Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: dave.woodhall on September 23, 2020, 03:43:11 PM
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If you don't know who he is, you haven't been reading for the past twenty years. John's contribution to H&V and the Villa is without parallel - in fact the club's very existence at one point was partly down to him. With the current situation he thinks he may have attended his last match, so let's show him just how much respect and esteem he's held in.
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Love his writing to bits. My favourite fanzine author.
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Yes, no single person has given me more insight to the wonderful history of our club than him, and I'm very grateful.
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He does brilliant, loved work. Keep the faith John. And well done to all at H&V for giving him such a great platform. It’s been a pleasure and an honour to sell for such a quality partnership.
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Take care of yourself John, you will be back in the Hallowed portals.
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John - Your tales in H&V are some of the best football-supporting memoirs I've ever read. Keep believing that there'll be more games for you to attend and add to that amazing encyclopedic knowledge of all things Villa.
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Really enjoy your writing and envy your ability to recall detail John
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Wonderful anecdotes and insight of all things Villa. Many thanks John and keep going.
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Has he written a book, I'm sure he did, but without rooting around I can't quite place it's name.
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Has he written a book, I'm sure he did, but without rooting around I can't quite place it's name.
He hasn't but there's one on the way.
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His historical articles in the fanzine are excellent.
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Thanks John for all of your stories. I’m ashamed to say I hadn’t realised quite how much you had contributed to H&V over the years, and even less so what you had done for the club. It’s been a great privilege to be able to learn about the many fascinating characters associated with Villa from your writing, particularly over the past few months on here.
With everything that’s happening in the world currently it’s easy to forget that what might seem minor inconveniences to some are life-changing events for others. We all contribute on this forum because football, and more importantly Aston Villa, are deeply important parts of our lives. We are all counting the days until we can head back to Villa Park, and I sincerely hope you do get the chance to see your beloved Villa play once more.
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Thanks John for all the hours of Aston Villa enlightenment you have given us fanzine readers over the years. I’m sure that all being well you will once again visit the hallowed turf when this is all over.UTV
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Love his writing to bits. My favourite fanzine author.
Seconded - brilliant writer. Thanks for entertaining me for many hours on train journeys home.
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Thanks John for the pleasure I get reading your brilliantly written and detailed articles about Aston Villa that are generally not common knowledge.
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Thanks John for your brilliant story’s of of the club and long forgotten figures who have played significant roles in the history of the Villa
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Love reading your work John, many thanks for the time and effort you put into it.
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Thank you, John.
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I have thoroughly enjoyed so many of your contributions down the years.
Thanks for your efforts John, I wish you well.
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John's articles always seem like they have been put together effortlessly even when you know they are down to his meticulous research and encyclopedic knowledge of the club.
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Thanks John, always a cracking read and greatly appreciated. Take care.
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Absolutely love your articles John. Great and fascinating historic articles, well written and extremely interesting.
Keep up the good work John. I wish you all the best.
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John's as big a baseball fan as I am. We've had some great chats over the years
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great articles and usually the first ones I look for, stay safe and thanks for all your brilliant hard work John
UTV
The Doc
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When I think of H&V writers over the years I’ve looked for I immediately think of John and Peter Aldridge. Thanks for helping us far flung Villa fans keep the faith. UTV
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Does he read/post on here ?
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Does he read/post on here ?
He reads but doesn't post. I can tell that he's delighted with this thread.
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I love his articles and wish he would write more of them.
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I have to add my voice to this thread, John's articles not only describe in detail historic events that many of us weren't aware of, they're wonderfully written. If the articles were compiled and published in a book, I'd probably zip through it in an afternoon. I take my hat off to you, Mr. Russell.
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Does he read/post on here ?
He reads but doesn't post. I can tell that he's delighted with this thread.
Sincere best wishes John.
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Always a highlight of the fanzine, insightful articles. Thanks John.
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Best wishes John, I'm another whom has enjoyed reading your articles over the years.
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He is a legend. His articles are always insightful, enlightening and educating. To say he knows his stuff would be a massive understatement.
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I love reading articles about our history and gleaning nuggets of information I had previously been unaware of so John Russell’s chronicles are a joy to read. He would be a brilliant interviewee or guest on a series of podcasts too.
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We all love the idea of achieving something significant for our club; John Russell has actually done that. He also writes articles unlike any others in the fanzine.
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From the man himself -
Hello fellow fans,
May I say that I am flattered by all the nice things you have said about me in response to the prompting of our esteemed leader
To say that I am overwhelmed and flabbergasted is an understatement and I consider it a wonderful reward for all the time spent trying to keep you informed, amused and entertained about all things Villa.
Much I what I have written has flowed easily ‘because I was there’. Most of the rest arises from the near 3,000 pages of research I have compiled. A true labour of love --- of all things Villa.
JOHN R
Proudly the face of Aston Villa in the City of Birmingham Museum.
PS I have not retired. I have just sent the editor an article for his approval.
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I always enjoyed John’s articles in the hard copy fanzines, so well written and informative, I send best wishes to you John.
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I love reading everything John writes I've had the pleasure of meeting John a few times he's nothing but a gentleman.
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Thinks it’s already been mentioned above but John’s articles were the first think I looked for after “In Off The Post” in fact at times buying and reading H&V were the highlight of my day!!
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This Claret And Blue podcast edition has just popped up my my YouTube feed. Although it doesn't feature John Russell it seems he is involved with the book being discussed.
https://youtu.be/CyxNjo8m7do