| THINGS ABOUT ASTON VILLA OLD PLAYERS YOU DIDN’T KNOW - 7th June 2008
They say it’s a funny old game, I have been fortunate enough to mix and socialise with some of our older players and whilst I suppose I am biased but we are blessed with having some proper decent old players.
Lads you would go out with for a drink and certainly no big time Charlies. I have detailed a few things that you may not know about some of the players.
Jimmy Rimmer
Jimmy came over recently last year for the 82 celebrations from Canada and probably aged a lot more than the rest and lived a fairly eventful life after football. Made a few quid lost a few quid was heavily involved in a chain of sports shops but got involved with the worst addiction ever known to man ‘other women’ and lost the lot . Jimmy lives in Canada and only last year had a heart attack he was actually very near to deaths door but thankfully survived.
On the weekend of celebrations all the Villa 82 squad were put up in the Marriot Hotel for the weekend and as you can imagine large consumptions of alcohol were drunk unless you were Alan Evans or Dennis Mortimer who are still tee total. Jimmy had had a few beers on the Saturday night and went for a walk down broad street in the early hours of the morning. Jimmy must have looked easy pickings to the two lads who thought they could mug him, thing is Jimmy was the street brawler in the team and those instincts never leave you.
They tried to rob him only to end up both on their backside. He did lose some blood mainly due to the heart attack he suffered and the contraption he has to wear, but he kept his wallet safe just like he used to keep his goal safe. Jimmy sent those lads home shell shocked, black and blue as he clumped them with his shovel size hands.
Colin Gibson
I was told by our flying winger Tony Morley, a funny story surrounding Colin Gibson pre match ritual. Apparently Gibbo would always stretch out infront of the other players bending down showing his pert backside in full view with just his jock strap protecting his wedding tackle. The rest of the players had had enough as Gibbo who was again posing and admiring himself.
Brendan Ormsby saw his opportunity, he picked up a handful of ralgex and went wallop!!! straight up Gibbo's jacksy and all over his manhood. As the bell went for the players to run out onto the pitch poor old Gibbo didn’t have any time to wash it off. They reckon he has never ran that fast down the wing as he was burning like merry hell.
Pat Heard
Pat Heard is one of those players in a pub quiz question, " who was on the subs bench in the 1982 EUROPEAN CUP FINAL". People forget but never the less he has a European Cup Medal that a lot of players haven’t got. One very odd fact about Pat is that he is a magician now you have heard of players going onto run pubs or train horses but magician?
I know he also does the commentary on the local radio for our games but never had him down as a budding Paul Daniels but whatever pays the bills I suppose.
Danny Brown AVFC
Christopher Priest 1981 - 2008 Holte Enders in the sky
My sincere condolences to Christopher's family and friends
Danny Brown
My New York Trip to Promote Villains the Book Feb 5th – 11th 2008
New York, the Big Apple, is Americas number one city, and is probably one of the greatest city in the world. It’s located at the mouth of the Hudson River & is the largest urban area in America. It’s a City where the unusual is commonplace, the dramatic is usually expected.
New York has a series of neighbourhoods that are the real melting pot of America. It’s a City of diversity, It’s a city people have come to from all over the world to build their lives. This is reflected in the neighbourhood names, The Bronx, Hells Kitchen, Spanish Harlem, Little Italy, Jamaica Queens and Chinatown.
My mother has lived in New York for well over 25 years now, and having visited the City on a numerous occasions I feel I know the City pretty well, from the sex scandal that brought down New York governor Eliot Spitzer to the United Airline planes that brought down the World Trade Centre Buildings, It’s deja-vu!!
Even if you’ve never been before, it sort of feels like you are going “back” because the City is portrayed in so many movies, and T.V. series.
When I was young I remember seeing a movie called Wild Style, about how kids grew up in and around the Five Boroughs of New York City, Manhattan, Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens and The Bronx. Little did I know at the time, that it was the birth of a underground scene called Hip Hop, a scene that was about to explode around the world and change the face of music, not to mention fashion. At the time I felt so distant from it all as my own upbringing had been completely different to the kids in New York. I would spend hours singing “Hot Love” and “Ben” with my school friends, and having a row over who was the best, Marc Bolan or Michael Jackson.
That was it-the violence of English football and loving a make up-wearing pop star that was heavy on the androgyny and women’s high heels. Come to think of it, a lot of football songs sung on the terrace in the 70’s by skinheads, boot boys were lifted from the glam rock tunes of the time. Somehow, those two worlds co-existed. 
Villains the book (hardback) as been in the public domain for 18 months now and has sold more copies than any other Aston Villa book. To date we have sold around 10,000 copies.
Just before the paperback was due out in February, and to popularize the sale, and the success of the hardback I was asked to go to New York & promote it, I jumped at the chance, & even though some people would say that there isn’t a market for a football hooligan book in America. With only two days notice, & my public relations manager organizing the whole trip. We were heading toward New York, to promote the book “Villains”.
Arriving at JFK Airport in the early hours of Wednesday morning, we were welcomed with the full wrath of the (Look at these criminals, photo shooting, finger printing) United States Immigration and customs officers!!!
New Yorkers take their security very seriously now a days. During the day the airport is bustling with people, but in the early hours of the morning it’s deserted and it’s spooky.
We picked up our luggage and caught a cab to our hotel. The ride onto Manhattan Island took us across Brooklyn Bridge, giving us a spectacular view of Manhattan with bright lights and giant skyscrapers.
Our hotel was on Broadway (The Washington) which is very close to time square on 55th Street 7th Ave. My companion was getting more and more worried as the streets seemed to be getting rougher. There were sizeable piles of rubbish bags at the curbside and graffiti all over walls and shop front shutters, I had to reassure her that a lot of New York streets looked like that, even the ones with buildings boasting brass name plates and doormen standing outside.
Our hotel was fairly decent, though the rooms were small they were clean. Manhattan is the economic and cultural heart of the city; dominated by big skyscrapers, restaurants and I guess I don’t need to tell you about the “shop till you drop” syndrome in the world renowned stores of Fifth Avenue.
Everything here is almost half price, compared to home & two British women(of a certain age) whom we met in the lift in our hotel, could barely carry the results of their days shopping.!!
I took full advantage of the strong pound myself and splashed out on two pairs of classic Levi original 501 jeans.
During our stay we mostly walked, but used the subways for longer journeys.
Most mornings we would hit the streets early with our busy schedule visiting Book stores, British & Irish Bars. We gave away free signed copies of the book rather than sell them; the point of the trip was to promote the book. The subway felt like a pretty safe transportation method for exploring neighbourhoods, such as Greenwich Village where we hung out in Washington Square Park with artists, writers and musicians, we made some good contacts in the Village. Late in the evening the subway still felt safe, with people who were trying to make a living by performing ( dancing, singing, and playing instruments ) We would talk with them take photo’s and give them a few dollars.
On the Friday I jumped on the E train to visit my mother who lives in Jamaica Queens, and to promote the book around the notorious areas of the North and the Southside of Jamaica Queens.
