Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: villa `cross the mersey on January 08, 2018, 11:00:45 AM
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Following the passing of two Villa stalwarts (John Deakin and Nigel Sims- from the era when I started following the Villa) and the surrender of our most recent cup tie, I have reflected over the weekend on what the club, and football in general, now mean to me.
Like many other posters of my age group we have witnessed leaner times (believe it or not) but there was always hope and ambition – culminating from the depths of the third tier in English football to European Champions within 11 years – a monumental rise that was not fully appreciated in all quarters – chiefly the English media at the time.
It’s not the fact we are in the second division (I refuse to call it the Championship) as we have been here before, but the dumbing down of our ambitions - i.e. appearing to accept the best we can do is reach a playoff position come May, offer little resistance to a lower league team at home in the FA Cup . Again the apparent acceptance within the club that we can no longer compete (at this time) with the likes of Bournemouth, Huddersfield, Swansea, Burnley, Watford, Brighton et al - for goodness sake we left most of these clubs in our wake on our rise to becoming European Champions.
I recall someone posting that there is a “nasty smell” around the club at the minute – maybe it is the smell of a decaying hopes, ambitions and pride of thousands of fans who expect more. The mismanagement of the club in the late 1960`s was shocking as it failed to modernise its way of running a big football club – Ellis and Matthews “came to the rescue” and things did change, albeit after the club reached rock bottom on and off the pitch.
I disliked Ellis`s style (his huge ego and megalomaniacal business ways principally) but despite his “corner shop mentality” we were again respected as a club throughout the game. The Lerner era, after an initial exciting start faltered and placed us on a downward spiral once again – another foreign owner on board and still we fail to see “light at the end of the tunnel”
Where does that leave me as a “fan”? I am no longer a “supporter” of the club as my season ticket was not renewed following the Cup Final defeat to Arsenal - Like many I follow from afar (Merseyside), however the following is now chiefly through this site – I no longer come to Villa Park due to ongoing health issues, nor watch live streams/broadcasts or listen to the radio…. I find it a painful experience primarily as the football on offer is so bereft of quality or even spirit/ambition.
Again due to my ill health I am no longer working so am spared the banter from colleagues, however when I do get out and talk with other football fans (from a wide range of clubs, not just “the big clubs”) their views on the Villa are interesting….. Ranging from pity to total disdain with a bit of bewilderment in between.
I still care passionately about “my club” and always will – as the tag line went – “it’s in the blood”
I am the third generation of Villans and it hurts me to see the club seemingly with little or no ambition – yes the game has changed beyond recognition since SKY and the inception of the Premier League – it is all about the money now and the weekend deal sealed between Liverpool and Barcelona sums it all up - Power, money and greed .
What saddens me more than anything is that recent generations of young Villa fans have had so little to shout about or even be proud of …. VCTM jnr has accompanied me to a few games that can be reminisced about – Cup Semi against Liverpool, Qtr final against the Baggies, League Cup Semi against Blackburn and the great game at Goodison when Ashley Young scored late on ….but even jnr has lost faith recently .
I shall always be a Villa fan and consider them a great club but we are no longer a “big club” – cue endless posts on what constitutes a “big club” – well, one attribute is Ambition, something we sadly lack
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Heartfelt and so true. Hope your health issues improve VCTM.
I'm in a similar position. Exiled from Brum due to work which certainly doesn't help. But I've lost the battle in handing it down to my kids. I've tried - I've taken them to games (under MoN, Lambert, Sherwood, Houllier and Bruce). But now they're a bit older they look at me and ask "Why would I want to go and watch them Dad?". And I'm stumped for an answer.
I've tried the "historical" tack that its a direct line back to me, my Dad, my Nan and that seat over there in the Witton Lane Lower was where your great grandad sat for donkey's years with his scarf, his flask, his blanket and a bag of sweets.
