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S1 E61 The 150th Villaversary
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In the true spirit of Aston Villa's 150th anniversary match, Nyla and Craig share memories that have shaped their love for the club and reflect on Aston Villa's legacy. This is a must-listen episode for all Villa supporters of all ages worldwide!
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Transcript
Introduction to Villa's FA Cup Anniversary
00:00:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hi everyone, my name is Nyla and I'm joined here today by Craig to bring you today's episode of Daily Villa at the Global Sports Podcast Network with the upcoming FA Cup fixture against West Ham United, which is also serving as the dedicated 150th anniversary of Villa's first fixture.
Reflecting on Aston Villa's Legacy
00:00:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
I thought it would be fun to reflect on the legacy of Aston Villa. And of course, this is all inspired by the recent release of the commemorative kit.
00:00:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
I have been buzzing at the photos that they released. The photoshoot looks insane to me. um I'm obsessed with it. ah Craig, have you seen these pictures? like What are your thoughts on on what they've done with the kit?
00:00:59
Craig Birtwistle
I have, I'm a massive fan. um I've already put direct orders from my brother who lives close to the ground to pick me up one and send it to me ASAP, because I really love the fact, um when I explained it to my wife, I said it's kind of like the Apple version of football kits.
00:01:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:01:17
Craig Birtwistle
It's classy, it's sleek, it's a great design. I know a lot of people are saying, are on the fence saying, it's kind of boring, but I'm like, what more do you expect from a shirt? um I did hear someone say maybe a Papa Clara in there somewhere but I like the fact that one it's black because that was the colour of our first ever kit we wore.
Commemorative Kit Design Analysis
00:01:37
Craig Birtwistle
the The name that goes around the badge represents the gates of Villa Park and then the lion is that first badge that we had so for me they hit all the right nails on the head. How about you Nyla?
00:01:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. um I love you know the pop of red for me. It's so not claret, but I think just the red and the gold, um the crest looks so clean and and sleek like you like you said.
00:02:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
And um I think it's just the photo shoot. I don't know if it was the lighting. I don't know what they've done, but it just it was you know album cover of the year for me.
00:02:10
Craig Birtwistle
Reacher, yeah.
00:02:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, but I'm really happy with the details um that they've done and even that the little emblem on the shorts as well, I think is is really cool. And i I like the new font that they've done as well. So just overall really pleased and it's it's gotten me very excited. I can't wait to see them play under the lights in that kit.
00:02:34
Craig Birtwistle
yeah definite
00:02:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
So with that, um and to kick things off, we already know Villa has a massive role in the history of English football and and that they've played an unrivaled role with that. um and And with both domestic and international success, it's pretty safe to say that Villa has a rich history.
Villa's Historical Impact on Football
00:02:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
And you can all catch up on that on Google, but I wanted to know Craig, um, with that, how do you think that the club has maintained its relevance throughout history?
00:03:00
Craig Birtwistle
Yeah, definitely
00:03:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, obviously we're back in, in top flight English football now, but you know, there was a period of time where we weren't in, and for us to have such a key role in English football, how do you think, um, do you think that's commonly known?
00:03:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
to maybe the average supporter or was that something maybe people don't know?
00:03:30
Craig Birtwistle
Yeah it's ah it's a tough one because um I was born in 1982 obviously the most famous year ah the clubs ever had we won the European Cup that year I don't remember it that well being like about five months old um so it's a little foggy in my memory and everything like that but yeah we obviously went through a really good history like I My earliest memories of Villa was under the likes of Ron Atkinson, Brian Little, a little bit of the first run of Graham Taylor as well, which was great years seeing them like lift the league cup twice in 94 and again in 96. So those were great moments. And then the best team up until currently that I personally remember was what we had under Martin O'Neill, which was um
00:04:20
Craig Birtwistle
a terrific team that I really think that if it wasn't for Randy Lerner and our chairman at the time, I really, we could have pushed on and been similar to what we're experiencing now of Champions League nights and everything.
Fan Base Resilience and Support
00:04:33
Craig Birtwistle
So I grew up thinking it was a norm that Villa were one of the best six teams in the Premier League, usually finishing in and around those positions and Then we lost our way. Um, it all started once Doug Ellis was removed. We thought Doug Ellis was the problem. Um, but then we realized how quick, uh, it could get a lot worse when Randy Lerner come in and, uh, Tony Kai came in and then we were saved by the current management. Um, so it's been very much a roller coaster ride as a Villa fan, uh, of somewhat of my age and.