The Northside is the neighbourhood of Hip Hop star Russell Simmons, Run DMC, LL Cool J, and the Southside is where 50 Cent calls his hometown neighbourhood of South Jamaica in the movie “Get rich or die trying”.
The last stop on the E train line is Jamaica Queens (Jamaica Avenue), “too late to turn back now”! Jamaica Queens had changed a lot since I was last here in the 90’s, the violence of that era has subsided dramatically, although drugs and gangs still continue to be a problem but take note – there’s a whole lot more to Jamaica Queens than just drugs and gang bangers; it’s practically the birthplace of Hip Hop genre, clothing, and culture. Once on the streets of Queens with its stores teeming with people seeking out the latest tunes and brands in urban street wear, I start networking the book like a lay preacher.
Most of the people I met took an interest in the book, even street hustlers and gang members said the book was different to anything they had ever read, describing the book as something that is truly British.
My mother must have knocked on every door in her apartment block, to introduce me proudly to her next door neighbours. One guy came out of his apartment in a wheelchair. It kind of put the book into perspective when he told me he was a Vietnam War Veteran, a Green Beret.
On the Saturday I was up 5.30am to watch the Villa v Newcastle game. I had arranged to meet my ex boxing coach Paddy Martins son, Bommer at the Nevada Smiths bar, which is only a couple of miles away on Third Avenue. Dressed in my villa t-shirt and carrying a few books I caught a taxi. As I reached the bar, the surrounding area seemed deserted, with the exception of some guy dressed like Popeye Doyle “The French Connection” appeared from nowhere. I headed towards the front door, and thought this can’t be the right place; it looked well iffy even through the sign on the building did say Nevada Smiths.
As I steamed through the doors and looked around, to my amazement the whole place was packed with Villa and Newcastle fans. The bar proudly had signed football shirts of some of the greatest players to grace the game, hanging all around the walls. 
I stood there gloating at our very own signed European Championships winner shirt when some guy came over and said “Your Danny Brown, you and Paul Brittle wrote that book “Villains” After hearing that sentence, there was no doubt in my mind that New York has a market, not only for “Villains” but for hooligan books in general!!
I mixed with the villa fans, answered questions, took photos and gave away books. Most of the lads were originally from England, a few from Ireland. One girl who was American and married to one of the English lads told me how she loathed all sports as a kid, but when she got married she took to villa like a duck to water.
It was great seeing Bommer Martin again after all these years, nothing changes still boxing mad, still loving the Villa.
The New York Toon Army had a lot to sing about in the first half when Michael Owen scored a glancing header. But The New York Villans sang the loudest in the second half with a hat-trick by big John Carew. (Aston Villa 4 Newcastle United 1)
I have to say that although we were only there for five days we packed so much into that time. But it was virtually impossible to do everything on our schedule. It was fantastic the people where so welcoming (apart from the airport!) I recall a youth calling the book “Your Crazy Diamond” I can now understand why that so call Port Vale fan Robbie Williams is trying his hardest to cut it in America. With maintaining the high standard of the book, I re-emphasise “YOU AIN’T SEEN NOTHIN’ YET”
Danny Brown AVFC
 Signing with 'Villains' author Danny Brown
Danny Brown
Villains: The Inside Story of Aston Villa's Hooligan Gangs
WATERSTONE'S WALSALL
Saturday, 5 April 2008, 11:00AM - 2:00PM
Meet one of the authors of the bestselling book 'Villains' which reveals the inside story of Aston Villa's hooligan gangs. Danny will be signing copies of the new paperback edition in store - don't be late!
For Further details: 01922 610922
Please note that due to circumstances out of my control this event has been cancelled. My most sincere apologies to all those disappointed by this decision.
Villains the paperback book can now be bought in all good stores or you can buy direct from this site and gain your very own signed copy of Villains.
Danny Brown AVFC
Remembrance Sunday 11/11/2007 a day to remember!
Small Heath Alliance 1 Aston Villa FC 2
The Second City’s 105th derby was won by Aston Villa, so that made it three premiership wins on the trot, normal service has been resumed, but more about the actual match a little later.
The C-Crew and Steamers had decided ages ago not to bother going to the game, for a start, nobody wanted to hand over £45 to the Blues for a match day ticket, and secondly, as I have said before, we are all long into retirement and at our age would prefer to be all together watching the game with a few beers (did I say a few) with good company and in decent surroundings, rather than plotting a row on our mobiles all day long.
There was really only one place to watch the match, back at our spiritual patch in Aston. About a hundred and fifty of us had bought tickets for the Holte Hotel Pub, which is next door to Villa Park, and along with a hundred or so others, we watched the game there, on a 6ft screen.
Some of us wanted to do our own Remembrance Day tribute, we had a wreath delivered to the venue and we used the board from the book launch, which displays the names of Villa lads who are sadly no longer with us, we call them our “Holte Enders in the Sky”.
Just before midday we all gathered in the gardens where prior to our minute silence, a roll call was made of all our departed “match day boys”. Since that list was made, (a year ago), we have also lost, Andy Kitson and Coke.
It was really quite emotional as these lads were personal friends or brothers to some of the lads who were there, like Heaffy and Eddie Norton, so it was quite a touching tribute.
When the minute silence was over, Joycie was on cue to do a rendition of “Holte Enders in the Sky”.
For those who haven’t been in the Holte Hotel yet, it’s well worth a visit. Its been rebuilt and refurbished to a very high standard, for me, its a very nostalgic place because I use to box there for Aston Villa ABC, and it would be fair to say I’ve had some right old lively tear ups boxing there over the years in the claret and blue colours.
Randy Lerner has spent £4million bringing the old place back to its glorious past and has given us an excellent venue steeped in history, Its just a shame that more Villa fans can’t get in without an invitation on match days.
We were on the first floor in three different rooms, the atmosphere was electric, lots of nervous lads going through their own derby day rituals and drinking pint after pint, trying to rid themselves of derby day fever!
I’ve been told that £4500 went over the bar on draft beer alone, Christ knows what the bottle sales were!!!! As I looked around nervously, it was nice to see, enjoying his beer, the old Villa legend of derby day wins, Tony Morley.
The game itself started with us on the back foot with Blues going at us. I suppose it was always going to happen with agent Liam Ridgewell, that he would be involved in some of the defining moments of the game as he has always been a one big mistake a game type of player. Yes he is an honest pro and decent for them, but was never really good enough to be a Villa player. I suppose you could liken him to Noel Blake back in the 80’s, the last central defender to move between the clubs.
When Petrov dispossessed their supposed latest messiah, Kapo and crossed the ball in the box, agent Ridgewell couldn’t help himself and stuck his knee out, scoring his eighth goal for Villa. We were 1 nil up and about £500s worth of beer went all over the floor, and probably triple that in Villa Park as in various places they had over 1500 Villa fans watching the match.
You could hear the Villa fans on the TV, singing “There’s only one agent Ridgewell”, football can be cruel sometimes. Goals, well that’s the third or fourth own goal of his career so he is a bit of a specialist at that.  We were now in full control and both Carew and Gabby should have done better with their chances and put the game beyond doubt, even through we still went in happy at half time, one nil up!.