I've tried the "elitist" tack that we're Aston Villa, we founded the football league, we play (or should play) in glorious claret and blue colours that shine like a beacon in a sea of red and blue kits, that our ground is (or was) beautiful and not like other grounds around the country, our name is unique, that we try to do things 'properly'.
I've tried the "this is only a phase" tack that we've been lower before, but came back and won things that the likes of Arsenal have still never won.
Perhaps I'm just old. And society has changed too much. And its not about Aston Villa anymore.
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I do not go back quite so far as you but I became a supporter as we slid down from the First Division. I came to dislike Ellis as his power grew but he brought a business attitude to the Club that saw us modernise.
My gripe with the way things are now is that when we were relegated we had an opportunity to modernise again and we have thrown it away. The structure should have been broken up as this was the only way we were ever likely to get back near the top of the game.
If we get promoted the increased revenue will never be enough to strengthen the squad sufficiently to stay up. We may be better to do a Burnley and pocket the cash, accept relegation and then rebuild to come back stronger. Radical but we need a different approach.
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I get asked what I intend to do with Max and "if he wants to watch some [insert northern shit house club here] and not the Villa". I personally think he'll love it with the sweets and iPad in the back for a film, visit to nan and granddads etc. He wont really get what's going on with the football for a few years anyway. I intend to take him to his first towards the end of the season after his third birthday. Derby is what I'm thinking.
But if he does support [insert northern shit house club here] I guess that's fine, but he will never have their shirt in my house and I will never take him to a single game or allow him to be chaperoned by others to a game. So he's got one shot really. Be miserable or take up another hobby on a Saturday. I'll get his mom to take him shopping as well.
That sort of approach may be different if I didn't go to the games, but there's a culture in our family for going to them and that's been the way for a few generations, so he'd be missing out on a bit of a family past time really.
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Great post. I do, however, still consider us a big club, just not a rich one that is capable of competing at the highest level at the moment.
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Well said Clive! Hope to see you at a game this season mate.
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Great post I'm the same exiled from home I travel up to watch the games I came up on Saturday Aston Villa mean a awful lot to me I've had some bad times and the Villa have been the one thing I always turn to even when we are bad just being at Villa Park is therapeutic so I would be lost without my beloved Aston Villa.
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I still have a season ticket, though I rarely use it due to Saturday League commitments.
I feel completely disconnected from the players nowadays. I think this might be down to the ever changing over inflated squads of players who's backgrounds I've become out of touch with.
This has grown over several seasons and I'm not sure if I'll be able to 'reconnect' with the players following an enforced break.
I wonder if it's even possible?
Still love the club, the colours, the ground and the tradition of match day as much as anyone I know - but I do miss having an in depth knowledge of a stable squad.
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I somehow don't think we would have seen this topic had Bruce put out a team that would have been pretty much a continuation of Bristol game with Terry included at the expense of Chester. Had we done so and played in a similar pattern we would have won the game quite easily. Even if we hadn't we would have looked like we were having a go and that is something the fans for most part would have accepted.
The game was as much about keeping the fans enthused and positive as it was about the team's momentum with some 'Pride' restored and the 4th round draw to look forward to. Two wins in a row and confidence is up whithin the squad and increased optimism amongst the fans. Instead, we have 1 step forward and two steps back which is all down to Bruce. If we lose on Saturday against Forest the fingers will be quite rightly pointing at him and I wouldn't be surprised at all if he was turfed out, he'd deserve it too.
Anyway, we are a big club and I wish those within it would realise that.
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Still feel attachment to the villa. Some real highs and lots of lows. I am resigned to the fact that it will never be as good as the 70’s / early 80’s
Nothing to do with the game is the same but after family, swimming and sometimes squash villa is up there in my life
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Squash?
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It shouldn't matter but it does.
