Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Nev on April 16, 2015, 04:20:45 PM
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Now that the final tickets have been sold and despatched may I ask you to spare a thought for those who, for various reasons, are unable to make it to North London this weekend. My recent visit with Walsall reminded me that a trip to Wembley can be a life affirming experience, the spectacle and colour that builds down the motorway, the shirts in the sunshine at the services and the fluttering flags on Wembley Way.
Recuperation from a minor operation will prevent me from attending the match, I haven't missed a game of this nature in 30 years and my usual alternative of the pub is also off limits so I will be viewing from the sofa which will be an odd experience. Even odder is the fact that I will be alone, the Hen is working and everyone else I know, bar Damo70, who is in a similar position to myself, will be at the game.
Of course I am not really alone, I have the emotional roller coaster of the match thread, from despair to delight within a throw in, although I may to be too nervous to get involved.
So if you are in a similar position do tell, and to the 30k plus at the game, give the lads a shout for us.
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Need to decide where to watch it. I hear its not on the BBC.
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I live in Benidorm so will have to watch it in a bar... well hopefully. The Lioness is due to go into labour any day now, with a due date on Sunday.
She has said that we can go out to watch it in a bar, however I have a feeling the cub will time his appearance at the same time that Benteke hits his hat-trick.
To all those travelling enjoy the game, stay safe and cheer the boys on for me.
Come on you villa boys!!!
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Need to decide where to watch it. I hear its not on the BBC.
It's not, it's on BT. We happen to have this as part of a package rather than by choice but I'm fortunate in that respect.
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I think we are heading down Harrow on the Hill way Nev and as it's my birthday on Sunday, so I will have a pint for you....
UTV
The Doc
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Now that the final tickets have been sold and despatched may I ask you to spare a thought for those who, for various reasons, are unable to make it to North London this weekend. My recent visit with Walsall reminded me that a trip to Wembley can be a life affirming experience, the spectacle and colour that builds down the motorway, the shirts in the sunshine at the services and the fluttering flags on Wembley Way.
Recuperation from a minor operation will prevent me from attending the match, I haven't missed a game of this nature in 30 years and my usual alternative of the pub is also off limits so I will be viewing from the sofa which will be an odd experience. Even odder is the fact that I will be alone, the Hen is working and everyone else I know, bar Damo70, who is in a similar position to myself, will be at the game.
Of course I am not really alone, I have the emotional roller coaster of the match thread, from despair to delight within a throw in, although I may to be too nervous to get involved.
So if you are in a similar position do tell, and to the 30k plus at the game, give the lads a shout for us.
You, Damo70 and your dad could have all watched it in hospital together, like an episode of Only When I Laugh!
Me and Matt will have an extra few for you! If my bat and wickets ever turn up that is!
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I think we are heading down Harrow on the Hill way Nev and as it's my birthday on Sunday, so I will have a pint for you....
UTV
The Doc
Well Doc, the one consolation is the free pass my liver will have by not attending. Despite the results, I have fine memories of Harrow On The Hill for our last two trips to Wembley. Happy Birthday.
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Now that the final tickets have been sold and despatched may I ask you to spare a thought for those who, for various reasons, are unable to make it to North London this weekend. My recent visit with Walsall reminded me that a trip to Wembley can be a life affirming experience, the spectacle and colour that builds down the motorway, the shirts in the sunshine at the services and the fluttering flags on Wembley Way.
Recuperation from a minor operation will prevent me from attending the match, I haven't missed a game of this nature in 30 years and my usual alternative of the pub is also off limits so I will be viewing from the sofa which will be an odd experience. Even odder is the fact that I will be alone, the Hen is working and everyone else I know, bar Damo70, who is in a similar position to myself, will be at the game.
Of course I am not really alone, I have the emotional roller coaster of the match thread, from despair to delight within a throw in, although I may to be too nervous to get involved.
So if you are in a similar position do tell, and to the 30k plus at the game, give the lads a shout for us.
As long as your fit for the final.. That's the big day out.
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Now that the final tickets have been sold and despatched may I ask you to spare a thought for those who, for various reasons, are unable to make it to North London this weekend. My recent visit with Walsall reminded me that a trip to Wembley can be a life affirming experience, the spectacle and colour that builds down the motorway, the shirts in the sunshine at the services and the fluttering flags on Wembley Way.
