he 100x worse that barry, after every villa fan stuck by him for missing that spot kick in 96 and then we lose the cup final he joined boro and start saying all that stuff about us, EG boro are a bigger team than us. 11 days to go until we sign our first player july 17th

Comment 97, made on July 06, 2009 at 9.30 pm

Steve Badger said:

... I know what you mean Leicester, but at the nd of the day, you can't have players running the game. Mind you, I suppose they already are

Comment 98, made on July 06, 2009 at 9.35 pm

Leicestershire AVFC said:

... maybe they want the manager out, i have never rated big noses i make money from a pizza ad after i cost england a final southgate 11 days to go until we sign our first player july 17th

Comment 99, made on July 06, 2009 at 9.46 pm

Leicestershire AVFC said:

... I aint like these knobs on here making stuff up, my auntie emma works for the daily mail and tonight sent me a email about villa new targets, Im so happy i can sleep well tonight, i really want to share this imformation but i swore not to share it has she can get told off, check the daily mail website tomorrow soon to be 10 days to go until we sign our first player july 17th

Comment 100, made on July 06, 2009 at 10.02 pm

confusedvillafan said:

... and how many players have the daily mail linked us with recently?

Comment 101, made on July 06, 2009 at 10.07 pm

Daniel Wilson said:

... check the daily mail website tomorrow Your setting yourself up for a fall there me laddo I hope they print something interesting otherwise your going to get a verbal battering!!!

Comment 102, made on July 06, 2009 at 10.12 pm

Steve Badger said:

... There is no way the Daily Mail know anything. Even if there is stuff, it'll be pure speculation.

Comment 103, made on July 06, 2009 at 10.25 pm

Mike F said:

... I wonder if Marty reads this? Sign SOMEONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!

Comment 104, made on July 06, 2009 at 10.39 pm

kohoutek, home now and name still not working properly said:

... I dont think the crowds will be any better for european nights this year than last. O'Neill showed everyone what he thought of the UEFA cup last year, and what evidence have we got to suggest this year will be any different? with a smaller squad this year surely we will be doing the same again. Or do we think O'Neill is going to pull his finger out of his arse and sign some players? You could also look at this way: MON saw sparsely attended Euro games, gauged the fans didn't really give a toss, and, realizing the economics of the game and the pulling power of the CL for top-flight players "sold out" to try and give the fans what they're all clamoring for. In other words, why should MON have taken it any more seriously when the fans weren't apparently too anxious to spend money on it? "Back in Europe where we belong!"...Then there's 10-15k empty seats. Well done, the fans. Which is all sort of funny...my first game at Villa Park was a UEFA cup quarterfinal in 1978, against Barcelona, 2-2 draw. It was electric, Johann Cruyff was memerizing and scored, left John Gidman standing still, after he'd seemed to run through half the Villa squad. Ken McNaught, I think it was, equalized just before time to salvage the memory. Unforgettable night.

Comment 105, made on July 06, 2009 at 10.49 pm

flashback said:

... Great memories on here today... it really does make you step back and think - Rambo's run against Millwall, Mark Lillis in midfield, Steve Sims's first touch, Ivo Stas's goal, Nil Lampty the next pele, Paul Mortimers goal celebration, Bernie Gallaghers tackling, Ugo's awareness against Norwich, 8 - 1 against Exeter, the fat bloke that tied to get us to sing 'youll never walk alone', Noel Blakes sporting handshake, Luc Nilis's 1 shot on target, Nigel Callaghans loose ball, Bossies loose women and Collymores screw loose - one or two will surely click, trust me

Comment 106, made on July 06, 2009 at 10.59 pm

EdVilla said:

... the sun website says we in for Crouch and Hangeland

Comment 107, made on July 06, 2009 at 11.32 pm

Daniel Wilson said:

... Oh no - please lets not sign Crouch. The article - http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/ho...R=Football is once again suggesting it's something to do with Carew leaving. When will they quit talking this rubbish...

