Villa v Celtic Friendly

[garyfouroaks]

FFS If Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness can from a coalition government together in Northern Ireland Aston Villa can play Celtic in a friendly.

The difference is that the above two have moved on - a significant section of Celtic's support have not.

Pauliewalnuts has warned about the politicisation of this - but that is exactly what you get when Celtic are involved.

I have no wish to rock the boat. I do think that the dangers of this proposal are currentlly being artificially subsumed under a wholly appropriate wave of goodwill for Stan - and all those with, and touched by, Leukemia.

[MonsXI]

Surely if there is a large enough group who don't want Celtic at VP, then we should look for another opponent? The idea is too raise as much cash for a Leukaemia charity as possible, now if bringing Celtic down is going to stop some of our fans wanting to attend then we should look elsewhere.

Like I've mentioned in the locked thread how about a XI or Stans former teammates: Berbatov, Young, Martin Petrov etc and maybe get Stoichkov in to manage it?

[VillaBobby]

I think the whole episode is starting to run away with itself. Talking of having a annual "cup" to play for & creating "alliances" with the Celtic or any other club is ridiculous. Celtic, as have Rangers, have allegiances with many clubs already, usually Liverpool & Man Utd in England, but St Pauli in Hamburg which is questionable, & I would rather we keep our independence and identity.

I also find it uncomfortable as its the sort of thing that is done in honour of some ones life as opposed to Stan beating the disease.

If the game comes off then it will be personal choice if people wish to attend, if politics are kept out of it by the Celtic supporters then great, but I hope that alcohol does not become a troublesome factor.

[Irish villain]

Rangers sing offensive songs too but I'd be all for a fixture with them to raise money for a good cause. I'd realise songs about the famine are just songs and that most of the Rangers support that sing them don't know what they are talking about.

Same applies to Celtic. Crikey, even our beloved Aston Villa have fans that can display moronic tendencies but I wouldn't want us all to be damaged by association.

Maybe it's best this tie isn't played actually. I didn't realise how much of an issue It'd be and I wouldn't want something that thousands of people haven't a clue about becoming the source of vitriol for those same thousands of people.

[Billy Walker]

FFS If Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness can from a coalition government together in Northern Ireland Aston Villa can play Celtic in a friendly.

The difference is that the above two have moved on - a significant section of Celtic's support have not.

Pauliewalnuts has warned about the politicistation of this - but that is exactly what you get when Celtic are involved.

I have no wish to rock the boat. I do think that the dangers of this proposal are currentlly being artificially subsumed under a wholly appropriate wave of goodwill for Stan - and all those with, and touched by, Leukemia.

How come we've been able to play Celtic in the past without any of this raisng its head before?  As far as I can make out the only "dangers" would come from from some of our fans who seem to hold a grudge against Celtic.  It would be disappointing if such a minority would put a halt to the most appropriate way of raising funds and supporting Stan. 

Just going back to what VillaBobby is saying; you are right about the St. Pauli/Hamburg connections re Rangers/Celtic, attempts have been made among certain sections of their fans to mirror the Glasgow rivalry.  Liverpool and Man Utd have no such allegiances with either Glasgow club as far as I know and I genuinely don't think there is any desire among Villa fans to form any nonsensical "allegiance" either.  Of course, we do have some extreme elements following our club but they - I am sure - are very small in number and live in a world of their own.

In short, it would be a crying shame if the two clubs that Petrov has served for the bulk of his career could not get together in tribute.  (If Petrov had played for Rangers I would be of the same opinion.)  Let's not allow poisonous, outdated, bullshit politics to destroy a potentially beautiful and uplifting gesture.

Just to add, would it be worth running a poll to gauge opinion as to whether such a game would be worthwhile - maybe I am underestimating the genuine concerns, in which case I hold my hands up.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

I say do a poll.  I am sure the club monitor sites such as this to gauge opinions. H & V is only a small number of Villa fans overall, and not necessarily entirely representative. Indeed, I would not want the club making decisions based on polls here or anywhere else but lets see which way the wind blows and how strong. 

[VillaBobby]

FFS If Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness can from a coalition government together in Northern Ireland Aston Villa can play Celtic in a friendly.

The difference is that the above two have moved on - a significant section of Celtic's support have not.

Pauliewalnuts has warned about the politicistation of this - but that is exactly what you get when Celtic are involved.