Recuperation from a minor operation will prevent me from attending the match, I haven't missed a game of this nature in 30 years and my usual alternative of the pub is also off limits so I will be viewing from the sofa which will be an odd experience. Even odder is the fact that I will be alone, the Hen is working and everyone else I know, bar Damo70, who is in a similar position to myself, will be at the game.
Of course I am not really alone, I have the emotional roller coaster of the match thread, from despair to delight within a throw in, although I may to be too nervous to get involved.
So if you are in a similar position do tell, and to the 30k plus at the game, give the lads a shout for us.
You, Damo70 and your dad could have all watched it in hospital together, like an episode of Only When I Laugh!
Me and Matt will have an extra few for you! If my bat and wickets ever turn up that is!
Talk about bad luck. I'm not well enough to go to Wembley so my wife is taking my son, I am missing out on a trip to Euro Disney with my parents and the kids for the same reason and now Nev has finally had that op to remove his wallet from his pocket I'm not allowed to have a drink on him. It also just took me about twenty minutes to get on H&V just for some reason. Talk about feeling paranoid and left out of everything.
If we lose it's your and Matty's fault.
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To help you feel involved, and if it won't piss you off, how about an alternative pre match thread where those o's us down there share videos and photos?
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Im hurting already, knowing the Villahood is moving south to concur the red bin dippers, I along with some other not so fortunates will keep the home fires burning with a bit of jerk chiken, kickbabs and sausages. whilst sing your hearts out for the B6 Boys.
safe journey to all clarey blues and bring the house down....
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For those H & V'ers unfortunately without tickets, perhaps a touch of Latin from the Lions' den (our national Colosseum): not 'Morituri te salutant!' but 'Ac de vincere nos salutant!' ('From those about to win, we salute you!')
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I can't get there, my nervous system will not allow me to watch it on telly even if I could. My thoughts will be with you all, those of you at Wembley and those of you scattered worldwide and those of you recuperating from whatever has been ailing you. I will be doing this whilst walking the roads of the West of Ireland.
Come on you Villa Boys!
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For the reasons stated elsewhere, Top Cat and I will be watching it in her front room with copious amounts of gin (and Mr Top Cat). Come on you villa Boys.
And yes Cheltenhamlion, a thread of photos and videos would be excellent.
UTV
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You could always head down to wembley and watch in pubs nearby and soak up some of the atmosphere without actually entering the stadium ?
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You could always head down to wembley and watch in pubs nearby and soak up some of the atmosphere without actually entering the stadium ?
The thread was intended to reference those who couldn't go rather than those unfortunate enough not to secure a ticket. If I were in the latter catergory I would certainly consider a trip down south.
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A long shot, but does anyone know of a pub in Worcester where Villa fans like a jar? Couldn't get to Wembley but it would be nice to watch the game in a place not swimming with Fake 'The Mighty Reds YNWA'.
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At the 1977 league cup final there was a banner saying" the chosen few"
How right that was, thousands missed out because the demand was so high for tickets
I'm sure there will be 100,000 Vila fans at Wembley, 35,000 in person the others in soul
And we sing our hearts out for the lads
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I was there for the 2010 semi, and the atmosphere was incredible. It sounded like the place was full of Villa. My favourite part of the day was seeing all of the coaches lined up along the Witton Lane, and I remember thinking there was no way we could lose with fans like ours.
Do us proud, chosen ones.
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I'm so excited I could shit.
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Sadly will be in Chicago but will probably watch with the Chicago Villains at The Globe.
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I can't get there, my nervous system will not allow me to watch it on telly even if I could. My thoughts will be with you all, those of you at Wembley and those of you scattered worldwide and those of you recuperating from whatever has been ailing you. I will be doing this whilst walking the roads of the West of Ireland.
Come on you Villa Boys!
Steady on Dave it's only the semi so save those fine words for the final.
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I'm so excited I could shit.
I am so shit scared I can't get excited.
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I'm so excited I could shit.
I am so shit scared I can't get excited.
I'm so nervous I can't shit
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I live in Benidorm so will have to watch it in a bar... well hopefully. The Lioness is due to go into labour any day now, with a due date on Sunday.
She has said that we can go out to watch it in a bar, however I have a feeling the cub will time his appearance at the same time that Benteke hits his hat-trick.
To all those travelling enjoy the game, stay safe and cheer the boys on for me.