Some Villa fans think we are superior as both a team and as a club and we should be beating the likes of our neighbours easily, but having watched Villa over the years playing these lot it never works out that way. Some very good Villa sides have been turned over by some pretty average Blues sides, who in all fairness are always fired up for their cup final. Lets be honest its not as if they are likely to play much bigger games then the Birmingham derby if their past history is anything to go by.
In the first half they had two reasonable shouts for penalties turned down, but by the law of averages it will get evened out over the season, so stop bleating Steve Bruce & get over it!
In the second half it was more open and they were definitely putting us under pressure. The substitutions bought them back into the game when Forsell peeled off from our central defenders and scored a bullet header in the 67th minute, being honest I would have settled for a draw. I said to the lads we need to close the game down.
It was end to end football with Reo Coker missing a glorious chance, when Barry set him up with a lovely cushioned header which he volleyed over and then Carson made a decent save.
Ridgewell nearly scored at the right end only for Gabby to stick a foot out and clear it off the line, Jesus it was close!!
Moore, who had come on for a lethargic Carew fed the ball out to Young who crossed a sweet ball into the box where Gabby beat agent Ridgewell to it and glanced the ball into the net, Goooooooooooal Gabby Gabby Gabby Agbonlahor!!! 
We all went mental jumping on each other celebrating as both Gabby and our Ashley were engulfed with joy. We had scored on 87 minutes, It was proper payback time for the Stern John equaliser in 2004, only this was the winning goal and far sweeter.
Villa played the game out and closed it down with over four minutes of injury time, remaining and some intelligent play by our forwards kept the ball in their half.
When the ref blew the whistle it was a party all round with singing dancing and Clarkie giving numerous renditions of “Do you believe in the Villa”.
Analysing the game, were not firing on all cylinders and still haven’t hit the heights of the Chelsea game, but we are picking up points and we are a difficult side to play against. I thought Laursen and Barry were immense and Petrov had a better game but there is no doubt we have the quality in players like Young and Agbonlahor, It was fitting a local lad, Gabriel Agbonlahor a Brummie from my old manor Erdington scored the winner.
Martin O’Neill needs to sign a right back and we need a right midfielder, none of the people we have tried there are really suited to that role although I am being told we have a very useful player we signed in August the African Zidane apparently, Mustoupha Salifoe!
Our party wasn’t ready to finish so we all headed down to the Aston Social where the numbers had swelled to around 700 with a few that had been to the match coming back there.
Now I don’t know how much gets exaggerated but there were enough stories coming back about Blues lads throwing bricks / coins / bottles of ketchup at Villa scarfers penned in by the old bill and I know for a fact that some Villa females got caught up in ambushes because we took a call at the Aston Social, Yam Yam and some of the lads had to go and rescue them in a car.
There were Villa fans getting ambushed going back to their cars and people having to take refuge in take aways and even an old people’s home. The new kids on the block these days from the Villa our Youth firm took it to Blues on their own manor and 100 or so walked into Digbeth getting a result of sorts at the Kerryman pub, good luck to them but if the reports and the amount of stuff posted on Youtube are anything to go by both lots of lads are going to need it.
It’s a mugs game for us old enough to know better but try telling that to a 19 year old kid out to make his way in life they won’t listen, I didn’t at their age so what can I say now.
The Police are not idiots and if any of their own get hurt and by all accounts, 20 did. There will be a concerted effort to get those involved and I honestly think that they will try and close the new breed of football thugs down, before they have even properly started. It’s mad how it’s all changed, some of the things some firms claim as a result for just showing and half the time a punch isn’t even thrown, you can get sent down for almost nothing these days. It’s a hell of a risk and having done bird it isn’t the best of place to be in, whilst not trying to sound like an old fart, in our day everything was done differently, with a bit more respect towards scarfers and the Police.
I spoke with PC Hemmings in the Aston Social about today’s events. He mentioned the Villains book, so it was an ideal opportunity to ask him honestly what he thought of it. He said “I am about half way through it and yes its good and pretty accurate but where is the stuff about Queens Road Police” , I replied its in there you just haven’t got to it yet. Think he wanted me to say the book says the best firm in Birmingham is the West Midlands Police well it probably is now!
Whilst the claret and blue were celebrating in the ground and three quarters of the pubs in Brum, I understand our players were sampling the delights of a derby win and one young Scottish lad Shaun Maloney experienced a Brum derby for the first time. My source told me Maloney thought it was a little bit hair rising, and that’s from someone who has played in Rangers / Celtic games. I honestly don’t think there is a derby game quite like it and as Brittle said in the book it’s never lost its intensity, whenever it’s played or whatever the kick off time.
The Villa players, along with the fans were kept in and they could hear the fans celebrating and the commotion going on from the young hoodies throwing bricks / coins etc, but whilst all the other players were being a little sensible my source told me Mellberg apparently just walked out the ground to buy a hamburger from one of the fast food stalls, saying that he is one big lump and he don’t scare easily.
I don’t think Mellberg ever got over the blues fan on the pitch with Enkleman and secretly probably wishes, it was him he confronted instead of our flapping goalkeeper at the time.
Gareth Barry also showed what a class act he is by ignoring the batteries and other various missiles aimed in his direction when he was taking corner kicks, he was the best player on the pitch by a country mile.
 All over Birmingham and the Midlands the Villa fans celebrated, it was a bit of payback for the four defeats we have tasted in the previous premiership encounters, but it seems that even the old Blues players who make rash predictions in newspapers are still bitter they couldn’t cut it at Villa, decided to attack a Villa lad later on that night. The same kid, a scarfer, was in the Holte pub earlier, must make that old Blues player proud when he knows the kid was in there with his wife and young daughter, some things never change eh! Just hope agent Ridgewell doesn’t turn out the same way!
I ended the day in the Yenton with my son and daughter-in-law, I felt glad that from those first premiership games where Blues had the upper hand, they had now witnessed Villa back on top and where we belong, like I said, normal service has well and truly been resumed !
Danny Brown
October 6th 2007 – Villa Park – Aston Villa 1 West Ham 0
Today is the day I’ve been looking forward to for months, because today is the day that I’m meeting up with my old rival – Cass Pennant.
Anyone who was associated with or was involved in football violence over the last 30 years would know who Cass Pennant is, and therefore would have experienced him and his firm “The ICF” Cass, who is no longer involved in any form of football violence is a respected author and publisher, and following the success of his best selling autobiography “Cass”, he is now involved in the project “Cass the movie”.
The movie will tell the incredible true story of an orphaned Jamaican baby who was adopted by an elderly white couple and brought up in an all white area of London, to how he became one of the most feared and respected men in Britain.
I was thrilled to be offered a part in the movie, playing a convicted prisoner in the scrubs. From what I’ve seen of the cast, there is a list of stars ranging from “The Football Factory” to “EastEnders” appearing in the film and even a few of my old sparring partners from yesteryear. (Watch this space for Photo’s)
One of my mates has a corporate facility at Villa Park and in fairness to him he has never forgotten his roots and invites as many Villa old lads as he does customers on match days into his box, he invited me and Cass for today’s game. Unfortunately Cass rang about a week before today’s game to say that he couldn’t make it due to work commitments, but, he would be sending on the sub! F***ing hell!!! Can you imagine the shock waves of delight when I realized who Cass was sending as his replacement for the day,” the Godfather of West Ham football hooligan’s, the legendary Bill Gardner”.