00:05:12
Craig Birtwistle
Obviously for yourself, Nyla who's a lot younger and Joe who's on the podcast as well, you're now really experiencing what Villa is capable of. And I know Villa is, I hate the term big club because at the end of the day, you can be a big club and being the lead too.
00:05:29
Craig Birtwistle
Look at Sutherland, for example, I know the night lead too.
00:05:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm hmm.
00:05:32
Craig Birtwistle
but like how big they've fallen um so i don't really want to be a big club i want to be that successful club and as i say the younger people that aren't familiar with the history that i've brought up in i've finally getting a chance to look at it and i i think we have a lot of respect from a lot of other fan bases for what we've accomplished over these 150 years
00:05:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely. I think I completely agree with you. um Obviously, I've missed a big chunk of the the villa at its at its greatest um not being born yet. But I think um just ah and especially in the recent years, it's been so much fun um to watch. And, you know, up until recently, like my biggest moment was off. We beat Derby County to get promotion. So yeah we've come a long way since then.
00:06:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But i I am on the ground doing some of the work. I like to educate people. ah you know You know, Villa was involved in founding the league and and all of that stuff. So ah I'm trying to spread the word to people who don't know that already. um and And like you said, you know from from a fan's point of view, do you feel like the supporters have played a strong role and with their connection to the team, but also with the success over the years? and
00:06:55
Craig Birtwistle
Oh, 100%. The first thing that comes to mind when you ask that question is the year we were relegated, I've never seen a fanbase react so well to um to such bad news. Because if you remember that season very well, I know a lot of us have had counselling to try and forget it.
00:07:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:07:14
Craig Birtwistle
ah But we went through that season and we limped.
00:07:19
Craig Birtwistle
We didn't ever look like we were going to survive. It was a really poor one. But there was people holding banners up saying there would be no crying. Let's celebrate. Let's just build for the future.
00:07:30
Craig Birtwistle
and We don't want to see any crying on the whole. And we didn't. We we went down and we We took our medicine. It was a few years coming to be perfectly honest. this we We were getting well less and less throughout that course. Remy Garda being one of our managers at the time which was a real low point for everyone associated with the club. So we went down into the championship and It's one of those that you don't ever want to get relegated but it was nice as a fan to see us start winning again and when Dean Smith who I will forever refer to as the savior of the club when he got us going and we went on I think it was like that 10 game unbeaten run that led towards that championship
00:08:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm hmm.
00:08:17
Craig Birtwistle
It was nice because this was really my first memories but for my boys of being Villa fans. So to see them actually enjoy watching Villa for once and being able to see them and then seeing the delight in their face when we beat Doug, as you said, in the player final.
00:08:38
Craig Birtwistle
seeing Jack and Dean with that famous picture that was up at Villa Park for many many years um of them holding that trophy it it was good it was like we got our identity back and it was great to be in the Premier League and who would have thought we'd have come so far so soon.
00:08:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:08:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely. And I think, you know, with that and you say, you know, the peaks and the valleys um that Villa's gone through, you know, we've had the ups and the downs. I think mostly a majority, you can say that the fanbase has been remained consistent. um One of the things I feel about villains is that We never really were the type of club where people people will just hop on the bandwagon.
00:09:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I think even at, you know, the best of times.
00:09:19
Craig Birtwistle
right
00:09:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And, you know, when things aren't going so well, I feel like the fans still turn up and they still show up and
Has Villa's Identity Changed?
00:09:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
and they care. So I think that maybe there's a connection, I guess, to the tradition um in the history of the club there that runs a bit deeper than just kind of surface level fans where you know some other clubs might have what we call bandwagoners and people that lose interest because you know they're the club is going through a tough time but I think that's something that I see within the supporters base and I i really value it.
00:09:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And, you know, with that being said, obviously football's ever changing. The landscape is continuing to change so much. Do you think that there's something specific with Villa's identity that's remained consistent over the years that supporters can relate to? Or do you think that the fan base is kind of changing as Villa evolves as well?
