Lost My Dad nearly a month ago now, time has flown by.
Dad grew up in Stockland Green and was a Villa Fan at birth born into a family of Villa fans.
My Dad was the one who decided I should be a Villa fan! I had a soft spot for the Baggies when I was 6, not really a supporter but I liked the shirts! My Uncle Bill took me to my First ever football match which was West Brom V Chelsea. I would have been about 7. When I got home my Dad asked me if I'd enjoyed the match at the Baggies??? I said yes! Dad then asked me if I would like to go again, of course was my reply to which my Dad said that I could , but unfortunately that would mean that I wouldn't be able to eat in our house any more and I would have to move out. The other option would be that he would get some tickets for the Villa and I would have to go with him. I was 7 I believed him!! So off I went to my first Villa Game, sat in Trinity road stand what a fantastic stand that was for a Kid to behold . all the wood and the foot stamping when we got a corner! Villa V Spurs we lost 4-2 and I have always hated Spurs ever since! That was it I was a Villa fan for life. Once we started going regularly we moved into the Holte where my dad's mates stood. Me down the front with the other young uns, chewing the railings, why diid the kids do that?
Thanks Dad for having the sense to pull me back from the dark side of the Baggies and bring me to my Spiritual home, The Villa! I will always miss him an he has left a great hole in my Soul. I maintain my Season ticket and make the journey from Stonehenge to VP every home game. I will be at Arsenal on Saturday and will have a special moment thinking about my Dad. Holte eneder in the Sky