Bill, has been around for a long time and is now retired from football hooligan activity. Bill goes far back to the days of the Mile End boys and is renowned for his one liner whilst steaming into his rivals - “Good afternoon gentlemen, the name is Bill Gardener”. That introduction itself was often enough to provoke sheer terror into his opponents. To this day, Bill is still a terrace legend at Upton park.
Match Day
I’d arranged to meet Bill and his son outside Villa Park, the main Trinity road stand at 12 noon. Even through I was 20mins late I have a philosophy that when you meet your guests for the first time you keep them waiting for a while. Those 20 intended minutes gave Bill and his son the chance to have a look around Birmingham’s first Cathedral, Villa Park and when I did finally turn up they had a good insight of our proud history and bright future.
I approached the Trinity road stand, and spotted Bill from the distance, he had his back to me, but I could see he was smarty dressed in a suit, looking like “Tony Soprano”. I tapped him on his shoulder and as he turned round to shake my hand, I said, “Mr Gardner, that’s the first time I’ve ever seen your back in 30 years of confrontation”. The Ice had been broken (And not my hand)
Bill had an equally warm welcome from the box holder and the rest of the lads. We were drinking a few beers and reminiscing about the good old days. Bill pointed out to us where his firm had entered the Holte End back in the 70’s. I asked Bill about the infamous 1980 FA Cup game at Upton Park. He confirmed the story of him being the steward who let the West Ham firm into the Villa end of the ground.
Unbeknown to us there was a group of my mate’s customers who happened to be West Ham fans in the box with us who knew who Bill was but at the time nothing was mentioned about his past, he was introduced to them as Bill the West Ham fan, we talked about football and how West Ham stole our club colours nothing else. However Bill was spotted by other West Ham fans at half time and even recognized by our very own Dennis Mortimer and it was probably a little embarrassing for Bill having to sign autographs and pose for pictures with fans.
First class hospitality was the order throughout the day with ex Villa player Charlie Aitken presenting Bill with a framed picture which read “Good afternoon Mr Gardner, the name is Danny Brown welcome to the home of the real claret and blue” with a caricature of me holding the Villains book. Bill had remarked on the day how much he admired Villa Park and our football legend Dennis Mortimer as a player. What really impress me about Bill was his understanding and knowledge of the game, it’s second to none.
My mate's customers definitely knew who Bill and I was but didn't say anything on the day but on the Monday morning emailed him asking how he got Villa and West Ham’s top men in his box on Saturday. Dead pan as you like he said we worked in his finance department me covering customers in the Midlands and Bill in the South of England, who he was having problems with getting payments from. They replied thinking what he was saying was true “do you have many problems now getting paid”, he replied “not since Danny and Bill went to see them”.
At some point this story is going to do the rounds, but whilst it’s very funny myself and Bill Gardner are not working in any Finance Department for a very well known Birmingham company, and despite my mate’s mischievous sense of humor I have told him politely that the only figures me and Bill are doing are the sales of our books.
All in all first class company, top class hospitality, and three points
Danny Brown
September 23rd 2007 -Villa Park- Aston Villa 2 Everton 0
VILLA CHEW TOFFEES
Funny how times change over thirty years ago I suffered some of my worst times in football on Merseyside and its well documented in the Villains book the numerous battles I was involved in with both clubs (Everton and Liverpool) and the fact I lost my liberty over one particular incident.
However times move on and here I am in one of the corporate boxes with six Everton lads and probably their best known and most recognized hooligan Andy Nicholls. Nicholls is actually a woollyback and is more Welsh than Scouse. He isn’t he most popular kid with certain Villa lads, because of his wide of the mark accounts captured in his book Scally about the C-Crew. Whilst Nicholls and I are never going to agree on certain things in his book, it’s true what they say, you will always see it differently depends whose side you are on.
I was first introduced to Nicholls last year at the photo shoot for the front cover of the Villains book at Club Sensations. On that occasion meeting up with my old adversary was something I wasn’t really looking forward to. What would I have to say, would we have anything in common to talk about. It was like giving an invitation to the L A P D to attend a Rodney King tea party.
Whilst some would argue that hostilities from years gone by don’t run so deep today and would expect you’re going to be civil and merciful now, can take note. Some prick in our ranks that will stay anonymous wanted to bash Nicholls at Club Sensations on the day! Ten against one is something we don’t encourage in our firm. I soon put his spineless intentions to bed, which meant him having to leave the Club.
After meeting Andy Nicholls my general opinion on him changed, I have a lot of time for the kid and no matter what anyone says about him I know he is a bit of a scally, but also a decent lad with a razor sharp sense of humour. The coward who was trying to bash, or should I say lacking the courage to try and bash Nicholls is now well and truly out of favour with the rest of our lads. Nicholls can look after himself and you can see where he gets the nickname from Man United “SOME FRONT NICHOLLS” .The odds would have been heavily stacked up against him, but he came up as a friend and that will do for me.
Back to the prawn sandwiches, Andy Nicholls as been banned from Goodison Park for life, he takes up every opportunity to watch his beloved team Everton at away games. He is not involved in the scene anymore, just a fan not a hooligan now. The host of the day is a very good friend of Nicholls and through Nicholls had used his notoriety well and even brought a couple of Everton football legends with him, two players who also played for Villa, Dave Hickson in the 60’s and the more well known to us Derek Mountfield from the 90’s.
As we tucked into Villa Parks finest food and great beers, the West Midlands Police top brass popped into the box and requested that the staff take mine and Nicholls’s beer away until half time. My contacts at Villa Park told me the “Old Bill” had zoomed into our box from the police control room and were concerned about me and Nicholls. What did they think we were going to do, kill each other with friendship!!!
At half time and with the beer flowing again Nicholls recalled a very recent story, about an Evertonian guy in his late seventies who had passed away. This guy hero had been Dave Hickson. Fair play to Nicholls he arranged for Dave Hickson to attend the funeral, the family were made up that he had come and they asked Dave if he would sign the condolence card. Nicholls sense of humour took over, with Dave getting on in years and a little unsteady on his feet so probably not enjoying the best of health, asked Nicholls what he should write? Nicholls replied, “PUT ON IT, SEE YOU SOON DAVE” The rest of the lads were struggling to hold the chuckles, but Dave didn’t notice, he was busy getting stuck into the buffet and having seen him eat I can understand!!
The Box Holder managed to get a few Villa Old Boys into the box to meet us, Dennis Mortimer and Tony Morley who ribbed Nicholls and the other Everton lads about them supporting the blue side and Dennis being Liverpool. Tony evened it out though admitting as a kid he was an Everton fan.
It was interesting talking to Derek Mountfield and him having played in a very good Everton side, that should have won the European Cup, but for English Clubs being banned from Europe. He still says the best player that he ever played with was Paul McGrath by a country mile, not a surprise to us Villa fans, something I think the Everton lads weren’t expecting Mountfield to say. But that wasn’t the only thing they weren’t expecting, a 2 -0 win for the Villa with goals from Carew and an excellently taken goal from Gabby.
