Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: TelfordVilla on May 19, 2022, 11:43:05 PM
-
I have finished with this bastard of the beautiful game. 60 years a Villa fan, this is not the sport I have been absorbed in all these years. I have spent a fortune following Villa home, away and in Europe but cannot be bothered to even be aware of the last game of this season when either of the super league monstrosity clubs will be anointed as Premier league winners. Once again a gilt edged opportunity has been allowed to slip through Villa's fingers and the chance to eat at the top table has been wasted by bad decisions at the top of the club and an accumulation of on field corruption and media driven agenda to preserve the status quo. Villa will never again reach the heights that I witnessed on 81 and 82. Those days are long gone. The game itself is unrecognisable from even recent years. Is a goal a goal? Is offside offside? Is a foul a foul or just some prima donna trying to con the official into sending off an opponent to improve their chances of 'winning' a sporting match that is no longer a sporting event. I will be on the golf course this weekend as the premier league completes another season of predictable nonsense. Check out the top 6 and ask yourself if that could not have been engraved last August. I will cock a deaf ear to any talk of football from now on. The world Cup farce will play out in Qatar and a new domestic season will begin in August but for the first time in 60 years I will be blissfully ignorant of which multi million pound footballer has just signed for which multi billionaire owned franchise for how many million pounds a week wages with a release clause in case it all goes pear shaped in 6 months. Sad for all football fans who are left with this monstrosity of a so called sport to follow but so glad to turn my back on it at last. I feel nothing but a massive relief to pass this burden on to someone else. Goodbye football. Hello golf.
-
Ta-ra!
-
See you in August.
-
See you in August.
-
See you in August.
-
Golf ffs.....
-
You'll be back.
-
Golf ffs.....
Criticises the Qatar World Cup, praises golf. Clearly hasn't been following the news recently...
-
I detect alcohol. Otherwise I think you should worry about yourself. And I don’t say that lightly.
-
Some of those points aren't without merit but...If following the Villa hurts you that much take a break from it. Get involved in amateur or underage football over the summer instead.
-
See you on the pre season friendly thread.
You can't get away from Villa that easily and you'll have to suffer like the rest of us.
You don't have a choice.
-
I don’t have a problem with the sentiment. Most of us realise how commercialised and corrupt the game had become at the Elite level.
We still support our club, often blindly because it means something more than that to us.
-
Great post
Exactly how I'm feeling
I've lost the love for football completely,can't watch it anymore and generally find it boring
-
The bombshells just keep on coming. Hope this site makes it through the night.
-
Great post
Exactly how I'm feeling
I've lost the love for football completely,can't watch it anymore and generally find it boring
Tonight's not been all bad then.
-
Great post
Exactly how I'm feeling
I've lost the love for football completely,can't watch it anymore and generally find it boring
You should refuse to renew that season ticket you don't have in protest.
-
Great post
Exactly how I'm feeling
I've lost the love for football completely,can't watch it anymore and generally find it boring
Can I have your season ticket ? My 2 sons and myself have come down 3 times in the last 9 days from the Manchester area to watch our games and discussed on the way back that we shall continue to get down to as many games as possible. It's harder for us to rinse the Villa out of our systems, it's a life long commitment. I wonder how supporters of my local club, Rochdale, feel about your post - I feel sure they would love to be in the Villa's position. P.S And gleaning from your post your approximate age, I can say I am older and have been going to VP since 1958.
-
Great post
Exactly how I'm feeling
I've lost the love for football completely,can't watch it anymore and generally find it boring
Can I have your season ticket ? My 2 sons and myself have come down 3 times in the last 9 days from the Manchester area to watch our games and discussed on the way back that we shall continue to get down to as many games as possible. It's harder for us to rinse the Villa out of our systems, it's a life long commitment. I wonder how supporters of my local club, Rochdale, feel about your post - I feel sure they would love to be in the Villa's position. P.S And gleaning from your post your approximate age, I can say I am older and have been going to VP since 1958.
That's an interesting point you make about Rochdale as I've often thought it's actually easy to support a lower ranked club or a club at the very top than it is to support someone like us. I mean, we're small enough to have expectations that very rarely get delivered on but big enough to pay top dollar (not just this season) for tickets etc and have the piss ripped from other clubs. You never hear an unhappy Walsall fan do you? They pay low prices, never get bantered and can just enjoy life as they know their levels.
-
So I'm not so sure your Rochdale fans would swap. They ultimately pay less and get to see their team win nothing.....we pay a hell of lot more, get told we should accept our best players leaving and win nothing. Sounds like they're quids in
-
They'd swap in a second. Point me in the direction of a club which has had decreased attendances when they went up to the Premier League?
-
Great post
Exactly how I'm feeling
I've lost the love for football completely,can't watch it anymore and generally find it boring
More early nights for Wilma then, bet she can’t wait.
-
They'd swap in a second. Point me in the direction of a club which has had decreased attendances when they went up to the Premier League?
Even the rags got bigger gates when they went up. For a bit.
-
I agree that the game is broken tbh. The gap between the haves and have nots is so wide and there a constant desire by the 'top clubs' to keep tipping those scales and pull up the drawbridge even more. In the last 2 years we've seem 'project big picture,' Super League, the attempt to implement the Champs league coefficient qualification and and now the 5 subs rule. It disgusts me, it really does.
I long for the days the likes of Villa, Ipswich, Everton and Leeds could challenge for league titles. Now it's just which of 2-3 clubs with endless finances will win, whilst they come up with new ways to keep their foot on the necks of the irrelevant 14.
I'll stick with it in the forlorn hope that we can compete at the top table again one day. But I completely understand why some have given up. We have killed the beautiful game.
-
The purchasing of teams by some of the worst people in the world and their subsequent success is a bit galling to be honest. But the love for Villa is too ingrained for me to cast it aside. I've got a mate who's started going non league and he reckons it's better. Haven't tried it myself but can't imagine it will pack the same emotional punch, for better or worse.
-
Generally, football is nowhere near as fun when you're not emotionally invested. I will go to non-league games, but I'm far more interested in visiting nearby pubs than I am in the actual match.
-
I’m VTID!
As regards football outside of VP I don’t watch it anymore. It’s a different sport to the one I grew up loving.
