Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: not3bad on March 31, 2013, 10:51:37 PM
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(http://i4.birminghammail.co.uk/incoming/article2435242.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/PM2842247-2435242.jpg)
It's the unholy row which has got a Birmingham vicar hot under his (dog) collar.
And today (Sunday 31), Rev Andy Jolley and his flock staged a claret and pew protest outside Villa Park over Easter Sunday soccer fixtures.
Mr Jolley, reverend of Aston Parish Church, says he is fed up with his Easter Sunday services being disrupted by roaring soccer fans at the nearby ground.
Yet his pleas for one of the most important days in the Christian calender to remain sacred have fallen on deaf ears.
So Mr Jolley and his congregation made their made their feelings clear during a demo before Villa’s premiership clash with Liverpool this afternoon.
Parishioners from the Witton Lane church handed out trays of hot cross buns to hungry supporters making their way to the match as part of a ‘generous protest’.
Other worshippers took part in a “passion play”, driving nails into a wooden cross while wearing signs bearing the logos of BSKYB and the Premier League.
Mr Jolley said match-day traffic and the arrival of thousands of fans meant misery for members of his congregation making their way to services. “Three times in the last eight years we have had to cope with a match on Easter Sunday.
"This is one of the two days in the year when the retail industry goes quiet, but the people of Aston can’t have a quiet day.”
Yesterday’s demo wasn’t the first time Aston Parish Church has protested over Easter Sunday Games. In 1999, the then vicar, Rev Keith Sinclair, rang church bells throughout a match with Chelsea.
Rev Jolley said he had asked for the Villa-Liverpool match’s 1.30pm kick off to be moved to 4pm. He had meetings with Aston Villa and police and wrote to both the Premier League and broadcaster BSKYB, but to no avail.
Aston Villa spokesman Brian Doogan said: “Support and assistance has been provided by the club so that members of the congregation had easy access to and from the church.”
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/aston-christians-cry-foul-over-2435236
I have sympathy for their viewpoint myself, being a traditional "football on a Saturday afternoon, church on Sunday morning" man. And I like the way BSKYB was targeted by the protest.
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I seem to recall they protested last time we played Easter Sunday.
I think we may have played Birmingham. And I think we may have won 5-1.
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I seem to recall they protested last time we played Easter Sunday.
I think we may have played Birmingham. And I think we may have won 5-1.
Nope we played Birmingham in 2006 and won 3-1 on Easter Sunday then drew with Everton 3-3 in 2009. I was there both times
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Luckily I don't care...
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I honestly thought they were just doing their usual god bothering. I had no idea it was any sort of protest.
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I sympathise. As a non-chocolate lover it does annoy me the whole holiday seems to revolve around shopping. Like Christmas, if you're not a god botherer, you shouldn't be taking the days off
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Was it not possible for them to hold the service before/after the match? It is only 90 minutes.
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I think the point they're making is loads of people have Good Friday or bank holiday easter Monday off even though they're not god bothererers and yet they ignore the religious day when it suits them
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I think the point they're making is loads of people have Good Friday or bank holiday easter Monday off even though they're not god bothererers and yet they ignore the religious day when it suits them
No that's not the point. The point they're making is that they would prefer it if football matches were not held on their doorstep on Easter Sunday in particular. The Bank holiday thing you're alluding to had nothing to do with it.
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Was it not possible for them to hold the service before/after the match? It is only 90 minutes.
This is a fair point. The church in Pheasey Great Barr had finished their morning service by half eleven.
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What a load of tosh again, the religion was well out of the equation
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well, I'd say the EASTER bank holiday has something to do with religion, as in you wouldn't be getting a holiday otherwise.As a non-god botherer its not much to ask not to have a football game imo
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Why was this not played at 4pm?