I’m looking forward to seeing Nicholls and co again in April for the return, hopefully with the same result, that will do us very nicely.
Aston Villa: Carson, Mellberg, Laursen, Knight, Bouma, Agbonlahor, Reo-Coker, Barry, Young, Moore (80 Harewood), Carew (53 Gardner).
Booked: Agbonlahor
Goals: Carew 14, Agbonlahor 60
Everton: Wessels, Hibbert, Yobo, Lescott, Baines, Pienaar, Jagielka, Neville, Osman, Anichebe (69 Yakubu), Johnson (69 McFadden).
Att: 38,235
Ref: Lee Probert (Wiltshire)
Match Day-Memory Lane Photo’s
Andy Nicholls with two of Aston Villa's all time greats, Tony Morley and Dennis Mortimer
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Two of my life long friends Jackie and Scouse Martin |
Martin Swift and son,'' born in Liverpool Villa by choice''
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Former Villa and Everton player Derek Mountfield
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Derek Mountfield 1988-91 App 90 Goals 9
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Andy Nicholls entertaining us with his wide eyes stories. |
Funny Story
Martin Swift (Scouse Martin) Comments:
Hi Danny, It was nice catching up with you at the Everton match, Quick non hooligan Pete the Greek story. I came down from Liverpool for a home game in the 80’s and went to the Roebuck but only Pete was in there. He had a car (I think an old Cortina) and gave me a lift up to the ground. He drove right up to the Holte End, I was thinking where is he going to Park. Then he asked if I could drive "course I can" I stupidly answered...."well park this f***er then" he said, diving out and leaving me stranded with old bill all over the place. I had to scramble across to the drivers seat and ended up back by Aston station looking for somewhere to park. Anyway let's keep in touch...the book is spot on by the way.
Danny’s Comments:
Great Story Martin, I could write two books full of funny story’s base on our antics over the years. Thanks for popping up to the boxes after the match on Sunday. Didn't think Andy Nicholls or Derek Mountfield could work out how come you where part of the C-Crew and from Liverpool. Just goes to show Villa every f------ were! Will keep in touch mate.
Danny Brown AVFC
September 2nd 2007-Villa Park-Aston Villa 2 Chelsea 0
A debut goal from Aston Villa fan Zat Knight and a late Gabriel Agbonlahor strike saw Aston Villa shatter Chelsea's seven-month unbeaten record in the Barclays Premier League. 
Knight climbed above Didier Drogba to head in a Gareth Barry corner in the second minute of the second half.
Chelsea threw everything at Villa in the final half hour but came up against a determined Villa backline.
Salomon Kalou dragged a shot wide before Villa broke and Agbonlahor stabbed in Ashley Young's driven cross.
It was a frustrating afternoon for Jose Mourinho at Villa Park, where Chelsea have not won since 1999.
But it was a terrific game for the neutral - not to mention the Villa fans.
It was real end-to-end stuff with the quartet of Young, Agbonlahor, John Carew and Luke Moore providing a new-look Chelsea backline with plenty to think about.
Drogba was not enjoying his most profitable afternoon as Villa's own reworked defence made him fight for everything. 
Villa have yet to score a league goal in the first half this season, but whatever manager O'Neill says at half-time seems to be working.
Within a minute of the kick off Young had a shot tipped over by Cech and from Barry's corner Knight climbed above Drogba to head powerfully past Cech.
It was the second goal in successive games for £3.5m capture Knight - the other an own goal for Fulham on his last visit to Villa Park a week earlier.
Mourinho wasted no time in throwing Claudio Pizarro on, soon to be followed by Joe Cole and Kalou. 
But despite plenty of possession and some nervous moments for the home side, Chelsea struggled to come up with clear-cut chances.
Their best opportunity to equalize came from a set-piece, with Terry heading over from one of their succession of corners.
Kalou shot wide from a promising position but as Chelsea poured forward they left themselves open to Villa's pace, and when Young broke down the left his driven effort was guided in by Agbonlahor.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho:
"It was a good game with good teams but a result that Chelsea didn't deserve at all.
"We dominated the first half, reacted well to their goal and we deserved to get a point at least.
"We made a mistake at the corner for their goal. We shouldn't be conceding goals like that but also had enough chances to score."
Aston Villa: Carson, Mellberg, Knight, Laursen, Bouma, Agbonlahor, Reo-Coker, Barry, Young, Moore, Carew (Petrov 79)
Booked: Reo-Coker, Barry, Agbonlahor, Carew.
Goals: Knight 47, Agbonlahor 88.
Chelsea: Cech, Belletti, Terry, Alex, Ashley Cole, Wright-Phillips (Joe Cole 63), Makelele (Kalou 63), Essien, Malouda, Obi (Pizarro 52), Drogba.
Booked: Drogba.
Att: 37,714.
Ref: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear).
Danny Brown
May 11th 2007 - Villa Park -Aston Villa Old Stars 3 T Mobile 2 
Your going home like Sandy Richardson
Last Friday two of our older lads from my era Jarvo and Del fulfilled childhood ambitions when they played at Villa Park with the Villa old stars, against team T-Mobile. One of the Erdington lads Maurice had entered a competition in the Express to play on the hallowed turf but unfortunately torn a muscle, Maurice was devastated but being the person he is gave his two places to Del and Jarvo.
Both now 46 years of age and a few pounds heavier than in their prime, Jarvo who was always tee total and the driver of many a mini bus trips to the away games and a real Villa fanatic (Jarvo didn’t miss a game home or away for about six seasons on the trot) and Del who is a Bromford lad born and bred, Villa fan who has been there done it seen it.
A few of us came down to support them and whilst Heaffy gave em both a lot of stick the truth is that we were all a little green with envy that they had the chance to play at Villa Park with the likes of Gordon Cowans, Tony Morley, Colin Gibson and Mark Walters.
They came out to the fanfare which always accompanies teams as they come out a Villa Park the customary handshakes along the lines and even the PA announcing the names of all the players.
Our lads wore the Villa white European Cup final top and after the celebrations of the last week of our greatest triumph it was a fitting way to end the celebrations.
We had premier league ref Dermot Gallagher looking after proceedings and the two managers were Des Bremner and Gary Shaw who didn’t escape Heaffys tongue as he questioned their managerial capabilities.
Del was mistaken for Noel Blake by one of the lads watching in the Doug Ellis boxes which will please him no end. After 15 minutes of struggling to keep up with play Del finally clicked having been put through by Cowans he worked his magic crossing for Jarvo to give it the traditional Zola flick into the net, ok it was more of a stumble but who cares he scored at Villa Park infront of the North Stand.
Looking at the likes of Cowans and Walters you can see they still have it even if they are at a much slower pace but you never lose that footballing brain even if Jarvo was complaining that Walters was a greedy so and so.