Come on you villa boys!!!
brilliant post! Hope all goes well with the cub...and you get to see us beat the scousers!
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I live in Benidorm so will have to watch it in a bar... well hopefully. The Lioness is due to go into labour any day now, with a due date on Sunday.
She has said that we can go out to watch it in a bar, however I have a feeling the cub will time his appearance at the same time that Benteke hits his hat-trick.
To all those travelling enjoy the game, stay safe and cheer the boys on for me.
Come on you villa boys!!!
brilliant post! Hope all goes well with the cub...and you get to see us beat the scousers!
All the best lion-in-Essex!
Such a good story I'll be thinking of you on Sunday!
Hope all goes well mate!
UTV!
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Have pity on those of us in eastern Australia. I'll be in a bar in the wee small hours, hopefully with some other Villans but probably surrounded by the usual array of witless gobshite scousers and Irish glory hunting backpackers. Losing is not an option...
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I'll be feeling homesick and watching from California.
Be back for the final though.
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I live in Benidorm so will have to watch it in a bar... well hopefully. The Lioness is due to go into labour any day now, with a due date on Sunday.
She has said that we can go out to watch it in a bar, however I have a feeling the cub will time his appearance at the same time that Benteke hits his hat-trick.
To all those travelling enjoy the game, stay safe and cheer the boys on for me.
Come on you villa boys!!!
Good luck to you both fella.
If it's a boy I hope that you will call him Christian!
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I think we are heading down Harrow on the Hill way Nev and as it's my birthday on Sunday, so I will have a pint for you....
UTV
The Doc
Well Doc, the one consolation is the free pass my liver will have by not attending. Despite the results, I have fine memories of Harrow On The Hill for our last two trips to Wembley. Happy Birthday.
cheers Nev hope you enjoy the show and good luck to Mr and Mrs lion in essex on the soon to be arrival of their little cub....
UTV
The Doc
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This thread title reminds me of something that would have been said in 1918.
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You could always head down to wembley and watch in pubs nearby and soak up some of the atmosphere without actually entering the stadium ?
Not my idea of fun but I suspect that Mr Shin would have done that if he hadn't got a ticket.
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I am not going but hope those that are have a memorable day. I havent been to many games in recent seasons but those that have deserve to have their day in the sun.
UTV
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I can't go. I will either watch while shaking or just garden through it in silence then watch it after if we win. We always win when am gardening.
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Have pity on those of us in eastern Australia. I'll be in a bar in the wee small hours, hopefully with some other Villans but probably surrounded by the usual array of witless gobshite scousers and Irish glory hunting backpackers. Losing is not an option...
whereabouts mate? I'm in Brisbane
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I'm not going sadly, I'm mighty excited though and will be cheering them on from somewhere
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We always win when am gardening.
Just had a glance over the fence and your garden does look a mess so I suggest you get it sorted on Sunday!
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Will be watching end praying with Liverpool supporting mate of mine who was born here and his old man who is from Liverpool. The tension will be near unbearable.
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Does the thread title end "...at least you won't have the long, depressing journey home."
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This thread is laughable.
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I'm so excited I could shit.
I am so shit scared I can't get excited.
I'm so nervous I can't shit
I'm so nervous I keep shitting.
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Have pity on those of us in eastern Australia. I'll be in a bar in the wee small hours, hopefully with some other Villans but probably surrounded by the usual array of witless gobshite scousers and Irish glory hunting backpackers. Losing is not an option...
whereabouts mate? I'm in Brisbane
Melbourne. Stretching the definition of eastern I know.
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A forecast of torrential thunderstorms and (the usual) Sunday hangover will have me firmly planted on the sofa for the match.
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This thread title reminds me of something that would have been said in 1918.
Every time I read it I start singing "To all the girls I've loved before" in my head.
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This thread title reminds me of something that would have been said in 1918.
Every time I read it I start singing "To all the girls I've loved before" in my head.
Spooky nodge, I was just about to post the same thing
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No special plans, it's just another game we need to win that just happens to be played at Wembley. It's not a final. I'm still more concerned with our PL survival and see this game as a distraction that hopefully won't have any negative side effects. I certainly won't be going to a pub to watch it, no doubt there will be plastic Liverpool fans there in their shiny new red tops and my patience has limits.
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This thread title reminds me of something that would have been said in 1918.