-
My 9 year olds sons second game, his first was Watford the poor sod. I have recently split with my wife and he is struggling
with it and is not having a particularly happy time at school at the moment, so yesterday was a great distraction
He loved it. we didnt win but we scored a goal , he had chips and gravy sang his heart out with mates . moaned about
Burnley time wasting and had a great evening , Thanks Villa and football
-
My 9 year olds sons second game, his first was Watford the poor sod. I have recently split with my wife and he is struggling
with it and is not having a particularly happy time at school at the moment, so yesterday was a great distraction
He loved it. we didnt win but we scored a goal , he had chips and gravy sang his heart out with mates . moaned about
Burnley time wasting and had a great evening , Thanks Villa and football
Good to hear, mate. Also, I didn't even know chips and gravy was an option.
-
I often feel like that, and I still turn up, and will do until Im no longer able to.
-
My 9 year olds sons second game, his first was Watford the poor sod. I have recently split with my wife and he is struggling
with it and is not having a particularly happy time at school at the moment, so yesterday was a great distraction
He loved it. we didnt win but we scored a goal , he had chips and gravy sang his heart out with mates . moaned about
Burnley time wasting and had a great evening , Thanks Villa and football
Good to hear, mate. Also, I didn't even know chips and gravy was an option.
It should be, it's underrated. For me, generally, Brummie/West Mids chip fayre is far superior to the rest of the country but we could learn from something from our backward northern cousins in this field.
And keeping on topic, another reason for Burnley to stay up is that I had the most sensationally good curry sauce and chips after the game up there from chinese/chip shop hybrid right be the ground.
-
As somebody who didn't get to see a game between 2019 and this week, all it took was the walk up the Trinity Road and seeing the Holte End to reveal itself for me to remember why I bother.
-
My 9 year olds sons second game, his first was Watford the poor sod. I have recently split with my wife and he is struggling
with it and is not having a particularly happy time at school at the moment, so yesterday was a great distraction
He loved it. we didnt win but we scored a goal , he had chips and gravy sang his heart out with mates . moaned about
Burnley time wasting and had a great evening , Thanks Villa and football
Good to hear, mate. Also, I didn't even know chips and gravy was an option.
It should be, it's underrated. For me, generally, Brummie/West Mids chip fayre is far superior to the rest of the country but we could learn from something from our backward northern cousins in this field.
And keeping on topic, another reason for Burnley to stay up is that I had the most sensationally good curry sauce and chips after the game up there from chinese/chip shop hybrid right be the ground.
We need to find somewhere on the Black Country/Yorkshire border, which obviously doesn't exist, which does orange chips with gravy. That's what dreams are made of.
-
Slowly but surely pretty much everything about the game has eroded or just become utterly shite since i started to watch in the 80s, ultimately too much money being the biggest issue.
That said, i would suspect the OP will be back and interested again on the opening PL game and with a few new players. You can't turn yourself off from it.
-
Get involved in amateur or underage football over the summer instead.
I read that as get involved in amateur bondage. I think this would be better than playing golf.
-
Get involved in amateur or underage football over the summer instead.
I read that as get involved in amateur bondage. I think this would be better than playing golf.
I think there would be quite some overlap between participants in both
-
I gave up on boxing and Formula One decades ago. Modern football is distasteful (money, VAR, theatrics, Citeh, the FA Cup...) but, fuck me, golf!
-
The Ryder Cup is alright, tbf.
-
Nah, all golf can go. When I'm in charge it will be banned, and council houses will be built on every course.
-
I gave up on boxing and Formula One decades ago. Modern football is distasteful (money, VAR, theatrics, Citeh, the FA Cup...) but, fuck me, golf!
Distasteful and vulgar.
I think Golf is a good way for people with a few years on the clock and a bit of extra dosh to go and get a bit of exercise but other than that it's a big pile of shite IMHO.
-
Surely cricket is still okay? Will happily ban formula one.
-
Cricket's fine. Formula 1, in fact all the formulae, will be illegal.
-
Thick Mike will be out of a job, but sure he will agree that it's a worthy sacrifice.
-
Thick Mike will be out of a job, but sure he will agree that it's a worthy sacrifice.
His skills can, I'm sure, be transferred to the soon to be booming industry of the building of council houses.
-
I'm turning my back on football as it is vulgar and monied and used for sportswashing, instead i'm going to focus on golf, is quite the look.
-
Nah, all golf can go. When I'm in charge it will be banned, and council houses will be built on every course.
Can I be your right hand man? I'd turn the courses into parks or Nature Reserves though, but I get the juxtaposition of sticking council estates on them.
I'm still trying to get my head around giving football up for Golf.
-
Nah, all golf can go. When I'm in charge it will be banned, and council houses will be built on every course.
Can I be your right hand man? I'd turn the courses into parks or Nature Reserves though, but I get the juxtaposition of sticking council estates on them.
I'm still trying to get my head around giving football up for Golf.
You can, and with executive powers to turn retail parks and motorways into nature reserves.
-
I agree that the game is broken tbh. The gap between the haves and have nots is so wide and there a constant desire by the 'top clubs' to keep tipping those scales and pull up the drawbridge even more. In the last 2 years we've seem 'project big picture,' Super League, the attempt to implement the Champs league coefficient qualification and and now the 5 subs rule. It disgusts me, it really does.
I long for the days the likes of Villa, Ipswich, Everton and Leeds could challenge for league titles. Now it's just which of 2-3 clubs with endless finances will win, whilst they come up with new ways to keep their foot on the necks of the irrelevant 14.
I'll stick with it in the forlorn hope that we can compete at the top table again one day. But I completely understand why some have given up. We have killed the beautiful game.
Leicester winning the league in 2016 has led to much of this. There is no way the Sky 6 will allow an outsider to muscle their way in.
It's their ball, you can't play with it
-
I gave up on boxing and Formula One decades ago. Modern football is distasteful (money, VAR, theatrics, Citeh, the FA Cup...) but, fuck me, golf!
Distasteful and vulgar.
I think Golf is a good way for people with a few years on the clock and a bit of extra dosh to go and get a bit of exercise but other than that it's a big pile of shite IMHO.
I have to be fair and say that my dad played off 13 and was on the senior team at Hatchford Brook (he is a former fitter at the Land Rover so not exactly monied). He lived for his golf. I also have mates who love a round, and I can understand the attraction.
We take the piss but there is much truth in the OP as others have pointed out.
-
Golf is just tiddlywinks, with clubs as squidgers and balls as winks.
