So what does a fan do?

[villan from luton]

For christs sake, you are supposed to be supporting what we consider the best football club in the world, just stop it FFS. I have seen my club in the old third division, then at Highbury and Rotterdam and the downfall from then until the league cup wins. I love my club, not in the same passion as years before, but still love my club and totally respect people who still go along and support them, regardless of manager etc

I have been going since 1965, Highbury, LC semi final Manure, Bournemouth home and away. Liverpool 5 1 at home just some of the highlights. I dont need lectures about supporting the club.

To be honest, I dont give a monkeys what you think

[cheltenhamlion]

Will you two turn it the fuck in.

As far as the original post goes, its very difficult to know what to do. You don't want to do anything that damages the club but it has to be highly visual to get them to notice.

Perhaps ten minutes with us all with our back to the game and then rousing support or some such.

[Witton Warrior]

Will you two turn it the fuck in.

As far as the original post goes, its very difficult to know what to do. You don't want to do anything that damages the club but it has to be highly visual to get them to notice.

Perhaps ten minutes with us all with our back to the game and then rousing support or some such.

My original post was for some positive action - it sort of came out of the reaction to the substitutions at the Fulham game when the boos turned to thunderous applause for the players.

Maybe I am older but not wiser and think that fans can actually affect an institution instead of just being strapped in for the ride like we always have been.

[damon loves JT]

Can somebody please summarise for me: who's the best fan on this thread? I've lost track a bit

[supertom]

Can somebody please summarise for me: who's the best fan on this thread? I've lost track a bit

It's okay I'm here now.
Winner winner, chicken dinner!

[eric woolban woolban]

Lay some money at Ladbrokes on Villa to be relegated.

Current odds 25/1.

A sort of comfort bet.

[damon loves JT]

It's OK. I have got out my 'Manchester United - The Red Devils' duvet cover and pencilled the anniversary of Munich into my diary.

I am all set for glory.

[Tom_Mc9?]

As opposed to not bothering to go and using the current situation as a convenient excuse to sit on your arse at home every game?

It's what I do. Don't like going down at the moment, so I'd rather not spend my £30 a week on it. Does that make others 'better' fans than me? Probably. This discussion's been had many times before - who cares what makes a better fan. Everyone wants to see us do well, so it doesn't matter what level of fan you are. As for what we can do, the answer is fuck all.

[BedsVillain]

I don't think the protests outside the McGregor statues have had, or will have any effect whatsoever. There its far too much human traffic around that area anyway and a few badly scrawled 'McLeish Out' banners on A4 paper or pillow cases have very little effect or media coverage. The protests need to take place inside the ground to have any far reaching effect, like the pound signs or 'We're not fickle...' banner.

So I propose this.

At the Chelsea game all home supporters should stay on the concourses and not take to their seats until 5 minutes after the first whistle, we can still watch on the TV screens in those areas, imagine the visual impact that would have on the broadcasts around the world as well as the dodgy internet streams and the 2 minutes we get on Match of the Day. There is an extension to this protest, but could be tricky logistically. During the 5 minute stay away or maybe before arriving at the ground, we all paint our faces to look like claret and blue Bravehearts, we then take to or seats after the 5 minutes is up, in the style of a slow motion battle charge, (the slower the better) with slow motion cries of 'FREEDOM!' I think this could really create the atmosphere that some people eluded to previously. Obviously I realise the Braveheart references might be seen as somewhat pro-Scottish, suggestions for other face painted warriors would be warmly welcomed.

[damon loves JT]

I'm in. I love a slow-motion face-painted late arrival protest

[BedsVillain]

I'm in. I love a slow-motion face-painted late arrival protest

That's great Damon!
Unfortunately I can't attend the Chelsea game myself, as apparently the imminent arrival of my first child takes priority and I have to be on standby for the next 2 weeks. So would you be able to head up the co-ordination on this one. Obviously I can do what I can from here, in between the huffs and puffs sighs and groans etc.. That's my other half by the way, not the Villa fans.
Being in the theatre business I have access to ample amounts of grease paint and could probably kit out some if not all of the participants in some kind of mock battle dress. We'd have to decide on the look before hand.