00:10:24
Craig Birtwistle
I think it's always been pretty consistent because I don't know where I first heard it and I don't want to butcher the quote but like it's something along the lines of there are many cities, there are many Unites, but there's only one villain and I always loved that. You know what I mean? There's many Unites and cities like Manchester City, Manchester United, and so on, Newcastle United and go on. But the fact that we have that identity, that is solely us, speaks volumes, really does like
00:10:54
Craig Birtwistle
We're the obviously West Ham wear claret and blue villa wear claret and blue Burnley wear claret and blue because that's the That's it.
00:10:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
so Don't remind me. Yeah.
00:11:04
Craig Birtwistle
But like that ah those colors together just symbolize um What we are as a club um I honestly if any villa fan is listening and have not done the tour of Villa Park yet I 100% I encourage you to go and do it. Not only are the staff absolutely fantastic that do it, but it it leaves it it leaves a lump in your throat with how good it is.
Experiencing Villa Park
00:11:28
Craig Birtwistle
Like ah I live in America, and which I know a lot of our listeners are aware of. And I've got three boys who I've brought up the right way because they're all Villa fans. And when we were last in Birmingham, we went to do the tour and my 13 year old, my 10 year old, and I took my three year old there as well. And they all thoroughly enjoyed it. The three year old obviously was a little bit young, but the fact that, um, my boys know all the history now of the club.
00:11:55
Craig Birtwistle
ah really helps and I think that going back to your previous question like the culture the environment has always stayed the same where it's literally a dad taking their son to the game a dad taking his daughter to the game I don't want to sound sexist and stuff like that so it's like obviously open to every single one um But it's always been that and the only thing that worries me is the forever increasing ticket sales that that might stop. So that's definitely something that we've done really well for these 150 years to keep fans coming to the ground. And I just hope our ownership understand how important that is.
00:12:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely. I think it's quite interesting to see, um, you know, the, the ticket prices, obviously with this match against West Ham, um, concessions will be, I think one pound 50 pence, which is unreal. Um, but the disparity between the ticket prices and, and like you said, the stadium tour. Now, if you look at some of the stadium tours of other clubs in the league, there are astronomical.
00:13:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
The Villa Stadium for to me is a reasonable price. um And the value that you get, like I did, I did one earlier last year and I did, it was with the legends and God forbid, I forget the name of the tour guide um and the two other legends that were there, but in my group was Des Bremner.
00:13:04
Craig Birtwistle
Yeah.
00:13:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
So that was, that was an unreal experience. I mean, they take you through everywhere in the stadium. um You get to you know ask the legends some questions at the end and and they talk about their experience.
00:13:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
So. Yeah, if if anyone ever finds themself at Villa Park, definitely see if you can get into the tour. It's just, it's an experience fully and it's definitely worth every penny.
Teaser for Villa's Glory Years
00:13:44
Craig Birtwistle
Absolutely.
00:13:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, so we'll take a short break now to listen to a message from Zencaster and we'll be back to talk about some of what we consider the glory years and some iconic moments.
00:14:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Welcome back. So now we'll get into kind of our own glory years and iconic moments within Villa. Obviously, you know, with the 1982 European Cup, that was amazing. Various FA Cup and League Cup victories have also been great. But in terms of what you can actually remember, Craig, um is there any match or event that stands out to you that you would consider a highlight during, you know, the the memorable years of of your time as a Villa fan?
00:15:26
Craig Birtwistle
Oh, there's there's so many memories that are flooding through my head at the moment. It's so hard to pick just a few.
00:15:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm hmm.
00:15:33
Craig Birtwistle
I remember being Premier in the semi-final at Villa Park. I remember being into Milan in the quarter finals of the, I believe it was the European League at the time, um European Cup.
00:15:50
Craig Birtwistle
ah The Wembley trips where we beat Manchester United 3-1 with Dino, Atkinson and Ian Taylor scoring. ah The other of of a final when we beat Leeds and Savin Vlasovic screamed one in from about like 25 yards out.
00:16:07
Craig Birtwistle
um I think the biggest memory for me was that 3-1 game against Manchester United in the 94, what was then the Coca-Cola cup as the Carabao is now.
00:16:20
Craig Birtwistle
And the biggest memory I get from it was the fact that all week, and I'm trying to remember, I think I was 12, yeah, in 94 I was 12.
00:16:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm hmm.
00:16:29
Craig Birtwistle
And all week long, my mum has been telling me, just remember you're playing against man united you're probably not going to win i don't want to see you're crying when watching it and everything like that And she really got to me the fact that like, okay, yeah, yeah, yeah, you're probably right.