-
Nothing wrong with golf, love sinking a putt after navigating the windmill and pirate ship obstacles.
-
Nah, all golf can go. When I'm in charge it will be banned, and council houses will be built on every course.
Can I be your right hand man? I'd turn the courses into parks or Nature Reserves though, but I get the juxtaposition of sticking council estates on them.
I'm still trying to get my head around giving football up for Golf.
You can, and with executive powers to turn retail parks and motorways into nature reserves.
David Byrne missed a trickle not putting in a line about golf courses:
-
I hate that football has been ruined by the likes of evil super league clubs and I hate that Villa never got to be one of the evil super league clubs doing the ruining.
-
I gave up on boxing and Formula One decades ago. Modern football is distasteful (money, VAR, theatrics, Citeh, the FA Cup...) but, fuck me, golf!
Distasteful and vulgar.
I think Golf is a good way for people with a few years on the clock and a bit of extra dosh to go and get a bit of exercise but other than that it's a big pile of shite IMHO.
I have to be fair and say that my dad played off 13 and was on the senior team at Hatchford Brook (he is a former fitter at the Land Rover so not exactly monied). He lived for his golf. I also have mates who love a round, and I can understand the attraction.
We take the piss but there is much truth in the OP as others have pointed out.
I've got quite a few mates that are well into it.
The twats.
-
I can't stand the sport of football either and I think many share that sentiment. The devaluation of the FA Cup, the un-competitiveness of the league, the favouritism from the media, the financial doping and sadly the way Villa have been been unable to keep up or made self-defeating decisions and have been pushed to the periphery over the years.
That said, supporting Villa is an identity thing for me, it's not about how competitive we are; it's the colours, its the friends and family who have been and are Villa. The ground, the uniqueness, the history.
I hope OP makes his way back to Villa.
-
Great post
Exactly how I'm feeling
I've lost the love for football completely,can't watch it anymore and generally find it boring
Possibly the most contradictory post in here.
Disgrace.
-
I can't stand the sport of football either and I think many share that sentiment. The devaluation of the FA Cup, the un-competitiveness of the league, the favouritism from the media, the financial doping and sadly the way Villa have been been unable to keep up or made self-defeating decisions and have been pushed to the periphery over the years.
That said, supporting Villa is an identity thing for me, it's not about how competitive we are; it's the colours, its the friends and family who have been and are Villa. The ground, the uniqueness, the history.
I hope OP makes his way back to Villa.
Many times I felt like giving up but it's a two way thing,I couldn't look myself in the mirror and find that I given up on my best friend, you don't choose Aston Villa Football Club , it's chooses you and for the high and the lows we will carry on VTID
-
Got some nominees here for Drama Queen Of The Year 2022.
-
Great post
Exactly how I'm feeling
I've lost the love for football completely,can't watch it anymore and generally find it boring
But yet you do, and still find time to come on here and moan about every aspect of it on a daily basis. Maybe let someone else have your ticket who may actually appreciate the experience and do something that makes you happy?
-
Nah, all golf can go. When I'm in charge it will be banned, and council houses will be built on every course.
can you ban cycling aswell? Not as a form of personal transport, just those Lycra-clad twats with the clippy cloppy shoes who all think they’re in the Tour de France peloton blocking up the roads of a weekend. You’re not in the Tour de France, you’re just some self-entitled corporate twat, who 20 years ago, would’ve been found on a golf course. Cycling’ the new golf. Talking about Australia here, not sure what it’s like in UK.
-
Got some nominees here for Drama Queen Of The Year 2022.
Somebody, anybody, needs to think of the children.
-
Golf is a brilliant sport.
Golf clubs on the other hand, or more particularly those insufferable blazer wearing types that 'run' said clubs, are utter twats in the main.
-
Nah, all golf can go. When I'm in charge it will be banned, and council houses will be built on every course.
can you ban cycling aswell? Not as a form of personal transport, just those Lycra-clad twats with the clippy cloppy shoes who all think they’re in the Tour de France peloton blocking up the roads of a weekend. You’re not in the Tour de France, you’re just some self-entitled corporate twat, who 20 years ago, would’ve been found on a golf course. Cycling’ the new golf. Talking about Australia here, not sure what it’s like in UK.
colder
-
There's a lot not to like about modern football, but on the plus side Leeds United are about to be relegated.
-
Nah, all golf can go. When I'm in charge it will be banned, and council houses will be built on every course.
can you ban cycling aswell? Not as a form of personal transport, just those Lycra-clad twats with the clippy cloppy shoes who all think they’re in the Tour de France peloton blocking up the roads of a weekend. You’re not in the Tour de France, you’re just some self-entitled corporate twat, who 20 years ago, would’ve been found on a golf course. Cycling’ the new golf. Talking about Australia here, not sure what it’s like in UK.
colder
But essentially the same.
I've got issues with the 'all-the-gear-no-idea' mob, not just the cyclists but the runners too, with their various headgear, fitbits, ergonomically designed water bottles, weird socks and space shoes.
Just put on some shorts, a t-shirt and a pair of trainers and run for fucks sakes.
-
Do you think we're just a bunch of grumpy moaning cynical whinging old codgers ? Maybe the kids today get just as much enjoyment from football as we did back in the day.
No, your right the games gone Tom. Golf has always been shite.
UTV
-
Nah, all golf can go. When I'm in charge it will be banned, and council houses will be built on every course.
can you ban cycling aswell? Not as a form of personal transport, just those Lycra-clad twats with the clippy cloppy shoes who all think they’re in the Tour de France peloton blocking up the roads of a weekend. You’re not in the Tour de France, you’re just some self-entitled corporate twat, who 20 years ago, would’ve been found on a golf course. Cycling’ the new golf. Talking about Australia here, not sure what it’s like in UK.
colder
But essentially the same.
I've got issues with the 'all-the-gear-no-idea' mob, not just the cyclists but the runners too, with their various headgear, fitbits, ergonomically designed water bottles, weird socks and space shoes.
Just put on some shorts, a t-shirt and a pair of trainers and run for fucks sakes.
in all walks of life you have tossers lets not tarnish everyone who participates in these activities , now table tennis , bastards !! ;)
-
Nah, all golf can go. When I'm in charge it will be banned, and council houses will be built on every course.
can you ban cycling aswell? Not as a form of personal transport, just those Lycra-clad twats with the clippy cloppy shoes who all think they’re in the Tour de France peloton blocking up the roads of a weekend. You’re not in the Tour de France, you’re just some self-entitled corporate twat, who 20 years ago, would’ve been found on a golf course. Cycling’ the new golf. Talking about Australia here, not sure what it’s like in UK.
colder
But essentially the same.
