Randy Lerner

[Monty]

It's not a fable. He pissed fans off at the time if I remember rightly, and it wasn't that long ago either.

And I remember thinking it was crazy at the time. He was there for a while, had quite a spell there, nearly died (and received very warm support from the fans when he was ill) - and Liverpool's an emotional club at the best of times, never mind in situations like that. As far as I'm concerned, he could have started and finished every press conference at Villa with a full rendition of 'You'll Never Walk Alone' in five languages, so long as he put his all into winning us football matches (which he did).

[Clampy]

Was it the first time he'd been back since he left or was it his first time back with another club?

[Legion]

I liked Houllier (a lot) but he was described to me as being aloof and not interested in proceedings. MO'N was volatile to put it mildly. Best kept away from for days if we lost. McLeish was genuinely bothered about all things at the club, even down to the youngest Academy kids. Lambert was only interested in the first XI and did not want any access allowed to them during training which is one of the reasons BMH is now a closed-shop.

[dave.woodhall]

Was it the first time he'd been back since he left or was it his first time back with another club?

First officially, I think.

[Legion]

First time back, I believe.

[Clampy]

If it was his first time back, then you can understand it although it did seem a bit over the top at the time.

[saunders_heroes]

Remember him touching the "This is Anfield" sign in the tunnel while managing the opposition team which happened to be the Villa. Dear oh dear.

[PeterWithesShin]

I'd imagine he'd been back before then, but not in a "walk down the touchline as manager" kind of thing. Much as I assume SGT had been to Villa Park between leaving and the Watford game, you have to fancy he did some scouting there as England manager as we had Platt and Sid.

[Monty]

Remember him touching the "This is Anfield" sign in the tunnel while managing the opposition team which happened to be the Villa. Dear oh dear.

Yeah, and deliberately throwing the match as well! Oh, wait...

[Legion]

Remember him touching the "This is Anfield" sign in the tunnel while managing the opposition team which happened to be the Villa. Dear oh dear.

That was about it.

[PeterWithesShin]

Remember him touching the "This is Anfield" sign in the tunnel while managing the opposition team which happened to be the Villa. Dear oh dear.

Maybe that was a superstition thing for him, it's hardly the end of the world is it? If Sir Brian touched a Villa badge, a lion rampant or whatever in the tunnel at VP before a game when he was the manager of the opposition would you really expect their fans to still be whining about it 5 years later?

[Toronto Villa]

Remember him touching the "This is Anfield" sign in the tunnel while managing the opposition team which happened to be the Villa. Dear oh dear.

It truly is and was a "so what?" moment. The very definition of storm in a teacup.

[saunders_heroes]

Remember him touching the "This is Anfield" sign in the tunnel while managing the opposition team which happened to be the Villa. Dear oh dear.

Maybe that was a superstition thing for him, it's hardly the end of the world is it? If Sir Brian touched a Villa badge, a lion rampant or whatever in the tunnel at VP before a game when he was the manager of the opposition would you really expect their fans to still be whining about it 5 years later?

No one said it was the end of the world but Christ this is the Villa we're talking about not a lower league club having a big day out at Anfield in the Cup.

[PeterWithesShin]

Hypothetical obviously. but what if Sir Brian, SGT, in fact any ex Villa manager, did it as Liverpool manager when visiting VP as it was part of a superstition he had? Would you expect them to still be going on about it 5 years later?

[Monty]

Remember him touching the "This is Anfield" sign in the tunnel while managing the opposition team which happened to be the Villa. Dear oh dear.

Maybe that was a superstition thing for him, it's hardly the end of the world is it? If Sir Brian touched a Villa badge, a lion rampant or whatever in the tunnel at VP before a game when he was the manager of the opposition would you really expect their fans to still be whining about it 5 years later?

No one said it was the end of the world but Christ this is the Villa we're talking about not a lower league club having a big day out at Anfield in the Cup.

But he didn't do it at Old Trafford, or the Emirates, or anywhere else. He wasn't overrawed, he didn't feel excited at his 'big day out' - Liverpool were a big part of his life, and if you can't forgive him for being a bit emotional about that I sort of worry for you.