Every time I read it I start singing "To all the girls I've loved before" in my head.
Spooky nodge, I was just about to post the same thing
Meanwhile, I got this stuck in my head.
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I think you need a doctor, Joe.
Not the Doctor Jo, of course. Unless you're wrestling with the purpose of existence.
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The thread title has been hugely influential... I've had this in my head cos of it:
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All the best to all that are going do us as proud as we will be of the boys in claret and blue. I'm not going as its my anniversary and Mrs B had threatened me with divorce so as this was going to be expensive I relented and gave my booking references to my cousin, however as the week has gone on the thought of not even watching the game became too much. I have therefore purchased the wife a spa day. Off to the pub I go.
PS the comment we will have another anniversary next year was met by the comment no we won't
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I'm so excited I could shit.
I am so shit scared I can't get excited.
I'm so nervous I can't shit
I'm so nervous I can't stop.
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No special plans, it's just another game we need to win that just happens to be played at Wembley. It's not a final. I'm still more concerned with our PL survival and see this game as a distraction that hopefully won't have any negative side effects. I certainly won't be going to a pub to watch it, no doubt there will be plastic Liverpool fans there in their shiny new red tops and my patience has limits.
Mine too. I have to work with one although he's not committed enough to buy a shirt. I found a discarded Last Will and Testament pack at work today and gave it to him with the words 'You'll need this by Monday if you beat us'. The delicate flower said it was the third time I'd threatened him since they beat Blackburn and if it happened again he'd report me.
Might throw a sickie if they win.
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No special plans, it's just another game we need to win that just happens to be played at Wembley. It's not a final. I'm still more concerned with our PL survival and see this game as a distraction that hopefully won't have any negative side effects. I certainly won't be going to a pub to watch it, no doubt there will be plastic Liverpool fans there in their shiny new red tops and my patience has limits.
Mine too. I have to work with one although he's not committed enough to buy a shirt. I found a discarded Last Will and Testament pack at work today and gave it to him with the words 'You'll need this by Monday if you beat us'. The delicate flower said it was the third time I'd threatened him since they beat Blackburn and if it happened again he'd report me.
Might throw a sickie if they win.
Ha! I doubt he'll rub it in. It's more likely he'll throw a sickie if they win. Either that or formally request a transfer.
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No special plans, it's just another game we need to win that just happens to be played at Wembley. It's not a final. I'm still more concerned with our PL survival and see this game as a distraction that hopefully won't have any negative side effects. I certainly won't be going to a pub to watch it, no doubt there will be plastic Liverpool fans there in their shiny new red tops and my patience has limits.
Mine too. I have to work with one although he's not committed enough to buy a shirt. I found a discarded Last Will and Testament pack at work today and gave it to him with the words 'You'll need this by Monday if you beat us'. The delicate flower said it was the third time I'd threatened him since they beat Blackburn and if it happened again he'd report me.
Might throw a sickie if they win.
Ha! I doubt he'll rub it in. It's more likely he'll throw a sickie if they win. Either that or formally request a transfer.
Whenever they win a game of importance and fool him into thinking they are on their way back to former glories he greets me with 'alright mate' delivered in a crap scouse accent (he's from Pype Hayes). It always makes me want to hit him with one or more of the numerous two pound lump hammers we have lying around the place.
I once read paulie's incandescent rant on the complete irrelevance of the gloryhunter's opinion to him in the smoking shelter. He just skulked off, dumb-struck. Excellent work paulie.
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We've got some at our place.A Black Country lad putting on a Scouse accent (when talking about the 'The Mighty Reds YNWA')another one watches the kop singing YNWA on YouTube but the the cream has to be when they pre order the match programme through the post then leave it on their desk for people to see.
Oh and then watch said game on TV
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The thread title has been hugely influential... I've had this in my head cos of it:
Great excuse for playing that album.
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Alright yes im not going, But when we win, I will break the fuckin Bank to there against arse bandits, and right now im listening to Bowie "golden years"
you lucky bastards going sunday, shag a scouser!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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I'll be watching in Jaisalmer, India. Luckily the guy who runs our guesthouse here has been my saviour. When I mentioned that I needed to see the game he told me that he spent a few years in the UK running a market stall selling Rajasthani fabrics and told me when English men watch football they drink loads of beers and all he hears all game is fucking this and fucking that. I sheepishly said that sounds about right and he promptly invited me to his house to watch with him. Result!
