Block-K

yet AGAIN!! a post deleted for being part of a discussion, this thread is for comments / questions to the general ONLY!

There is actually a topic in VT discussing this if you'd care to join it - Bicks

General Krulak here:

1. First off, I did not attend the game. More disappointing, I could not even hear it on the radio or see it on the telly. I was forced to get the game info from the Internet...in 2 minute bites. You all obviously had a much better ability to analyze the game than I did. I was on an emotional roller coaster. I went from worried to happy to euphoric to worried to gutted....but, unfortunately, I did it by watching a "ticker tape" approach to the game. All I really know about the game is from what was in the media and what I have read on the fan sites. There is one thing I do know: MON is a competitor and as a competitor, he must feel pretty upset. He certainly does not go out on the sidelines and try to make mistakes...and neither does his Squad. As I have said many, many, times over...we believe in MON...and we believe in this Squad. There is no question that this was a hard game to tie having been up 4-1. My sense is that the only good thing that will come out of this game (although we did get a point) is the experience that our Lads went through and will have to remember. I know, these are professionals and are paid to do a job....but I wasn't on the Pitch with them and I didn't even see or hear the game. I do not know the pressures that they felt...and I certainly do not know the lessons they learned. What I do know is that we have a Manager who will use this game to the Squads' advantage. I am not an expert on football but I do know that when I was in the Forces, a situation like this can be a real educational opportunity...a launch point. I have full faith in MON and full faith in our Squad.

2. Paulanddonya: I am not sure how you can possibly expect me to answer your question. First off, as I have indicated, we have full faith in MON and in our Squad. Secondly, if any discussions were to be held with MON, they certainly wouldn't be discussed on a web site. The Board has complete faith in MON and support his Squad 110%. One game is not going to change that. We see definite improvement. Remember, the goal is to put a consistently (key point) winning squad on the Pitch. Nothing has changed from that goal. We are moving in that direction and I think that is obvious to most fans. Yesterday hurt...from the consistency standpoint...but we are moving forward. We believe in MON and believe in this Squad.

Well said General, it took Man Utd and Alex Ferguson years to win anything and longer to become consistant. A 5 year plan with MON at the helm, with all the highs and lows, is what is needed. Given time and support MON will build a formidable team at VP, I've had enough of chopping and changing managers, we've got the best so let's get behind him, sustained success will not come overnight.

Commiserations from a Jets fan :cry:

Taking on board people's dislike of European stuff and English songs being adopted

I've been thinking about adopting a song I always loved on the radio

for Villa and its Crowded House - "Always Take the Weather"

It still gets played loads and most people know it and I think it would make

a pretty unique song for Villa Park, its very echoey and the chorus would sound good with lots of people joining in - might need tweaking but here's a bash:-

Walking round the Holte seeing former glories

Since 82 out on the street

Now its the same place but everything's different

You can fight the sleep but not the dream

Thing's are looking much the better

Same affection wash over me

Martin O'Neill and Randy Lerner

Reach Claret & Blue Skys

Everywhere you go always Aston Villa with you

Everywhere you go you always Aston Villa

Everywhere you go always Aston Villa with you

Everywhere you go always Aston Villa, Aston Villa, with you!

There's no place to go that's finer

Win the trophies for the mantlepiece

Do I stand here dreaming of our glory

or do I sing like a bird released

Everywhere you go always Aston Villa with you

Everywhere you go you always Aston Villa

Everywhere you go always Aston Villa with you

Everywhere you go always Aston Villa, Aston Villa, Aston Villa with you

Link to MP3 if anyone wants to listen

CLICK

ABSOLUTE QUALITY!!!!!!!!

if you listen to the track via the link, it could work

....like it mate!! but you've got far too much time on your hands lol

Actually it only took me about 20mins last night...I was waiting for something to update so had a bash, I've tried to keep the sense of the original which I think was about someone half asleep half awake day dreaming. So tried to give sense of someone standing in Villa Park the Holte before a game maybe musing over the future. I think this could be OK...but then I love the original song.

There's a few chants at beginning of the thread which seem really good too.

I love Vindaloo for John Carew as well as Carews on Fire one

What have we come up with for Ashley Young?

Pretty good effort that, trouble is some of our "younger Fans" would be singing it at 200mph by the second verse! :winkold:

So if standing is the thing that makes a difference, how come other teams don't have trouble creating better atmospheres. How come there was such a good atmosphere at the Sheffield Utd game? I see your point, but singing is more about mood/desire than seating arrangements.