00:16:47
Craig Birtwistle
And it just made the, the emotion when we won so much bigger. Um, that was my first time I've seen Villa lift the trophy and what an amazing experience it really was.
00:16:58
Craig Birtwistle
Uh, seeing, I believe it was Kieran Richardson that lifted the trophy at the time. So yeah, how about you, Nilo?
00:17:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:17:05
Craig Birtwistle
What's, uh, your memories?
00:17:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you know what? Mine's not even, I think, a big moment for anyone, but um just my first match at Villa Park for me, um just to experience that. like i obviously grew up in I grew up in Canada. I've lived in North America for some time. I've been in Europe a bit.
00:17:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
so But to go to a Premier League match at Villa Park and and experience that to me was kind of an unforgettable moment.
Memorable Villa Moments
00:17:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Villa Park is such an electrifying atmosphere to everyone singing and chanting. and Obviously, it was great to get a win. It was the 3-1 win against Bournemouth. That was the match I went to. But for me, that was just there's no words to explain that. like That culture is just, we don't have that in North America.
00:17:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I think, um yeah, it was just infectious after that. I was like ready to go. um But yeah, I think that that would be for me. Obviously, I mentioned the Derby County match being a big one as well, um just to see them get promoted. But yeah, in terms of moments during my lifetime as a Villa fan, I'd i'd have to sum it up as those two ones there.
00:18:17
Craig Birtwistle
I'd like to add one more as well they And it's not like lifting a trophy. It's not winning the game. It's just, I remember going to Villa Parker and at the young age, it was to the point where the whole end was still standing. And my dad would lift me up onto the wall on the side of the left side of the the hole ah so I could see better. And my favorite thing when I used to go to the games was,
00:18:42
Craig Birtwistle
seeing one Dwight York when you'd run onto the field, every one of the team would come out first. York would come out last with balancing the ball on his head all the way, running onto the field. And then um Paul McGrath as well.
00:18:57
Craig Birtwistle
um one of my favorite memories was just watching Paul McGraw and Dwight York juggling at the before a game because Paul McGraw if you know had real bad knees so didn't really train much ah because he was missing like the cartilage inside his knees so his warm-up before a game was literally juggling back and forth with him and Dwight York and they would do it right at the corner of the whole end and I used to love getting there early just to see that I probably would have paid my ticket just to watch them too I really would have
00:19:28
Craig Birtwistle
a very good
00:19:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you know what? Warm ups are a bit underrated, I think. It's it's really interesting to see. Obviously, they've they've got things laid out for them that they do, but it's interesting to see individuals um and do what they feel like they need to do for their game. So I think that's that's a really cool um anecdote there from you.
00:19:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
And with this one, before we move on to the next um section, would be if you had to pick, if you could name a single match or moment you think that encapsulates the spirit of Aston Villa. Like you watch a match or you watch something happen and you go, yes, like that is Villa through and through. um Can you think of a moment there?
00:20:14
Craig Birtwistle
Oh, that's a tough one. Um, you know, the first one that come back to me, it's a, it's a strange one, but it was a, I believe it was a semi-final of, uh, of the FA cup. When we scored a late winner, we try as a guy, um, to send us into the final, like.
00:20:33
Craig Birtwistle
I remember that moment being like a never give up sort of thing and always fighting through. um So that's the one that came off the top of my head.
00:20:43
Craig Birtwistle
I'm sure once this podcast over, I'm going to be kicking myself thinking of a hundred different ones.
00:20:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:20:48
Craig Birtwistle
But that one in particular, I've always liked that ah fight that never say die sort of attitude. And we've had a few of those like but in recent memory, I'd also go with that Bayern Munich win because
00:20:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
here
00:21:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes.
00:21:03
Craig Birtwistle
in the eye in I'm 42, going to be 43 in a couple of weeks and I've never seen or heard Villa Park be like that before. It's always been lively, it's always been electric but that was a an extremely important night and the Villa staff and Joe and I spoke about this on a previous episode really did everything right that day.
00:21:29
Craig Birtwistle
It felt like in a massive accomplishment, a massive achievement, a massive day. And I really think they'll be doing similar for this game against West Ham now.
00:21:39
Craig Birtwistle
I really can't wait to see what TiVo they put up there and all all the bells and whistles before Villa kick off.
