With the international break upon us it gives us Villans a timely hiatus from the rigours of Premier League football, an interlude to circle the wagons and take stock of our current situation.
I also feel we need to forget about the tactics and certain players’ misgivings and take the opportunity for a lighter look at football and AVFC in particular.
I mentioned quite recently in one of my comments our halcyon days, the memories of players past and, more important, of our match day experiences—places we used to meet and drink, favourite players, favourite away grounds. I am particularly interested in how some our lads overseas got hooked on the Villa.
So just to kick it off I will throw a few names and places into the mix, the Midland Hotel, the Shakespeare, the old “C”s, the Hole in the Wall…these are just a few of the old haunts.
Curtis, Aitken, Carrodus, Cropley, Little, Rioch, Chico, Ray Graydon, and many many more. Some of your favourites might be more recent: Mellberg or Laursen—we have hundreds to pick from.
Away days were always what we looked forward to, especially if it was a ground we had never been to. Highbury was always a favourite of mine not just because we won the title there but we would always fill the clock end and make loads of noise. Most grounds in the Midlands we visited we would always take thousands and swamp the home support.
So when our future is looking unsteady, although I am sure PL will pull us through these tough times, tell AVL about your time as a Villan and share those times when you could buy a whole club for the same amount as a month’s salary for Mario Balotelli.
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