Visiting Bodymoor Heath

[kieron]

I acknowledge there are bigger issues to discuss and talk about at the moment, but I’m wondering if any of you can assist me.

As it’s half term, my two young lads keep badgering me to take them to Bodymoor so they can “meet the players”, “get their autographs” and “see them train”.

Having never been, what can you tell me about the place? Is what they’re asking of me even allowed? What is the general protocol?


Any knowledge sharing appreciated.

[CT]

We did the tour of VP a while ago and the guy was saying Bodymoor is like Fort Knox now.

The days of watching them train are long gone. You can wait by the gates and players will generally stop for photos and autographs but I think that's your lot.

[Witton Warrior]

They do an "open" training day at VP (Easter maybe) don't they?
Best check the tickets/events section of the official site.

[Salsa Party Animal]

Perhaps due to spying / filming from mobile phones and social networking.

[Broughty-Villian]

hahahahahahahaha who'd want to spy on Villa training lol

[Bad English]

That made me laugh. HD videos of our set-piece training and corners on YouTube. Hahahahah!

[kieron]

We did the tour of VP a while ago and the guy was saying Bodymoor is like Fort Knox now.

The days of watching them train are long gone. You can wait by the gates and players will generally stop for photos and autographs but I think that's your lot.

Cheers, CT.

Would anyone be aware of the days they do actually train, and what sort of time they arrive?

[Sexual Ealing]

I understand that they trained once under Gerard Houllier and didn't much like it.

[Ron Manager]

I understand that they trained once under Gerard Houllier and didn't much like it.

Very good SE very good

[Legion]

I go there regularly on a Sunday to watch Cam play for the U14s. No chance of going anywhere else further than the lower/middle playing-fields. Fort Knox is an understatement.

[CT]

I understand that they trained once under Gerard Houllier and didn't much like it.

Ashley Westwood's corners don't just happen you know! Stuff like that takes years of careful nurturing at Bodymoor.

[kieron]

I go there regularly on a Sunday to watch Cam play for the U14s. No chance of going anywhere else further than the lower/middle playing-fields. Fort Knox is an understatement.

Cheers.

Should I let my lads down gently, then? Sounds as though there's little point making the trip...

[SoccerHQ]

You could still watch them train in the early days of MON but since it got redeveloped they now train on pitches far away from public view and you'll probably get the youth team instead.

Haven't been in years so no idea if the players still come out the main exit but most used to stop from around half 12.

[NickyF]

I took my kids last year as we were camping close by before a game. We got to the main building and I managed to get a photo of them outside before being chased off by a brainless security guard who treated us like terrorists despite my kids being in Villa kits. Don't bother.

[Rudy65]

That made me laugh. HD videos of our set-piece training and corners on YouTube. Hahahahah!

featuring Ashley Westwood continually firing into the keepers arms over and over again. should make good viewing