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(http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/57433000/jpg/_57433683_williammcgregor.jpg)
I'm pretty sure that our founder would have understood the church's position and acted accordingly -
from Wiki - "William McGregor was a committed Christian who was widely respected for his honesty and integrity. He worshipped for forty years at the Congregational church in Wheeler Street, Aston. His pastor, the Revd. W.G. Percival said that the best thing about him "was not so much the genial, kindly, honest sportsman, but the Christian behind it all". He described him as "a man of absolutely unblemished personal character"
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I think it was a lovely gesture by the congregation to get their buns out and offer them to passers by .
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I honestly thought they were just doing their usual god bothering. I had no idea it was any sort of protest.
Well, I missed the hot cross buns; would have liked one of them.
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I'm an atheist and there is plenty I dislike about organised religion but I can see their point. Good for them that they are willing to stand up and make their views known even though it leaves them open to ridicule and criticism from the majority.
We used to have more football at Easter, sometimes 3 games in 4 days. Friday, Saturday, Monday - not Sunday !
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I honestly thought they were just doing their usual god bothering. I had no idea it was any sort of protest.
Well, I missed the hot cross buns; would have liked one of them.
Reminds me of the Eddie Izzard sketch about an Anglican Inquisition.
Cake or Death? Cake please.
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I'm an atheist and there is plenty I dislike about organised religion but I can see their point. Good for them that they are willing to stand up and make their views known even though it leaves them open to ridicule and criticism from the majority.
We used to have more football at Easter, sometimes 3 games in 4 days. Friday, Saturday, Monday - not Sunday !
Yeah I agree. I miss the days when we played Saturday and Monday over Easter. They quietly got rid of that. The busy Christmas fixture will be next to go.
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We should have played on Saturday at 3pm.
Only a dickhead would actually want to attend a game at half one on a bleeding Sunday.
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I don't think it's too much to ask Sky to keep their hands off football for one day a year.
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We should have played on Saturday at 3pm.
Only a dickhead would actually want to attend a game at half one on a bleeding Sunday.
Amen.
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We spent a few few quids on Easter eggs so I feel redeemed and therefore had no problem in going to the match yesterday as I didn't feel I was disrespecting Christians.
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I don't think it's too much to ask Sky to keep their hands off football for one day a year.
Agree, Dave.
Wasn't this one of the games they moved after the fixtures were set, too?
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I don't think it's too much to ask Sky to keep their hands off football for one day a year.
Agree, Dave.
Wasn't this one of the games they moved after the fixtures were set, too?
Why the 1.30 kick off when there were no other games broadcast ?
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I did feel sympathy for them until the bloke with the mic announced he was a Leeds fan and would 'see you villa fans next season'. Cheeky bleeder
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I don't think it's too much to ask Sky to keep their hands off football for one day a year.
Agree, Dave.
Wasn't this one of the games they moved after the fixtures were set, too?
Why the 1.30 kick off when there were no other games broadcast ?
The only other sport yesterday was a bunch of university toffs waving some oars around. (One of the few things BBC has left).
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I'm an atheist and there is plenty I dislike about organised religion but I can see their point. Good for them that they are willing to stand up and make their views known even though it leaves them open to ridicule and criticism from the majority.
We used to have more football at Easter, sometimes 3 games in 4 days. Friday, Saturday, Monday - not Sunday !
Sums it up perfectly for me.
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London Irish were playing as well.
Easter Sunday is about watching Charlton Heston in some 5 hour film, not going to watch a bloody game of football, especially one that kicks off at an idiotic time.
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I don't think it's too much to ask Sky to keep their hands off football for one day a year.
Agree, Dave.
Wasn't this one of the games they moved after the fixtures were set, too?
Why the 1.30 kick off when there were no other games broadcast ?
Because that's what time Sky wanted it.
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and perhaps Sky think more people will be eating out in later afternoon. I think it is daft time for a game.
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and perhaps Sky think more people will be eating out in later afternoon. I think it is daft time for a game.
But did you grab a hot cross bun Michael?