I've got issues with the 'all-the-gear-no-idea' mob, not just the cyclists but the runners too, with their various headgear, fitbits, ergonomically designed water bottles, weird socks and space shoes.
Just put on some shorts, a t-shirt and a pair of trainers and run for fucks sakes.
I'm the latter type. Cycling puts me off though because when my crap bike breaks I struggle to fix it. I do wonder what it's like to ride a good bike though. Something similar applies to hill walking too. Working class pursuits rendered bourgeois via kit aesthetics.
-
Nah, all golf can go. When I'm in charge it will be banned, and council houses will be built on every course.
can you ban cycling aswell? Not as a form of personal transport, just those Lycra-clad twats with the clippy cloppy shoes who all think they’re in the Tour de France peloton blocking up the roads of a weekend. You’re not in the Tour de France, you’re just some self-entitled corporate twat, who 20 years ago, would’ve been found on a golf course. Cycling’ the new golf. Talking about Australia here, not sure what it’s like in UK.
colder
But essentially the same.
I've got issues with the 'all-the-gear-no-idea' mob, not just the cyclists but the runners too, with their various headgear, fitbits, ergonomically designed water bottles, weird socks and space shoes.
Just put on some shorts, a t-shirt and a pair of trainers and run for fucks sakes.
I'm the latter type. Cycling puts me off though because when my crap bike breaks I struggle to fix it. I do wonder what it's like to ride a good bike though. Something similar applies to hill walking too. Working class pursuits rendered bourgeois via kit aesthetics.
I was browsing the web the other day and thought I'd patronise a former colleagues relatively new outdoor/extreme pursuits clothing brand and website for some trousers, go anywhere, hardwearing, stay dry, adventure trousers for windy walks on Dartmoor. Came across a pair I liked. £495
Decathlon it is then.
-
Dont give up on football.
Theres a lot not to like about it, and I agree with a lot of the things being said, football immitates live - both at the moment society is a bit stuck with big bridges between the haves and have nots.
Theres a lot not to like about the way football has gone - but football is owned by people and memories. Its not entertainment, its a way of live, or certainly a big part of it.
I cant wait to take my kids to Villa, or any football match too be honest, I have had to work really hard to get them interested.
I can understand people giving up on the premiership, or even giving up on Villa (although I dont think I ever will), but not giving up football. Because every Saturday - there are 1000s of teams playing the game - and just because there are 5 or 6 really shitty ones doesnt mean the games gone. Some of the best games I have watched have been non-league ones
If I were you I'd come next season, cos, you know - I think next year really is our year for the Cup
-
I keep reading the title of this thread to the tune of the opening line of The Sound of Silence by Simon & Garfunkel.
You're welcome.
-
Me too, FFS.
-
I am sometime bored with football. But never bored with Villa. Why? Because it is Villa. It May sound weird that an old French bloke like me should be so mad about Villa. Simple I loved football in the 70's 80's , got a job in Birmingham I could have gone different ways (can't name them on here) but no i couldn't it had to be Villa.It is Villa and will always be Villa. I always have Nice time at VP withe friends. Just wish i could go more often.
-
I am sometime bored with football. But never bored with Villa. Why? Because it is Villa. It May sound weird that an old French bloke like me should be so mad about Villa. Simple I loved football in the 70's 80's , got a job in Birmingham I could have gone different ways (can't name them on here) but no i couldn't it had to be Villa.It is Villa and will always be Villa. I always have Nice time at VP withe friends. Just wish i could go more often.
No matter how much they fuck I will always be VTID and proud of it. The greatest most dysfunctional family ever.
-
I keep reading the title of this thread to the tune of the opening line of The Sound of Silence by Simon & Garfunkel.
You're welcome.
Goodbye football, my old friend my time with you is at an end
Because lately my enjoyment of the game has been seeping
and the price of my season ticket keeps on increasing
And the vision
of me with Nick Faldo that was planted in my brain
Still remains Within the round of silence
-
Generally, football is nowhere near as fun when you're not emotionally invested. I will go to non-league games, but I'm far more interested in visiting nearby pubs than I am in the actual match.
To be fair this is also true when you watch Villa!
-
Oh yeah 🤔
-
Do you think we're just a bunch of grumpy moaning cynical whinging old codgers ? Maybe the kids today get just as much enjoyment from football as we did back in the day.
No, your right the games gone Tom. Golf has always been shite.
UTV
I think you’re right. The youngsters don’t know anything better. Tis what they know. It is probably us oldies that moan. Although I try to keep all my posts positive on here as you know😀
There is nothing wrong with golf. But do me a favour. Don’t call it a sport.
Cycling on the other hand - awesome.
-
One of my favourite viz spoof magazines was ‘Golf ******’ which I can’t copy and paste on here but can be found if you google it and look at images. I think it summed up most of the hobbyists nicely!
-
What else are you going to do at 8 o'clock on a Thursday night ?Couple of hours in the pub talking bollocks with your mates in Brum, strugggle through the traffic, stop for a hot dog of uncertain provenance,90 minutes of boredom/elation/depression/excitement, stuck in bloody traffic again for God knows how long, get home late so there is no time for beastliness or general depravity and wonder if it was worth it. Course it was. It's the Villa. They will always be there. There is nothing you can do about it. It is eternal. It is the love that dares to speak it's name. I have even enjoyed some of it!
-
What a load of melodramatic bollocks. Football is a sport, a pastime, and something that creates a community. But that’s it. And if you make it more than that, such that it consumes you then find something else. But to post a goodbye email is just a look at me attempt. Look at how upset I am and how it affects me. Give me a break. So many greater things to get worked up over. And if you go, there will be a very, very long line waiting for your ticket. And Fred’s. Goodbye then.
-
Football as changed over the year's and not always for the better and we haven't been brilliant for long time but I just couldn't stop watching Aston Villa I just couldn't.