The joy I get from a Villa win is so driectly out of proportion to what it really represents in the scheme of life, the universe and everything that some people would probably have me certified. I have tried to temper the flipside of getting too down after a defeat, we've had enough practice on this one the last few years, but it does piss me off at least temporarily when we do. For whatever reason the fortunes of the club are deeply ingrained in my psyche and I can't imagine life without it. Even when I think I don't care my reaction to the next match confirms that I do. It's difficult to explain to people who haven't got the bug but I know I'm talking to fellow travellers on this site.
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Still go to Villa Park regularly and still get that same buzz walking to the ground as I did as a child. Yes, the last five or so years have been bad, but I can console myself with the memories of watching some very good Villa teams and players over the years. Fans on many clubs won't get anywhere near the highs we have had, so although we currently find ourselves at a low, I do feel fortunate in some ways.
As for the futue, well I think we'll have to wait and see what happens when / if we do make it back into the top flight. The owner has revealed some grand plans for the club, but they are reliant on us being in the Premier League and I guess we will see the validity of those claims when that happens.
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It shouldn't matter but it does.
The joy I get from a Villa win is so driectly out of proportion to what it really represents in the scheme of life, the universe and everything that some people would probably have me certified. I have tried to temper the flipside of getting too down after a defeat, we've had enough practice on this one the last few years, but it does piss me off at least temporarily when we do. For whatever reason the fortunes of the club are deeply ingrained in my psyche and I can't imagine life without it. Even when I think I don't care my reaction to the next match confirms that I do. It's difficult to explain to people who haven't got the bug but I know I'm talking to fellow travellers on this site.
That’s me.
Get well soon Clive.
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I no longer see us as a big club & havnt for some time . (big clubs are always there or there abouts when the trophies are being handed out.)
But I'll always be there every other Saturday as the Villa are my Salvation !, a visit always makes life seem a little better even if it is only for 90mins or so .
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My love and affection for the Villa dies when I do, regardless.
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I live for Aston Villa. That's not an exaggeration. Most else is a handy passtime between games. Yes, I'm young, but I hope I'm like this til I die. My old man is, so I don't see why I can't be too.
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Only my wife and family mean more. Usually.
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(http://thumb.ibb.co/dLaRhR/DS16q2_ZX0_AEitr_E.jpg) (http://ibb.co/dLaRhR)
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What a place.
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History and stadium. The rest feels pretty meh to me at the moment and has done for the last 4-5 years.
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It is a strange one. My relationship with Villa and the game in general has changed over the years. It is still a release from the hum drum of life. Still an excuse to go out for a few beers. Still likely to set my anger buttons to Def Con 8. But it isn't as important as it used to be.
I enjoy venting my spleen in the fanzine about who I don't like elsewhere in the game. I enjoy what I do with the Trust to make the lot of our supporters, and those of other clubs, better. But it still isn't the fun it was when I was wide eyed youth.
I really associate it now with my pals. I have often thought it is worth just stopping going so I can free up lots of time and money. Spend it with the family instead.
But there are lots of people I class as friends that I just wouldn't have occasion to see if it weren't for the football. It is that which I find hard to give up on.
Whether this changes again when the boys get older I don't know. But I like to think some people I met through here, and have now known for many years, would roll out the red carpet for the kids at a game if I croaked it tomorrow.
Like a wider family, if you will. They might be downtrodden and miserable about it all, but a wider family nonetheless.
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I am also an exiled Brummie with a season ticket. I must love the club, why else would I travel up and down the motorway every other week to watch what we have had to put up with over the last few years.
I do know that when we win I feel that life is a wonderful and the world is ok, when we lose I don't watch any football for days, crazy I know but as earlier posters have said after Wife and family The Villa is my life.
Apologies meant to add this at the beginnng, Get well soon VCTM.
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Aston Villa is the closest thing to faith I'll ever manage. There is no reason to believe, but I do. That's the only illogical thing in life I'm willing to put up with.