00:21:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm hmm.
00:21:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
It surely was a statement that match. um That was actually when I was contemplating on you know naming my moment that I think encapsulates the spirit of Villa. um But also, like you said, um those matches where you know they're just working really hard to that last, that final whistle.
00:22:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And one for me, I think, was the Liverpool match at the end of last season where we had come back to draw, I think, 3-3 in the final moments.
00:22:12
Craig Birtwistle
Hmm. Hmm.
00:22:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
For me, I just... Villa with all the history and tradition that's great but I just kind of for me it's about them being just a gritty team hard to break down um you know coming to Villa Park it's a fortress even the supporters you know supporters lifting up the team and and them feeding off that energy so I think you know to see that that was that was great as well
00:22:40
Craig Birtwistle
I agree to go off your point there as well. If there's one thing as a fan you never want your team to do is to give up, give up effort and always give 100% effort. So I think that encapsulates the team in general. So I think you're 100% there.
00:22:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely. We will take one last short break to listen to this message from the Global Sports Podcast Network, and then we'll be back to talk about Villa in the modern day and in what the future might look like.
Villa's Resurgence Under Emery
00:23:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Welcome back to today's episode of Daily Villa. Now we'll move into um how we feel Villa is today and in the modern day and and Craig you bring up some really good points sometimes obviously you've got the next generation you've got your kids that are following along with you and I am curious to know how Villa's recent resurgence was under Unai Emery. Obviously, we've all felt a bit um reinvigorated. We're all excited and really riding this wave, and in Emery we trust, as we say. But what is it like to see this you know from your perspective and and your time as a villain?
00:24:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then to see this where this is now kind of what the younger generation knows of Villa. They've maybe not witnessed everything Villa's experienced in in the in history, but now you know this is what Villa is in the modern day. um Champions League club, you know top Premier League club. um And so just give us a little bit of insight on that and like what your thoughts are.
00:24:59
Craig Birtwistle
Yeah, as you say, um my boys of other fans now, their first experience was us being in the championship and coming up. So for them, it's been a steady progression from going from the championship to gaining survival on the last day with some thanks to goal line technology that failed. Thanks again, Sheffield United, much appreciated.
00:25:22
Craig Birtwistle
And then establishing ourselves as a Premier League team and forcing our way into a Champions League. It's it's been an amazing journey, um which has been a long time coming for a Villa fan, but it's not something we should take for granted. And I think it's not something that we should expect to be the longevity of the club. We need to continue to earn that.
00:25:48
Craig Birtwistle
so it's not a given birthright so i think as fans we need to be realistic and understand that like it should be a progressive um Progressive increase essentially so there might be some dips in the road like for example I I truly think it's gonna be tough for us to make Champions League again this season But we did it we did it at the right time um I think it's tough now with so many teams around us that have now improved a lot for you like so if your Chelsea's your Fulhams your Bournemouth and your Brentford's like all these teams now that are actually pushing the envelope for all these top clubs and
00:26:33
Craig Birtwistle
it's It's going to be tough because I think we found the right balance at the right time when no one else was competing with the exception of city and live City and Arsenal and Liverpool were kind of like leaving everyone in their shadows. And there wasn't much else to compete. There was only really Spurs that was competing with us last season. So I found think we found the right moment at the right time. But moving forward as a club, I think the the biggest thing is keeping um filler fans that are critical at time, at bay and understand that it is a great it is a process that we have to go through if we make Europa or Conference League or even if we don't make Europe next year. I still think our owners have the best intentions in heart. I feel we have the right manager for the club. um I think he needs to be stuck with regardless of what happens this season. I think just trust the process.
00:27:29
Craig Birtwistle
And the only thing that I want to make sure for my club, for our club, is the fact that we keep that identity of those fans that are 100% villa. We don't become a corporate entity where all the prices of the tickets go up.
00:27:44
Craig Birtwistle
and now it's all about Taurus coming into the club because that has truly ruined some some really good clubs already. I went to the away game when we lost 4-1 against Man City, Foden really done us over and I was in their home end because my brother won tickets for that so we had to tuck our Villa shirts off.
00:28:08
Craig Birtwistle
and We had to put our hands, and sit on our hands for when we got the opening goal and so on. But if you would have done that a few years ago, you'd have been found out. They would have heard my Brummie accent. There would have been fights or anything. But I was probably, in my road, the nearest people to Manchester um from coming from Birmingham.