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I did feel sympathy for them until the bloke with the mic announced he was a Leeds fan and would 'see you villa fans next season'. Cheeky bleeder
I know he may be a man of god and has strong belief in miracles but there is no way Leeds are coming up this season!
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I'm an atheist and there is plenty I dislike about organised religion but I can see their point. Good for them that they are willing to stand up and make their views known even though it leaves them open to ridicule and criticism from the majority.
We used to have more football at Easter, sometimes 3 games in 4 days. Friday, Saturday, Monday - not Sunday !
Yeah I agree. I miss the days when we played Saturday and Monday over Easter. They quietly got rid of that. The busy Christmas fixture will be next to go.
Fully agree. 2 Easter games used to be great fun but I guess why should fans actually going to matches have fun?
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I'm an atheist and there is plenty I dislike about organised religion but I can see their point. Good for them that they are willing to stand up and make their views known even though it leaves them open to ridicule and criticism from the majority.
We used to have more football at Easter, sometimes 3 games in 4 days. Friday, Saturday, Monday - not Sunday !
Back in the days when fixtures were played on Christmas day and boxing day.
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Anybody else ringing bells for hours in the afternoon would have an Asbo slapped on them, so with all due respect, I think the Christians should pipe down.
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(http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/57433000/jpg/_57433683_williammcgregor.jpg)
I'm pretty sure that our founder would have understood the church's position and acted accordingly -
from Wiki - "William McGregor was a committed Christian who was widely respected for his honesty and integrity. He worshipped for forty years at the Congregational church in Wheeler Street, Aston. His pastor, the Revd. W.G. Percival said that the best thing about him "was not so much the genial, kindly, honest sportsman, but the Christian behind it all". He described him as "a man of absolutely unblemished personal character"
Spot on Alex. I can never understand the the "organised religion hater's" given Villa's roots, and the offensive "god bother" comments, when what i suspect is really meant is they just dont like Christian's. The same comments would never be made about Allah.
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Just to point out that William McGregor wasn't actually our founder of course, as any Aston Villa fan should know. Tut tut.
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Ironic, I suppose, but if I hadn't been for the Church we'd probably all be Albion fans. That's reason enough to get on your knees and praise the Lord.
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Easter is a Babylonian pagan tradition inserted into Christianity (as is Christmas)...it has as much to do with football as it does dog or jebus.
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(http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/57433000/jpg/_57433683_williammcgregor.jpg)
I'm pretty sure that our founder would have understood the church's position and acted accordingly -
from Wiki - "William McGregor was a committed Christian who was widely respected for his honesty and integrity. He worshipped for forty years at the Congregational church in Wheeler Street, Aston. His pastor, the Revd. W.G. Percival said that the best thing about him "was not so much the genial, kindly, honest sportsman, but the Christian behind it all". He described him as "a man of absolutely unblemished personal character"
This. But, thanks to Sky TV money talks.
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Just to point out that William McGregor wasn't actually our founder of course, as any Aston Villa fan should know. Tut tut.
However Villa's founders were all good Methodists who I'm sure would have every sympathy with the Christian viewpoint here.
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Anybody else ringing bells for hours in the afternoon would have an Asbo slapped on them, so with all due respect, I think the Christians should pipe down.
all due respect to Christians from Risso, we're making progress!
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I can see their point. Whilst being able to see their point it isn't a point a necessarily agree with but I thought the way they made their case showed some class and humour to be fair. The way to get your point across without alienating people.
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Easter is a Babylonian pagan tradition inserted into Christianity (as is Christmas)...it has as much to do with football as it does dog or jebus.
In the absence of Babylonians and Pagans let's stick with the Christian version.
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Easter is a Babylonian pagan tradition inserted into Christianity (as is Christmas)...it has as much to do with football as it does dog or jebus.
