LancsVillan

I've met you - no way are you that tall!!!! you say that of me too. Maybe you're shorter than you think ;-) Not Scott short - I see he put a 5 where a 4 should be....

Do you answer all questions?

Knew I weren't going mad Er... On topic... Nice and dull, Mr BOF, what is your favourite band? Err on that other thread, how come some people were mentioned and others with far greater post counts didn't?

Ian, no Govt money as the change that was requried for it - changes at the top - would never be accepted. Also Govt used the input of money to protect UK jobs which is why the announcement would not have been seen. Bank are off shoring a hell of a lot of work and dressing it up under the credit crunch and that it is needed whereas it isn't really as the infrastructure is already in place in the UK and is being built abroad. They've done an excellent job at ensuring they stayed clear of the issues to hit the other banks. I've not got a problem with the off shoring as such as that is the way it is, my issue is the timing and fact that they are trying to hide it. Despite posting similar notes all over about how well they are doing and that they see at least a similar profit to last year.

Indeed, one I'm hoping to avoid as long as possible, though judging by the letter sent out here on 23rd (MERRY XMAS!!) it might very well not be possible post Feb along with hundreds of others. None of which has hit any press yet and it's a BIG BIG bank.

You can tell its Christmas. :winkold: Haha, how long have you been waiting to get me. You give me an awful hard time :P In the shower he gives you what? Surprised at the result so far. Also surprised that NRC who isn't guaranteed a place warrants 20 votes. For the reocrd I went for what I think is best for the team - Barry.

Way back in 2003 Afros was writing about Fantastic Festivity, followed by Joyful January where he was optimistically predicting a great festive season for us, that being based on the back of three successive wins including the League Cup win v Chelsea and that superb goal from JPA. Who can forget that night, then again who realised it was five years ago! Afros rightly pointed out that the upsurge in early December 2003 could be the springboard to the heaven of European games. Well he was close with that prediction as we missed out in the end by goal difference after losing at home v ManUre and the Barcodes nicking a point at Anfield to pip us. The joyful January itself wasn't quite as expected with three successive league defeats and that 5-2 defeat up at the Reebok to show before the 31st gave us 5 goals in 18 minutes at The Walker Stadium. Let's hope history doesn't repeat itself there. Move forward one year to 2004 and Pete Bosworth was himself reviewing , though this time the previous 12 months. In One year at the Villa The turn around was not a good one from possible Europe one year to a lack of consistency and defeats aplenty. Pete was lamenting about the possibility that DO'L was exactly the right man, I agreed with him at the time, that the one thing that was going to stop us and possibly cause the unmentionable R word to be thought of would be the reluctance of the man upstairs to support him. The thing is, hindsight really is the best sight as it wasn't necessarily Doug's support that cost DO'L but the support of his players and his falling out the year after with the senior members of his squad almost costing us our place in the Premier League. Pete's piece was written in amongst a good number of other pieces, Waiting for the great leap forwards from blandy being one ; defeats at boro and Chelsea, at home versus RedScouse and the great unwashed from down the road. All leaving Villa fans distinctly lacking of Christmas cheer. A year on and the football was no better, we could win games against strugglers but we struggled with everyone else. A dire run through the autumn left Villa fans everywhere wanting one thing and one thing only - change. Indeed there would soon be a lot of talk around change, none of it came to fruition at the time but it was a time for Villans everywhere to be united in one aim (okay almost united there were still a few dissenting voices). A present that would be delivered later that year on September the 19th. Thank you Randy. Back to the archives and over to John Lerwill who in Lion's Pride? - A kitten's whimper more like came up with something that is being proved at this very time. "The four teams that have to-date won the Premiership all had a common theme running through them that was not *just* the willingness to make massive investment - it was and is the teamwork of the chairmen and the manager. The chairman to release funds as needed, and the quality of the manager to kneed the players into a winning unit." - so true John and here's hoping eh! The 2005-06 season is one to forget so I will. Only after the 3-1 game versus Blues could we start to feel a little more relaxed. 'We'll meet again' indeed. So we move to 2006, Christmas time came as I said had come early for a good number of us, after the £ signs protests - nice one Tegis -, the Ray Ranson bid; Howard Hodgson, some South Africans, a Venezuelan TV magnate and some lifelong fan called Neville, along came the white knight in his own plane. We knew where he was better than his wife I bet thanks to thetrees and his stalking. The arrival of Randy saw Martin O'Neill in the managers role and Villa fans everywhere watching in to see which way the roller coaster that we live was going to go..... so far it's been on a steady incline..... with minor dips along the way. The pre Christmas game being one of them a 3-0 reverse at home to ManUre and you know something I didn't care a jot about it. Why not. Well put simply that game saw the return to Villa Park of one Ron Saunders, something the previous owner never saw fit to arrange. Seeing him that day made people around me cheer with a tear in the eye, others to go 'Dad who is he?' and some to simply thank him for those past glories in their own way. Put that and the other changes being planned for Bodymoor Heath, The Trinity and The Holte Pub together and you need to appreciate the little things too. Like what happened with paddy and why I still think this is the best thread title we've seen for a while from Dec 17 2006. Carlsberg don't run football clubs... That day confirmed to me something that I've written to the club about on numerous occasions, Randy hasn't just given us bought a football but he has given us the supporters, the lifeblood of that club our pride back in it. Finally a brief look back to where we were and what you were writing about only 12 months ago. Gareth Barry provoked one of OBE's excellent reviews of previous players by eclipsing Harry Hampton At home we'd just been beaten by le Arse and Pompey, Citeh could have made it three and then on Boxing Day we took the game to Chelsea at the Bridge. That day I felt at the time meant something to the players, to the fans and to the club. It was one of those never say die games where having lost Zat Knight it seemed like we would be steam rollered, yet we wouldn't lie down; wouldn't take it like gents as we have so often in the passed. No we believed we could get something and we did. That day for me stood us in good stead for our eventual run to the Inter TwoBob and our 'success' in the UEFA. And then there was the day at Wigan.... rain rain go away. 5000 Villans soaking wet, singing our hearts out and a great day was had by all. It was better for me personally too as not often enough am I able to say 'I was there' and this Christmastime is the first in my support that circumstances combine in a way I will not be in attendance at home or away. Give em a shout for me. UTV Allan

