MikeMcKenna

General Merry Christmas to you and yours! Thank you very much for all the feeback, it really is appreciated. Incidentally whilst I was way on holiday recently I read a novel by John Grisham called "Playing for Pizza" where the main character is a a quarter back who messed up a chance of the Cleveland Browns getting into the Superbowl and being threatened by the fans and "hounded out of town" etc- did Grisham have to get Randy's OK and what did he think of the idea of his team being used? Rubbish book by the way......... in my opinion!

I think it depends very much on whether we bring another quality midfielder and dare I say it a RB! (who can overlap) in January. If we can I think Gabby is more than capable of getting up round the 20 mark. He seems to be getting stronger by the week and is less and less likely to get knocked off the ball. IF we could get more of a passing game going and through this more quality ball to Gabby I think he could go on the rampage from January onwards! He has one of best instincts for goal scoring that I have seen at Villa for years!

Thanks Stew I've had a look at the site. Still undecided - like the sound of the HTC product but dont think 02 do it

Having read all the comments here and elsewhere I have decided to give the IPhone a miss for a year or so till they hopefully resolve some of the issues. I dont really use MP3 players, Phone Camera's etc but do surf the web etc whilst mobile - however I do LOVE new gadgets! Anyway with head ruling heart and following comments on here I have started to research the N95 as I my primary need is business calls. Initially it seems the answer BUT from the 20 or so recent reviews I have just read it seems to have a patchy reputation with all kinds of faults. Admittedly its a small sample but out 20...............6 people reported having to get replacements in three cases five times. Of the balance no-one gave it 5/5 and the scores on average are around 2.5 - 3.00 which seems poor to me considering this is ssupposed to be a benchmark product. Whats a man to do?

*cough* the last winners in 83-84 were Northern Ireland, Wales came 2nd, England came THIRD, Scotland last........ it was the oldest competition of its kind and lasted for over 100 years. imho the proposal to bring it back is nothing to do with improving the football skills of the home nations and all to do with, as this sentence in a recent article in the Times states: Link: http://tinyurl.com/2zzn62 As usual the "UK" really means "England"

Definitely NOT - the thought of summer being f***** up by a pointless tournament that will give the red tops and the hooligan element in football the opportunity to promote and participate in the worst types of nationalism horrifies me. My suggestion would be that the various national team squads should made to spend the summer improving their skills needed to win meaninful tournaments rather than simply generating more cash for the various inept country FA's

Means a single tier with no upper and lower then I think that would be fantastic and create a superb atmosphere as the shelf in between currently affects the acoustics. General I can only concur with LancsVillan's comment. It would be fantastic if the Holte was a single tier again. The atmosphere would be improved immensely and am sure the Holte would have a massive positive impact on our players and visa versa on the opposition!

We were relegated from div 1 in 1958/1959 season, so I saw my first ever Villa game when we were in the 2nd division when we beat Charlton 11-1 on the 14th Nov 1959, we subsequently won the 2nd division and went straight back up So I saw my first derby game against sha on 22nd Oct 1960 when we HAMMERED them 6-2 at Villa Park! What a return to the top flight! If only we could hammer them again on Sunday by such a margin!!!! IF ONLY!!!

Hi General I have been helping to raise money for the Street Children of Nepal for some years and recentlly someone has donated 4 x manchester u kids shirts to the home that looks after the kids. Needless to say I am not happy that these children should be corrupted at such an early age On a more serious note there are 20 kids (from 2-12 years) in the home and I am sure they would look much better in Villa shirts !!! Is there anyone I could speak to regarding any old surplus kids stock? I will pay to get it there and will happily pay something towards the stuff - any chance we can save these kids from the red devils influence? I am sure the home will get pics for all concerned.

General had the pleasure of visiting the Holte pub for the 2nd time today. It really has been done well. Just one comment... First and foremost it is supposed to be a pub but the number of people running around with official badges on seems to out number the poor bar staff by 10 to 1. It took the best part of 20 minutes to get served. Wouldnt it make sense to have more staff behind the bar?

General, Yeah lets all get cuddly with the Evening Mail - they love us after all - Not!

THanks Scott great report -BTW Nice to meet you at the Holte on Sunday! Its sounds like we have a few "potentials" in the reserves! And that it was an impressive display.

The answer has to be no, irrespective of political extremes. Such a ban would simply play into the hands of the extremists and if anything increase support for their position.

It's not supposed to be, it's about protecting staff and other customers from your vile habit. Want a fag at the pub? Go outside. Don't want to do that? Stay at home. There, plenty of choices. Correct, "Private Members Clubs" are also subject to the ban.

I am delighted!!!!! I am the joint owner of the UK's biggest manufacturer and marketer of Cigarette Bins and Smokers Shelters !!!! oh happy days!!!!