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Are they doing anything back at villa park for this game or the Holte pub ? That's where I'd be headed if I couldnt get down to London
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The thread title has been hugely influential... I've had this in my head cos of it:
Great excuse for playing that album.
I'm going to see them in Manchester in four weeks.
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Well, the lioness pulled out all the stops and young Connor was born earlier this evening. Although he is here, not so sure how it would go down if I sloped off tomorrow though. Good luck to all.
UTV
KTF
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In Grenada ahead of the second test but wishing I was at Wembley tomorrow - with a bit of a dilemna that I bet some of you Saturday travellers are also facing - R&C's going down very well but don't want to peak too soon (is a 10 am kick off over here) also not sure it's even going to be live on TV and may need to rely on H&V via the Iphone or the BBC World Service - unless anyone out there knows a bar with coverage ? Enjoy one and all and let's just f***in do this !!
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Well, the lioness pulled out all the stops and young Connor was born earlier this evening. Although he is here, not so sure how it would go down if I sloped off tomorrow though. Good luck to all.
UTV
KTF
Congrats to you both on ten new arrival. My grandson Conor only has one N! A long and happy life to your little man. Bring him up right as a Villa fan and make sure he's aware of his magnificent heritage.
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I only just found this and have added it to my list of things that would make me move back to Brum
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Well, the lioness pulled out all the stops and young Connor was born earlier this evening. Although he is here, not so sure how it would go down if I sloped off tomorrow though. Good luck to all.
UTV
KTF
Congratulations to you both and welcome, Connor.
You're now a Pride!
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Going to watch it at home , good luck to 32000 at wembley
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I only just found this and have added it to my list of things that would make me move back to Brum
Brilliant. That's what I call a faith school.
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To all of you already down there or, on your way, may you have a fabulous day with the outcome we all wish for. I envy you. Stay safe.
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Hope you all have a Fantastic day - whether in front of the TV at home, in the pub or at Wembley. I've just put ice in freezer ready for the G&T's at 3 o'clock!
We can do this :)
UTV
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I was offered a ticket yesterday but had to turn it down as I've got an MRI of my head at 1.30. The inconsiderate cu...
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Amazed to see that Ampertaine Primary School is in County Londonderry. What a fantastic school.
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Hope you all have a Fantastic day - whether in front of the TV at home, in the pub or at Wembley. I've just put ice in freezer ready for the G&T's at 3 o'clock!
We can do this :)
UTV
Bloody marvellous - mine's a double ;-)
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Well, the lioness pulled out all the stops and young Connor was born earlier this evening. Although he is here, not so sure how it would go down if I sloped off tomorrow though. Good luck to all.
UTV
KTF
CONGRATULATIONS, lets make it a Double Celebration,, UTV
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Went to Wembley to watch Walsall earlier this season so budget won't allow a second trip in a month.
Going by previous games though I'm not sure watching us at Wembley is a great experience, we barely score there for a start.
Still let's hope the Football Gods are with us today and it's different.
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Heading down to my local to watch. I'm not jealous, exactly - just hopeful that the team's performance matches that of the fans. You'll do us all justice.
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We enjoyed it very much thanks, Not as much as you lot obviously!
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It was one of the most enjoyable games I've seen.
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It was hard work pacing up and down the lounge, I couldn't keep still. I sat on every seat, adopted every pose imaginable and roared to the skies 3 times.
My spy's tell me that the local was rocking at the end, with the Sandwell supporters thin on the ground, probably at home, knowing what they are.
It's been a strange experience and not one I want to repeat. I was prepared to put up with it hoping for chance to go to the final or at least to be in the busom of the Villa faithful somewhere or other.
I hope those that went had a great time and all return safely, you did the club proud.
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You lot that were there did us proud today. The noise could be heard over the commentary and with a few minutes to go that roar and the shot of you lot going wild was amazing.
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Watched the game on a big outdoor screen here in Puerto Duquesa (C del Sol),the ´Bindipper´contingent were pretty subdued but just about everyone else wanted us to win. Manure fan next to me was very complimentary about our play, throughout, put his money where his mouth is won 140 quid having bet on us after we went one down.
