Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: dave.woodhall on July 02, 2023, 12:50:53 AM
-
Mr R rages against the dying of the light.
https://heroesandvillains.info/2023/07/01/life-without-the-lions/
-
....minor toy town European trophy ?
-
I find myself agreeing with this.
It’s sad when expressed in those terms.
I suppose we have to console ourselves with the memory of truly great Villa players, The real Holte End in full voice and our team playing in proper claret and blue shirts.
It will never be that good again.
-
I agree with a lot of the sentiments expressed in this article but can't deny that I would have thought that some light regarding the current Villa management or team might have found a way through a crack in the closed curtains.
Top-level football is obsessed with money for sure and fans are the last 'stakeholder' to be considered but if there wasn't some joy to be had out of following the Villa then I would pack it in too.
I guess I haven't reached where Mr R is at quite yet.
-
"And the idea of spending eye-watering amounts of shekels on unheard-of players from Asia or Eastern Europe when their qualities are totally unknown or as to how they will fit into the scheme of things, if indeed they do fit in, has me wondering quite whose judgement is deciding these things."
Eh?
-
I'm not too worried about a cup of tea at half-time.
-
I've got loads of respect for anyone who's followed Villa for so long, but I think it looks like Mr. Russell has made the right decision.
I wish him many happy and healthy years.
-
Huge respect for one whose has followed our club for so many years but I still get the buzz despite all of what occurs around the game.
I'm not sure how I'd fill the space in my life if I came to such a decision.
-
It is indeed mind-boggling such a lengthy period of watching the Villa.
-
It's Villa for me always, not going to give it up no matter what,if you think I am walking around IKEA on Saturday or any other match day for get it
-
We all have to move on in life and adapt.
Some choose not to.
-
Found it very strange he's not looking forward to the new season, the last time I was so excited about a new season would probably be going back to Sir Ron's days.
-
Wait until he finds out the prices for Foo Fighters tickets next summer.
-
It's not impossible that when John first went to Villa Park there was someone in the crowd who was alive when there were no football clubs in Birmingham at all. Given his age and the journey he takes I'm amazed he lasted as long as he did.
-
I see where he's coming from. I hope he doesn't give it up completely and that he takes in the odd european game should we progress.
-
I think it is an amazing achievement for want of a better word that John had a season ticket for so long, at the grand old age of 49 i hope I have another 30 odd years left to get anywhere near this.
There is a lot of truth i feel within the article, the influence of TV money, us being seen as consumers rather than loyal supporters. There was something on the radio recently about many football supporters not being optimistic about the future of football in general, largely related to issues which John highlights.
I also think though there is quite a lot of bitterness in the article that i don’t share. Criticising absent owners, fine, but were things really better with Doug being there every day? A tinpot European Cup? We’ve won the League Cup twice in the last 40 years, the chance of winning anything excites me greatly and it seems misplaced arrogance to dismiss this.
The world changes continually and football with it, lots of this is for the worst, society and football, but lots is better as well. I look back to my first visits to Villa Park in the early 80s and onwards with huge nostalgia, but if I step out of that nostalgia for a moment, I wouldn’t really want my kids to be standing getting pushed and shoved on the Holte, in a half empty stadium, straining their eyes through the fences caging them in and wondering if it was going to kick off with opposing fans on the way home after the game.
We all have to suspend reality to the financial realities of football when supporting our own clubs, because when it comes down to it as adults we want the same things we wanted as kids, notably Villa to win. We now have a serial winner in charge with some very very good players. If John can’t get excited about that then it probably is the right decision to call it a day, which is sad after a lifetime of loyal support.
-
I recognise the feelings that John is relating. My take has always been that I love Villa and the football comes second. Falling out of love with the game is a common theme these days and there seems to be little chance of a return to the elements that made me spend so much time, effort and money to watch the Villa. The sport-washing of despotic states, the "Big 6" pulling up the ladder, paying for the privilege of being a bit-part player to a "spectacle" for TV companies etc etc. It may be age-related but there seem to be more important things in life these days than going through some long-winded process to get a ticket to a football match. Last season was the first time since 1974 that I have not attended a single match at VP. Did I miss it? Sure but not as much as I used to.
I want Villa to go from strength-to-strength and do it in an ethical and progressive manner but most of all I want to part of it again.
-
What a great read. I wish we could go back to Saturday games and being a shareholder but as with everything, things move on I suppose even though they aren’t always for the better.
It’s such a shame that such a loyal Villa man has had to give it up. We should value supporters like this, I certainly do.
-
What a great read. I wish we could go back to Saturday games and being a shareholder but as with everything, things move on I suppose even though they aren’t always for the better.
It’s such a shame that such a loyal Villa man has had to give it up. We should value supporters like this, I certainly do.
Yes, well said.
-
There was something very comforting about travelling home from Villa Park on a Saturday listening to all the results and shortly afterwards getting the sports argus to check the pools coupon, no computers or mobile phones, i'm of the same generation and I know exactly where he's coming from. UTV.
-
Well, I’ve been attending VP for 56 years, and still love it. Yes things have changed, what hasn’t. The game was closer to the fans, and more romantic for it. But come kickoff and those Claret and Blue shirts enter the arena, I still feel the same passion I did all those years ago. Guess it’s not just the game that changes over time, but some peoples perceptions too.
-
Well, I’ve been attending VP for 56 years, and still love it. Yes things have changed, what hasn’t. The game was closer to the fans, and more romantic for it. But come kickoff and those Claret and Blue shirts enter the arena, I still feel the same passion I did all those years ago. Guess it’s not just the game that changes over time, but some peoples perceptions too.
This is true. My formative Villa years were those Saturday kick-offs, plentiful number 11 buses, home in time for the Argus years, along with the actively sought out white knuckle away games. My kids have had none of that - it’s all FIFA and Messi v Ronaldo for them, but they’re still Villa-mad and gagging to go to games.
Also, a lot more people from different demographics like football now, which is why it’s so bloody hard to get in. Grrr…