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Villa, whether good, bad or mostly somewhere in between, have been the only constant in my entire life. Something I return to when times have been difficult stretching back early childhood through adolescence and into adulthood. Villa have seen me through my parents' messy protracted divorce as a kid, my own relationship break ups and a period ill health. Villa have propped me up consistently they have helped me so they deserve my support. However this is not a blind uncritical devotion - as with (most) other football fans I can't go elsewhere.
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It was once a passionate, all-consuming affair; it is now that staid, loveless marriage where all your partner's faults are laid bare and drive you up the wall. But we've got history and splitting up now is not only not worth the effort, I know that I'd actually miss her - and - to be honest - if close my eyes I can still see clear as day what I fell in love with as that wide-eyed, star-struck kid on the Witton End terrace all those years ago.
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Villa used to be the most important thing in my life, now they are not, still enjoy going to games but I can take or leave it, if there is something that clashed then I have no qualms with missing a game (so much so I won’t be going to Villa Blues).
Had a season ticket for many years, then moved away from Birmingham and only maintained it for one season after that, 12 months ago, after 8 years away I moved back to Birmingham and got a season ticket again. I will probably attend only half of this seasons home games.
The Villa is a day out a few beers and a chance to see mates these days. Results don’t make or break my weekend, they are usually forgotten by the time I have walked through Aston Park.
Not sure if I have changed or the Villa or football have changed, used to obsessively watch any games on TV, now I can’t be arsed.
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From the age of 5 to now aged 45 Villa have always been my friend. A friend that has always been there for me. A friend that has completely let me down at times, a friend that hasn't even bothered turning up for me at times, usually 3pm every other Saturday!. A friend that forgives me when I don't turn up. Most importantly a friend that will always be there come rain or shine. I always park the car near my mate Fred's by the Villa Tavern, I've have always approached Villa Park from Aston Church Road (I grew up on the rock so that's the way), I've always gone into the newsagents by the Brit Pub and said hello to the owners. Its a pre match ritual, we are creatures of habit and having Villa around is good for the soul.
I moved away from Brum and gave up my season ticket post O'Neil. I feel a bit of a let down when I only turn up on Boxing Day 2016 vs Burton, Fulham Away last season and Bristol City New Years Day.
Kids, Work, Wife, Life dictate now, the Villa used to be the be all and end all. In charge of me but not anymore, years ago if I missed a game I was the let down......
The way the game has changed is not for the good, I get my kicks now (excuse the pun snooker players!) from playing and watching snooker. It's a different ball game altogether (another pun sorry).
I will always love the Villa and will always be there for them in mind, (not always body!) and soul.
Up the Villa and god bless all who roll with em....
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The one thing that has changed for me is that the match is only part of it now. I love the day or night. Another thing that has changed is that I now much prefer home games. Will still go aways but not the same as they were and hate standing up in cramped rows of seats away.
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You can choose your friends but not your family.
Family are stuck with each other, you might not like it, at times detest it, but always will it well in the end.
You might try and become part of a new family, but that won't work because you'll always yearn to love your proper one. Even if you don't see each other for days, weeks months or years.
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It shouldn't matter but it does.
The joy I get from a Villa win is so driectly out of proportion to what it really represents in the scheme of life, the universe and everything that some people would probably have me certified. I have tried to temper the flipside of getting too down after a defeat, we've had enough practice on this one the last few years, but it does piss me off at least temporarily when we do. For whatever reason the fortunes of the club are deeply ingrained in my psyche and I can't imagine life without it. Even when I think I don't care my reaction to the next match confirms that I do. It's difficult to explain to people who haven't got the bug but I know I'm talking to fellow travellers on this site.
Totally agree Meanwood Villa.
Even being on the other side of the world doesn't take away the pain every time we lose and the euphoria when we win. I try to pretend that it doesn't mean as much to me nowadays but it doesn't work.
Great thread VCTM and I hope you get well soon mate.
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Hope you get well soon VCTM I echo JD great thread.
