Villa Park Redevelopment

[Percy McCarthy]

Hi Everyone,
New poster here . I'm really interested in the potential ground development. I love Villa Park.
I think to extend the Witton Lane stand it would mean re-routing Witton Lane itself which would be a major job.
I am a ST holder in the upper Witton , the concourse is a joke up there so would love some improvements but I can't see it happening anytime soon

Hi Tim. Yes, the facilities up there are woeful - I was in there for the Forest and Newcastle games. How times change though. I remember risking life and limb going to the toilet in the Kop at the Sty, up near the Tilton End. Ridiculously steep steps down into a dark hole, literally a hole in the terrace. (I used to go to the Sty often when they opened the gates at half-time). Back then we just accepted it (although it was worse than anything at Villa Park).

[Louzie0]

Hi VillaTim

Welcome to H&V!!
Appreciate the comments about the ground development.
Please keep them coming.

Love
❤️ Louzie0

[VillaTim]

Thanks Percy and Louzie . My first ever game i sat in the new North Stand upper 1978, gone full circle (or will have soon) when it comes down.
Percy i know what you mean about Small Heath, I've stood on the old Tilton away end a few times, jeez what a dump.

[DB]

If you look at what Real Madrid have done and what Barca have just started, it's make our renovations / work look easy.

[Des Little]

If you look at what Real Madrid have done and what Barca have just started, it's make our renovations / work look easy.

I bet they’re glad they aren’t relying on their local council or train operator

[Brazilian Villain]

If you look at what Real Madrid have done and what Barca have just started, it's make our renovations / work look easy.

I bet they’re glad they aren’t relying on their local council or train operator

Also helps that Andrés Calle is a shrewd operator.

[DB]

If you look at what Real Madrid have done and what Barca have just started, it's make our renovations / work look easy.

I bet they’re glad they aren’t relying on their local council or train operator

Absolutely, no way these sort of issues would be a problem.

[The Edge]

Hi Everyone,
New poster here . I'm really interested in the potential ground development. I love Villa Park.
I think to extend the Witton Lane stand it would mean re-routing Witton Lane itself which would be a major job.
I am a ST holder in the upper Witton , the concourse is a joke up there so would love some improvements but I can't see it happening anytime soon

Hi Tim. Yes, the facilities up there are woeful - I was in there for the Forest and Newcastle games. How times change though. I remember risking life and limb going to the toilet in the Kop at the Sty, up near the Tilton End. Ridiculously steep steps down into a dark hole, literally a hole in the terrace. (I used to go to the Sty often when they opened the gates at half-time). Back then we just accepted it (although it was worse than anything at Villa Park).

Haha. We used to do that Percy. A group of us would go from Saltley where I grew up and get into ground at half time for free. When there was a goal we would be picking up all the change they dropped which would buy pop and a bag of chips on the way home. Those bogs at the sty were like something from a third world country. The stench was truly horrific. Still is lol

[dave.woodhall]

As Percy said to me many years ago, I wonder how much of their violent reputation came because they used to open the gates half an hour before the end so the rapscallions and ne'erdowells hanging round town would wander up to watch what passed for football there then cause mischief.

[The Edge]

As Percy said to me many years ago, I wonder how much of their violent reputation came because they used to open the gates half an hour before the end so the rapscallions and ne'erdowells hanging round town would wander up to watch what passed for football there then cause mischief.

That sounds about right.

[Virgil Caine]

As Percy said to me many years ago, I wonder how much of their violent reputation came because they used to open the gates half an hour before the end so the rapscallions and ne'erdowells hanging round town would wander up to watch what passed for football there then cause mischief.

That sounds about right.

Hang on a minute though- in times of yore didn't the turnstiles open for the last half hour at Villa Park? I always remember as the lad who was supposed to be 'minding my car' cheerfully saying hello whilst walking past me in the Holte. I imagined he would pelt back to Pugh Road to collect his well earned coin for warding off gangs car thieves attempting to purloin my converted Mini Van. He probably assumed that car theft , if done correctly, would always be between 3 pm to 4.15pm hence his full on commitment for those precious 75 minutes.   

[PeterWithe]

Longer walk from town to VP than the Sty though?

[VILLA MOLE]

As Percy said to me many years ago, I wonder how much of their violent reputation came because they used to open the gates half an hour before the end so the rapscallions and ne'erdowells hanging round town would wander up to watch what passed for football there then cause mischief.

That sounds about right.

Hang on a minute though- in times of yore didn't the turnstiles open for the last half hour at Villa Park? I always remember as the lad who was supposed to be 'minding my car' cheerfully saying hello whilst walking past me in the Holte. I imagined he would pelt back to Pugh Road to collect his well earned coin for warding off gangs car thieves attempting to purloin my converted Mini Van. He probably assumed that car theft , if done correctly, would always be between 3 pm to 4.15pm hence his full on commitment for those precious 75 minutes.   

that made me laugh

[The Edge]

As Percy said to me many years ago, I wonder how much of their violent reputation came because they used to open the gates half an hour before the end so the rapscallions and ne'erdowells hanging round town would wander up to watch what passed for football there then cause mischief.

That sounds about right.

Hang on a minute though- in times of yore didn't the turnstiles open for the last half hour at Villa Park? I always remember as the lad who was supposed to be 'minding my car' cheerfully saying hello whilst walking past me in the Holte. I imagined he would pelt back to Pugh Road to collect his well earned coin for warding off gangs car thieves attempting to purloin my converted Mini Van. He probably assumed that car theft , if done correctly, would always be between 3 pm to 4.15pm hence his full on commitment for those precious 75 minutes.

They did open the gates at Villa Park at half time. But St Andrews is walkable from town whereas Villa Park isn't.

[dave.woodhall]

Villa Park was never more than fifteen, or maybe twenty, minutes before the match ended. Then again, sometimes there'd be a queue.