Comment 108, made on July 06, 2009 at 11.58 pm

Billy7 said:

... Crouch? Mmm? I like him, he scores a few but assists alot, Hangland, i'd love it. If its true and we're in for Crouch then Carew on his way, which will piss us all off, but gotta be something to do with them (MON-JC) not getting on. Get Crouch, replace Heskey

Comment 109, made on July 07, 2009 at 12.09 am

Steve Badger said:

... I don't want Crouch either. Must admit, whilst I still think Carew leaving is rubbish, I'm having to ask myself why he is constantly linked with a move? He must have really upset MON in some way if there is any truth in this and I can't believe it's anything to do with the strip club business. Surely MON wouldn't hold that against him still? I wonder if the rumours about his "habit" are true?

Comment 110, made on July 07, 2009 at 12.12 am

confusedvillafan said:

... its amazing how the sun know how much wages are gonna be offered to supposed transfer targets, i reckon its that general fitzgerald giving inside info

Comment 111, made on July 07, 2009 at 12.20 am

Paul Theiss said:

... Signing Hangeland would be a massive, massive boost for our defense--I really rate him. I reckon that if we can get Hangeland, Veloso, and Bentley, we'll be a stronger team than we were last season.

Comment 112, made on July 07, 2009 at 12.29 am

Paul Theiss said:

... As for Crouch, what's the point? There is absolutely no reason to jettison Carew.

Comment 113, made on July 07, 2009 at 12.30 am

Steve Badger said:

... Confused,

Comment 114, made on July 07, 2009 at 12.43 am

Halfwit said:

... What about those young south americans we are linked with in the birmingham mail ? We could do with some young good talent like them No chance of martin going for them tho

Comment 115, made on July 07, 2009 at 6.07 am

kieron said:

... Come on Damo, time to roll out of bed. Lots to mull over in todays paper and all descent links! Not a Titus Bramble in sight.

Comment 116, made on July 07, 2009 at 9.06 am

Holte End Hero said:

... i can feel a signing today

Comment 117, made on July 07, 2009 at 9.35 am

Tim Wood said:

... How much time has Carew spent on the injury list? Maybe this has a factor in MON allowing him to leave? Crouch seems to be less injury prone but then neither of them are prolific goal scorers! We need a 20goal a season striker, the only problem is who?

Comment 118, made on July 07, 2009 at 9.49 am

TheJohnnyVillan said:

... Im sorry....has MON said that Carew can leave?! I thought MON told Carew that he's still in his future plans - That was according to Carew himself. Would be a big mistake to let Carew go, and im sure MON knows that.

Comment 119, made on July 07, 2009 at 9.53 am

Calum said:

... I'm 21 and have been a villa fan for 16 years. The only affiliation I have with Birmingham is that my godmother is from there, and that had nothing to do with my love for villa. I am a villa fan because everyone was a Man Utd or Liverpool or Arsenal etc etc fan and I wanted to supoort someone else. So I watched the football on TV for a while and then I saw a beautiful victory for Villa against Man Utd and I knew this was the team for me. I have never looked back. As a kid my parents spent hundreds on new kits for me each time one came out, and it was the highlight of my christmas each year to see what I would get. I believe in Martin O'Neil too, more than any other manager we have, and I am trying not to be impatient. I am villa til I die, all other fans have nothing on the boys in claret and blue.

Comment 120, made on July 07, 2009 at 2.58 pm

John Heath said:

... Talking about the '82 European Cup winning season ... Does anyone remember the Villa Groundsman phoning into Tony Butler on BRMB on the eve of the Semi Final at Villa Park ??? If people can remember, it had been raining constantly for three days before the match, and the pitch was under water. He put out a plea for any Villa fans listening to help fork the pitch, asking for us to provide our own forks. So ... off I went with my Dads garden fork, arrived at Villa Park where they had the floodlights switched on on the top of the North Stand, and rows and rows of decorators planks spread across the pitch. There were about 40 of us that turned up that cold wet night and did our bit ... is anyone out there one of the other 39 with forks who helped make our European Cup season so memorable ???

Comment 121, made on July 08, 2009 at 10.48 am

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