Amazing how many Villa fans I,ve met here, over the past 2 ( televised )games, they usually keep a low profile but today the colours were showing, people gradually undoing their shirts to show a variety of Villa T-Shirts underneath.
A truly great ay to be alive...and to be a fan of the greatest Club in the World.
A quick word for all those fans who did us proud at Wembley today, we heard you down here and you were magnificent!,..............Godzvilla!
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I watched it in the Oak Apple, Worcester. We were on a table of Dippers, and the dad went crackers when they went ahead. I said to the missus that she'd better put the earplugs in when we score.
I now have no voice, and I bloody loves it.
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Bump..
I just read that the club won't be screening the Final on may 30th :(
I just wondered what people were doing? City centre used to be well good but now it's well shit, where is the best place to watch the final?
Ideas would be lovely
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Bump..
I just read that the club won't be screening the Final on may 30th :(
I just wondered what people were doing? City centre used to be well good but now it's well shit, where is the best place to watch the final?
Ideas would be lovely
Get the BBC to show it on the big screen by the old library.
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I'm very ignorant regarding internet streaming and stuff like that but, TV3 in Ireland are screening it live. I don't know if you can access it from there but they are doing it. Might be worth a try.
Sorry Phil, what sort of a bollox am I? If you wanted to watch it at home it's on the BBC. I'm a numbnuts.
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Thankfully, i will be there, but the thought of watching it in a pub full of noses - great if we win - but those lot celebrating if we dont, only just so much a man can take.
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I'm fortunate to have a ticket this time around but if I didn't I would still head to London.
Clay Ovens sounds good, or a pub near Wembley, I'm sure there will be plenty of Villa fans kicking around.
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http://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Birmingham/Boxxed/Aston-Villa-Vs-Arsnel-FA-Cup-Final--Big-Screen-Showi/12410381/
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http://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Birmingham/Boxxed/Aston-Villa-Vs-Arsnel-FA-Cup-Final--Big-Screen-Showi/12410381/
Cheers, I'd have been up for that but my mates turned his nose up
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Who is he? David O'Leary? :)
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Who is he? David O'Leary? :)
(http://www.gifbin.com/bin/042009/1240325175_roflbrothel.gif)
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The club aren't doing anything as it would clash with too many prior bookings at Villa Park that day. Which is a bit shit.
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Should ask the Sty to screen it for us, at least they'd finally get a full house and see an FA Cup final.
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Do it at The Hawthorns. If we lose our fans can have a riot and blame it on their stewards.
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The White Star in Benidorm. Massive outdoor screen and beer at €1.80 a pint.
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If anyone fancies a trip up to Blackpool to watch the game in a pub and then follow it up with a great concert then I've got a couple of Bryan Ferry tickets up for grabs on the eve of the 30th May. Face value £70 each - looking for offers.
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Frustratingly it's my partners birthday on 30th May! A few of us are going to the evening racing at Stratford races, which starts at 5pm. She understands it is non-negotiable that I disappear to watch the match (to be fair she's always pretty sound about me doing what I want). Assuming it's not on at the races can anyone recommend decent pubs in Stratford that will have the game on? Thanks in advance
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The club aren't doing anything as it would clash with too many prior bookings at Villa Park that day. Which is a bit shit.
Its more than that! Appalling public relations considering Arsenal are putting it on at their place.
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The club aren't doing anything as it would clash with too many prior bookings at Villa Park that day. Which is a bit shit.
Its more than that! Appalling public relations considering Arsenal are putting it on at their place.
Not accepting bookings for cup final day would be a criminal loss of revenue for Villa most years. I imagine they have spent some time seeing if they can come to some agreement with people who might have their wedding there that day, but in the end, Villa have to honour their contract with their existing customers.
It is fair to say it is a bit shit, but it is messing with people's wedding bookings which would be appalling customer relations.
Given that we went to a 6 game booking history, and most of the 'left behind' on this thread are due to being far away or having other commitments, how many people, in reality, have this need to be at Villa Park on the day as their second choice venue?
Areenal's position is a bit different as they have about 10,000 season ticket holders without cup final tickets!
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The club aren't doing anything as it would clash with too many prior bookings at Villa Park that day. Which is a bit shit.
Its more than that! Appalling public relations considering Arsenal are putting it on at their place.
Its very shortsighted of the club to be booked up for private functions on Cup Final day, not taking bookings for that single day wasnt gona lead us to bankruptcy.