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Great post VCTM. Sorry to hear about the health issues, I've great respect and admiration for your tenure as season ticket holder etc from afar. I'm sorry to say I've only made the trip over for one game so far this season, but hoping to make the Wolves match and hopefully playoff semis if we get there. It does get harder to support the club from Ireland, the Championship is not well covered here, but like you I've got the club in my blood - my mother passing away after 68 years of supporting the Villa through thick and thin just cemented this, the club has always been in our family but I'm the last one left now who can carry on the 'legacy' after many cousins etc have lapsed.
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Not many things in life can effect my mood like The Villa. I'm guessing Villa also defines me in that if you asked any of my family, even extended family and friends what was the first word that they thought of when I was mentioned, chances are they would say 'Villa'.
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There's a couple of, what I assume, are Irish season ticket holders who cross the road where I do on the way back after every home game and equally I know of Corky from from NI who goes to every game, home and away. I have a lot of time for that sort of effort.
For me the Villa means a great deal, but its ability to sway my mood has diminished considerably.
I put a fair amount of time and resources into attending by virtue of my unfortunate geographical location. I found that I became perhaps most numb to it in the relegation season. I can recall countenancing relegation under Houllier and it must have been akin to being told you had just months to live it was such a horrifying prospect. But as I walked out of Old Trafford, I just shrugged and didn't care. I felt proud to have sung defiantly for the club at the end, as everybody was, rather than the players on the pitch.
For me we are a huge club with the biggest potential going and I take a lot of pride from that. I think, bizarrely, being down here has restored a bit of that and polished the ego; we are the big boys on the block. We are the highest gate of the season for most of the clubs down here and its nice to be the big cheese again. We have started winning too and there's a real pleasure in driving away having won.
I guess I use the victories to shape my mood and try and rationalise the defeats. There are occasions, Preston away and Brentford away, where I've been absolutely steaming about the result, but I calm down fairly quickly.
I love going to Villa Park. I think part of it is that nostalgic feeling that I enjoy about being home in Birmingham, but I enjoy the dash down the M6 and the anticipation match day brings. Away games remain the more exciting prospect and I've been looking forward to Forest since the final whistle against Bristol.
Ultimately, its a hobby, a past time and it supposed to be fun. Sometimes moaning about it is enjoyable, but on the whole I love it. I've been to some great places here and abroad following us and some absolute dog holes too. Its never felt like time wasted for me. I appreciate with age becomes a tinge of regret and a sense of loss as life enters later years and that perhaps fuels some of the more misty eyed posts in the thread, but I don't think there can be a single member of this board who hasn't taken immense joy from being apart of this fraternity.
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What Waynejames posted earlier set me thinking on this again. Like him, the Villa was a great friend to me when I didn't have too many, they had all entered into relationships and I didn't see much of them. The Villa was a constant in those times and I would travel away as often as I could on my own.
I always had hope with the Villa that one day we would actually come good and win something. That culminated in that night in Rotterdam but, for me it was the bitter-sweet defeat of Highbury the year before. I cannot put into words good enough my feelings on running back to the car and the enormity never fully sunk in until I was driving to referee a match somewhere over the Maypole way when, sitting at traffic lights I let out this total involuntary roar. Other drivers must have thought I was mad.
Rotterdam was special, my marriage and the birth of my kids and subsequent grandkids even more so but that day at Highbury fulfilled all my Villa dreams.
I was at the Sheffield United match over Christmas and did what I always do, walked around the ground and general area, Villa Park is, as it always has been is an imposing stadium and whilst I believe losing the old Trinity Road stand was sacrilege, I have to admit grudgingly, that the new one is, from the outside impressive.
Having got into our seats, I cannot describe my feelings just sitting there taking in the atmosphere. It evoked memories of long gone days and HEITS and I recall looking at the old men that used to stand around where I stood when I was a boy and listen to how they used to talk about players I'd never seen and the history of the club and I realised that I was now one of those old men.
