Winter musings

[dave.woodhall]

Richard Keeling has a look around and a think.

https://heroesandvillains.info/2026/01/05/winter-musings/

[tomd2103]

Interesting read.  Not sure about the name given in the piece to the Blues new stadium design though. 

[steamer]

48 years ago
it was my second European away game, exotic is a good description
our team was there for most of the week and as a 21 year old Istanbul certainly opened my eyes, it was not what is now a tourist hub.
State of emergency, power cuts, locals that resembled pirates from captain pugwash.
The travel agent advised us to watch midnight express before going and be aware of anyone trying to sell you dope as it would probably be cops setting you up to get their quota of arrests. when sidled up to by two greasy looking chaps in leather coats offering to sell me, shit. I jumped into the road waving my arms shouting no, no room for ambiguity.
The game is a bit of a blur, the ground was a long way from where we were staying,
We did not travel with the official tour, I think we paid at the gate.
At the end of the game it was fair to say we were nervous.
In the stand opposite the cheerful home fans were burning flags.
It must have turned out OK as I am still around.
I have never had an inclination to return, good luck to everyone who travels later this month and stay safe.

[Godfrey Brian]

I was at the same game Steamer. My first European away match at 19 the result of a heady vow to 'travel anywhere' when we qualified (expecting Italy or France). We went independently and ended up with ten Villa fans in seats right next to the home end and surrounded by home fans. Have to say it was a great , if nervy,experience, the people around us were really friendly and treated us as celebrities. The only issue arose when one of us tried to share a bottle of whisky with a group who didn't want to and things got heated when the bottle was smashed!!!!!.Istanbul was a real eye opener to us inexperienced travellers though. It seemed that anything was available on those streets!
 
Enjoyed your article Richard.

[ChicagoLion]

Very good.

[Whiney MacWhineface]

Good stuff.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

An excellent read.
Thank you Richard.
UTV

[lovejoy]

Interesting read.  Not sure about the name given in the piece to the Blues new stadium design though. 

 I agree unless I’m missing something, this is an unnecessary and offensive reference.

[algy]

Interesting read.  Not sure about the name given in the piece to the Blues new stadium design though. 

 I agree unless I’m missing something, this is an unnecessary and offensive reference.

I'd guess it's a reference to the Theatre of Chimneys rather than any intentionally offensive remark.  Though it's not hard to see how it could be interpretted that way and be weaponised by, as an entirely hypothetical example, a poster with very strong ideological beliefs and a determination to paint anyone who contradicts their beliefs as antisemetic.

[cdbearsfan]

Yeah, maybe trying to be shocking like Sid Vicious but, I'm not keen on that name. The Dildome is better, IMO.

[Brend'Watkins]

There are plenty of jokey names used for this proposed stadium the one used in this piece isn’t one of them. Otherwise it’s a good piece.