Aston Villa v T Mobile |
Game on! |
Lifelong Villa fans Jarvo & Del |
The man with the whistle for the day, Premiership referee Dermot Gallagher |
The unforgettable moment Villa fans line up with some of the European Cup team at Villa Park |
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Del even had the cheek to shout ‘Gibbo can you f---- see it’ as he made his run into the box. To be fair who could miss Del with that frame, Del ballooned the chance miles over. Del in his younger days had a trial at Wolves but a certain George Berry put paid to any chance of Del making it as a pro, in a bone crunching tackle. Del settled for local fame playing for the Bromford Arms. The game ended 3-2, for the Villa side.
All in all it was a good afternoon with everyone ending up in the McGregor suite for refreshments and a big thank you to T Mobile for inviting all the lads in and looking after us. Mark Walters got stick off the lads for his burberry coat he wore at the Villa awards night, the lads questioned if Walters had been hanging around with Blues fans with that taste in clothes.
For us Villa fans it as been a hell of a week it’s bought back so many great memories but Jarvo bought back memories of the 1970’s terrace song aka Crossroads soap that we used to sing to either opposing supporters or players injured. Jarvo ended up in hospital the day after when he fainted at home having suffered a back injury at the game and yes he did ‘go home like Sandy Richardson’.
Great day especially for Del and Jarvo!
Danny Brown
April 28th 2007 - Manchester City Vs Aston Villa at the City of Manchester Stadium
Former Aston Villa player Darius Vassell
 
The point had been made recently that all Villa-Man City games of the last two seasons had been played under the cover of darkness.
After his transfer to Man City, little did we know that Count Vassell would come back to haunt Villa time and time again and sink his teeth into his former club, and there’s no doubt that Darius Vassell was looking to repeat his actions of the last few seasons on Villa again.
Manchester City 0 Aston Villa 2
Villa took advantage of a lacklustre Manchester City side with goals from John Carew and Shaun Maloney to record a 2-0 win leaving Villa unbeaten in seven games.
Alex Williams, former Man City goalkeeper. Alex is the only person I've ever met with bigger hands than myself. |
Clive Studart, Man City fan and Childhood friend is presented with a framed shirt. |
Eddie Norton 30 years of Villa friendship |
Gavin McCann said he looks forward to reading the book |
Stuart Pearce warned us that Vassell would be firing on all cylinders as he bid to continue his remarkable goal-scoring record against the Villa. |
Mark Halsey, referee of the day awarded City a first half penalty. |
Players who have served both Man City and Aston Villa
Darius Vassell
Martin O’Neill
David James
Earl Barrett
Steve McMahon
Mark Lillis
Robert Hopkins
Ken McNaught
Bobby McDonald
John Deehan
Adrian Heath
John Burridge
Peter Schmeichel
John Gidman
Frank Carrodus
May I take this opportunity on behalf of myself and the lads, in thanking Mike, Suzanne, Colin Bell and Nedun Onuoha for their kind hospitality at the City of Manchester Stadium.
Danny Brown
April 2007 - BLACKBURN AWAY APRIL 7TH 2007 ‘ THE STEVE NORTON TRIBUTE DAY ‘
Just over 12 months ago one of our finest lads, Steve Norton, passed away and ironically his last Villa game was Blackburn away. That day Steve went to the game with his brother Eddie, on a coach from Kingstanding along with a lot of Villa Youth.
Shortly after Steve’s funeral we had two local derbies in quick succession, West Brom and Blues, both at home. The lads commissioned a giant banner in honour of Steve with the words ‘Holte Enders in the Sky’, and the Norton name which was done in the old Norton motorcycle motif underneath. The websites at the time were full of glowing tributes for Steve, and even Blues lads joined in to pay their respects. One of his mates who was an old Zulu had had the words ‘colours don’t matter’ tattooed on his arm in the colours of Villa / Blues, such was the respect for Steve Norton.
 A funeral that attracted over 500 mourners, where all the firms that had ever represented Villa over the last 30 odd years came together, it was obvious that Steve would never be forgotten by his fellow Villa lads.
Whoever came up with the idea of Blackburn away as a Steve Norton tribute day, I am not sure but, what I was certain of was that it would be well attended.
In total seven coaches were organised on his behalf, four from the Cabin pub in the City Centre, two from the Armada pub at Spaghetti, and one from the Royal pub in Sutton. The Armada coaches were full of old C Crew and Villa Youth lads with the Cabin ones more Steamers.
I couldn’t make the day because of work commitments but have asked one of my friends Mr G Bojangles to give his account of the day’s events.
The day went as follows:
Our coach was from the Royal Hotel in Sutton Coldfield. It had a lot of the lads from the Bromford on it plus the likes of Del, Ade, Heaffy, Jarvo, and Fordy.
The first problem was the coach driver couldn’t get the coach into the car park, so he parked right outside the ‘nick’. We ended up having to leg it up the road to get on, and as usual, because of the odd straggler, we were late getting off but got away around 10-ish.
The journey was fairly uneventful until about 15 miles outside of Blackburn. We noticed one of the coaches from the Cabin had broken down, and lads were waiting in the sunshine on the embankment for another coach. There was nothing for it but to pull over and get as many as we could on. We managed to give a lift to about 20 of them whilst the others waited for a replacement coach.
We spoke with Joycie on the Armada coaches, and they were running about twenty minutes behind us, but Joycie relayed the plan, and that was for all to meet at the big pub outside the Blackburn away end, the Fernhurst.
When we landed there at about quarter past 12, the car park was already full of Villa, and the bar downstairs was crammed with more Villa trying to get a drink.
Our coach had got the banner on it, and we unfurled it for when Eddie Norton got to the pub, so he could see it in its true splendour and let him know the lads were thinking of him and Steve.
Eddie’s coaches arrived, and they took the top floor of the pub. One of Steve’s mates had 250 Villa badges made with the words ‘STEVE NORTON REMEMBERED’ on them, and everyone proudly displayed the badge for all to see.
The lads on the Armada coach all donated £10 each to Steve’s wife Sue, and like last year when over a thousand pounds was raised, it was another occasion where it showed how we pull together for one of our own.
Everyone seemed to be taking advantage of the weather, and the fact they were selling beer on the massive car park. Some lazy twat decided to use the portaloo as opposed to going to the pub loo,….well with three hundred lads on the lash it was obvious there was going to be a bit of mischief.
He ended up going to the loo and they only went and tipped it over. There was piss all over him, and all over the car park! Christ knows what he smelt like and I’m glad I wasn’t standing next to him at the game.
Blackburn is one of those away games where it’s more about proper ‘old skool’ lads being out, rather than the premiership jolly jester hat brigade, (probably because you can get the allocation and you don’t have to have twenty away card stamps, or a collection of Villa badges). With over 4000 making the trip, the day was always going to be a good crack.
Inside the ground the lads were having a good attempt at drinking Blackburn Rovers dry, and all the old songs were coming out.
Funny when you think about it, that fact that we aren’t much better than last season, with only one away win in the league, and yet every game, we sell our away allocation. The new owners and O’Neil have generated a feel good factor around the place, which we haven’t seen since Big Ron’s days really.
The banner was unfurled and went back and forth around the lower tier, and it was more like a cup tie atmosphere than a mid table dogfight!
We started off well but found ourselves one down to a dodgy penalty, but the fans stuck with the team and we clawed our way back into it, through the old maestro Patrick Berger.
