Below are the recent 5 star letters, please check back regularly for updates!
Bobbie Comments:
Hi Danny, I wouldn't say I had favorite chapters in the book, I loved the humor in there, I always look for the funny side in every situation.
I had a theory about the hooliganism that went on, when others were saying it was pointless, senseless, futile violence, I knew there had to be a reason for it.
I'm a recovering alcoholic I have been sober for 14yrs. Alcohol was the drug of my choice. I've always thought that it was similar to violence as drug of choice. It says in your book while drug addicts and alcoholics get sent to rehab, football hooligans get jail time.
My brother was a half assed hooligan, it was all or nothing for him, he always made sure his back was covered.
Me the Alkie, I would have stood beside any of my friends no matter what, to a certain extent I knew no fear, and there are similarities there.
I was brought up in the Winealley in Govan, a housing scheme sitting right next to Ibrox Park, I remember as a young girl about 10 I was out and all the Rangers fans were spitting on me, calling me all the fancy names. I couldn't work out what the problem was then I realize I had on a green top on. LOL.
My revenge was, as I lived at the Rangers end of Ibrox, I would go out to watch the supporter’s cars, take their money and show the ones worth breaking into to the local boys. I would get my share and disappear.
I had a job working in a burger stand at Ibrox, don't need to tell you the things I got up to. Wish I had been in the Rum Rummer that night George got a hold of "The HUNS", LOL.
I tend to re-read books to get the bits I have missed the first time, I will do that with yours in a couple of weeks.
Bobbie xxx
Danny Brown Comments:
Hello Bobbie, thanks for your kind comments, I’m glad you enjoyed the book. Your letter is probably the best letter I’ve received to date. It has a bit of everything in it, humor, a story of adversity and the will to beat your addiction. I wouldn’t of thought for a second you where nothing else but a bonny Scottish lass. Just goes to show we all have demons within us.
Danny Brown AVFC
Jill McCarthy comments:
Hello Danny, You don't know me, but I am friends with Big Pete, Doolan, Foxy, Roscoe, Dewar, Granny etc from the Aston Social, and fine lads they are too.
Feeling a bit odd has I have to spend the anniversary weekend here in sunny Mid Wales, where I now live. (I used to live in Ladywood. God's Estate) I am just wishing everyone I can think of a happy anniversary.
I was 16 in Rotterdam and it still is the happiest moment of my life. It’s great that the club has finally acknowledged our European Cup win and for inviting Tony Barton’s widow. I’m organizing a match here in July between the Villa Old Stars and our local team, for charity, so I shall actually see some of the players who played In the European cup team, run out onto my kid's school pitch.
Now that will be odd. I met Pete the Greek a few times in the old days. One incident was in the Royal George on Digbeth High Street. I went in to meet someone and it was full of blues fans as they were at home. Pete was sat on a high stool in the middle of them all, alone and in his Villa top, laughing his head off. I had a drink with him, no one went near him and I swear he sat and laughed aloud the whole time I was there. Don't worry Bab he said, bless him. So to you and Pete, happy anniversary and just watch the Villa go next season.
All the best.
Jill
Danny Comments:
Hello
Jill, thanks for the message. Can’t say I remember you but I’m sure you must have crossed my path over the years. Winner the European cup was a long time ago, but it would be fair to say that great night will always be fresh in our minds. Love your story line about Pete the Greek, that’s him all over fearless!
Danny Brown AVFC
Ian Griffith Comments:
Danny, I just recently visited England and went to two villa matches Blackburn away and Wigan home. I love the villa, even though I live in America. My father grew up in England, Chelmsley Wood a big Blues arena. He was Villa and showed me the Villa way. He grew up fighting for the villa in the C-Crew, his name was John Maher. Do you remember him? he said you were the man! And now I want to start my own firm! I bought your book while I was in England and I can’t stop reading it! I love it! great book!
Danny Brown Comments:
Hello Ian, thanks for them kind words and for buying the book. Unless your dad was an officer in the C-Crew or a front line soldier, I wouldn’t have known him. We had over 150 front line soldiers in the C-Crew and could easily recruit 400 extra lads for major games like Man Utd, B’ham City or Liverpool. Though, some of the lads do remember your father well. Ian, I’m sure your dad wouldn’t want you joining any football firm, just like I wouldn’t want my boys.
