The Ultimate Choice

[Dave Clark Five]

I think when people talk about how much fun they had when we were in the lower leagues before they use rose tinted glasses a bit. I'm sure the 3rd divisions days were fun, but what about the 3 before it when we were at the bottom of Division 2 in a near empty Villa Park. Were they fun too? Or how about a couple of seasons later when we finished 14th in Division 2?

A lot of the fun in that 67-70 period was the fact that we were 40 odd years younger. For those where this coincided with not quite being of an age to drink legally, like myself, it was wonderful.

[curiousorange]

If we go down, I don't think we'll be back for a good long while.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

I think when people talk about how much fun they had when we were in the lower leagues before they use rose tinted glasses a bit. I'm sure the 3rd divisions days were fun, but what about the 3 before it when we were at the bottom of Division 2 in a near empty Villa Park. Were they fun too? Or how about a couple of seasons later when we finished 14th in Division 2?

A lot of the fun in that 67-70 period was the fact that we were 40 odd years younger. For those where this coincided with not quite being of an age to drink legally, like myself, it was wonderful.

I started in 1966 and from the off went to every home game and in fact as we gradually got crappier and the crowds got lower  I was  taking in more away games too. But I'd just started and didn't know any different. But also it was a different era, cheap and cheerful and not quite the same cynicism and less win at all costs and cheating the referee etc. From December 1968 it became magical and even the then unexpected drop to the 3rd division when we thought we would head the other direction with The Doc could not dim the new enthusiasm of all supporters.
The two seasons in the 3rd division are still my favourite ever. OK i was then in my mid teens and lived and breathed Villa at that age. But my late Mom and Dad would have been in their late 40s then, they also used to say those two seasons were their favourite ever.

[pauliewalnuts]

I think when people talk about how much fun they had when we were in the lower leagues before they use rose tinted glasses a bit. I'm sure the 3rd divisions days were fun, but what about the 3 before it when we were at the bottom of Division 2 in a near empty Villa Park. Were they fun too? Or how about a couple of seasons later when we finished 14th in Division 2?

A lot of the fun in that 67-70 period was the fact that we were 40 odd years younger. For those where this coincided with not quite being of an age to drink legally, like myself, it was wonderful.

Absolutely.

1987-8 was one of my favourite seasons. Away matches were brilliant, we had some fantastic days out, up and down the country in my mate's Maxi, getting rat-arsed everywhere we go.

The thing was, though, I was 19 at the time, which made all the difference. Had I been 43, it wouldn't have been such fun.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

If we go down, I don't think we'll be back for a good long while.

I bet something like that was said on the eve of the 4-2 home defeat to Everton in 1967. A scary thought.

[Villanation]

If it comes it comes and it wouldn't be the end of the world, and if it mean't the end of McLeish it would without doubts have its merits and I can remember when Villa where playing in the lower divisions yonks ago and they where some of the most exciting times have had at Villa park.

The point was would it be a price worth paying to get rid of AM, IMO yes, couldn't take another season of this dross.

[robbyfvillain]

I think when people talk about how much fun they had when we were in the lower leagues before they use rose tinted glasses a bit. I'm sure the 3rd divisions days were fun, but what about the 3 before it when we were at the bottom of Division 2 in a near empty Villa Park. Were they fun too? Or how about a couple of seasons later when we finished 14th in Division 2?

A lot of the fun in that 67-70 period was the fact that we were 40 odd years younger. For those where this coincided with not quite being of an age to drink legally, like myself, it was wonderful.

Very true but also I always felt that we would come good simply because we had massive support when we did well. Before the TV revenue days this was a huge factor in the revenue of a club. Today if we went down I really fear we may not come back anywhere near as quickly.

[Ron Manager]

As it is, when I look at our history and see the spells of the second and third tier football in our record books I shudder; the top flight is the only place for Villa

I understand what you're saying but there are many people who consider our days of second and third division football to be amongst our finest. I don't shudder when I look back at the second division days - I loved it.

Then again, rose-tinted specs and all that

I loved our time in the lower divisions it was exicting watching the Villa winning (and big crowds) and being thought of as the
glamorous side that they all wanted to beat. But the only place to be is the Prem and if McDuff keeps us in it he will have achieved what he set out to do.....but at what cost?

[bertlambshank]

We won't get big crowds in the championship.

[Tom Sawyer]

If we go down they'd better revise the season ticket prices if they want people to renew. Maybe that's why they're so keen to get people to renew now?

[VILLA MOLE]

We won't get big crowds in the championship.

we dont get big crowds now

[CJ]

If we go down they'd better revise the season ticket prices if they want people to renew. Maybe that's why they're so keen to get people to renew now?

I think someone said elsewhere that they'd justify the same price for the four extra games in the Championship.

[hawkeye]

I understand where Brian is comming from, its like the bloke trapped on a mountain, either cut your arm off or die.

[LeeB]

I think when people talk about how much fun they had when we were in the lower leagues before they use rose tinted glasses a bit. I'm sure the 3rd divisions days were fun, but what about the 3 before it when we were at the bottom of Division 2 in a near empty Villa Park. Were they fun too? Or how about a couple of seasons later when we finished 14th in Division 2?

A lot of the fun in that 67-70 period was the fact that we were 40 odd years younger. For those where this coincided with not quite being of an age to drink legally, like myself, it was wonderful.

Absolutely.

1987-8 was one of my favourite seasons. Away matches were brilliant, we had some fantastic days out, up and down the country in my mate's Maxi, getting rat-arsed everywhere we go.

The thing was, though, I was 19 at the time, which made all the difference. Had I been 43, it wouldn't have been such fun.

My first full season was the season before.

I cried a bit at getting promoted, because I was happy enough seeing us win a bit in the lower league. Thank the lord we had Sir GT.

[Lee]

Getting relegated now is not the same a it was back in the day. In our present financial situation, it's nigh on financial suicide.

John Lydon once. said, "ever have the feeling you've been cheated?" Yes John, I do.