[ktvillan]

To the OP.  You could have a quick look at the history of Aston Villa circa 1967-68.   There once was a set of Villa fans who had some balls, who could see the wood for the trees, who realised that sometimes things have to get worse before they can get better, who knew that the rot was much deeper than anything that could be cured by a bit of flag waving and chanting or "getting behind the team".   Those fans loved the club and they saved the club.  They knew the club's custodians and management were slowly killing it.  They weren't afraid to vent their displeasure at the games.  I'm old enough  to remember the foot stamping and slow hand-clapping in the old Trinity Road, the whole stand, old codgers to kids,  during an abject performance.  It didn't harm the club.  Quite the opposite, it not only saved the club, it started the club out on the road that ultimately led to a memorable night in Rotterdam.  Some of you seem overly worried about what others might think if we protest at games, that it makes us look like a bunch of moaners, or that it might upset a few incompetent millionaires masquerading as PL players.   Does it not bother you that people are probably pointing and laughing at the fact Villa fans meekly accept all the shit thrown at them and the fact we've put up with the Lerner and Mcleish comedy duo for so long without so much as a peep?  If this site is representative of the fan base, I'd say a large proportion of Villa Supporters have had enough of McLeish and the best way to get feelings across to a non-listening owner is at the games.  Embarrass him, McLeish, and Faulkner into doing something.  I can't get to many games due to living abroad, but I'd happily join in whenever I can get there, like I did in 1968 along with my Dad and Grandparents.  Because I love Villa and I'm sick of seeing it rogered up the wrong un by a bunch of clowns.

[Witton Warrior]

To the OP.  You could have a quick look at the history of Aston Villa circa 1967-68.   There once was a set of Villa fans who had some balls, who could see the wood for the trees, who realised that sometimes things have to get worse before they can get better, who knew that the rot was much deeper than anything that could be cured by a bit of flag waving and chanting or "getting behind the team".   Those fans loved the club and they saved the club.  They knew the club's custodians and management were slowly killing it.  They weren't afraid to vent their displeasure at the games.  I'm old enough  to remember the foot stamping and slow hand-clapping in the old Trinity Road, the whole stand, old codgers to kids,  during an abject performance.  It didn't harm the club.  Quite the opposite, it not only saved the club, it started the club out on the road that ultimately led to a memorable night in Rotterdam.  Some of you seem overly worried about what others might think if we protest at games, that it makes us look like a bunch of moaners, or that it might upset a few incompetent millionaires masquerading as PL players.   Does it not bother you that people are probably pointing and laughing at the fact Villa fans meekly accept all the shit thrown at them and the fact we've put up with the Lerner and Mcleish comedy duo for so long without so much as a peep?  If this site is representative of the fan base, I'd say a large proportion of Villa Supporters have had enough of McLeish and the best way to get feelings across to a non-listening owner is at the games.  Embarrass him, McLeish, and Faulkner into doing something.  I can't get to many games due to living abroad, but I'd happily join in whenever I can get there, like I did in 1968 along with my Dad and Grandparents.  Because I love Villa and I'm sick of seeing it rogered up the wrong un by a bunch of clowns.

I wasn't there in the 3rd Division - I was incredibly lucky to start going in '75 when we were on a roll but I remember the tales of fans working for nothing to maintain VP and those tales have stuck. That is why I cannot believe I, and others, just take this utter crap from the executives/owner/manager.

There is no other area of my life where I do not have at least some passing input on the outcomes so it galls me to just be sat here moaning - I want to "do" not sulk. The fact we are arguing amongst ourselves tella it's own story.

Thanks for the reminder of our proud history ktv.

[Legion]

[Chipsticks]

I don't think the protests outside the McGregor statues have had, or will have any effect whatsoever. There its far too much human traffic around that area anyway and a few badly scrawled 'McLeish Out' banners on A4 paper or pillow cases have very little effect or media coverage. The protests need to take place inside the ground to have any far reaching effect, like the pound signs or 'We're not fickle...' banner.

So I propose this.

At the Chelsea game all home supporters should stay on the concourses and not take to their seats until 5 minutes after the first whistle, we can still watch on the TV screens in those areas, imagine the visual impact that would have on the broadcasts around the world as well as the dodgy internet streams and the 2 minutes we get on Match of the Day. There is an extension to this protest, but could be tricky logistically. During the 5 minute stay away or maybe before arriving at the ground, we all paint our faces to look like claret and blue Bravehearts, we then take to or seats after the 5 minutes is up, in the style of a slow motion battle charge, (the slower the better) with slow motion cries of 'FREEDOM!' I think this could really create the atmosphere that some people eluded to previously. Obviously I realise the Braveheart references might be seen as somewhat pro-Scottish, suggestions for other face painted warriors would be warmly welcomed.

No no no.

This has been suggested before, and there was two fundamental problems:

1) It would only work if everyone joined in, there is a small minority of Villa fans on here.

2) It's absolutely stupid. We need to get behind the team. A protest in the summer? Maybe, sure. But not turning up for the first section of the game is going to accomplish nothing.