My feelings for the Villa will never change.
Get well soon VCTM.
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Great memories Dave.
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I fell out of love with football in general and then Villa in particular. The greed, the arrogant players, the sheer cynical shittiness of the whole set up. The final straw was when I thought about getting my boy a Villa shirt and realised the bloodsucking immoral price it was going to cost me. I can afford it but there must be so many people who have to make sacrifices just to give their kids a rubbishy bit of nylon that would cost a tenner without the badge on it so some wanker can be paid an obscene salary. I got fed up of all of this nonsense having the power to make or break my weekend. The only thing that kept me going was this site. Then I got abuse from some bloke who calls himself Clampy over a bit of light hearted fun. I thought, fuck, it, that’s me. I chucked the Villa stuff out and didn’t even look at the results any more. I paid one more visit here a while ago to find we were doing shit and Clampy was aggravating someone else, so I patted myself on the back and gave it up again.
Then, I started taking my boy to football in Malvern and it was like a sea of red shirts. Mostly Man Utd with a few Liverpool thrown in. I’ve always said I’d rather he was a nose than a glory hunter, so there and then I sat him down and told him he can only support the team where he lives or the team I support. I got him home, ordered him a shirt, found some highlights for him to watch (Bristol City of course) and my wife dug out a scarf that I must have forgotten I’d bought her. So it’s back on the rollercoaster for me.
Now, ironically, VCTM was always a poster I’d look out for, always made sense and never sniped, plus my wife is from over that way. Sorry to hear you’ve been poorly, mate, get yourself better.
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Thanks for all the kind words guys - very much appreciated -
I am feeling well enough to make the shortish journey to Bury on Monday to watch the kids - I have travelled to watch the kids in the past - ie Barnsley and Blackburn for example
It makes me proud to watch youngsters playing for the shirt that still means so much to me - more so than watching some of the overpaid prima donnas we have attracted over recent years
I hope to meet up with some Villans at Gigg Lane or the nearest boozer to it
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Unusual one for me. I only get to 3 or 4 games a year, mainly due to circumstances and location. I have loved the Villa since 71. Probably my favourite match was 3-1 win over Bournemouth. But as you grow up and have kids it's hard to justify the money against what the family needs.
I haven't lived in Brum for over 35 years, and lived in various locations. The toughest was when I lived in Chester, half were 'The Mighty Reds YNWA' and half were Man U. They used to take the piss, even the ones who were born in Suffolk and said they had always supported Man U. In the end I told them my Grandfather was Spanish, so I had a season ticket for Barca, which I shared with my cousin. Load of crap but they fell for it and sort of looked up to me. Anyway I have lived up North for a while now, I could get to quite a few away games in the championship, but I can't go. I contacted the Villa to try to get away tickets but I don't have enough home games. I know I couldn't do the home end. When the Villa score, It don't matter if I'm with 20 OAP'S or 300 absolute knobheads, I go off my feet with GET IN. I would get a pasting most weeks.
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Great post VATM but Aston Villa are Aston Villa regardless of circumstances. They could be bottom of the Bisto Gravy League and I would love them with all my heart. Fuck the fuckers.
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PS Mike ignore Clampy.
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The Villa to me is like a family, the "We did not choose, we were chosen" line sums it up for me.
It is a roller coaster of emotions that only other fans will understand.
When they win, only we know how happy it makes us feel, when they lose, only we know how it affects us.
We can criticise them, but if a non family member tries, we defend them to the hilt.
We tend to drift away with age, but will always be part of the family.
Younger members are shown the family tree(trophy cabinet), so they know their what their history is.
We have had our ups and downs, and the birthday parties (cup finals) are good but becoming few and far apart.
Personally I will always love them, even though they annoy the hell out of me just like my real family, I have passed on the baton to my kids, and hope they continue the blood line to their kids.
They are always part of my life, even if I don't visit them every week like I used to.
