Dear General,
I'm glad to hear you're on the mend, can't keep a good man down.
The new kit is wonderful, a classic Villa kit with a claret body and light blue sleeves: the most beautiful colours and kit in football.
You often talk about the tradition and ethos of the club, you've obviously read and learnt a lot about the history of the club in the last 3 years. I wondered if you have a favourite quotation about the club. I'm sure you've heard the most sited quotation by William McGregor:
"If there is a club in the country which deserves to be dubbed the greatest (and the matter is one of some delicacy) few will deny the right of Aston Villa to share the highest niche of fame with even the most historic of other aspirants. For brilliancy and, at the same time, for consistency of achievement, for activity in philanthropic enterprise, for astuteness of management and for general alertness, the superiors of Aston Villa cannot be found."
William McGregor - Football League founder & Villa chairman “The Book of Football” contributed by Wiliam McGregor 1906.
Are there any others you like?
I've put a few of my favourites here which you may not have read.
"You are one of the richest and most powerful clubs to be found in the football world, and I venture to say, without too much extravagence of speech, no club in the past has maintained such traditions in the football world as Aston Villa."
Joseph Ansell President Villa News and Record August 8, 1914
"The playing years with Aston Villa were the happiest of my whole life. About Villa Park itself hung an aura that seems almost to be visible. Most certainly it is there to be felt and I know of no other ground that has the same effect on one. Almost it seems to be peopled by ghosts - amiable ghosts whose job it is to breathe the great Villa spirit into generation after generation of ambitious youngsters who pass through the great gates to achieve a life´s ambition; to wear the famous claret and blue of the great club."
Billy Walker, Soccer In The Blood
"From the moment I joined Aston Villa in 1927, in the days of the great Billy Walker, I was immediately aware of the great traditions of this great club. I was taught to honour the famous claret and blue jersey and that nothing but the best is good enough for the Villa, on or off the field. Due to the club’s great past, the player’s, management and backrom staff always carry an extra responsibility."
Eric Houghton 1988, Aston Villa A Complete Record 1874-1988 David Goodyear and Tony matthews
Thanks for everything you're doing for the club. The changes in all areas of the club in the last 3 years have been truly astounding.
Keep the Faith