00:28:29
Craig Birtwistle
so there was it's full of tourists and everything like that and i certainly don't want villa park to turn that way um i understand it's a business i understand they need to make money but i think there needs to be a common understanding that we need to keep tickets at a reasonable price because for example I again I live in America but when I do come over I am buying five tickets I'm buying a ticket for myself my three kids and my wife so it's it's a lot of money and I we have people like Nick who is a friend of the podcast who should be back soon ah who takes his boy to Villa Park and everything like that
00:29:06
Craig Birtwistle
He's going week in week out. Don't fleece the fans for our loyalty and keep our identity. That is the major thing of us going forward and I just want to keep that identity of us as a club.
00:29:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely. I completely agree. I think it's never a bad thing to um remember your roots and you know remember who built you up and and who helped um propel your club forward. um And I certainly agree. I hope it doesn't become more of a commercial entity where it's really just about just ringing people's pockets. um I think there's too much
Balancing History and Future Success
00:29:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
history. There's too many people invested in the club for the right reasons in terms of um supporters.
00:29:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
so Hopefully, I know our owners seem um honest and and diligent with that, and we have a fantastic manager. um I'm trusting the process within the time that he's come in, everything that he's achieved and accomplished, but in regardless of results. I mean, just look at how the team plays. Look at the players that we're bringing in. Look at the players that are attracting attention from other big clubs is just a testament to all of the things that are going right at Villa. And you know with with us saying that and in talking about honoring the fans and and supporters and and staying true to the club's tradition, do you feel like there's a lot of pressure um for the club to honor their past, you know trying to find that balance where they're pushing towards the future but also
00:30:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know, keeping, staying reminded of of the history and traditions of Villa.
00:30:47
Craig Birtwistle
I don't think it should be considered a pressure of more of a birthright to be perfectly honest. that I feel that um just like you would with your family name and stuff like that, like you you respect your family, where it's come from, like your grandparents and so on.
00:31:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:31:03
Craig Birtwistle
that sort of thing I think ties in with the club as well you have to respect what's happened you have to push for a better tomorrow just like you would with your own kids and stuff like that um however you do don't want to lose that identity you don't want to lose that culture of the club that and that fan base that has helped you get to where you are um the The important, the the struggle that I'm finding now is the fact if Everton end up with the takeover taking over, they will then be the 14th club now that has American owners and us being one of them. And ah you know as well, Nyla, of going up in the in North America yourself, the sports over here are very different.
Impact of American Ownership
00:31:50
Craig Birtwistle
And now that there's 14 owners, the majority rules with votes
00:31:56
Craig Birtwistle
So it does concern me that it will become more and more like an American model with so many Americans in there. And this is not a dig at any American sport, because at the end of the day, it works for over here. But it's very different. Like, for example, if you go to see the Steelers pay, you're playing like six hundred dollars to go see it, see one game. And we're saying that 97 pound is far too much for a Champions League game. So We have to make sure that like the people that are coming into the Premier League have the right intentions. And I think there should be some rules set in place now, um like they did recently with the the the cap on away tickets. I think it was £30. I think something like that needs to happen to ensure that the fans aren't priced out of this game.
00:32:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely. I think you make really good points. I think, you know, between North America and Europe, just the it's the culture thing. Like my so my dad, bless him, Spurs fan, he, you know, went to Spurs matches and stuff like that growing up.
00:33:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I used to hear stories. Yeah, I used to hear the stories all the time where you don't dare show any piece of the kit at all because you don't know if you're going to get your head kicked in on the train.
00:33:20
Craig Birtwistle
the right
00:33:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
And you know thankfully, now that's not really an issue. But I think you know that's not happening really in North America.
00:33:27
Craig Birtwistle
right
00:33:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I think it's it's a culture thing. it's The passion's there. But I think you know with all the deep-rooted tradition and history here, I think it means a bit some has different meaning um to fans.
Cultural Differences in Fandom
00:33:41
Craig Birtwistle
It is kind of like the geography as well though, like for example, there was both put us as a negative. I once lived in Pennsylvania and the, uh, the Phillies won the World Series. So the whole city was celebrating because everyone was a Phillies fan. You don't get that in England. So for example, if Villa doing well.