VTID
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I fell out of love with football in general and then Villa in particular. The greed, the arrogant players, the sheer cynical shittiness of the whole set up. The final straw was when I thought about getting my boy a Villa shirt and realised the bloodsucking immoral price it was going to cost me. I can afford it but there must be so many people who have to make sacrifices just to give their kids a rubbishy bit of nylon that would cost a tenner without the badge on it so some wanker can be paid an obscene salary. I got fed up of all of this nonsense having the power to make or break my weekend. The only thing that kept me going was this site. Then I got abuse from some bloke who calls himself Clampy over a bit of light hearted fun. I thought, fuck, it, that’s me. I chucked the Villa stuff out and didn’t even look at the results any more. I paid one more visit here a while ago to find we were doing shit and Clampy was aggravating someone else, so I patted myself on the back and gave it up again.
Then, I started taking my boy to football in Malvern and it was like a sea of red shirts. Mostly Man Utd with a few Liverpool thrown in. I’ve always said I’d rather he was a nose than a glory hunter, so there and then I sat him down and told him he can only support the team where he lives or the team I support. I got him home, ordered him a shirt, found some highlights for him to watch (Bristol City of course) and my wife dug out a scarf that I must have forgotten I’d bought her. So it’s back on the rollercoaster for me.
Now, ironically, VCTM was always a poster I’d look out for, always made sense and never sniped, plus my wife is from over that way. Sorry to hear you’ve been poorly, mate, get yourself better.
A sentiment I agree with Mike, the sniping of other Villa fans ( and there are only a few that w@nt to make it personal) really does grate with me.
I come from that place that a fellow Villa fan is allready head and shoulders above any other stranger you might meet.
I do love tha camaraderie when I go to Villa Park and striking up conversations with other fans, it evokes the memories of going with my Dad and his mates, sadly all gone now. Villa Park is a place I have to keep going back too, I still feel a strong sense of belonging. I am looking forward to my next visit Burton Albion in a couple of weeks time.
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My beautiful wife Diane died of lung cancer 6 months ago, losing her has been devestating, nearly everything that previous mattered no longer does yet my feelings for the Villa remain exactly the same, Villa is one of the few things in life that gives me a purpose, I talk to her all the time but as kick off nears I always say gotta go for a while now speak to you again after the game, so the question was what does Villa mean to me? the answer is everything.
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My beautiful wife Diane died of lung cancer 6 months ago, losing her has been devestating, nearly everything that previous mattered no longer does yet my feelings for the Villa remain exactly the same, Villa is one of the few things in life that gives me a purpose, I talk to her all the time but as kick off nears I always say gotta go for a while now speak to you again after the game, so the question was what does Villa mean to me? the answer is everything.
It's fantastic that the Villa are helping you through such a tough time. Quite a humbling read, all the very very best to you.
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Coming home and meeting up with friends and family
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My beautiful wife Diane died of lung cancer 6 months ago, losing her has been devestating, nearly everything that previous mattered no longer does yet my feelings for the Villa remain exactly the same, Villa is one of the few things in life that gives me a purpose, I talk to her all the time but as kick off nears I always say gotta go for a while now speak to you again after the game, so the question was what does Villa mean to me? the answer is everything.
Truly sorry to read of your tragic loss - it puts my own health concerns in perspective
I get what you are saying and yes to many of us having an attachment like a club or a networking venue ( ie Villa Park, boozer,away ground) helps us through testing times - good on you Steve - I am sure Diane will be watching over you buddy
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My beautiful wife Diane died of lung cancer 6 months ago, losing her has been devestating, nearly everything that previous mattered no longer does yet my feelings for the Villa remain exactly the same, Villa is one of the few things in life that gives me a purpose, I talk to her all the time but as kick off nears I always say gotta go for a while now speak to you again after the game, so the question was what does Villa mean to me? the answer is everything.
Do you ever go in the Plough Steve ?