Is the atmosphere at the Emirates, Stamford Bridge, Old Trafford that great, is the Kop what it used to be? Whilst I agree the sheff utd game was great it was a one-off imho. Im not sure whether you experienced the Holte end in the 70's& early 80's but it was every bit as good as any bank of suport in the country.

The atmosphere at those clubs isn't very good because not all the fans are as passionate about their clubs. They have the so-called 'glory hunters' at their matches. But sat anywhere other than the Holte End at VP and it sounds ly quiet. Peterborough Utd are louder when their crowd is a fraction of ours. They sit down. But they have the mentality that they are going to make as much noise as they can.

General Sir,

With regard to the proposed redevelopment of the North (Fred Rinder) Stand would the club be interested in carrying out a poll amongst the fans with regard to incorporating safe terracing into the stand. If the outcome of this were a positive demand by the fans would the club then be prepared to lobby the authorities for a change in legislation?

My view is that with barriers on every row and ticket only entrance to such an area that the perceived problems of the early forms of terracing would be impossible to happen again. Also for those not wishing to stand there is the option of the est46000 seats that would be available.

The atmosphere in the ground would I believe be significantly enhanced by such a move.

So if standing is the thing that makes a difference, how come other teams don't have trouble creating better atmospheres. How come there was such a good atmosphere at the Sheffield Utd game? I see your point, but singing is more about mood/desire than seating arrangements.

Is the atmosphere at the Emirates, Stamford Bridge, Old Trafford that great, is the Kop what it used to be? Whilst I agree the sheff utd game was great it was a one-off imho. Im not sure whether you experienced the Holte end in the 70's& early 80's but it was every bit as good as any bank of suport in the country.

The atmosphere at those clubs isn't very good because not all the fans are as passionate about their clubs. They have the so-called 'glory hunters' at their matches. But sat anywhere other than the Holte End at VP and it sounds ly quiet. Peterborough Utd are louder when their crowd is a fraction of ours. They sit down. But they have the mentality that they are going to make as much noise as they can.

What difference does standing make?! It's still the same people in the crowds, still the same desire to be singing or concentrating on the game.

It's whole lot easier to join in with the singing if you're allowed to stand up. Trust me, if you haven't experienced the atmosphere in a standing up section of fans, you've been missing out.

The point is that getting a new chant started relies on the support of a few like minded people around you, the beauty of standing is that a chant can be started by a few mates who regularly meet ie stand in the same spot. It is no coincidence that the developement of songs at VP has largely stood still for the last 10seasons. If you get a chance watch the DVD from Old Trafford Villa V Everton 1975 and you will be amazed at the vocal support from the Villa fans!

So if standing is the thing that makes a difference, how come other teams don't have trouble creating better atmospheres. How come there was such a good atmosphere at the Sheffield Utd game? I see your point, but singing is more about mood/desire than seating arrangements.

Is the atmosphere at the Emirates, Stamford Bridge, Old Trafford that great, is the Kop what it used to be? Whilst I agree the sheff utd game was great it was a one-off imho. Im not sure whether you experienced the Holte end in the 70's& early 80's but it was every bit as good as any bank of suport in the country.

What difference does standing make?! It's still the same people in the crowds, still the same desire to be singing or concentrating on the game.

It's whole lot easier to join in with the singing if you're allowed to stand up. Trust me, if you haven't experienced the atmosphere in a standing up section of fans, you've been missing out.

The point is that getting a new chant started relies on the support of a few like minded people around you, the beauty of standing is that a chant can be started by a few mates who regularly meet ie stand in the same spot. It is no coincidence that the developement of songs at VP has largely stood still for the last 10seasons. If you get a chance watch the DVD from Old Trafford Villa V Everton 1975 and you will be amazed at the vocal support from the Villa fans!

This was posted a few weeks ago, it would work at Villa Park,

"General,as a commander of fighting men you know the value of a battle hymn, anyone who has heard the kop at Liverpool singing "you'll never walk alone" will testify to it's effect on big occasions."

We at Villa lack this kind of an anthem. If you have ever listened to the BBCs annual Last night of the proms you cannot have failed to be moved by the rousing rendition of the "English anthem" Land of hope and glory that always closes the evening, it is awesome. The poem is about pride and history in the land that we call home. With that in mind I've adapted a version that I believe could be sung loud and proud by Villa fans.

LAND OF HOPE AND GLORY, MOTHER OF THE FREE,

HOME TO ASTON VILLA, HOLTE AND TRINITY,

repeat

HOME TO ASTON VILLA, HOLTE AND TRINITY.

