“The Story of What Made Villa Special”
From the very words of George Ramsay, Fred Rinder and other early architects and supporters of the great Club, published in newspapers of long ago, this book brings to light the character of those early leaders and the methods they used to keep the Villa ahead of the pack. The book also provides more light on the person of Jimmy Hogan, a famous coach who came to the Villa in 1936 with the order to get the Villa back on the map! He went on to serve the Villa for a total of 9 years, in two periods spanning 23 years, and left a blueprint for football that the world has since followed.
Moreover, John tells the tale of the Villa’s first ground at Perry Barr and, drawing on the research of those that have looked into the origins of the Aston Lower Grounds, conveys the story of how Villa Park emerged from what was once part of Aston Hall’s grounds.
Embedded into those accounts he records the main footballing triumphs of the Club in its first (mainly glorious) 70 years’ history.
The book is well illustrated, and includes some images not seen for many years.
In fact, John has not only included much new material, but also has managed to condense the essence of his 2-volume Aston Villa Chronicles (1874-1924, and after) into 216 A5 pages.
There’s a lot packed into this book that will be of deep interest to avid followers of the Villa’s history. John hopes that “The Villa Way 1874~1944” will prove to be a lasting testament to a great football club.
216 black and white glossy pages. Softback. Price £7.90, UK postage free.
Available from this new on-line bookshop, which includes the books of John Flanner, MBE, the inspirational blind Villa supporter and motivator.
The Author
John Lerwill
I'm a Villan of more than 60 years standing and an occasional writer on Villa history. For me there is only one football club worth supporting, but I am now wondering whether I will again see anything like the pageant that was paraded under Ron Saunders or even that by Big Ron and Brian Little. My glass, however, is always half-full! Click here for my Villa website.Comments 14
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Looks like an interesting read, John. I’ll order that one. Wonder if they’ll just send it normal airmail?
Clive kindly shared this Stan Collymore interview about why Icelandic football has advanced so quickly. It’s well worth a watch.
https://twitter.com/StanCollymore/status/916975338651115520
…. and here’s positivity about Villa’s youth development…
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/tony-xia-aston-villa-academy-13656371
Iana,
Is there an issue with normal airmail?
Not at all JL. Some will only courier stuff, which can become very expensive to here.
Iana,
Standard airmail applies from my bookshop (the one shown).
Hi JL got your email re your new book, I’ll be placing an order but just not sure when, certainly it may end of up a Christmas present to myself 🙂 The very best of luck with it though, has there been any advance in talks with AVFC for them to stock the book.
Re the previous thread, it was a bit disingenuous of you to describe members of the blog as ‘MK and his supporters’. I thought it was quite unnecessary, not to MK but to the members of this blog who are intelligent and have formed their own opinions that happen to mirror MKs. It’s the equivalent of my saying ‘JL and his followers’ and purely by example and no offence meant that OldVilla was incapable of his own thoughts and just regurgitated yours.
I’ve been quite consistent since Bruce joined that I didn’t feel he was the right man for the job and his actions have yet to convince me he is and while I may agree with MK and his analysis of the situation, it’s far from the truth that I’m any sort of follower.
You say that we need to consider the last 5 years in order to view the current positives and that may be so but equally that just clouds judgement because the circumstances and personnel were/are different, the teams we faced were/are different, you alluded to it yourself, there is no like for like comparison possible, so it’s not possible to chart progress beyond we won in September. The Happy Scale may be in the positive in comparison to our last years in the prem but how is happy beating Bolton 1 nil 2017 vs. happy beating Liverpool 1 nil in 2014.
The positives I’ve always taken is that we are under an owner that actually cares, if a little is lost in translation and thankfully has pulled back from the showmanship. As with your link, the infrastructure build on going has me a little impatient for the results as it is fantastic to see what is being done to continue the name of Aston Villa long after we’re all gone. Can’t wait to see the fruits of Round’s labour.
As for the first team, huge positives in having Kodija back given his goal record last season, huge negative in that he is too selfish, huge positive in how the midfield is set up, concerns about defence down to Terry’s age and lack of natural options on the left, Johnstone is looking like he is coming of age.
JL
I think DOR has made some fair comments. I think most posters just call things as they see them for themselves. Sometimes comments are over the top but that’s what happens with football fans.
BTW, have ordered your book. Look forward to reading it.
DOR: “Re the previous thread, it was a bit disingenuous of you to describe members of the blog as ‘MK and his supporters’. I thought it was quite unnecessary…”
Yes, reading that statement afresh I can see how it’s been read. But I did qualify the statement when IanG raised the same point … that I was speaking of those that follow the trend of discussing Bruce in a somewhat derogatory way. I might have said “Darren and his supporters” in that context. 😉
The point is, Darren, that I am virtually the only one on the blog who stays off handing out any criticism of Bruce, especially as we’ve had a good run and I believe the signs are there that we’re getting somewhere. Others can disagree of course but I’m really alluding to OV’s complaint that few people on here are willing to say much that is +ve of Bruce.
I won’t apologise for the statement I used except for the way in which it was phrased. It wasn’t in any way meant to infer that others didn’t have their own mindset.
Darren: “has there been any advance in talks with AVFC for them to stock the book.”
None at all, Darren. I might as well not exist as far as Villa are concerned. And the day I do go they will be happier, I’m sure!
jl
after all your support for bruce too john
wouldnt be much hope for the rest of us
all well things looking up for ireland whelan is kept on the bench,
mon made another howler on friday keeping long on instead of giving hogan a run out
JL
Have you sent Wyness or Xia a copy of one of your books? They might surprise you and open up. They don’t know about your past history, probably don’t care. If Gabby is forgiven, they can at least talk to you.
Ron Saunders is right in saying that winning is the best way to keep the fans onside. If Steve Bruce does that, everyone (well almost) will be happy. It isn’t easy, but he took the challenge on. Good luck to him and the team.
Steve Bruce…He will continue to divide opinion until, as Iana said, the results speak for themselves.
Couple things:
1) I would post more often, because this is the best Villa conversation on the web. Sadly, work generally precludes me from joining in as frequently as I would like. And saying it’s the best Villa conversation on the web has nothing to do with me…All down to the Lifers who post.
2) When I look at the stats, there are a lot of folks who read. A lot. See 1, above. However, most don’t comment.
So, all I can say, is if you read and have a thought, please do post. If there’s a silent majority out there, then turn the tables. A couple of folks might disagree with you. Welcome to the web. You could be Mother Teresa and someone would have a go.
But simple volume outweighs everything else, and if someone does have a pop, all you have to do is ignore them. I’ve done it for years, and it’s much easier than you think.
And I should also say, I don’t make any money from this. I pay for the hosting, put in as much time as I can. Financially a net loss. Not a huge amount, so no one should worry about that, but it’s not a business.
Which is just to say that commenting activity has nothing to do with clicks and ad revenue or any of that. AVL is up purely for the love of Villa. When I encourage people to comment, it’s only because like any party me and the missus host, the more the merrier.
And on that note, I’ll point you to a fresh post from our Ian.
Remember, AVL has and always will be about the supporters. So if you’ve something to say, write it up, message me, and join the fun.