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This season has gone on longer than usual, with how much in advance weddings are booked, the club may well have accepted the bookings thinking it was after the season ended.
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I'm really torn on what to do. When i let my season ticket lapse 5 years ago i planned that in the event of Villa reaching the fa cup final i would use the money i'd saved to pay a tout for a ticket. Now we are there i have conflicting thoughts in my head. One says the amount of money the touts will be asking will be high and should be put to use at home. The other shouts this is Villa in the fa cup final, something we've never won in my lifetime.
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The club aren't doing anything as it would clash with too many prior bookings at Villa Park that day. Which is a bit shit.
Its more than that! Appalling public relations considering Arsenal are putting it on at their place.
Its very shortsighted of the club to be booked up for private functions on Cup Final day, not taking bookings for that single day wasnt gona lead us to bankruptcy.
They may well have tried to get somebody to move their booking. My Dad had his 70 th birthday there at the end of May, 2000. I 've posted before about it but the club called a couple of weeks before and asked if it could be moved or cancelled. Er, no!
We ended up having lunch in The Corner Flag watching the demolition of the Trinity Road Stand, just the other side of the window! Surreal.
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They could even have offered someone a good sum of money to move their wedding.
Enough for a top notch venue and re-arrangement fees, but re-arranging a wedding, that has possibly been 18 months+ in the planning at this kind of notice would be a nightmare.
Unlikely to be anywhere that great left for May 30th at this kind of notice either.
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Reminds me of the time the Deputy Head sabotaged the School Play almost 2 years in advance!
The DH was i/c site bookings. The School Play was an annual event. I was directing, that year.
The final run up went: whole show rehearsal Saturday morning, set build Saturday morning afternoon and early evening, dress rehearsal Monday evening, 'preview' for local primary school Tuesday aft, First Night Tuesday night. It was a point of honour with us that the preview would be perfect, completely as performance.
On the Thursday before the Big Weekend, the DH came to me.
There was a wedding booked in for Saturday from about 20 months before, with a Big Band onstage ( so no room for the set) and tables all over the hall, which would have to be set up during the morning...oh, and there was a visiting troupe in on Friday so the stage was needed all day then, anyway.
Oh, God. How? The DH had confused the dates, blocking us in for the weekend after Show Week.
The reason we did it all after school and at the last weekend was to avoid taking staff and students out of lessons before GCSE and A levels. It was about this time of year. The lessons were sacrosanct. I couldn't see any other way out, though, so I asked.
I have never been so thankful for understanding colleagues and students who came through in a genuine emergency. The School Keepers especially were brilliant as their official hours could have closed us down.
Basically, everybody, including the backstage and lighting crews and orchestra students and staff all worked through Monday, Monday night and Tuesday morning and we made our preview.
I know, only a school play, but it meant such a lot to all the people involved in it at the time.
That's maybe not a million miles from what the FA Cup might mean to our players and people at the club. They would have really tried to get something, I'm sure.
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Assuming its a wedding and one of them is a Villa fan (why else would you even consider getting married at Villa Park?)...you got to feel sorry for the poor sod who booked his wedding on Cup Final day and is going to miss the chance of seeing us win the FA Cup at Wembley.
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It's normally receptions at VP rather than ceremonies. And as I mentioned earlier, this is the latest the FA Cup final has been for years, so as many weddings are booked a year or more in advance they probably thought it was a safe date.
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There's no way I'd miss the game for a wedding, including my own
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Exactly. You've got to be gutted if you were a Villa fan and booked your wedding on this day of all days.
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Exactly. You've got to be gutted if you were a Villa fan and booked your wedding on this day of all days.
Literally , you just cancel and go again when convenient . Fa cup finals don't cone too often.
If she don't get that , she probably isn't the one.
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Anyways, for those that are left behind...if I couldn't have got a ticket, I'd have preferred to be watching at home with friends, getting the beers in and having a bbq for the match build up with the semi-final playing in the background.
Hope you all have a great day whatever you do and wherever you watch the match...hopefully it will be a day to remember for all the right reasons! :)
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Exactly. You've got to be gutted if you were a Villa fan and booked your wedding on this day of all days.
Literally , you just cancel and go again when convenient . Fa cup finals don't cone too often.
If she don't get that , she probably isn't the one.
Are all Villa fans men, then?
