Villa 2 Chelsea 6 circa 1966.

[dave shelley]

In a different context in the not too distant past.  I recall (on the telly)  Jimmy Bullard getting a standing ovation by the whole ground as he was helped off with a knee injury only a couple of games after coming back from a long lay-off with another knee injury.  It sounded great on the telly so it must have been tremendous there.

[IQLowe 33]

Re Francis I'm only stating what I heard from Blues fans. As I said I was highly dubious.

How would they know, we were playing QPR?

  So you won't take "yes" for an answer?

I haven't got a fucking clue what this means, but as I was there I that day I'd trust my own memory over some people that wouldn't have even been at the game.

And you know what bluenoses are like in general mate, they're hopeless liars and fantasists, I'm sure you'd agree.

To be fair (which seems to be slightly politcally incorrect to some of you) ALL football clubs have their liars and fantasists and in fact Villa would actually have more than our beloved neighbours by virtue of have a far bigger fan base.

[robbyfvillain]

In a different context in the not too distant past.  I recall (on the telly)  Jimmy Bullard getting a standing ovation by the whole ground as he was helped off with a knee injury only a couple of games after coming back from a long lay-off with another knee injury.  It sounded great on the telly so it must have been tremendous there.

It was tremendous. I would also say that the villa park crowd has always been fairly generous to opposition players who have had exceptional performances. I also applauded Paul Scholes goal as did many around me, so to be honest I think the original poster is incorrect in his assumption that opposition players aren't applauded in the modern game. 

[IQLowe 33]

In a different context in the not too distant past.  I recall (on the telly)  Jimmy Bullard getting a standing ovation by the whole ground as he was helped off with a knee injury only a couple of games after coming back from a long lay-off with another knee injury.  It sounded great on the telly so it must have been tremendous there.

It was tremendous. I would also say that the villa park crowd has always been fairly generous to opposition players who have had exceptional performances. I also applauded Paul Scholes goal as did many around me, so to be honest I think the original poster is incorrect in his assumption that opposition players aren't applauded in the modern game.

Finally a Villa fan who isn't ashamed to admit to being fair minded. Since the point I was making that football crowds of a few years back were much less partisan than they are today I'd say that from the tone of some of the replies my opinion seems to have been somewhat vindicated.

[Chico Hamilton III]

football crowds of a few years back were much less partisan than they are today

"we're often partisan...."

[Chris Jameson]

You are without doubt on a wind up, "politically incorrect", what the fuck are you talking about? Several people have said they have applauded opposition players but all those of us who were at Villa Park when francis was with QPR have all confirmed he wasn't applauded but that doesn't fit in with whatever narrative or point you are trying and failing spectacularly to make.

[IQLowe 33]

You are without doubt on a wind up, "politically incorrect", what the fuck are you talking about? Several people have said they have applauded opposition players but all those of us who were at Villa Park when francis was with QPR have all confirmed he wasn't applauded but that doesn't fit in with whatever narrative or point you are trying and failing spectacularly to make.

  If you read my stuff more carefully you might have noticed that I merely inquired about Franicis and stated that I was extremely dubious as the accuracy of such reports. And yes several punters have indeed said that they have applauded opposision players on occasions but others seem to think that it was almost effete to do so.

I see you've resorted a bit of Anglo saxon; are you getting hot under the collar by any chance? I'm not trying to wind anybody up here only reporting on a memory which may be faulty. If I'm wrong I can live with it- I've been wrong before and I survived.

[Ron Manager]

Are you,  what is it the young people say.....a troll?

[IQLowe 33]

I'm finding out very quickly the definition of "troll": somebody who argues calmly and doesn't resort to personal abuse. If you want me to stop I'll do so- I've got FAR things to do with my time than wriggle around in some verbal cul de sac.

[robbyfvillain]

In a different context in the not too distant past.  I recall (on the telly)  Jimmy Bullard getting a standing ovation by the whole ground as he was helped off with a knee injury only a couple of games after coming back from a long lay-off with another knee injury.  It sounded great on the telly so it must have been tremendous there.

It was tremendous. I would also say that the villa park crowd has always been fairly generous to opposition players who have had exceptional performances. I also applauded Paul Scholes goal as did many around me, so to be honest I think the original poster is incorrect in his assumption that opposition players aren't applauded in the modern game.

Finally a Villa fan who isn't ashamed to admit to being fair minded. Since the point I was making that football crowds of a few years back were much less partisan than they are today I'd say that from the tone of some of the replies my opinion seems to have been somewhat vindicated.

Well you're completely wrong. Look at the Jimmy Bullard incident where almost the whole crowd clapped him off. I have been going down the Villa for over 55 years and would say it hasn't changed over that time. It isn't a frequent occurence either now or back in the sixties but it still happens.

[IQLowe 33]

Certainly wasn't a frequent occurence even back then- which is why I recall (think I recall) the volume of appreciation for Tambling.

[robbyfvillain]

Certainly wasn't a frequent occurence even back then- which is why I recall (think I recall) the volume of appreciation for Tambling.

I don't know whether you ever use guns at any time, but if you do, remember not to point it at your feet in case it ever goes off!

[IQLowe 33]

You'll have to explain that to me. I'm a bit slow see? Are you suggesting that I've shot myself in the foot because I the outrageous gall to disagree with you and one or two others? In any case I actually do think we live in a coarser more self centred time than the period to which I'm referring. I really do.

[Chris Jameson]

I've got it, you're a discarded Viz character.

[IQLowe 33]

Ok, I'm pulling out here. I tried to be courteous and patient and I got roasted.

Sad really.