I have no wish to rock the boat. I do think that the dangers of this proposal are currentlly being artificially subsumed under a wholly appropriate wave of goodwill for Stan - and all those with, and touched by, Leukemia.

How come we've been able to play Celtic in the past without any of this raisng its head before?  As far as I can make out the only "dangers" would come from from some of our fans who seem to hold a grudge against Celtic.  It would be disappointing if such a minority would put a halt to the most appropriate way of raising funds and supporting Stan. 

Just going back to what VillaBobby is saying; you are right about the St. Pauli/Hamburg connections re Rangers/Celtic, attempts have been made among certain sections of their fans to mirror the Glasgow rivalry.  Liverpool and Man Utd have no such allegiances with either Glasgow club as far as I know and I genuinely don't think there is any desire among Villa fans to form any nonsensical "allegiance" either.  Of course, we do have some extreme elements following our club but they - I am sure - are very small in number and live in a world of their own.

In short, it would be a crying shame if the two clubs that Petrov has served for the bulk of his career could not get together in tribute.  (If Petrov had played for Rangers I would be of the same opinion.)  Let's not allow poisonous, outdated, bullshit politics to destroy a potentially beautiful and uplifting gesture.

Just to add, would it be worth running a poll to gauge opinion as to whether such a game would be worthwhile - maybe I am underestimating the genuine concerns, in which case I hold my hands up.

I am not sure that playing a pre-season friendly in 1984, of which probably a few hundred from Birmingham would have attended the game in Glasgow, actually represents the potential opinion of the people of Birmingham. Brummies will see it's city visited, its city centre & its pubs, then taken locally to Villa Park with a potential for unrest due to political or sectarian chanting or songs, which are offensive. Any club with vocal & visual support has always been welcome at Villa Park & illuminated the city centre, ala, Bilbao, who's representation where brilliant, drank wine from leather pouches all game & added to a fantastic visual & football experience.

I am not trying to drag any political or sectarian nonsense into this thread but trying to highlight that there is still a sense of anger towards the plight of some of our fellow Brummies that will be offended by such behaviour.

If assurances, which I doubt possible, can be given that such actions would not be present, then Celtic FC & its supporters would be more than welcome in Birmingham, as we have a large Irish community that would also welcome such a visit and the day & game could be played & witnessed in the spirit intended.

[Chico Hamilton III]

Here's a suggestion. How about those who think that who we play against is more important than why we're playing them just stay at home and don't go to the game.

I lived in Manchester and worked in the city centre when United played Celtic for Brian Mclair's testimonial, Mark Hughes' testimonial and Captain Marvel's testimonial and there was a great atmosphere for all 3 games.

Fuck me, we're talking about a friendly game here to support a player who has represented both clubs.

[MonsXI]

VillaBobby you do understand that Bilbao have one of the most politicised supports in world football? The club itself has a Basque only signing policy.

[PaulTheVillan]

Villa v Brazil

[villanic]

We love Stan and would love this game to be played. Celtic fans love Stan and want the game to be played so surely on that alone there should be a great atmosphere that's all about Stan.

Also if there are any Celtic fans who would be here just to sing sectarian song and show any kind of support to the IRA they would be in a minority and the majority of the Celtic fans would be at the game for the same reason we are.

Hope who ever are trying to organise this game don't read this thread because they would definitely think twice.

To all the people posting about the politics why don't you start a seperate thread and discuss it there?

[villanic]

Here's a suggestion. How about those who think that who we play against is more important than why we're playing them just stay at home and don't go to the game.

I lived in Manchester and worked in the city centre when United played Celtic for Brian Mclair's testimonial, Mark Hughes' testimonial and Captain Marvel's testimonial and there was a great atmosphere for all 3 games.

Fuck me, we're talking about a friendly game here to support a player who has represented both clubs.

Well said

[pauliewalnuts]

To all the people posting about the politics why don't you start a seperate thread and discuss it there?

Exactly what I asked them to do, but got ignored.

So, can we keep this to discussion of the game, and start a thread in OT on the politics of Rangers / Celtic instead?

[PeterWithe]

I think it was Martin from Japan who posted a very insightful timeline into how any thread involving the words 'Celtic & Rangers' usually evolved.

EDIT- Nope, cant find it but trust me it was f'in funny.

[Handsworth Wood Villa]

Should be at Villa Park because Celtic have bigger away support than us.