WIDER STILL AND WIDER SHALL OUR FAME BE SPREAD,

GOD WHO MADE US MIGHTY, MAKE US MIGHTIER YET,

repeat

GOD WHO MADE US MIGHTY, MAKE US MIGHTIER YET.

LAND OF HOPE AND GLORY, MOTHER OF THE FREE,

BURNING BRIGHT OUR FUTURE, PROUDEST HISTORY,

repeat

BURNING BRIGHT OUR FUTURE, PROUDEST HISTORY.

"You have to listen to a tape of the proms as I have been doing tonight to feel the full spinetingling impact of thousands of voices singing this to the tune of Elgars Pomp and Circumstance. I guarantee General if you were able to have this embellished and recorded by a male voice choir and then played it at the opening of the Holte End hotel you would bring the house down! (perhaps not the best choice of words given the hotels recent history). "

"Villa fans need a positive voice in the stadium General and what better than the proudest and most rousing anthem that the English possess."

My congrats for the lyrics and choice of music, would be very rousing.

Well at least that's a suggestion - what annoys me is the people who critisise what others come up with and fail to come up with a reasonable alternative. Come on did any fancy the idea of singing a rendition of New York, New York for Dwight....Yet it soon caught on and sounded OK!!

After an orchestrated campaign by George Gavin (BRMB) who penned it and played it over and over on the radio.

Again as I said before, nothing will happen until the club gets involved and formerly organises something. The Dynamic that was the singing on the terraces has gone, ie groups of mates meeting in the same spot week after week. A new approach needs to be adopted. imo.

Shouldnt we aim higher then Koumas? Just considering the PR babble we have been fed, Koumas isnt what crawls into mind.

As I understand it Koumas was quoted as saying he'd "heard" "Villa were interested in him". Strikes me as being some distance from Villa actually being interested him, sounds more like his agent "flying a kite" to drum up interest in a disgruntled player.

We definately need this issue taken up by the Mods, i imagine some of them know people within the club.

I reckon any tune regardless of whether i like it or not will make villa park and away games amazin. I do like the colonia one.

Any news on if there is any progress or not?

This is also being discussed on the General thread and he was going to ask Phil Mepham to help out...but after an objection....as he quite rightly points out the club are caught between those who like the idea and those who don't like it... Like the Great new logo debate!!.....Don't get me wrong I'm not on some... we must adopt VIVA trip. I'd be happy with something else if it got everyone going! Just maddening that after all the debate last year the status quo remains.

As someone else said our away support is amazing EVERYONE sings so maybe it would be an idea to try VIVA or whatever we come up with out at away games first with the club's support, to see how it goes down. What is there to lose??!!!

EDIT ADDED: Just a suggestion but If anyone else wants the club to be involved with getting something sorted with VIVA or whatever.... maybe it would be an idea if they could PM the General or post on his thread.

Without the club getting involved nothing will happen full stop. In the 70's the knuckledraggers had a competition and that is how the funeral march KRO was adopted as their miserable anthem.

It's amazing what you can come up with after a few pints!

Nice idea but I think the song needs re doing and slowing down.

I love it when we sing it but i agree it's too fast and rushed much like when we sing most of our songs, they're over too quickly. 'MON's claret & blue army' is the worst for it, it goes at break neck speed once more people start to join in and just sounds daft. We need to sing Holte Enders in the sky slowly and dragged out, same with Villa Villa Villaaa' like the old days

Thats the whole idea of elevating the song to our Anthem, as soon as the fans get used to the tempo of a familiar version then it will, imo, naturally slow down.

Bye the way my fault, how do we move this to the chants sticky?

:notworthy: Unfortunately not very PC, can't see 'em blasting that out over the PA ! Made me laugh though Ha Ha

At the moment it's a bit low key, I'm talking about elevating to the level where other fans know as "Villas' Song". We know what it is because it's been knocking around VP for 40years but I'm not sure other fans associate it with us. 5 min before the teams come out whack up the volume and give it rock all to Johnny Cash! Scarves n'all!

With the recent resurgence in popularity of the " Holte Enders in the Sky" Chant how about adopting Ghost Riders as a club anthem to be played over the PA before the game. There are a number of versions on "YouTube" and as you can hear played at the right volume it could be a rousing sound with all the ground singing our version as the chorus. I know it sounds a bit left field but I think it could work, the Dwight Yorke "New York, New York" took some time to catch but was a er in the end. Also Ghost Riders has double bonus with the American theme. What do you think?