Danny Brown AVFC
Stuart Brown Comments:
Hi Dan, I was watching the real football factory last night it was about the midlands but no mention of the villa firms just Blues Derby Leicester and stoke can you shed any light on this mate thanks.
Danny Brown Comments:
Hello Stuart, these are the facts. I was approached to take part in that series the Real Football Factory with Danny Dyer. I met their researchers and they took me out to lunch, made it out as though it was going to be some big thing with me as one of the main characters.
But gradually I realised that they wanted me and some of the other lads in the book to talk about what's going on now as though we were still on the scene. We're well out of it now, so I turned them down. When I was the show they did about the Midlands and the way they were making the Zulus out to be something out of the film Braveheart, I was so glad I didn't get involved.
Danny Brown AVFC
Danny Wilson Comments:
Alright Danny, I was just wondering, how do you go about join one of villas firms. I’ve been interested in joining one for ages. I’ve got enough respect for you man, you’re a legend. Right back soon, Danny Wilson.
Danny Brown Comments:
Hello Danny thanks for your kind words. Like I said in the book “Villains” I don't believe in or condone any form of football violence of the modern times. Villains the book is just a public documentation of my past.
Danny Brown AVFC
Simon O'Nions Comments:
Hi Danny, remember all the matches you talked about in your book (Villains)? Well I got caught in a couple of scrapes myself (Fullham away when all the Millwall guys turned up and Man City at Villa Park in the Charity Shield Final). Love the book, it’s brilliant. I used to stand next to the Dougal lads in the early days, what an absolute laugh they were. Any news on the book being developed into a film, I think the honesty and social story would be so refreshing.
Thanks Simon
Danny Comments:
Thanks for those kind words Simon. The Dougal where before my time but I’ve heard some great stories surrounding past encounters. On the movie front we hope to be in talks later on this year.
Danny Brown AVFC
Steven King Comments:
Hi Danny, I hope you don't mind me messaging you. I'm a football fan and enjoy reading. I have nearly finished reading your book “Villains”. I've got to say that I have enjoyed it from start to finish. Well I've only got a couple of chapters left! I've laughed at times at some of the accounts. I've only been in one football minor scrap myself but nothing compared to your accounts or any of the accounts from the other lads. I'm a big fan of football hooligan films such as ID, Football Factory, Cass etc and couldn't wait to read your book.
It’s refreshing to read that it is not just a book about "We chased them down, gave them a kicking, no one could touch us" As Andy Browne said in the book about some of the things the Noses were saying, you wanted it told right. You all talk about the bad times as well (Millwall, the Portsmouth incident, Portugal for instance) when you weren't on top.
It must have hit the right spot because I had a bluenose giving me 'evils' and shaking his head when he saw me reading it on the bus coming out of Birmingham city centre!!! That made me smile as well as the bit I was reading! Thank you and all those who helped write it. It’s been a superb read.
Steven
Danny Brown Comments:
Danny in the house bro, thanks for those kind comments Steven. From start to the finish it was one hell of a project getting the book off the ground. Optimistically the movie will be told in the same manor.
Danny Brown AVFC
Tony Birch Comments:
Have just had the book as a Fathers Day present off my daughter - the best present I have ever had in my life!! I am reading in earnest now, but having flicked through the chapters and photos, it brings back some great memories - the game at West Ham, the ruck with QPR on the island by the Aston Hotel, the friendly with Glasgow Rangers and the day we beat the scum when Francis scored for them and John Robson scored our winner with a belter from outside the box and the scrap on Aston Park afterwards.
It all culminated with the win at Arsenal and the trip to Rotterdam - great times to be a Villa fan!! As I say I have not read it all yet (but it won't take long!). I was an Erdington lad and some of the names that I remember that may or may not be in the book were Amy Smith, Paul Cadman, Steve Hickman, and Paul Williams (Skin) - I still see the last guy from time to time, but in the 70's he used to frighten the life out of me and I was a Villa fan!! My main running mate was Ian Brown who left the Midlands to live in rural Wales - still Villa mad though. It would be great to keep up to date with what the lads are up to now. Best wishes Danny Boy.