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My beautiful wife Diane died of lung cancer 6 months ago, losing her has been devestating, nearly everything that previous mattered no longer does yet my feelings for the Villa remain exactly the same, Villa is one of the few things in life that gives me a purpose, I talk to her all the time but as kick off nears I always say gotta go for a while now speak to you again after the game, so the question was what does Villa mean to me? the answer is everything.
Do you ever go in the Plough Steve ?
Yes I go to the Plough in Far Forest, not a proper boozer, its all about the food there but its just up the road and walkable for me.
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My beautiful wife Diane died of lung cancer 6 months ago, losing her has been devestating, nearly everything that previous mattered no longer does yet my feelings for the Villa remain exactly the same, Villa is one of the few things in life that gives me a purpose, I talk to her all the time but as kick off nears I always say gotta go for a while now speak to you again after the game, so the question was what does Villa mean to me? the answer is everything.
It's fantastic that the Villa are helping you through such a tough time. Quite a humbling read, all the very very best to you.
Same from me Steve, as Clampy says that was humbling to read, and puts a lot of things in perspective. UTV mate.
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What does Villa mean to me? Since the 1960s I have been so proud to be a Villa fan, so proud to own the stadium (we all own a bit of it don't we?). I went regularly throughout my youth (Andy Lockhead's winner against Bournemouth, sliding down the mudbank that was the Witton End, stamping on the wooden Trinity Road stand when things got interesting, Charlie Aitken's surge forward to set up the winner against Spurs in the winter murk, beating Leicester City 8-3 in the 60s when none of my mates wanted ti go cos it was raining, plus loads of other memories I could go on about all night) then moved to London, moved to Spain, met my wife, got married, moved to Paris, moved back to London, had my two beautiful daughters, watched them grow up, worked hard, then started taking them to the games; then when they grew up and got partnered up, left home, I went back to being a season ticket holder. I love the banter, I love being part of the Villa family, I love a full raucous Holte End, and every time I take friends and family there, I feel part of it and love the way they are so impressed. I will always love going to the Villa - I now go up in the train from London after years of driving and listening to WM on the way home. Now there are always true Villa fans to talk to in the pub at New Street, on the train on the way home; we are a true family. Long may it last. Just turned 70 and still proud to be a Villa fan.
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That's one long umbilical cord that attaches us all to the club Martyn.
Don't forget the semi final League cup win against ManU and the fivers against Arsenal and Liverpool too
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Even since leaving Birmingham in 2000, I've retained my season ticket (smart card or whatever it's called these days), and along with Dr Butler still make the 100 mile or so trek to B6.
The approach to the ground still feels the same as in 1978 for my first game even if the ground has changed beyond recognition since that day.
Despite the dark times - and I've seen relegation twice now - Villa remain a constant in my life no matter what has happened. Admittedly, I have fallen somewhat out of love with the game as a whole with the influx of money, the attitude of clubs to toward the FA Cup, SKY buggering about with kick off times and this obsession for finishing fourth in the Premier League...but when Saturday comes (Friday night / Sunday mornings etc...) and we are playing, the whole day centres around the match.
My Mrs even takes into account the fixture list when arranging stuff and never ever books anything without consulting me first - even she realises that Villa are my first love....
Frustrating as it is to be a Villa fan, I'll always be somewhat obsessed with the colours and the whole thing - whatever that is - I can't quite put my finger on it...
Away days are and have been frustrating as well given our lack of winning them over the last few years but the day out with the lads is always fun and regardless of the results we go again..... :)
UTV
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I’m not surprised, so many have such an emotional attachment to the club ,if it was on team performance alone I’m sure many would have drifted away years ago. I have followed this club for 58 years and it just adds another dimension to my life and this sites part of that.
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"this sites part of that."
I know exactly how you feel. Haven't got a clue who anyone is on this site, spoken to some of you in passing years ago and yet we all have a common bond, (unlike Facebook and other bloody annoying friends sites)