50% Villa Craig Gardner

[Californian Villain]

Gary's article in the Sunderland programme is interesting. He talks a lot about the family and how they all went to Blues one week and Villa the next.

Very diplomatic....but also rather unlikely I think.

Not unusual in the past though, I know plenty of people who used to do just that.

Really? How long ago approx ?

[PeterWithe]

A mates dad who I used to attend villa with would regularly go to VP one week and SHA the next back in the 50s and 60s with a group of mates. He said it wasn't at all unusual

[PeterWithe]

McLeish could learn a lot from this thread, a simple five pound t-shirt purchase from the club shop would render all of his previous unpopularity forgotton.

[Ron Manager]

A mates dad who I used to attend villa with would regualarly go to VP on week and SHA the next back in the 50s and 60s with a group of mates. He said it wasn't at all unusual

Yes I did. All my mates were (and still are) Blues fans. Obviously you dont have the money when you are still at school to travel away so unless Villa were at Albion or Wolves so thats what most of us did.I remember on the Spion Kop at St Andrews
there was a big hole in the corregated roof so if it rained heavily it was like Niagara Falls!

Mind you I couldnt wait for the Villa half time score and the full times on the old scoreboards.

[nigel]

Gary's article in the Sunderland programme is interesting. He talks a lot about the family and how they all went to Blues one week and Villa the next.

Very diplomatic....but also rather unlikely I think.

I'd heard (can't remember from where, though) that Craig followed the Blues and Gary the Villa.
Don't know how true that is, might just be a wild rumour, but it would explain the 'Villa one week, Blues the next' thing

[Legion]

McLeish could learn a lot from this thread, a simple five pound t-shirt purchase from the club shop would render all of his previous unpopularity forgotton.

It's £8.

[andyh]

I thought he was possibly the best player on the pitch on Saturday (Sessignon the other).
He completely bossed midfield, and his range of passes seems to have improved.
I also though he was unlucky to be sent off, but at least it gave a chance to show off his t-shirt.

[PeterWithe]

We've done this plenty of times but the story I got from someone who knew the family was that the mom and dad followed Villa and Blues, I forget which was which, craig followed villa and gary blues. If that's true saying you are a blues fan when you are not is criminally insane and rather than be resigned, he should be sent to Rampton
 

[Rick_avfc]

Seriously now, does it matter who he supports?  Does it really matter that he once said he was a villa fan but then came out of the closet and said he was a blues fan all along?  We all know football players are not the  brightest people on this planet and a number of them have proved this over the years.

Personally, I dont believe any of them are Villa fans and that they all support blues but I couldn't careless as long as they (well, not Craig anymore) do the business for AVFC.

[TonyD]

Letting go of him was another of PH's mistakes.

[myf]

Can see him at the albion next year

They are all noses.

Do you mean his family?  I just think if he's homesick he'll be looking for a move closer to home and they would seem an obvious choice, particulalry with Foster and Ridgewell making the move there.

[Billy Walker]

We've done this plenty of times but the story I got from someone who knew the family was that the mom and dad followed Villa and Blues, I forget which was which, craig followed villa and gary blues. If that's true saying you are a blues fan when you are not is criminally insane and rather than be resigned, he should be sent to Rampton
 

I've lost count now of the number of articles and interviews I've read about GG where he says he's a Villa fan.  I read an article last week that said half the Gardner boys support Villa, the other half Blues.  At the end of the day it doesn't matter and I am pretty sure they all have a good, healthy respect for both clubs.  Craig and Gary doing the business for Villa would be a win-win for all concerned I reckon.

...Just to add, if either of them happened to be gloryhunting followers of clubs from further afield my views would be a little different.  At least these lads are proud of their roots and support local football.  I've plenty of time for them for that too.

[mrfuse]

If this is the standard of player we are after this summer then we are in real trouble over the next couple of years.  Very ordinary.  Works hard and I respect him for wearing the Support Stan T shirt on Saturday, but I wouldn't want him back if it's at the expense of being able to spend the money for him elsewhere.

To be honest I dont think this is the standard of player we will be after this summer..................It will be a standard lower.

[JJ-AV]

I don't dislike him. We got good money for him (at the time) and you've got to respect him for wanting first team football.

However he's obviously thick as shit. He lied about his allegiances and just makes him look even more stupid.

I wouldn't have him back, he's extremely limited and a regressive footballer. But if he was here he wouldn't be the first one I'd get rid of, if that makes sense.

[JJ-AV]

I'd much rather Bannan play... Or even someone like Guthrie.

Saying that, if we're gonna take a reserve centre mid from Newcastle I'd prefer Gosling!