-
Nah, all golf can go. When I'm in charge it will be banned, and council houses will be built on every course.
can you ban cycling aswell? Not as a form of personal transport, just those Lycra-clad twats with the clippy cloppy shoes who all think they’re in the Tour de France peloton blocking up the roads of a weekend. You’re not in the Tour de France, you’re just some self-entitled corporate twat, who 20 years ago, would’ve been found on a golf course. Cycling’ the new golf. Talking about Australia here, not sure what it’s like in UK.
Great post 😂 exact same in Ireland. Vicious pro cycling lobby closing down thoroughfares so those same middle aged 'lycra-clad twats' can strive for personal bests on Strava in their corporate league tables.
-
What a load of melodramatic bollocks. Football is a sport, a pastime, and something that creates a community. But that’s it. And if you make it more than that, such that it consumes you then find something else. But to post a goodbye email is just a look at me attempt. Look at how upset I am and how it affects me. Give me a break. So many greater things to get worked up over. And if you go, there will be a very, very long line waiting for your ticket. And Fred’s. Goodbye then.
You're right about the melodrama, but given the point at the end of your post, there's no wonder the powerful within the game worry little about those who dislike the way the game has gone*. If some punters don't like it, they can piss off. Other mugs will take their place.
*to my mind it's better in some ways, worse in others and the approach which suits me best is largely to watch selectively without leaving the house which means I'm still paying something to consume it (and may mean an infinitesimal share of some of what is wrong is down to me).
-
To continue on that theme, we're getting into the realms of Manchester United not wanting to sell a single season ticket. Villa don't want me in the ground now. I don't spend anything above the price of my ticket. They would much rather have the couple I wrote about a few games ago - a bloke bringing his lad over from Ireland, spending a fortune in the club shop, boosting the local tourist economy with flights and hotels, waving at the cuddly mascot and clapping along to the inane intro music. The only boost I give is to the Wellington.
-
As shit as Villa can be, as dull as it sometimes is, as corrupt as football can seem, as much of a shambles VAR often is or the the state of the refereeing, the annoyance of the big six, or it’s four? I could never ever give this up. I know I’m not someone who has frequented our grand home for many years, but I still love it and look forward to our games. It’s an escape from all the chaos.
Also every now and again it delivers such euphoria that can never be replicated.
In my 47 years there has been many memorable moments in my life. Huge moments of happiness and pride. Including in those times is watching the Villa, either in the ground or the TV, even the radio.
Life has also thrown many moments of tragedy, really horrible ones. Never ever has my love of football been that bad. It’s always a very welcome distraction.
-
What a load of melodramatic bollocks. Football is a sport, a pastime, and something that creates a community. But that’s it. And if you make it more than that, such that it consumes you then find something else. But to post a goodbye email is just a look at me attempt. Look at how upset I am and how it affects me. Give me a break. So many greater things to get worked up over. And if you go, there will be a very, very long line waiting for your ticket. And Fred’s. Goodbye then.
A please dont go plea. Theres loads of kids and teenagers going to the Villa, next generation and all that, the way it should be. If someone decides they can’t bear it anymore, well thats a shame for them and goodbye.
-
At my age you would think i would know better but I keep promising myself I will not get up in the middle of the night to watch another insipid display, and yet somehow I always wake up fifteen minutes before kick off and of course I put the kettle on.
-
I am sometime bored with football. But never bored with Villa. Why? Because it is Villa. It May sound weird that an old French bloke like me should be so mad about Villa. Simple I loved football in the 70's 80's , got a job in Birmingham I could have gone different ways (can't name them on here) but no i couldn't it had to be Villa.It is Villa and will always be Villa. I always have Nice time at VP withe friends. Just wish i could go more often.
No matter how much they fuck I will always be VTID and proud of it. The greatest most dysfunctional family ever.
Who is fucking? Where can I watch?
-
Goodbye football *logs on a day later to see if melodramatic flounce is still attracting attention*.
-
This thread title reminds me of the Barnstonworth United training scene from Ripping Yarns.
Right at the end it's
"Goodbye shorts. Hello football!!"
-
Elton John needs to do another rewrite of Candle in the Wind for this thread.
-
Great post
Exactly how I'm feeling
I've lost the love for football completely,can't watch it anymore and generally find it boring
I always wondered why you two had never been seen in the same room. The name of that room? Villa Park.
-
It’s fine to think modern football is rubbish. But if (as I alluded to before) you think mf is rubbish because it serves up an unrelenting diet of shit and also because Villa aren’t getting a bigger enough helping of that shit, as the opening post seemed to say, then it comes across as a tad contradictory (and sour grapes).
I’m pretty sure there would be barely a peep about mf’s awfulness if thanks to a morally dubious owner, questionable sponsorship, ludicrous media deals etc. Villa challenged for trophies.
-
See what you did Nick Pope? You upset him!
-
Golf though mate? See you next season
-
See what you did Nick Pope? You upset him!
Haha, love it.
Popey sent him over the edge.
-
Yeah, kind of odd that after supporting Villa for 60 years the final straw for him was a meaningless (for us) home draw against Burnley. TBH if we don’t get a European spot and aren’t in the relegation zone I’m not too arsed where we finish.
-
Yes it is a slightly odd point to jump off.
-
I gave up football completely for a while because of the corruption and greed of everyone involved. I got back into it only because my lad started playing and I was afraid he would be a glory hunter like the others where we live. I started taking him to matches but now he's lost all interest, so I can reconsider my options. Grealish 'my city, my club, no actually fuck you', Qatar World Cup and the Saudi takeover of Newcastle has made me really want to go back to not following football. Even lower down the leagues you've got Rob Edwards ratting on Forest Green Rovers. It's become totally amoral with players, agents, owners, the press all just wallowing in obscene amounts of money from the most repressive regimes and bloodsucking broadcasters all making it way more expensive for than it has any right to be. I fucking hate everything about it.
Except Villa, so I'll probably just carry on.
-
I was seriously considering not renewing but have done it anyway. Will probably share it with AV82EC Jnr so he can see a few games.
-
My golf’s been shoddy of late so decided to renew
-
I can understand if people have 'I'm done with this' thoughts from time to time I suppose. It's a lot of money and little things like VAR holding up the game twice like they did the other night can get peoples backs up. Then you have the likes of Jack saying how Brum is his city then fucks off to another one 12 months later. Multi millionaire Lionel Messi blarting like a titty babbie because Barcelona would'nt pay him what he wanted so he had to move to a club that would.