Eostre - Germanic Goddess of the Rising Sun - Hares and eggs innit
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i just pray that they let us play when we need to
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(http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/57433000/jpg/_57433683_williammcgregor.jpg)
I'm pretty sure that our founder would have understood the church's position and acted accordingly -
from Wiki - "William McGregor was a committed Christian who was widely respected for his honesty and integrity. He worshipped for forty years at the Congregational church in Wheeler Street, Aston. His pastor, the Revd. W.G. Percival said that the best thing about him "was not so much the genial, kindly, honest sportsman, but the Christian behind it all". He described him as "a man of absolutely unblemished personal character"
Spot on Alex. I can never understand the the "organised religion hater's" given Villa's roots, and the offensive "god bother" comments, when what i suspect is really meant is they just dont like Christian's. The same comments would never be made about Allah.
God Botherer , Allah Botherer, Buddha Botherer.
None of them need to be screeching out very loud music just because there's a football game going on that they don't like.
At the time I thought they were just trying to convert people but now I know it was a protest I wish I'd told them to Shut Up.
Religion is just like your penis, You can love it, be proud of it even play with it but don't whip it out in public or try to shove it down anyone's throat.
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God Botherer , Allah Botherer, Buddha Botherer.
None of them need to be screeching out very loud music just because there's a football game going on that they don't like.
At the time I thought they were just trying to convert people but now I know it was a protest I wish I'd told them to Shut Up.
Religion is just like your penis, You can love it, be proud of it even play with it but don't whip it out in public or try to shove it down anyone's throat.
Here's a tip for you Smoke. Before you post something as disgusting as that again make sure you've changed your Signature.
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I'm a non believer but think they have a point. In any case they made their point in a friendly and inclusive way. Yet some people feel the need to shout abuse at them whilst going on about not not having views shoved down their throats. Some atheists these days are unfortunately sometimes the most orthodox and offensive.
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I'm a non believer but think they have a point. In any case they made their point in a friendly and inclusive way. Yet some people feel the need to shout abuse at them whilst going on about not not having views shoved down their throats. Some atheists these days are unfortunately sometimes the most orthodox and offensive.
Agreed. Please respect other beliefs and remember our club's foundation.
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Anybody else ringing bells for hours in the afternoon would have an Asbo slapped on them, so with all due respect, I think the Christians should pipe down.
all due respect to Christians from Risso, we're making progress!
Happy Easter by the way, I know it means a lot to you.
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Anybody else ringing bells for hours in the afternoon would have an Asbo slapped on them, so with all due respect, I think the Christians should pipe down.
all due respect to Christians from Risso, we're making progress!
Happy Easter by the way, I know it means a lot to you.
that's much appreciated Risso and thank you
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I fully back their right to protest, but it was a bit over the top when they complained about the Dawkins signing.
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They really do need to come up with some non-fattening Easter goodies though, hot cross buns, Easter eggs and Simnel cake, all bloody lovely and delicious. I must have put on half a stone at least this weekend!
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I fully back their right to protest, but it was a bit over the top when they complained about the Dawkins signing.
They did? What was their problem?
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I fully back their right to protest, but it was a bit over the top when they complained about the Dawkins signing.
They did? What was their problem?
it was the same when we bought Hitchens a few years back, bang out of order that signing
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God Botherer , Allah Botherer, Buddha Botherer.
None of them need to be screeching out very loud music just because there's a football game going on that they don't like.
At the time I thought they were just trying to convert people but now I know it was a protest I wish I'd told them to Shut Up.
Religion is just like your penis, You can love it, be proud of it even play with it but don't whip it out in public or try to shove it down anyone's throat.
Here's a tip for you Smoke. Before you post something as disgusting as that again make sure you've changed your Signature.
Just so I'm clear what did you find disgusting? My signature, The Penis thing or the various types of botherer?
If you wish to go and knock on my employers door be my guest, otherwise keep the condescending threats to yourself, Please.
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God Botherer , Allah Botherer, Buddha Botherer.
None of them need to be screeching out very loud music just because there's a football game going on that they don't like.
At the time I thought they were just trying to convert people but now I know it was a protest I wish I'd told them to Shut Up.