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Exactly. You've got to be gutted if you were a Villa fan and booked your wedding on this day of all days.
Literally , you just cancel and go again when convenient . Fa cup finals don't cone too often.
If she don't get that , she probably isn't the one.
Easy to say, harder to do when it could cost thousands in stuff already paid for etc.
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I looked into it when we were getting married and, it could be popular with local non-Villa fans who are pretty neutral (not Baggies or Blues), because it was very good value for the quality of the venue. I think they do a fair few Asian weddings now.
Although the minimum coast was about £5000, a fairly regular sized wedding would probably bring in £10-15,000 & the club could be hosting 2 or more on the day, given that the end of May would be a popular date - so pretty significant in revenue terms. (I know we say - a weeks wages for 'name of crap player' - but the club actually do have to work out how to make that money)
Then, we need to consider that most of the left behind are left behind because:
They don't get to many games because they live a long way from Villa Park
They have booked a holiday or have some other unmissable event which prevents them from going to the cup final
They attended less than 6 games at Villa Park last season.
Bearing in mind that most of us will also throw a hissy fit at the prospect of being charged even £10 to watch a match 'on the telly', in reality, how many would be there?
The club then have to consider whether it makes sense to disrupt people's wedding plans, have sad brides on the front page of the evening mail with all the accompanying bad publicity - to be fair, probably not. They probably tried to negotiate with people to move, or allow a simultaneous screening, but if they didn't want to, there isn't much they can do.
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The club aren't doing anything as it would clash with too many prior bookings at Villa Park that day. Which is a bit shit.
Its more than that! Appalling public relations considering Arsenal are putting it on at their place.
i watched the final at the emirates last year with arsenal mates who had a spare. there was 20,000 people there in the sun, drinking beer, having a good time. people kept running on the pitch and they were threatening to pull the plug on the screens!
i've been invited back there this year, but i'll probably give it a miss...
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Exactly. You've got to be gutted if you were a Villa fan and booked your wedding on this day of all days.
Literally , you just cancel and go again when convenient . Fa cup finals don't cone too often.
If she don't get that , she probably isn't the one.
Are all Villa fans men, then?
No, there are lesbians as well - as readily acknowledged in the post above.
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I remember my auntie getting hitched (to a Bluenose) on Cup Final day in 1981. Probably the one Saturday in the football season that a Blues fan can absolutely guarantee he'll be free. I also remember the reception at the Lambert Court in Edgbaston where everyone was running around, desperate to find a telly to watch Spurs v Man City and there not being one. Luckily it went to a replay.
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As documented on here last week, I scrabbled round trying to get a required booking history for me and the missus. She's as big a fan as me, has the same debates with fans of other teams as I do, and would have been gutted to have missed out on Wembley. But if we'd organised a wedding and i'd suggested cancelling it for a match, even this one, my life wouldn't be worth living.
Happily, I wouldn't have taken the chance and she knows that. Every now and again a social occasion clashes with a fixture but Villa more or less takes priority. It reminds me of the Stoke City fan in 'An Evening with Gary Lineker': "My mother wouldn't die during the football season; she loves me".
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You could do worse than Snobs to watch the final if you don't have a ticket. Loads of screens, the beer is cheap and they are doing cheap food that day as well. I think you get free entry to the club that night to continue the celebrations as well but don't quote me on it.
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Massive screens at the White Star in Benidorm. Look for the idiot with a 6 week old nipper using the old Acorns top as a blanket in the Pram - That'll be me.
Beer €1.80 a pint. Shame it's all fizzy lager shite though.
UTV
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Frustratingly it's my partners birthday on 30th May! A few of us are going to the evening racing at Stratford races, which starts at 5pm. She understands it is non-negotiable that I disappear to watch the match (to be fair she's always pretty sound about me doing what I want). Assuming it's not on at the races can anyone recommend decent pubs in Stratford that will have the game on? Thanks in advance
Oddfellows Arms in Windsor Street or possibly the Bulls Head in Bull Street.
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You could do worse than Snobs to watch the final if you don't have a ticket. Loads of screens, the beer is cheap and they are doing cheap food that day as well. I think you get free entry to the club that night to continue the celebrations as well but don't quote me on it.
And managed by the ex-WestleyArmsAV.
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Well, there's this...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32801726
No "It's A Knockout" with Stuart Hall though for some reason.