Telford's post did smack of 'look at me' but he'll be back. What on earth will he and the likes of boring Wilma have to whinge about if they don't?
-
I totally get where he's coming from, and I'm sick of it all. After today I'm going to give the match threads a complete miss for the next couple of months at least.
-
if you stay off Twitter, mainstream media and the news and just watch the games then Football isn't that bad. Manage what you see, be blissfully ignorant and get on with your life :)
-
Football has massively changed. Sometimes for the good sometimes for the bad. But so have many other sports over years like cricket rugby etc. Would I rather have football as it is now or no football ? Imagine a life with.no football ! It's just too much to contemplate.What would be the meaning of life without having Aston Villa there to wreck your dreams on so many occasions but every so often shock the life out of you.
-
This thread title reminds me of the Barnstonworth United training scene from Ripping Yarns.
Right at the end it's
"Goodbye shorts. Hello football!!"
‘Eight, one. Eight bloody one’
-
At my age you would think i would know better but I keep promising myself I will not get up in the middle of the night to watch another insipid display, and yet somehow I always wake up fifteen minutes before kick off and of course I put the kettle on.
the walk to the beer fridge is quicker and easier and means I don’t have to fk about with cups, boiling the kettle, teabags, waiting, putting teabags in the bin….
-
I've felt this on average 26 weeks a year for the last 25 years.
I quit too.
I'll also be back next season with tail between legs, ready for another thunderblast up the harris with the pneumatic drill that is AVFC. Football in general is a shithouse cesspit right now, personified by corruption, greed and unprecedented player power (about to have another dangerous shift thanks to PSG/Mbappe). We are perennially unable to take a step forward without taking at least two back. We don't do consistency. We struggle to ever find the formula for pass and move (we get given lessons in it by teams we often think are beneath us, season upon season). Occasionally we get brisk counter attacking right, but not enough of late. We've had bright spots certainly, like that kid with the stupid boys sized shin pads lighting the pitch, to that new Brazilian lad who is clearly too good to be here, but also too unfit to be anywhere else.
Painful, turgid, the bad still outweighs the good on average. But bring it on. As per all too fucking often...I'm dangerously optimistic about next season. I mean European qualification beckons surely? As does attractive football and even more marquee signings.
I shall be spoiling my jovial mood this afternoon sitting on the drill and watching us get, in 99.99% liklihood, destroyed by Man City. We are but a bed, and they are a perching Amber Heard, squatting in readiness.
-
We are but a bed, and they are a perching Amber Heard, squatting in readiness.
I'd probably watch
-
We are but a bed, and they are a perching Amber Heard, squatting in readiness.
I'd probably watch
If you've been watching the team all season, you'll watch anything mate.
-
We are but a bed, and they are a perching Amber Heard, squatting in readiness.
I'd probably watch
If you've been watching the team all season, you'll watch anything mate.
true - we're all far too accustomed to watching piles of shite
-
I've felt this on average 26 weeks a year for the last 25 years.
I quit too.
I'll also be back next season with tail between legs, ready for another thunderblast up the harris with the pneumatic drill that is AVFC. Football in general is a shithouse cesspit right now, personified by corruption, greed and unprecedented player power (about to have another dangerous shift thanks to PSG/Mbappe). We are perennially unable to take a step forward without taking at least two back. We don't do consistency. We struggle to ever find the formula for pass and move (we get given lessons in it by teams we often think are beneath us, season upon season). Occasionally we get brisk counter attacking right, but not enough of late. We've had bright spots certainly, like that kid with the stupid boys sized shin pads lighting the pitch, to that new Brazilian lad who is clearly too good to be here, but also too unfit to be anywhere else.
Painful, turgid, the bad still outweighs the good on average. But bring it on. As per all too fucking often...I'm dangerously optimistic about next season. I mean European qualification beckons surely? As does attractive football and even more marquee signings.
I shall be spoiling my jovial mood this afternoon sitting on the drill and watching us get, in 99.99% liklihood, destroyed by Man City. We are but a bed, and they are a perching Amber Heard, squatting in readiness.
Belter of a post and brilliant final line 😂
-
You spend years wondering why you bother and then we have a day like promotion day at Wembley and you remember why, and the years of perseverance are all worth it.
-
You spend years wondering why you bother and then we have a day like promotion day at Wembley and you remember why, and the years of perseverance are all worth it.
when we win our next trophy, the fans that have suffered the mediocrity, more often than not over the past 40 years will go bat shit crazy
-
I genuinely don't really care any more. I mean, I'm a fan of the Villa of course and I want us to win and progress and all... I'm interested in our tactics, formations and signings. But, other than that, I can't muster the interest I once did. I couldn't give a fuck about any other teams or their players and I'd struggle to name more than ten PL managers. The top leagues are so blatently biased in favour of the richest clubs, that there really isn't any sense of competition left. And without that, there isn't really any point to most sports. But it doesn't bother me to the extent I might take up golf. I still watch online and at VP, if I happen to be around. It's a nice feeling not to be so emotionally involved, to be honest.
-
If I don't enjoy the games any more then I switch it off - something I'd never have done in years gone by
-
Money has ruined the game - plain and simple. I have been a Villa fan for nearly 50 years and been fortunate to see us win 2 league cups. I moved away from the midland around 30 years ago, so haven't had the chance to get to as many games - last Villa game I saw was in the Championship.
This season I have been to around half a dozen Carlisle United games (where I now live) and have loved it. OK, you aren't going to get world class footballing skills but you get proper football where most of the time the better team wins. No VAR too. Most league two players earn good (but not stupid) money (around £40k - £60k PER YEAR). The players live in the area and you quite often see them shopping in the local supermarket.
I hate the way that money has taken over the game. It's become a just another form of visual entertainment for the consumption of 'fans' worldwide. It's a homogenised product in a sterilised package.
I urge everyone who is disillusioned with the PL to go and see a lower league game - for me it was like going back to my youth at Villa Park - standing on the terraces again - which I can at Carlisle. Plus it feels good that my £16 ticket money is not lining the pockets of millionaires.
-
Money has ruined the game - plain and simple. I have been a Villa fan for nearly 50 years and been fortunate to see us win 2 league cups. I moved away from the midland around 30 years ago, so haven't had the chance to get to as many games - last Villa game I saw was in the Championship.