Religion is just like your penis, You can love it, be proud of it even play with it but don't whip it out in public or try to shove it down anyone's throat.
Here's a tip for you Smoke. Before you post something as disgusting as that again make sure you've changed your Signature.
Just so I'm clear what did you find disgusting? My signature, The Penis thing or the various types of botherer?
If you wish to go and knock on my employers door be my guest, otherwise keep the condescending threats to yourself.
Nobody's threatening anyone, so wind your neck in.
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Wound.
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Any prayers they made for us were a bit of a waste of time then I see.
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(http://i4.birminghammail.co.uk/incoming/article2435242.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/PM2842247-2435242.jpg)
and I'm not too keen on next seasons new kit either.
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Looks a bit like that SHA kit from the early 90s.
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With no other TV game on Sunday - there was no reason why Kick off couldn't have been later. Something like 3pm - everyone's a winner!
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I heard that the Southampton V Chelsea game was scheduled for 16:00 but the Cup Replay meant that it reverted back to Saturday.
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That sounds about right. It would be unusual for SKY to only have one PL game and on the occasions they do it is nearly always a 4pm start.
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There was no reason why we couldn't have played on Friday, Saturday or Monday at 3pm.
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Other worshippers took part in a “passion play”, driving nails into a wooden cross while wearing signs bearing the logos of BSKYB and the Premier League.
I wondered what that lad was doing, very thought provoking as I thought to myself 'he's using the wrong type of hammer for that job'
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Lovely church by the way. Villa Park has some great surroundings with The Holte pub, the park and Aston Hall. I know there's grim stuff as well, but there's no football ground quite like it for me. Marvellous.
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Lovely church by the way. Villa Park has some great surroundings with The Holte pub, the park and Aston Hall. I know there's grim stuff as well, but there's no football ground quite like it for me. Marvellous.
Quite
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What would these Christians have said years ago when games were played on Christmas day?
Whats the difference, we dont play on Christmas day anymore, but do have sport on Easter Sunday.
Tbh im not keen on them standing outside the church on match days trying to hand out leaflets etc..They didnt do it years ago, but do these days. Just in the way we now have games on Easter Sunday when we didnt a few years ago. Times change for better or for worse.
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Actually, I think I agree with them. The game should be declared null and void and replayed another time. Where's that petition?
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(http://i4.birminghammail.co.uk/incoming/article2435242.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/PM2842247-2435242.jpg)
and I'm not too keen on next seasons new kit either.
I reckon he's borrowed that off David Sullivan or a coach driver
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(http://i4.birminghammail.co.uk/incoming/article2435242.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/PM2842247-2435242.jpg)
and I'm not too keen on next seasons new kit either.
I reckon he's borrowed that off David Sullivan or a coach driver
I think it is a more empathetic choice as an approach to the media than being interviewed in full-on church-appropriate full Easter regalia and threads would have been. Good for him.
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(http://i4.birminghammail.co.uk/incoming/article2435242.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/PM2842247-2435242.jpg)
and I'm not too keen on next seasons new kit either.
I reckon he's borrowed that off David Sullivan or a coach driver
I think it is a more empathetic choice as an approach to the media than being interviewed in full-on church-appropriate full Easter regalia and threads would have been. Good for him.
Its the vicar's version of an away kit.
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What would these Christians have said years ago when games were played on Christmas day?
Whats the difference, we dont play on Christmas day anymore, but do have sport on Easter Sunday.
Tbh im not keen on them standing outside the church on match days trying to hand out leaflets etc..They didnt do it years ago, but do these days. Just in the way we now have games on Easter Sunday when we didnt a few years ago. Times change for better or for worse.
Christmas Day is not as important in the Christian calendar as Easter Day. Possibly the reason they didn't hand out leaflets years ago was that matches weren't played on Sundays.
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To be honest, I wish we'd never played Easter Sunday too. And I would have spent a lot less time blaspheming.