View From the Opposition - WBA fan

[Rudy Can't Fail]

We have a considerable number of supporters who are based in Devon. They catch a mini bus to our home games. I've seen around four of them on match days

Thanks, Liam. I have to admire your considerable honesty.

[eastie]

We have a considerable number of supporters who are based in Devon. They catch a mini bus to our home games. I've seen around four of them on match days

Thanks, Liam. I have to admire your considerable honesty.

I suggest that's stretching considerably the word considerable - maybe a few would be more apt?

[The Man With A Stick]

We have a considerable number of supporters who are based in Devon. They catch a mini bus to our home games. Due to the timing of games, they are therefore unable to make the evening matches which knocks a bit off the attendance

Bloody hell, how big is that mini bus? 

It's an Airbus A380.

[eastie]

We have a considerable number of supporters who are based in Devon. They catch a mini bus to our home games. Due to the timing of games, they are therefore unable to make the evening matches which knocks a bit off the attendance

Bloody hell, how big is that mini bus? 

It's an Airbus A380.

More like a clapped out ford escort

[Liam_Baggies]

We have a considerable number of supporters who are based in Devon. They catch a mini bus to our home games. I've seen around four of them on match days

Thanks, Liam. I have to admire your considerable honesty.

I suggest that's stretching considerably the word considerable - maybe a few would be more apt?

Considerable. I'd say approximately 100 - some of whom travel, some of who don't - unsure of the numbers in London if I'm being honest.

As I aluded to earlier in my posts, we have a large number of casual supporters, too, which will explain empty seats.

[Liam_Baggies]

We have a considerable number of supporters who are based in Devon. They catch mini buses to our home games. Due to the timing of games, they are therefore unable to make the evening matches which knocks a bit off the attendance - think our supporters club in London has plenty of members who are unable to make night matches, also - they then watch our matches in the Albion pub based in London.

I thought we would have sold out but we tend to have a large element of supporters who have turned into casual supporters. It is much easier and cheaper for them to watch the game with their mates in the sportsman, eating a lovely bit of chicken tikka with a pint, able to have a laugh than to pay £39 to be treated like an animal. I personally wouldn't pay more than £30 to watch a football game and many others feel that way.

Attendances are dropping across the country and that is down to greed from clubs and their insistance on removing fun from the game. In a period where football clubs should be encouraging young kids to come to football matches, we're forcing them away and that's happened at the Albion until we had no choice but to reduce season ticket prices - a rarity in this day and age.

[eastie]

We have a considerable number of supporters who are based in Devon. They catch a mini bus to our home games. I've seen around four of them on match days

Thanks, Liam. I have to admire your considerable honesty.

I suggest that's stretching considerably the word considerable - maybe a few would be more apt?

Considerable. I'd say approximately 100 - some of whom travel, some of who don't - unsure of the numbers in London if I'm being honest.

As I aluded to earlier in my posts, we have a large number of casual supporters, too, which will explain empty seats.

In all fairness, fair play to anyone travelling that distance to watch their team .

[peter w]

When did they start caring about us more than they do the Dogheads? I seem to re-call 1988-2012 they were obsessed by the Wolfs.

Villa vs Albion has always traditionally been the Midlands Derby.

It was only after we sold our best assets, suffered financial mismanagement that our derby with Wolves was born as the fixture became more regular.

Here is a blog which best sums up the situation: http://coachdaveblog.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/the-two-big-wba-rivalries.html

Good article.

however, I must pull you up over one point.

We really don't care if you finish above us, we do not have it in a list of achievements. We 'expect' it. That's the difference. There are times, such as now, when we aren't the leading team. But we, mostly I think, see that as a blip onthe bigger picture. which is to be vying for top 6 spots again. It may not happen ina  very long time and if so, and if you stick around, then the derby against you will take on more significance.

If, and when, we do get it right being top dogs, or pride of the midlands isn't something we'll sing about it. Its just something we do.

[KevinGage]

That's the funniest thing about that song. 

They'll sing that against Man U, Liverpool, Everton or whoever and I'm sure fans of those clubs  -like the rest of the footballing world-  couldn't give a shit.  Who, outside of Olbiyun fans or B-lose when they manage it (very) rarely honestly cares. 

It's not as if being top dog in the Midlands at any given time is indicative of being a good side, that the amount of thoroughbreads in the area raises the quality levels.  We've had some truly horrific sides in the past and still been the best in the region.

[Ads]

I don't think it helps the Albion or the Noses for that matter having us 4 miles to the east and west respectively.