This season I have been to around half a dozen Carlisle United games (where I now live) and have loved it. OK, you aren't going to get world class footballing skills but you get proper football where most of the time the better team wins. No VAR too. Most league two players earn good (but not stupid) money (around £40 - £60k PER YEAR). The players live in the area and you quite often see them shopping in the local supermarket.
I hate the way that money has taken over the game. It's become a just another form of visual entertainment for the consumption of 'fans' worldwide. It's a homogenised product in a sterilised package.
I urge everyone who is disillusioned with the PL to go and see a lower league game - for me it was like going back to my youth at Villa Park - standing on the terraces again - which I can at Carlisle. Plus it feels good that my £16 ticket money is not lining the pockets of millionaires.
nope it's Villa for me or nobody else
-
Ahhh, it's not the game it used to be, that's for sure and Sky do my head in with their big team love ins but still be there next season moaning and slagging off players and management, praying for a top 8 finish.
As for golf, I love it and as I'm up in God's County, have some stunners up here to play. Anything but a rich man's sport up here and even more so in Scotland.
Golf, footy and drink, cheers!
-
Watching the coverage yesterday bought home how empty and souless constant success is. Shots of nervous Stockport fans? Winners in 4 times in the last 5 years and likely to be in the mix next year so why the nerves, it's utter bullshit. Stories from the ground about fans leaving early says it all, it becomes meaningless and once you strip the game of emotion you have nothing.
Look at Forest, you could feel the tension as they tried to get to the PO final after failing so many times, no Wembley appearance for however long, it means so much to the club and fans and this is what thrills us, the hope and desire for success. When it's guaranteed you have nothing.
I never, ever want to feel like that about football.
-
Well, reading this thread on a Monday morning has cheered me up.
-
Following a football team, properly following them, is like jumping off a high building tied to a long piece of elastic. The lower you fall the higher you bounce back. All the plastic Mancs all over the media love in this morning should know that this is as good as it gets. Everything now goes downhill. I remember when Manchester City was a proper football club not just a big pile of money. I was working in South London the day of the League 1 playoff final and the Mancs were leaving their play off game believing they had lost. Look at them now. Glory hunting football arrivistes who assault opposition players and trash pitches.
-
Their own pitch. Fucking neandertals.
-
I was working in Manchester 20 odd years ago when they scraped past Gillingham on penalties, Brian. All the Man City fans I knew then were decent, knowledgable sorts, even more put upon then we were in recent years. Now though, they make the average Man U daytripper look like the salt of the earth.
-
I hate football. I hate Man City even more. I also hate Sky.
But I’ll still be watching the preseason and getting excited during this transfer window!
Fundamentally, we have the basis of a very exciting team. How many other teams have led 2-0 at Manchester City? But then again, how many teams have gone on to lose 3-2 from that position?
It’s an addiction for me. Yes, we don’t win everything. Or 50% of things roughly. But that’s why I love Villa. I hate them for what they do to me, but I love them because they do it.
More coffee needed.
-
I hate football. I hate Man City even more. I also hate Sky.
But I’ll still be watching the preseason and getting excited during this transfer window!
Fundamentally, we have the basis of a very exciting team. How many other teams have led 2-0 at Manchester City? But then again, how many teams have gone on to lose 3-2 from that position?
It’s an addiction for me. Yes, we don’t win everything. Or 50% of things roughly. But that’s why I love Villa. I hate them for what they do to me, but I love them because they do it.
More coffee needed.
I watched it yesterday in a student pub in town. There were loads of Liverpool fans which I expected but what I didn't expect was the amount of Man City "fans" and they all seemed to be locals.There was just one table of Villa fans who got dogs abuse after City put the 3rd goal in. It was hard to believe I was in a pub in Birmingham. A whole pub full of plastics who wouldn't know where to find the Etihad or Anfield. A truly horrible experience. Never again.
-
I hate football. I hate Man City even more. I also hate Sky.
But I’ll still be watching the preseason and getting excited during this transfer window!
Fundamentally, we have the basis of a very exciting team. How many other teams have led 2-0 at Manchester City? But then again, how many teams have gone on to lose 3-2 from that position?
It’s an addiction for me. Yes, we don’t win everything. Or 50% of things roughly. But that’s why I love Villa. I hate them for what they do to me, but I love them because they do it.
More coffee needed.
I watched it yesterday in a student pub in town. There were loads of Liverpool fans which I expected but what I didn't expect was the amount of Man City "fans" and they a had Brummie accents. There was just one table of Villa fans who got dogs abuse after City put the 3rd goal in. It was hard to believe I was in a pub in Birmingham. A whole pub full of plastics who wouldn't know where to find the Etihad or Anfield. A truly horrible experience. Never again.
Brummies following Manc teams is fucking criminal. Come the revolution I'd put them up the wall first.
-
I was working in Manchester 20 odd years ago when they scraped past Gillingham on penalties, Brian. All the Man City fans I knew then were decent, knowledgable sorts, even more put upon then we were in recent years. Now though, they make the average Man U daytripper look like the salt of the earth.
I found them a right bunch of objectionable, arrogant, ungracious arseholes after the League Cup Final.
-
I hate football. I hate Man City even more. I also hate Sky.
But I’ll still be watching the preseason and getting excited during this transfer window!
Fundamentally, we have the basis of a very exciting team. How many other teams have led 2-0 at Manchester City? But then again, how many teams have gone on to lose 3-2 from that position?
It’s an addiction for me. Yes, we don’t win everything. Or 50% of things roughly. But that’s why I love Villa. I hate them for what they do to me, but I love them because they do it.
More coffee needed.
I watched it yesterday in a student pub in town. There were loads of Liverpool fans which I expected but what I didn't expect was the amount of Man City "fans" and they a had Brummie accents. There was just one table of Villa fans who got dogs abuse after City put the 3rd goal in. It was hard to believe I was in a pub in Birmingham. A whole pub full of plastics who wouldn't know where to find the Etihad or Anfield. A truly horrible experience. Never again.
Brummies following Manc teams is fucking criminal. Come the revolution I'd put them up the wall first.
Let me be the one to pull the trigger El Presidente.
-
I hate football. I hate Man City even more. I also hate Sky.
But I’ll still be watching the preseason and getting excited during this transfer window!
Fundamentally, we have the basis of a very exciting team. How many other teams have led 2-0 at Manchester City? But then again, how many teams have gone on to lose 3-2 from that position?