When Barry missed the penalty I had the ‘here we go again’ feeling, but when Gabby scored a goal that Micheal Owen would have been proud of, it seemed to be our day. Maybe old Stevie had something to do with it, and it was nice to win on his day!
The win was greeted like a cup win with the players throwing their shirts into the crowd at the end, and it was hugs all around as we made our way back to the coaches.
How times do change! The old bill made sure that the coaches got away, and wouldn’t let you hang around waiting for stragglers. Unfortunately, four of ours decided to be clever and go for a pint and missed the coach. (They are from Tamworth so that explains it I suppose). All in all though, a great day and good turnout for the ONE STEVIE NORTON!
Danny Brown.
April 2007 - His Royal Highness Prince William - The King to be and I
Pete the Greek the ‘ Godfather of Football Hooliganism’ joked in my interview with him last year that maybe the Queen would recognise us in the New Year’s Honours list and we would get an OBE for services to football hooliganism.
 Ok, that was a little tongue in cheek but I must admit, receiving a letter from the future King of England, His Royal Highness Prince William, felt pretty close to getting an OBE for someone like me.
As most of you are probably aware Prince William follows Aston Villa football club and I took the opportunity recently of sending a copy of the book ‘Villains’ to him.
Never in my wildest dreams did I expect a personal reply! At best I thought I would get just an acknowledgement and the book most likely returned.
In my accompanying letter I had stated the book is more than just about football hooliganism of the past four decades, it also tells a social story and details the football side of following a club we both follow.
Both Paul and I feel honoured that Prince William took the time to reply and show an interest, as he put it, in finding out how Aston Villa tried to combat the hooligan problem. This just shows the measure of the person that he is in touch with today’s people.
He is never going to condone what went on and I wouldn’t expect him to, but at least he is willing to understand why people were involved in trouble at football and how it has changed.
I think a lot of people feel he will make a good King; he certainly has a lot of attributes, and not only has he got Royal blood, he has got claret and blue blood!
The publicity gained, you could argue, is good for the book as the story made it into the nationals i.e. Sunday paper, News of the World, but contrary to what some believe, I never sold the story to the papers for £30,000, I actually gave the story to a local journalist Lisa Smith, who handled the initial press releases of the book with professionalism and dignity.
You sometimes have to repay a good deed with another!
I also have sent the book to Emma B and Nigel Kennedy who are both celebrity Villa fans and I might even venture to send it to other very well known Villa supporters like David Cameron, Conservative Party Leader, Mervyn King, Chairman of the Bank of England and Tom Hanks, the film actor.
In fact, sending Tom a book might just be the spark we need to do the next project, which will be the movie, ‘Villains’.
I have printed for you all to see on my website the letter Prince William sent me which is now taking pride of place in my front room.
Regards, Danny Brown.
March 2007 - Battle of the Airwaves - Heavyweight Boxing Championship - Danny Kelly (BBC WM) v Paul Kershaw (Galaxy FM)
On Friday 23rd March 2007, I attended a great night of white collar boxing in Digbeth Birmingham City Centre. I was a VIP guest of Danny Kelly from BBC WM Radio.
Topping the bill was two of Birmingham’s heavyweight radio presenters, Danny ‘Boy’ Kelly, (BBC WM) and Paul ‘Killa’ Kershaw, (Galaxy FM). The moment I met Danny Kelly he started to talk a good fight, saying he was going to keep Kershaw at jabs length and had a big right hammer, which he said has got legendry status in some parts of Coventry.
 Danny said he was looking forward to the walk into the ring and was confident of the victory. When the time came to ‘walk the walk’ into the ring, showmanship was at a bare minimum as the nerves started to kick-in. The bell went and the first of 3, 90 second rounds started. The first round was more like a wild west saloon fight, the signs didn’t look good for Danny Boy as he lost his footing and hit the canvas. The second round was much better, and then came what Danny and his supporters had been waiting for, his legendry big right hammer, boom! Kershaw wobbled and took a standing 8 count, which meant that Danny was now well ahead on the judge’s score cards. After that Kershaw had nothing to offer, and at the end of round 3, Danny Boy Kelly was crowned Heavyweight Champion of the Airwaves. Danny commented after, “Watch out Alan Brazil, Talk Sport, you’re next”!
Danny Kelly Profile
Danny’s our token scouser – born and bred in Liverpool in the blue half of the city. He came to the Midlands when he was eighteen. If you know Danny Kelly, he sounds like a car dealer trying to sell you a bent car. That’s because he is, or at least he was, as he was selling them around the Midlands for six years!
He joined BBC WM as breakfast reporter in 2000 and in 2004, started presenting the afternoon show, where his audience figures doubled in the first year.
Danny’s entire family are journalists - his father edited the Birmingham Post, his mother was a freelance journalist for the nationals, and his brother is a features editor at the Daily Mirror. Danny said “I guess journalism has always been in my blood, but I was in denial for 30 years”.
Danny’s hobbies include jogging, and supporting Everton Football Club. A little – known fact about him is that, as a child, Kevin Keegan used to babysit him!
Danny Brown
THE C CREW CHRISTMAS PARTY SATURDAY 16TH DECEMBER 2006
After the book launch we had decided as a group that we would get together and have a bit of a blow out. We hired out the executive balcony seats in the corner of the Trinity Road for the Bolton game and made a right day of it.
Before the game a mate of one of the lads had arranged for a presentation to be made to Pete the Greek and it was funny to see Pete’s face when he realised it was only his favourite player Charlie Aitken doing the presentation to him. Charlie only asked for Pete the Greek by name!
All the lads had come dressed for the day in suits and it must have been some sight on that balcony seeing the old C Crew and a few Steamers all in their brand new whistles a far cry from the ski jumper days.
Whilst the actual attendance was very poor and the result didn’t go well I have to say the old C Crew lads can still belt out a few songs and raise the atmosphere.
Much has been made on the Villa fan websites asking who the corporate suits were on the balcony and looking at some of the replies they had worked out it was us but lets just get one thing straight we are retired, we are no longer involved in football violence and none of us are banned from Villa park we paid our money, we behaved and we had a party.
On a positive note a lot of the people wondering who we were also said ‘can they come every week’ because of the racket we made. Probably the best moments were Clarkey’s rendition of Do ya believe in the Villa? Voiced in true gospel style with the rest of us (30 in total) being his choir to Joycie’s 12 days of Christmas and then all of us baiting the Holte in a good natured fashion with ‘ Holte End give us a song ‘.
I know the stewarding at the football gets a bit over the top when you stand up but that’s premiership football but there isn’t anything like standing up with all your mates having a good old sing song it bought back some good memories. We were still singing our heads off an hour after the game finished and apparently it was recorded on one of the local radio stations Radio WM.
The day didn’t finish there we went back to the Aston Social for a party where the Greek really got into it dancing away in true Pete style to the reggae a throwback to his old skinhead days.
The party was only ever going to have one final destination, Brownies club Sensations where I ended up along with him and Brittle as the last three to leave.
It was a great day not a bad word or punch thrown it was just a celebration of all the old lads talking about the old war stories but more about the crack we used to have.
