Quote from: Chris Jameson on December 22, 2013, 01:58:03 PMIt's a terrible tragedy and condolences to family and friends but a 'lifelong dream for a minutes silence' comes across as emotional blackmail. There would be a minutes silence before every single football match if clubs started doing it each time a supporter dies.I just think the idea of a 22 year old having a 'lifelong dream for a minutes silence' is beyond believable. Has anyone ever met anyone of that age who's said anything of the like?
It's a terrible tragedy and condolences to family and friends but a 'lifelong dream for a minutes silence' comes across as emotional blackmail. There would be a minutes silence before every single football match if clubs started doing it each time a supporter dies.
Quote from: Ad@m on December 22, 2013, 02:19:28 PMQuote from: Chris Jameson on December 22, 2013, 01:58:03 PMIt's a terrible tragedy and condolences to family and friends but a 'lifelong dream for a minutes silence' comes across as emotional blackmail. There would be a minutes silence before every single football match if clubs started doing it each time a supporter dies.I just think the idea of a 22 year old having a 'lifelong dream for a minutes silence' is beyond believable. Has anyone ever met anyone of that age who's said anything of the like?Condolences agreed, but no, it is not a life long dream of mine (24).
I think we should put a mention of this sad loss in the next programme and a mention at the last home game of those Villa fans/players/officials who have passed away in the last year.Pauline and myself have stopped at the place in Broad Street where flowers / messages have been left. All very, very sad.
Quote from: edgysatsuma89 on December 22, 2013, 02:36:08 PMQuote from: Ad@m on December 22, 2013, 02:19:28 PMQuote from: Chris Jameson on December 22, 2013, 01:58:03 PMIt's a terrible tragedy and condolences to family and friends but a 'lifelong dream for a minutes silence' comes across as emotional blackmail. There would be a minutes silence before every single football match if clubs started doing it each time a supporter dies.I just think the idea of a 22 year old having a 'lifelong dream for a minutes silence' is beyond believable. Has anyone ever met anyone of that age who's said anything of the like?Condolences agreed, but no, it is not a life long dream of mine (24).It reminds me of when people discuss a person's funeral and say it's what he/she would have wanted. Do many people actually discuss their funerals in advance? I have, and have written a will. Maybe more do than I realise, but suspect when you're younger death is viewed as something that only happens to other people.
Very sad...but I have to agree with much of what has already been said. It seems that almost every game these days is preceded by a minutes silence/applause/laughter...so much so that it is almost renedering the whole thing meaningless. A minutes silence has the power to be extremely moving and at times cathartic but not when it's done every week.
It's a tragedy and I feel for his family but a Facebook campaign? It smacks of emotional blackmail and I can see the inevitable "Heartless club snubs fan" story unfolding.
By Matt Lloyd | 22/12/13 Friends of an Aston Villa fanatic killed in a road smash have called on the club to pay silent tribute to the superfan at its Boxing Day fixture.Student Jody O’Reilly was hit by a car just hours before he was due to see his beloved Villa play Manchester United last Sunday. Originally from Ireland, the 22-year-old enrolled at Wolverhampton University in 2010 - just to be closer to the club.And days before his death, Jody spoke on Talksport Radio to pundit, and former Villa star, Stan Collymore.Jody discussed his team and said how much he was looking forward to Christmas.But his life was cut short in the early hours of December 15 when he was hit by a car on Broad Street. Despite the efforts of medics, he died at Birmingham’s City HospitalLast night friends dubbed the popular sport and exercise science student “one in a billion” and urged Villa to stage a minute’s silence.Best mate Ritchie Cartwright Ball has launched an on-line campaign to honour his friend at the game with Crystal Palace on Thursday.He said: “Jody was always at the forefront of everything that went on, he was one in a billion. He was the life and soul of the party.“Jody was everyone’s friend. You wouldn’t meet anybody who didn’t know him and like him.“There were people at the uni who came from India and had never been in the country before. Jody helped them to learn English and interact.“He changed the lives of so many people.”Over 10,000 have backed the Facebook campaign since it was launched on Friday.And while strict Premier League rules make a minute’s silence unlikely, it is hoped some kind of tribute can be paid.Villa players past and present, including Brad Guzan and Stiliyan Petrov, have retweeted the appeal on Twitter.Ritchie said: “Jody was a Villa fan his whole life, his whole family are Irish Villa fans. That’s why he came to Wolverhampton so he could be close to Villa, that was his main motivation.”The tribute page on Facebook, which includes a video from former Villa player Barry Bannan, has been inundated with calls for the club to honour Jody.The defender, now at Crystal Palace, said: “This is to the family of Jody O’Reilly. I heard the sad news and to want to offer my commiserations for what’s happened and say my thoughts are with you.”A meeting is set to take place today between campaigners and the club, while a tribute in the Boxing Day match programme has also been planned.Ritchie added: “I’ve been blown away by the support, it’s so surreal. Jody would be in his element as the centre of attention.“He’d be loving it.”*A 21-year-old man was arrested by police on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving hours after Jody’s death.