FFS - a "very mediocre player" ??- Scotland may not be a fantastic league but look at his achievements last year............. Nakamura's 2006/7 achievements............. Scottish PFA Players' Player of the Year Scottish Football Writers' Association Player of the Year Scottish PFA Goal of the Season Celtic Player of the Year Scottish Premier League Scottish Cup Very mediocre! :roll:

Nakamura would be a fantatsic signing. As this clip shows there is much more to him than amazing free kicks. http://tinyurl.com/2cd7vh

Very true............ Rumours & Speculation are enough to do my head in. We could all do with f**king off and forgetting for the next three months! Can you remove one word from that post please - "off". OF would you have the energy for three long months?

Very true............ Rumours & Speculation are enough to do my head in. We could all do with f**king off and forgetting for the next three months!

Why do you assume that MON wanted him and tried to convince him? People are very quick to become negative - how old is the transfer window?

Agreed, I think Kewell is another "sicknote" - dont like hime at all.

Hi General Hope you and yours are well! I am not an expert on "Membership Schemes" but my understanding is that Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham and other premiership clubs have paid membership schemes i.e. Platinum, Gold, Silver etc which are open to season and non season ticket holders. They offer various levels of priority for home and away tickets and bring additional rewards/benefits. I understand that the Tottenham scheme was so successful that it is now closed to new members. This link will give you an idea of how the Tottenham scheme works: http://admin.tottenhamhotspur.com/docstore/MemberTiers.pdf Essentially they are designed to allow flexibility for fans who wish to commit to various degrees. For the club they are obviously a means of raising further revenues, creating greater loyalty etc

Hi General Have just returned from a week away to find the advance notice letter about renewing season tickets and now look forward to receiving the actual renewal pack. The content of the letter/price list was concise and straightforward. Have you and Randy personally viewed this mailing? I have to say that I was amazed that whilst the envelope had an outline of the crest: 1) Neither the letter or price list had a Villa crest/badge of any description on it other than minutely in the photo of Gabby etc 2) Neither the letter or price list actually mentions our clubs name "Aston Villa Football Club" anywhere. The closest it gets is a reference to www.avfc.co.uk The only enclosure that actually has an Aston Villa crest on it is the form selling the Mastercard, which I assume was supplied by an external agency. Normally I am not a pedant, but I cannot understand why the club would go to the trouble of sending out a letter to the fans/season ticket holders of "Aston Villa" and then not bother to mention the clubs name or feature the crest. I showed the letter/price list to a business colleague and due to my Villa connction he obviously worked out who it was from but said "Have you changed your crest to a Star and why doesnt it mention Aston Villa? Given the emphasis Randy and yourself have put importance of promoting ASTON VILLA and its history, tradition etc do you agree that we should feature the clubs name and crest on all communications/marketing material? I am all for the slogan "Proud History * Bright Future" but surely anyone with even the most rudimentary knowledge of marketing a "brand" would ALWAYS reference the name and "logo"? "Marketing Brands" is my business and in 25 years I have never known a famous brand NOT feature its logo or name. Can you please advise whether the name Aston Villa and the Crest will be used in future letterheads and all collateral marketing material?

General Fantastic end to the season and great credit to all concerned. Randy's purchase of Aston Villa was a "gift from heaven". Randy, Yourself, Mon etc etc have been like gale of fresh air to Aston Villa. After years of decay the club is vibrantly alive again. The turnaround in our fortunes is amazing. I cannot wait for next season! On a slighly sour note like others I feel the clubs stance on the West Ham issue is wrong. If we had not had such a good run we could easily have been in Sheffield's place - I know it is hypothetical but what would the clubs reaction been then? You all strike me as highly honourable people and I cannot understand why you will not back Sheffield in this instance. West Ham have admitted to lying and deceit of the highest order and stand to gain £millions as a result. Other clubs have been treated much more harshly in the past for lesser crimes. Middlesbrough were deducted three points some time ago for failing to fulfil a fixture as 16 players were either ill or injured, a judgment that condemned them to relegation from the Premiership. Earlier this season, League Two Bury were thrown out of the FA Cup for fielding an ineligible player even though it was recognised as being an oversight and quickly admitted by the club, while AFC Wimbledon were fined 18 points for signing a player without international clearance. In my humble opinion Aston Villa Football Club should be seeking to uphold the honour of the game - fans across the country are becoming increasingly disillusioned by those who are supposed to be responsible for the "beautiful game". As Aston Villa is one of the leagues founding clubs I feel we should be seeking justice for Sheffield United rather than towing the corporate line. All that said "Up The Villa"!

errrr dont wanna fight 8) but think the players we bring in will not contain the usual suspects that are bandied about so much.