There is no fear for the old bill, we are not going to come out of retirement none of us want it again and none of us want to be banned from the football grounds, Villa Park is still a very special place to us and Saturday was a real step back in time to the old days.
Some of the comments on the Villa message boards:
Villa Talk Message Board, Villa v Bolton December 18th 2006 WHO WERE THOSE GUYS?
Saturdaygig
Who were those guys in that box up there? Got us going in the second half though, didn’t they.
Totti-The -God
You could still hear them on Radio WM after the match had finished, they were superb and like you said they got the Holte going in the second half.
Ianrobo1
Dead easy they were the guys involved in the Villains book and they certainly spiced up the atmosphere and in fact it was bloody excellent after that. Also whilst doing the raffle draw they were there and still singing in an empty stadium!!!
Walmley-Villa
It was the C-Crew and Steamers Christmas party. Just glad they got the crowd going.
Ahamaad
They did brilliantly, hope they are there next week.
Blandy
Top mark to the blokes in the posh suits in the box, they looked to be having a right old blast.
Bendtkoch
Old hooligans, ex-hooligans, call them what you like. To me they are top Villa fans who have been around for donkeys years and will still be around long after some of our fair weather friends have jumped ship. God bless the likes of Pete the Greek, Black Danny, Brittle, Roscoe, Brownie.
Danny Brown
19th September 2006 - The Book Launch They Could'nt Stop
We finally managed to get the event on after six hard months of planning. The day was always billed as just a party for all the Villa lads and their loved ones to launch the book Villains despite what the police think. It was never going to be anything other than a party and a celebration due the fact that we had pulled it off.
It was a thank you to the many people who had contributed and supported the book as we fought to get it in the public domain.
In the end however the media publicity surrounding the cancellation of the launch has been an immense plug for the book. The fact the event at the original venue Club Sensations was called off even made the local Teletext and we had regular radio bulletins informing people that it was going to be called off.
We changed the venue on the Saturday morning to a more local establishment to Villa Park, which could cater for a thousand people, but West Midlands Police found out and at 10.30pm Saturday night we were again faced with a book launch but nowhere to hold it.
After some frantic phone calls we managed to find an alternative venue and this time decided not to publicise it but use the tried and trusted grapevine to ‘spread the word’. To take a line from a film ' if you build it they will come ' and come they did.
In all over the day we had over 300 fans that managed to find the venue. Unfortunately some of my own guests were unable to find the venue, due to the fact that I couldn’t publicise the location to everybody in time. Hopefully they will understand it wasn't for the want of trying.
The day's events started with a few songs and a few drinks and people just staring at the pictures that we had taken of the book that were now in six feet frames hanging around the room.
For most the picture of the Holte End with the names of all of those who sadly have passed away printed onto the canvas was the main focus.
That became the signal for one of our lads to get up and read the names out and for a couple of the brothers and some very close friends it was a special moment and quite emotional.
The book launch then got into full swing and queues were formed with people asking a lot of the lads to sign books as a memento of the day in that crazy period we managed to sell 260 books in just three hours.
A lot of the crowd dispersed to watch the football which then allowed for some others to get in and meet those that were left in there while the game was going on.
I would like to thank my old adversary Roger Quintine and a few of the Subway Army lads for showing up on the day and paying their respects.
After the Wigan game had finished everybody made their way back and the party is now under full swing.
We now had under one roof four firms of Villa generations, people tell me that has never happened before and not one punch was thrown all day it was simply our day.
Somebody must have decided we were enjoying ourselves too much and neighbours complaining there were too many people laughing and singing and the old bill decided to shut us down again!
As the publishers Milo later commented ' never been to a book launch like this ever the old bill must really hate you lot.
We now have Villa fans on the Erdington High Street, split up into different pubs. The Police decided again to shut the pubs down one by one; they even put barriers up stopping people coming into Erdington you would have thought we were in a police state. What it must have cost the taxpayer and the loss of revenue for the pubs in that area I dread to think but in total nine pubs were closed that day and it wasn’t even a match day.
Apparently the riot police were called in and it got a bit lively but I didn’t see any of this, it’s a pity that those making the decisions didn’t use more common sense, the book launch was always going to happen and we tried to be upfront and honest about it but it was simply driven underground.
The party found a new home and we went back to Aston and the lads wives seeing that the bar staff couldn’t cope actually became barmaids for the night to ensure that no one was breaking up our party.
Some of the highlights for me that night were the speeches made and the standing ovation and cheering that accompanied the introduction on the stage of Pete the Greek, if ever anyone deserved that it was him!
I actually ended up in the Elbow room that night with one of our celebrity guests who was their earlier in the day an ex famous Villa footballer who said ‘ I met Pete the Greek today ‘ and I suppose it topped the day off and showed what the day meant to everyone.
One of the disappointments was that we didn’t manage to start the auctions for the Birmingham Children’s Hospital and they ended up as the losers due to the police closing it down before we could start the charity auction.
People’s feedback has been varied i.e.:
Inkers: Loved the Steamers bit as a kid growing up reading that about what it was like at an away ground when the Steamers turned up and how it made you feel for me captured it perfectly. Reading that Millwall chapter you start to realise what they went through in following the Villa away, scary really.
Nick: The Steamers was a bit slow for me it doesn’t concentrate on the violence but because of my age I thought the Villa Youth chapter was probably the most interesting one I could relate to. The Pete the Greek and the Jimmy Coley chapters are two more picks of the book. It doesn’t slag the Blues off and they get more credit than I thought they would.
Tony (my brother): I loved the Handsworth Riots it was exactly like it was.
Mark: I couldn’t put the book down it was very interesting. Found out some things I didn’t know about Danny Brown, it’s changed my opinion on him.
Dave P: The book is brilliant...shame the old bill stopped the do. It was going well, went to Swan but they landed there, went to Boldmere Club the book took over the place...............nice to read Moses includes us old Rose and Crown lads in his bit.
Dave: The book is a great read. On the train this morning, I sat next to a young lad with a Villa shirt on, reading the book.
My take on the book is there is something there for everybody its not just another football hooligan book there is a very good football story in it throughout which charters 40 odd years of Aston Villa on the field.
Tamworth Villa: Up to page 123 so far - all read on Monday. I certainly ain't a top hooligan nor anything. but to read that book - it makes you wanna be one !! Ha ha !!
I love the humour put into it, and its good that they are being honest where they have came off 2nd best. Non Villa readers should give respect for that.
I knew Pete The Greek was a legend, but hey what a legend - there's so many stories about him, what a character !! I didn't realise there was so much about him.
Only downside was that I would have liked to have seen more pictures - but I certainly ain't slagging the book.
Great interesting read, showing the reason why they turned to be the people that they are now - in particularly Danny.
Pauline Foster: Thank you for some great entertainment at the launch party. you are truly a star Danny (you've brought people together that only a few could imagine. as you know its not just about the dough, again i will re-emphasise, i am extremely proud of you.
The book is now out in the public domain and the early feedback has been very positive. It’s interesting to hear so many differing opinions on what people consider their favourite part of the book.
Danny Brown.
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