It’s an addiction for me. Yes, we don’t win everything. Or 50% of things roughly. But that’s why I love Villa. I hate them for what they do to me, but I love them because they do it.
More coffee needed.
I watched it yesterday in a student pub in town. There were loads of Liverpool fans which I expected but what I didn't expect was the amount of Man City "fans" and they a had Brummie accents. There was just one table of Villa fans who got dogs abuse after City put the 3rd goal in. It was hard to believe I was in a pub in Birmingham. A whole pub full of plastics who wouldn't know where to find the Etihad or Anfield. A truly horrible experience. Never again.
Brummies following Manc teams is fucking criminal. Come the revolution I'd put them up the wall first.
We have a protocol. It's golf first.
-
There are probably Brummie Mancs who play golf. Not even the proper golf with the ramps and windmills.
-
It will be a big wall, like Dortmund's end.
-
We need to fucking win something, that will stop the glory hunters going elsewhere.
-
I hate football. I hate Man City even more. I also hate Sky.
But I’ll still be watching the preseason and getting excited during this transfer window!
Fundamentally, we have the basis of a very exciting team. How many other teams have led 2-0 at Manchester City? But then again, how many teams have gone on to lose 3-2 from that position?
It’s an addiction for me. Yes, we don’t win everything. Or 50% of things roughly. But that’s why I love Villa. I hate them for what they do to me, but I love them because they do it.
More coffee needed.
Good summing up. Yesterday showed both the potential we have and also where we need to improve.
-
We need to fucking win something, that will stop the glory hunters going elsewhere.
I don't want those c unts anywhere near me.
I'd rather be exactly what we are than change to come onto their radar.
-
I was working in Manchester 20 odd years ago when they scraped past Gillingham on penalties, Brian. All the Man City fans I knew then were decent, knowledgable sorts, even more put upon then we were in recent years. Now though, they make the average Man U daytripper look like the salt of the earth.
This. This written in twenty foot fluorescent letters across the front of the Arndale Centre and on a digital billboard outside Piccadilly station. When I was involved with the FSA and fanzines every City fan I came across was great. Passionate, wry, good-humoured and they cared about football as much as they cared about their own club. Even the best one from then have turned into arseholes now.
-
I have to endure the shame of a plastic manc in the family. I took my brother's grandson to his first ever football game at Villa Park with my own kids. Bought him his first Villa scarf. There he was on Facebook this morning crowing about being a glory hunting Citeh stalwart. Until he was sixteen he thought Manchester was a breed of terrier. Thick turncoat arsehole.
-
I have to endure the shame of a plastic manc in the family. I took my brother's grandson to his first ever football game at Villa Park with my own kids. Bought him his first Villa scarf. There he was on Facebook this morning crowing about being a glory hunting Citeh stalwart. Until he was sixteen he thought Manchester was a breed of terrier. Thick turncoat arsehole.
Can you get the boxing grandson to have a word?
-
Compare that lot yesterday with the Man City fans who carried a banner at Villa Park wishing us well in our pursuit of the title.
-
Money has ruined the game - plain and simple. I have been a Villa fan for nearly 50 years and been fortunate to see us win 2 league cups. I moved away from the midland around 30 years ago, so haven't had the chance to get to as many games - last Villa game I saw was in the Championship.
This season I have been to around half a dozen Carlisle United games (where I now live) and have loved it. OK, you aren't going to get world class footballing skills but you get proper football where most of the time the better team wins. No VAR too. Most league two players earn good (but not stupid) money (around £40k - £60k PER YEAR). The players live in the area and you quite often see them shopping in the local supermarket.
I hate the way that money has taken over the game. It's become a just another form of visual entertainment for the consumption of 'fans' worldwide. It's a homogenised product in a sterilised package.
I urge everyone who is disillusioned with the PL to go and see a lower league game - for me it was like going back to my youth at Villa Park - standing on the terraces again - which I can at Carlisle. Plus it feels good that my £16 ticket money is not lining the pockets of millionaires.
I completely agree. My dad who followed football from the 30s onwards loved lower league games because it reminded him what football used to b3 about. I’ve been to Malvern Town and Forest Green Rovers and a great day out without the pollution of money and Sky. I certainly don’t support them and hoping they win but not really giving much of a shit is a nice change.
I lived near to Barrow for about 9 years. I remember when they had to have a police presence on payday to protect the manager because the players were only going to be paid a fraction of their wages… in cash in an old brown envelope. They’ve obviously done alright since. I expect the Carlisle matches were a bit fraught.
-
Compare that lot yesterday with the Man City fans who carried a banner at Villa Park wishing us well in our pursuit of the title.
I think that's part of the problem. They think the world owes them a debt of gratitude for saving us from Manchester United.
-
Compare that lot yesterday with the Man City fans who carried a banner at Villa Park wishing us well in our pursuit of the title.
I think that's part of the problem. They think the world owes them a debt of gratitude for saving us from Manchester United.
That fucking banner showed them up for the no-mark, bitter twats they were/still are and in my mind, even as a youth at the time, marked them down as a nothing club to me.
-
See you in August.
You didn't have to wait that long, he was back on this site yesterday.
-
We need saving from Manchester United like we need saving from Puff the Magic Dragon.
-
Radio. Saturday afternon). "And here are the football results Aston Villa 3 Global Merchandizing Brand Trade Partnerships Still Available Contact Tracey On Line For Details United 0, Dirty Leeds 0, Tottenham Ground Naming Rights Still Available 7....."
-
If you think I am being daft, have a look at the names they give horse races these days. What used to be the 2.30 is now the "Happy Anniversary Eric and Eileen Congratulations On Your Golden Wedding No Presents Please But A Contribution To Saveabudgie Would Make Our Day" Handicap.
-
Compare that lot yesterday with the Man City fans who carried a banner at Villa Park wishing us well in our pursuit of the title.
I think that's part of the problem. They think the world owes them a debt of gratitude for saving us from Manchester United.
That fucking banner showed them up for the no-mark, bitter twats they were/still are and in my mind, even as a youth at the time, marked them down as a nothing club to me.
That's teams in blue for you.
-
We need to fucking win something, that will stop the glory hunters going elsewhere.
I don't want those c unts anywhere near me.
I'd rather be exactly what we are than change to come onto their radar.
I don't think I worded it very well. I meant it would stop kids becoming glory-hunters as we'd be on the map more.