Arsenal may but that is only one of the Big (Sky) 4 and I don't want to merely challenge one of that lot. Fonz is not and would not be direct replacement for JC agreed, but the type of football we play without JC is more suited to the Fonz. In fact our recent upsurge in results reminds me of when we lost Dion back in the day and thus simply had to change our approach to the game as high balls looking for a knock on had to be stopped, it's very similar now.

How would signing two players who have been in the top 4 and now in the realms of the lower half indicate to the Top 4 that we mean business. I personally don't want Owen as I think his best years are behind him and is too similar to Gabby. 451 is going to be the future - the FA agree with me :shock: - and as such do we need a replacement for JC. We have Fonz for that. IF we get a striker I want us to get someone who would make others take note though I cannot think of any as those in the list all have big question marks over them, except the last one who I've not seen enough of.

How would he do that whilst at school is it something he would have to pay for. Is it like that BNI thing?

I've got to do some research on where people work so would like your help. Which option do you work in?

A distasteful by-product. Great description, cheers Richard.

If you find him 'hilarious', i'd love to know who else makes you laugh ? just out of curiosity like. I'm guessing Peter Kay What a strange remark. I cannot stand Moyles as a person, I think his humour is awful and if 8 million people listen to him, then about 7.5 million of them must too stupid to be able to retune the radio... ;-) Yet I like Peter Kay. Very scripted but funny at the same time. Why would you link the two?

Anyone that refuses to sign an autograph for a kid in a wheelchair is a clearing of the highest order. I was amazed by his attitude. Others at the same function went out of their way to do so and one even apologised on Moyles' behalf in embarassment. Would rather listen to Wogan in the morning and I cannot stand him either.

