Witton Lane or Doug Ellis?

[PeterWithesShin]

Witton Lane for me.

[Lowendbehold]

It'll always be the Witton Lane stand to me, but I wouldn't change it back now because it would seen as an insult to Doug Ellis, and as a club we shouldn't lower ourselves to be so offensive to a decent man.

Here here.  If someone came along with a wad of cash to sponsor it, that would be different maybe.  I am sure the old man could be expected to understand!

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

It'll always be the Witton Lane stand to me, but I wouldn't change it back now because it would seen as an insult to Doug Ellis, and as a club we shouldn't lower ourselves to be so offensive to a decent man.

It was an insult for him to change the name of the stand to his in the first place. Did he consult the Villa fans about this? Whether you liked him or not, you can't expect someone who was hated by so many to name a stand after themselves.

What next, No.10 Downing Street to be renamed Margaret Thatcher Cottage?

[saunders_heroes]

It'll always be the Witton Lane stand to me, but I wouldn't change it back now because it would seen as an insult to Doug Ellis, and as a club we shouldn't lower ourselves to be so offensive to a decent man.

It was an insult for him to change the name of the stand to his in the first place. Did he consult the Villa fans about this? Whether you liked him or not, you can't expect someone who was hated by so many to name a stand after themselves.

What next, No.10 Downing Street to be renamed Margaret Thatcher Cottage?

Only idiots with no perspective on life "hate" him. I was never a fan, but it was clear he loves and cared for the club. Changing the name while he's still around would be a really cheap and nasty thing to do. Something I wouldn't want associated with our great club.

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

It'll always be the Witton Lane stand to me, but I wouldn't change it back now because it would seen as an insult to Doug Ellis, and as a club we shouldn't lower ourselves to be so offensive to a decent man.

It was an insult for him to change the name of the stand to his in the first place. Did he consult the Villa fans about this? Whether you liked him or not, you can't expect someone who was hated by so many to name a stand after themselves.

What next, No.10 Downing Street to be renamed Margaret Thatcher Cottage?

Only idiots with no perspective on life "hate" him. I was never a fan, but it was clear he loves and cared for the club. Changing the name while he's still around would be a really cheap and nasty thing to do. Something I wouldn't want associated with our great club.

OK, I agree, hated may be a bit strong, but a large majority disliked him greatly - enough for common sense to tell you that you shouldn't be naming a stand after yourself.

[Villan For Life]

It'll always be the Witton to me. Just as the Trinty Road stand is the Trinity and the Holte End is the Holte.

We can't rename it now as we will look petty and small minded. However I would like to see the North Stand renamed if and when it's redeveloped. The Saunders Stand has a ring to it but I fear that we will end up with it being commercially named

[always be witton to me]

I think my username says it all really!!

[maidstonevillain]

Does anyone still refer to the North Stand as the Witton End?

Yes.

Yes. Still the Witton Lane stand and the Witton End to me. Mainly because most of the 250/300 or so games I have attended at Villa Park were in the 70's and 80's. Also my grandparents lived, and my mother was born, almost behind the Witton End (Jardine Road), so it was a big presence in my life before  I even went to games.
I have actually only sat in the Witton Lane stand twice. Both memorable games for different reasons. The 5-1 win against Liverpool and the defeat by Ipswich in the 80/81 season.

[Lowendbehold]

How about the Acorns Stand?

[amfy]

Were you at the SCG too? The Acorns Stand was suggested there and it seems to be an ideal way for Doug to give it back amd come up smelling of roses.

[Lowendbehold]

I was and I suggested it.  We will see.

[Mister E]

My first visit to VP was in 1967 and I sat as a 9 yr-old in the Witton Lane Stand. The following season, I stood at the Witton End for my second game. We lost both games, to Everton and QPR respectively. The results are immaterial: the point is that I remember the occasions and the atmosphere and the environment.
People come and go: occcasions live on for ever.
Name them what the hell you want ("Doug 'The Muppet' Stand"; "Acorns Forever"; whatever) - they'll always be what they were when I first visited B6.
What I'm saying is: it doesn't really matter!

[Percy McCarthy]

I say "the Doug Ellis stand (spit)"

[amfy]

Ahh! So i now know who you are! It was good to have a drink with you yesterday

[Ray Graydon]

Wiiton Lane & always will be.

As a club we have had so many great servants who it could have been named after, it just says everything about Doug that his monumental ego would see himself more deserving than many many more deserving candidates.