You will find plenty of Villa fans in areas such as Halesowen where the split is probably  50/50. Further afield, you will get a good number of Villa fans in Stourbridge. This isn't reflected though an equal mileage the otherway into Brum, where places lile Sutton and Erdington must easily be 75% plus Villa.

Its the same with the Noses; plenty of Villa Solihull way, but anything west of Yardley and you're struggling to spot a Nose.

That map provided by travel West Midlands showing the footprint of support was evidence of this; in essence there was a strong Villa pressence just about everywhere, with Albion and SHA being localised.

It creates a phenomena of having two clubs in Albion and SHA who reside in large population centres, but actually draw on support on a similar level to the smaller towns in the North West.

[Sexual Ealing]

From the blog Liam linked to: "Only three miles separates the two grounds. But culturally it's like two different countries. The stereotype suggests Black Country folk on the whole are down to earth, simple and humble people. Brummies are sometimes brasher, louder and boastful."

Do these stereotypes really exist? If so that's hilarious. And if not that's hilarious.

[pauliewalnuts]

however, I must pull you up over one point.

We really don't care if you finish above us, we do not have it in a list of achievements. We 'expect' it. That's the difference.

Bingo. Absolutely spot on, I think that's the major differing factor between us and Albion and Blues.

Finished above us the last two years. Honestly, is it that big a deal for them? Is that anything to really crow about?

Finished 8th and 10th the last two seasons, and they consider that doing "very well", whereas for us, it'd be seen as mediocre.

Then there's the whole "you've fallen on hard times" thing which they spin out from that. Fallen on hard times, but still not fallen anything like hard enough to get relegated in the last quarter of a century.

As I said before, I don't really care too much about Albion, I don't have an axe to grind with them, as I've met about five Albion fans in the 45 years I've been on the planet - 30 of which have been spent living in, or around, Birmingham.

I do, though, find some of the stuff they have come out with over the last couple of years to be both hilarious and perplexing in equal measures.

[Liam_Baggies]

From the blog Liam linked to: "Only three miles separates the two grounds. But culturally it's like two different countries. The stereotype suggests Black Country folk on the whole are down to earth, simple and humble people. Brummies are sometimes brasher, louder and boastful."

Do these stereotypes really exist? If so that's hilarious. And if not that's hilarious.

The Brummies I talk to are generally quite loud so I would imagine that's right.

I see Black Country folk as your folk that sit in the corner of the pub with your pork scratchings reading the paper. Your Birmingham folk are those in the night club chatting up the women.

Shite analogy, but something like that. 

[Sexual Ealing]

From the blog Liam linked to: "Only three miles separates the two grounds. But culturally it's like two different countries. The stereotype suggests Black Country folk on the whole are down to earth, simple and humble people. Brummies are sometimes brasher, louder and boastful."

Do these stereotypes really exist? If so that's hilarious. And if not that's hilarious.

The Brummies I talk to are generally quite loud so I would imagine that's right.

I see Black Country folk as your folk that sit in the corner of the pub with your pork scratchings reading the paper. Your Birmingham folk are those in the night club chatting up the women.

Shite analogy, but something like that. 

Not so humble that they wouldn't eat my pork scratchings then!

[Liam_Baggies]

Bingo. Absolutely spot on, I think that's the major differing factor between us and Albion and Blues.

Finished above us the last two years. Honestly, is it that big a deal for them? Is that anything to really crow about?

Finished 8th and 10th the last two seasons, and they consider that doing "very well", whereas for us, it'd be seen as mediocre.

Then there's the whole "you've fallen on hard times" thing which they spin out from that. Fallen on hard times, but still not fallen anything like hard enough to get relegated in the last quarter of a century.

It's something no matter how many times it gets explained you will never understand it.

We've lived having to suffer your arrogance, the looking down on us and forever letting us know just how "small" we are and how "big" you are.

It means something to us because it is hilarious watching the big brother of the region finally being knocked off their perch. You have a good history and your expectations are naturally much higher than ours, but we'll laugh at seeing your side fail to meet your high expectations which lets be honest - may, at times, be slightly over the top.

If you would have had the school days that I had, just maybe, just maybe, you might understand. We're obsessed with our club - but we'll take great delight in watching you fail because we've had your successes rammed down our throats for years on end.

Unless you're an Albion fan or a bluenose you'll never understand it - you'll just claim we're small time and obsessed until you're blue in the face

That's fine by me, carry on.