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I've moaned lots too mate (as you can see if you go back in this thread! ) so thought at least if we try I can perhaps justify moaning slightly more when I look at myself in the mirror, but I really thought we wouldn't get anywhere with the club (just as the very well-intentioned, talented and committed Project B6 didn't before us who we are pleased to work with and who are a huge part of 1897 too) but the stars have aligned (the stars being success on the pitch, strength in numbers with a lot of talented, intelligent, organised and dedicated Villa fans on board, and the likes of both fans, club staff and top brass such as Chris Heck etc - who were sat right opposite our section against Bournemouth and we were told absolutely loved the idea and will back us - having our eyes opened a bit with our European away travels this season and seeing the positive affect the likes of Legia, Ajax and Lille supporters had on their players for example and the club opening the door for us early on) and hopefully once this season is out of the way we can use pre-season to fund raise and liaise further with the club to grow and grow, so thank you!

Thanks mate, we had lads and lasses there all day Wednesday and Thursday in the piddling rain getting papercuts and back strains laying the cards out on the seats for the tifo, but they all said it was worth it all to see the final result! It's the 1897 Group not 1874 (chose it because it's a group primary formed to help improve the much-maligned VP atmosphere and 1897 was the year we moved to Villa Park!) but I'll forgive ya! The atmosphere was amazing for the most part, there were times the Olympiacos fans were stood in awe watching when all four sides of Villa Park were singing in unison, was magical. The 'entrada'/welcoming the team bus has been brilliant and really sets the tone atmosphere-wise. I'm proud of what the group has achieved in its first few weeks since forming with the section in the Upper Witton Lane stand for Bournemouth (and off the pitch pre-Bournemouth members helped raise £1,100 for the Aston & Nechells Foodbank which was the best result of that day!), the Lower Holte flags for Chelsea and the part the group played for the tifo last night, huge credit to the club for how open the door has been for us (which I was very sceptical about at first I'll admit!), it feels like after much discussion about it in threads such as this one online and in person that we can hopefully slowly help change the culture amongst Villa fans to more proactive support as we've been of recent weeks rather than reactive, of course the fact things are so good on the pitch at the moment is the perfect wave to ride in on, onwards and upwards!

Any other VT'ers heading to this? First time to Athens or even mainland Greece for me, can't wait!

Supporters are again being encouraged to gather on Trinity Road and by the William McGregor statue for the team bus's arrival at 6.30pm for the Chelsea game on Saturday.

Supporters are again being encouraged to gather on Trinity Road and by the William McGregor statue for the team bus's arrival at 6.30pm for the Chelsea game on Saturday. I really love this and it sets the tone, I'm hoping Saturday will top Bournemouth atmosphere wise and will be more hostile for Chelsea with it being an 8pm Saturday KO.

100% win record when we do this! Long may it continue!

Thanks @Brumstopdogs for sharing the footage, it was a brilliant day and the feedback is overwhelmingly positive and hopefully the 1897 Group helped to enhance the atmosphere from their section. Thanks for all the support, hopefully this is just the start!

Great to hear, I'm biased but I think it really did help enhance it and made for a fantastic atmosphere today right from the welcoming of the team bus to the final whistle, well done troops!

Spot on, I think our European adventurers this season have opened our eyes a bit. Legia Warsaw, Ajax, Lille away have all shown us how modern stadia can be conducive to a stadium-wide constant and electric atmosphere for 90 minutes including fans of all ages.

If it's anything like the Brighton game at the end of last season, your nephew will remember it for many years to come, crossing my fingers!

Brilliant, should set the tone for an electric atmosphere that is needed to give the players a boost and hopefully get them over the line for a huge three points.

In response to Emi's post-match interview calling on the fans to help lift the team tomorrow and in addition to The 1897 Group's presence, the club in their matchday info have promoted supporters to gather in the Trinity Road fanzone tomorrow for the team bus's arrival at 1.30pm to give the players a raucous welcome to the stadium: https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2024/april/20/Matchday-Guide--Aston-Villa-v-Bournemouth/ Tomorrow should be electric!!!

In response to Emi's post-match interview calling on the fans to help lift the team tomorrow, the club in their matchday info have promoted supporters to gather in the Trinity Road fanzone tomorrow for the team bus's arrival at 1.30pm to give the players a raucous welcome to the stadium: https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2024/april/20/Matchday-Guide--Aston-Villa-v-Bournemouth/

This is why The 1897 Group needs all the support from you guys as we can get, starting Sunday as we have our own section in block P9 as I've mentioned in this thread. Is it going to be like a Fenerbahce home crowd? No, of course not. But it's a start, and it's for like-minded fans who think this way such as yourself, we implore all Villa fans to join/support us. Dibu has called on the home fans to bring the noise on Sunday as we'll need to give the exhausted lads a boost to help get them over the line! Join The 1897 Group in blocks P9-P11!

Dibu has called on the home fans to bring the noise on Sunday as we'll need to give the exhausted lads a boost to help get them over the line! Join The 1897 Group in blocks P9-P11!

I love Kadikoy too, but God knows what it would be like as an Englishman when Fenerbahce are playing the Villa!!

Hopefully The 1897 Group who will be based in the Upper Doug Ellis can help with this, we'll need to help boost our exhausted squad!

That's the idea, most of our lot (I had to miss this round out for financial and annual leave protection reasons) are out in Lille and do most aways and anyone joining knows its to sing your lungs out and get behind the team for 90 minutes regardless. If people want to moan about certain players or about not getting it forward quick enough etc then stay where you are!

Yes, although for those that relocated to join The 1897 Group for Bournemouth haven't been charged any uplift if they've relocated from a cheaper area which is fantastic from the club to be honest.

If you've missed the 1897 Group's plans for the Bournemouth game this Sunday (detailed above) then there is still time to join the group to help make Villa Park rock and help get the team over the line by purchasing tickets directly through the club in blocks P9-P11 (our reserved section is in P9) or by relocating your existing season/match ticket to this area of the stadium just for this game. The more the merrier!

If you've missed the 1897 Group's plans for the Bournemouth game this Sunday (detailed above in this thread and in the thread in the Bournemouth home match section of VT) then there is still time to join the group to help make Villa Park rock and help get the team over the line by purchasing tickets directly through the club in blocks P9-P11 (our reserved section is in P9) or by relocating your existing season/match ticket to this area of the stadium just for this game. The more the merrier!

That is literally only a pen a Media 6 club is getting. Absolute joke.

Really not sure I can bear to watch this, haven't felt this pessimistic about a game since UE took over. Please don't get me wrong though, even if we lose 7-0, we are still in absolute dreamland compared to where we were when he first arrived and I'm loving it!

Do you think any of this so-called 1982 brigade will be up for joining the 1897 Group or will it be too confusing numbers-wise?

Fair enough mate, you're entitled to your opinion and I respect it and see where you're coming from!