Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Archie on June 17, 2011, 04:07:37 PM
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We may not to be happy with the decision of the board to appoint Alex Mc Leish as a manager, but we can't doubt that Aston Villa FC is a unique, gentlemen's club, and a great family to which all the fans feel to belong.
As usual, in occasion of the last game of the season, the club gives the fans from all around the world the chance to spend an exciting WE, considering Villa Park as their own house.
The Italian contingent was present as usual.
The WE is always exciting but also very tiring, so it's advisable to begin with a day of total relax in Cambridge.
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Strange but true, we found out that if you are at least in number of four, in England taxis are cheaper that trains.
So we took a taxi from Cambridge to Villa Park to enjoy the empteenth visit that traditionally the club offers to the members of the fansclubs in order to thank them for their loyal support.
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In the evening we attended the annual fanclubs' dinner where we had the opportunity to meet Villans from all over the world (and Leicester!).
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We also had the chance to meet a true Villa legend like Ian Taylor.
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Before the game is a must to go to take a pre-match couple of beers at the Barton's Arms.
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This is an historical, beautiful pub, whose exterior is said to be inspired by the nearby Aston Hall, with strong connections with the history of Aston (http://www.oakhamales.com/bartonabout.asp) and an old variety theatre named Aston Hyppodrome: www.astonbrook-through-astonmanor.co.uk/astonhip
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The best way to go from the Barton's Arms to Villa Park it is with a brief, beautiful promenade through Aston Park and Aston Hall.
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Courtesy of a true legend like Alan Perrins of AVFC, before the game we had the fantastic opportunity to present Stewart Downing with the Player of the Year and Super Mark Albrighton with the Young Player of the year's Award.
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Then we entered the stadium through the old, stylish, turnstiles.
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We were lucky enough to celebrate a win against Liverpool and the relegation of our bitter rivals.
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We had to say to say thank you to Spurs.
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http://v7.tinypic.com/player.swf?file=dbtg2e&s=7">
(to be continued)
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Great stuff Archie, a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day.
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How did you find Cambrdige Archie ? my home town. Taxi to Villa Park ? blimey !! mind you the trains are expensive and take about 3and a half hours.
glad you had a good time.
UTV
The Doc
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Cambridge is beautiful, so relaxing, I go there every time I can, it is a true paradise, mate.
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Lovely photos Archie, Frank appears to have bought a new range of tops there specially for the occasion!
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I love these reports, Archie. We're lucky to follow this great, old club, but we're lucky also to have some top, top fans! :D
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Forza Archie and chums UTV
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This should be mandatory reading for all the people here who have been moaning about the club in recent weeks. Archie, I love your stories about visiting VP and next year I want to be in one of your photos!
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Make sure you go to the Barton's after the game next time, I'm too lazy to get there beforehand!
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This should be mandatory reading for all the people here who have been moaning about the club in recent weeks. Archie, I love your stories about visiting VP and next year I want to be in one of your photos!
I'll second that; a great read and photos, Archie.
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A first-class report, Stefano, and a memento of an unforgettable trip. i look forward to seeing you on your next visit. Great that you also made it to the Barton's. I'm in Birmingham now for Aston Heritage Day, which includes the 3 places you visited: Aston Hall, the Barton's and, of course, Villa Park
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Techinically, is the Barton's actually in Aston?
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Techinically, is the Barton's actually in Aston?
I'm not a local, Chris, but isn't it in High Street, Aston?
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I'd say it's Newtown.
Hmmm....
Oh, it's got it's own Wiki page (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bartons_Arms). Apparently it's in Newtown, but Newtown is part of Aston. So you were right, I was posting gibberish as usual!
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great pics Archie
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great pics archie - and top marks for regularly making the pilgrimmage from Italia
Couldn't help but notice though.... is that a G-string in the first photo??
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No, mate, it as only a waist-bag.
But now I have changed that banal pic with another more amusing ;D.
After the Liverpool game we had the unbelievable opportunity to play on the sacred turf in occasion of the annual Lions clubs' chairmen's game, UK Lions vs. Overseas Lions.
We entered the pitch from the tunnel, and our names were displayed on the big screen. Simply amazing!
I was the manager of the Overseas Lions, and I choose not to play in order to increase our chance to win.
And actually we played very well, but the UK won 2-1 thanks to their legendary keeper Mark Goodwin that made four amazing saves.
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At the end of the game we went to the Holte Pub to have a couple of well deserved post match beers, where we were lucky enough to meet the legendary Tony Morley.
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It was a perfect day, indeed:
(to be continued)
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Sounds like a top trip Archie. Doing the player presentations and actually getting to play on the hallowed turf. Would've been great to meet Tony Morley too- he was a childhood hero of mine along with the rest of that side that won the league.
You got me thinking of an Aussie villains sc now!!
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On our way back to Italy we enjoyed very much the visit of a small, picturesque village, located near Stansted airport, called Safforn Walden, a place that seems out of time and space, rich of beautiful medieval buildings and with a nice old market place (http://www.visitsaffronwalden.gov.uk/about-us.htm).
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The ancient Eight Bells pub (same name of the pub for the away fans in Fulham: http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/10/109/, even if we prefer the Duke's Head: http://www.dukesheadputney.com/) of Saffron Walden is one of the best of the country.
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In this WE we have experienced three beutiful pubs: the famous Eagle at Cambridge (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Eagle_(pub)), our well known Barton's Arms at Aston, and the Eight Bells at Saffron Walden (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brighton/3961859947/).
Than we have made a visit of Villa Park, presented the players in the tunnel with the Player (and the Young Player) of the year's award, seen a well deserved win against Pool courtesy of the two players that we had just awarded, and played on the halloweed turf.
Not bad, mates ;)!
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Great stuff Archie. Well done to everyone who made the trip. Nice to be reminded about what an amazing club we all support. UTV
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Buon lavoro!
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blimey Archie, Cambridge and Saffron Walden !
I live in a village between them called Duxford, next time your about this neck of the woods give me a PM and we can meet up.
UTV
The Doc
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I recognise some of those photos.... Ah, that's why, I took them! Nice to meet you in The Bartons, Stefano. See you on your next visit.
And if you want pubs that do good beer, pop over and see me in Stourbridge next time.
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Superb pictures and reports!
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Excellent, well done to you all. Welcome relief from some of the doom and gloom on the site lately!
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Nice one Archie. I heard the fans' night in the Holte Suite was a bit wild!
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Nice one Archie. I heard the fans' night in the Holte Suite was a bit wild!
Yes, i was there as well, it was very enjoyable.