Tony Birch VTID!!
Danny Brown Comments:
Even though the Steamers & C-Crew lads are well and truly retired from the hooligan scene, we are still a big happy family base in the core of Aston Villa Football Club. We still meet on a Saturday afternoon before and after every home match, at the Adventurers Pub & Aston Social Club. Come and have a pint with us Tony!!!
Danny Brown AVFC
Kevin Drummond Comments:
Hello Danny great web site! With reference to the Small Heath v Aston Villa away game, I gave my ticket to my daughter, myself ended up watching the game in the Holte Suite. How ever the experience my daughter and son had that day at St Andrews, being bricked, bottled and running the gauntlet made them understand more why we sing “my old man” with such passion and venom.
Danny Comments:
Now Mr Drummond, we are a different kettle of fish, and I'm sure we will meet them again some sunny day. Come on you Lions.
Danny Brown AVFC
Tony Hayes (TAMWORTH) Comments:
Atmosphere at most matches these days is very muted (zzz), compared with the 70's/80's.
Don't you think they should limit the number of foreign players playing in the UK and bring back safe terracing.
Why should I have to pay “megabucks” to sit next to screaming little kids or stuffy prawn brigade fans.
I think football is in the doldrums with the 4 elite getting richer and richer.
Danny Brown Comments:
Hello Tony, your comments are true, and well documented in my book. If you fancy standing with some top lads old and young who sing their hearts out for the claret and blue at every home match, you'll find us in the North Stand lower.
Danny Brown AVFC
Doug Comments:
Thanks to you and Paul for the book a real good read, would like to point out a few things from the Burlington Arcade Massacre that maybe got missed. As you state in the book the Holte was a big end with all different factions and that was one of our biggest problems no unity or trust. Well the weeks leading up to that match it all changed a good few lads did a lot of work pulling together the crews that was there The Peppers, Dougal mobs and others and as stated the Quinton Stars didn’t show, though we didn’t need them to bash the Bluenoses best known faces.
A lot of friendships began that day which in the years to come I believe founded the Steamers.
The scum came out the Gilded Cage, around to New Street and when they got to the Burlington Arcade we hit them hard. Some tried to stand though a lot ran back to the Gilded Cage and locked themselves inside. We clashed again at the fire station with some others. The plan was to get into the Holte early, and hit them hard to stop them getting a foothold, (which was their favorite trick at the time) so the old bill would protect them.
Into the ground and instead of going up the back we waited at the T/S. and battered the Noses as they tried to get in, after a while they stopped trying and drifted away then 15mins before kickoff they tried to come up the middle of the Holte with Chrissy Marshall (Palace road Mafia) leading them. Bloody funny really Marshall stood the others ran like rabbits. Marshall took such a kicking.
Some old names from years ago Brooksie,The Yank, Boston Paul
Danny Brown Comments:
Hello Doug, thanks for those kind words mate. When I get emails like yours it drives me on, makes everything I'm trying to do for the Villa worthwhile.
Danny Brown AVFC
Stephen Comments:
Alright Danny, I am from Swansea born and bred. My Dad and all the rest of my family are from Stourbridge, West Midlands. We are all Villa mad. However as being from Swansea, I only get to Villa Park maybe five times a season with maybe one or two away games. During my school years I watched a few games down the Vetch, Swansea with my hooligan mates. As the story goes only one firm has took over the North Bank, that being the C-Crew. Any Comments??
Danny Brown Comments: The C-Crew has only been to Swansea once in 1983. The game you are referring to is in 1971, in our third division days. It was the steamers on duty that day not the C-Crew. One of the old Villa lads has spoken to some of the Swansea boys about that day in 1971, on the net. They rave about that day as the best row ever at Swansea, going on day and night with Villa taking their end but we didn’t have it all our own way.