since the messageboard on here was reset. Over the coming days the mods will be posting an article or two about those five years and the goings on at Villa Park. So back on the Peter Bosworth created VT, we were a day away from beating the dingles 3-2 with a brace from JPA and another from GB. Gb interestingly is the only player still at the club. So a quick look back at the Front Page and messageboards articles indicate that the board was fully in support of VFC with a good number of members very active in the workings of it. Not a great time to be a fan but certainly the start of a certain Randolh Lerner led revolution. Jack Petchey, Howard Hodgson, that 'lifelong Villa fan' all fell by the wayside over the years for one reason or another only for Randy to show them that if you want something stronly enough you will see past it's current owned and win out in the end. At the time we were looking likely to be in a relegation battle, with an FP piece by Afros indicating the games of those also involved. Yet in February we had not a single vote for relegation and we had steered ourselves safely into midtable and then into the realms of possible European qualification outright only to blow it on the last day with a defeat to - yes you've guessed it ManU. A quick look back at the match reports and the like from that time shows how quickly the game moves on as there is no game this season against - Chorlton, Soton, Leicester, Leeds, Wolves or that shower down the road. With other mentions too to teams who have been in the Premier League and out again within that time - Reading, Palace, Norwich, Sheef Utd, Derby and Watford making it quite a significant turnover of teams. The last five years are to me like the roller coaster that is supporting Villa, we've had highs. League Cup Semi-final, we've had lows the 2005-06 season and the palpable relief when Marcus Allback scored that goal against Sunderland. The 3-1 and 5-1 beatings of that lot have to stick out in the memory. Moreso the first one for me with the whole ground singing 'We'll meet again' being the best thing I'd seen the fans do at a match for years and not bettered since. Off the pitch we've seen changes that at every turn have instilled a pride in my club that I never thought possible. From the constant charity efforts from fans, on here and other sites, to the link up with Acorns we're doing our bit to help those who need help. To the board and the links to it, I don't know of another board in the country that is so open to it's fans - do you? From The General's thread through to the SCGs we are now openly viewed as being part of the club and not the great nwashed we were once viewed as. So in closing I'll say that the last five years has certainly been one of change on VT and VP things are on the up and long may they continue. Once more I'll add my thanks to Pete for the original idea of VT, after the split from FTT; to JC for picking up the baton and asking for my assistance and obviously to Simon for making sure it all runs so smoothly. Thanks UTV Allan

I don't trust a word that comes out of the ticket office. When i email ticketsales@avfc.co.uk i don't get a reply either What is wrong with the phone? Every time I've had anything to ask about tickets the ticket office have been excellent. When there was the issue with the season cards on there first run out, they worked well with us and other websites to ensure as many of the FAQs were seen by as many customers as possible. I've dealt with many ticket offices, sporting and otherwise and have to say that ours was always good but now it is simply one of, if not THE best.

Jets to win the division and then knock the city's other side out of the park in the Superbowl

ah ha , that's a different thing altogether and very wrong in my opinion ... it may be a different thing to a good number of people (you and I included) however, far too many people seem to think that the best way to help their children is to put them into paid for education as if you pay for it, it must be better. Which is why although a different point, it is linked.

Tony, my interesting concept comes more from being on the PTA and helping out the governors time to time when Aston was at primary. The number of people who obviously do their childrens homework (still do at high school in some cases) so that the kid will get good marks and be thoguht of as possible grammar material was scary. "Mrs X, I've had a report that you or another member of your family seems to be completing little Johnny's english course work" "Err No, he does it all himsefl" "Then please explain the correct use of the apostrophe as it's something the school hasn't even mentioned to him. That and the correct spelling of his work makes us wonder if you're pushing him toohard" "But I want him to do well" At this point the teacher and I merely offered a cup of tea and noted it. Just one instance but in sport it can be even worse. I've had to remind at least four parents this season that the majority of our team is not even 13 yet.

Ah well Aston never went to an affiliated school wich in a town whose names comes from 'The Hamlet of Churches' was a rather nice surprise. When looking for a school we did get the 'how often do you attend ....'

Better send your kids to a fee paying school then, far less assessment there than a state school in the junior and infant years Not so, we had that very discussion recently. The teesting that goes on locally seems to be pretty much exactly the same. Also there is too much regardless of which school it is. That came from a lecturer in education, who I wasn't aware was that high in her field!

Got a scholarship - never took it up. Got a brilliant offer from Loughborough and the Oxbridge Unis when that age - never took them up either. Missed out - I don't think so. Would I pay for Aston to go to a fee paying school, only if it was HIS decision. It wasn't so I don't. He wanted to stay with his mates and play football.... There are too many people out there who impose their own wishes and desires onto their children without considering them for me.

Was at a gig last night and the backup artists was The Days. They did a track called 'Hey you' and it really does scan to a yet to be sung football song. Cannot find it anywhere though. If someone finds it you'll see what I mean. You need the tune and not just the lyrics.

now got the kids looking at me Ram Jam - Black Betty

another one for the older Brummies Animal Magnet - Welcome To The Monkey House tis on youtube and the comments are superb. Snobs!!!