Danny Brown AVFC
Toots Comments:
Hey Danny it’s me toots, I was able to pick up a copy of your book Villains at the airport. I’m about half way through. Damn its good reading. I never knew shit like that went down as a way of life so to speak. I remember going to watch Mark Walters play for the youth team against Millwall and after the game we were all chased, you best believe I never went back to watch the Villa again. We always knew soccer hooligans were bad, I had no idea they were so organised. Thanks for the lesson, take care and thanks for turning your life around and doing the right thing. I’m sure every one is proud of you.
Danny Comments:
Hello Toots, the temperature as dropped to sub-zero -4°C since you left freezing Birmingham, sunny Florida is a long way off my radar bro, though I’m glad you got home safely. The youth match you mentioned against Millwall was in 1980, I remember that night well. Go to chapter “Millwall when it was Millwall” page 94 in the book and read about my confrontation that night. The book is just a documentation of my past, every man should know his own limitations and yes a leopard can change his spots, God willing.
Danny Brown AVFC
Dave Foxall Comments:
Hi Danny, this lad was a smartly dressed always had a crombie on & sometimes a umbrella, he was a half caste lad very skinny & he always used to out run the stewards or Police who tried to get him off the pitch. It really was funny seeing all these guys trying to catch our man but they very rarely did. I was in the third division days when Villa used to take a massive away contingent and over take most every ground. When the claret & blue balloons used to blow across the pitch.
Keith Grant was well know for wearing a White Butchers Coat with Villa Skins on the back, there was a great shot of him on the pitch battling 4 Rangers fans when they invaded the pitch in the 70's he sparked most of them. They probably were all paralytic. I turned up at the Holte End with a Bright Green T-Shirt on and was pelted with bottles and cans as soon as I got into view. I have NEVER SEEN so many away fans in Villa Park in all my life.
Did you visit Bradford City away, the year there was a bus & train strike. I had the kicking of my life by both the Bradford fans & some of the villa as we climbed over the fence trying to escape the Bradford mob who where all tooled up with iron bars, 4'' x 4'' & various weapons. My team of pals & I got battered before the match, during the match (by Villa Fans) and after the match by the Bradford Nutters. The riot was caused by a few of the head case villa supporters who thought it was a good idea to send a hail of bricks over to the Bradford supports situated on the side of the pitch. Unfortunately the Bradford supporters just marched around and a battle ensued that we were never going to win. If I remember rightly the guy who started it off was Steve Hickman, do you know Steve he will be in his 50's now but was always up for it!
Cheers Danny.
Dave Foxall
Danny Brown Comments:
Hello Dave, I was only a kid in those old third division days and was more of an observer than a participator of football hooliganism. I’ve heard a few stories surrounding that Bradford City game over the years. Though being ran the gauntlet against Glasgow Rangers and taking a few bad kicking on Merseyside, I soon learnt quickly. My turning point was in 1978.
Danny Brown AVFC
Martin Wigley Comments:
Hi Danny, I bought and read your book. It was fantastic. I was a regular on the Holte in the 70`s. So I can relate to a lot of your stories, especially the Rangers incident and promotion to the 1st Division. I was at that Sunderland game, last game of season 58,000 crowd. I went on the pitch at the end of the game, and listen to Ron Saunders speech. I remember it like yesterday. I am a Villa fan living in Germany. But I come from Stratford on Avon. Being here in Germany I cant get to too many games, not just the distance but other commitments. I would have loved to be at the Carling Cup Final and joined your party. I read about it in VitalVilla. I wish you all the best with it and I have a great feeling our time has come! Had the same feeling when we went to Old Trafford, and I was right then. I will just have to make do with watching it on SKY at an Irish Pub in Holland. There I am the only Villa fan. Anyhow, nice to have met you in Face Book, though hope we get to meet you in real life sometime! Up the Villa!
Martin Wigley
Danny Brown Comments:
Yes Martin, 70`s through to mid 80s was almost certainly the best years. Though my best years have now gone, I wouldn't want them back, not with the fire in me now. I've added you on my face book friends so keep in touch. Also I’m sending you a free signed copy of my book Villains.
Danny Brown AVFC |