00:33:59
Craig Birtwistle
Blues hate us. If Villa are doing badly, Blues hate us. Do you know what I mean? But when you go into the local pub, you're full with every single type of team in there, all different fans.
00:34:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:34:11
Craig Birtwistle
And for the most part, it's good banter. It's actually very enjoyable to go to work and you see a Man United fan when they lost at the weekend or they give you some stick for selling your best player or any of these sort of things that's the sort of environment that's different to what these American owners have come in and you you remember what it was like watching games in COVID it was like watching a glorified practice a glorified training it wasn't football so football without fans is isn't football
00:34:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:34:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:34:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely. I completely agree.
Current Players' Commitment to Villa
00:34:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
And so just to leave you with one last question, one last inquiry, I guess, on my end. With all that we've said about you know the supporters playing a role in honoring the tradition and and carrying the club in its history, do you feel like the current staff, the current players,
00:35:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
are doing their part in shaping the next chapter of Avastan Villa. Does anyone stand out to you? Do you think that could be doing more with that?
00:35:19
Craig Birtwistle
I really do. I think we've got a team that really love being together. um You see them on social media you're making fun of each other. You see how they interact.
00:35:31
Craig Birtwistle
Those small clips that we see it yeah for them going into training with each other. And it does seem like we've got like a team that's bonded well and a good group of players that have now bonded well with the fans as well.
00:35:44
Craig Birtwistle
Like John McGinn, massive fan favorite.
00:35:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
like yeah
00:35:47
Craig Birtwistle
um I even named my youngest Meatball just ah out of him. So like, so all these things happen. And for even some of the new guys that have come in, ah Onana, for example, ah with the fist bumps towards the hole every time we get a victory, it's brilliant. It really is. It just seems like this is finally a team that we can love. It's not just a, a player like I mentioned, like Musa Di Arbi last season, who,
00:36:17
Craig Birtwistle
was only there for a year and left. It seemed like he was only there for the money. It didn't make a difference. That's why he's going to Saudi and everyone's forgot he even exists anymore. yeah i mean that's That's where he is. But like these players actually seem like they care. These players actually seem like they want to play for the club.
00:36:37
Craig Birtwistle
and it's been a long time coming I really can't remember over recent years looking at a player and saying he's a villa player whereas now you see it and like you see like how Duran is such a goofball but love the guy you know I mean like you see him talking he's a very true 21 year old ah but like he seems like he wants to be there now as well and I think the the future is good because we've got the right people in the right places
00:37:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely. it's If there's one thing I love to see, it's players that love to play for the club that I love. So I think that's, you know, a testament.
00:37:14
Craig Birtwistle
Yeah.
00:37:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Not only like you you can tell when people are being fake about it, um but to me, it's it's just genuine, just in terms of their actions, body language, what they say, what they do, I think is fantastic.
00:37:21
Craig Birtwistle
Right.
00:37:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I can't wait to see that continue on um and just be a part of just a piece of the success that Villa will achieve going forward.
Final Reflections and Listener Interaction
00:37:41
Craig Birtwistle
yeah
00:37:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Craig, do you have any last thoughts, anything that came to mind while we've been chatting just about, you know, your your version of Villa's legacy as a fan during your lifetime?
00:37:57
Craig Birtwistle
I thoroughly enjoyed this episode.
00:38:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it's always good of it, I guess, to reflect and obviously
00:38:03
Craig Birtwistle
Yeah, I thoroughly enjoyed this episode. It's really... Yeah,
00:38:14
Craig Birtwistle
yeah so nothing really else to add, just that, like, here's to the next 150 years being even more successful.
00:38:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
but well oh yeah well hopefully Hopefully, I mean, the next 50 years will be if they just want to, you know, really just do that while I'm here, that would be fantastic.
00:38:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I guess I'll i'll watch.
00:38:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'll tune in. I'll tune in anyway from wherever I am.
00:38:35
Craig Birtwistle
ah would be a lot better
00:38:41
Craig Birtwistle
but you
00:38:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, everyone, thank you so much for listening and thank you so much, Craig, for joining me today on this episode of Daily Villa on the Global Sports Podcast Network. Everyone, be sure we're always keen to hear your thoughts and your experiences. If you had any thoughts come up during this episode, anything you'd like to share, please do leave a message on our socials. um On Spotify, you can leave comments directly on the episode. We would love to hear from you.
00:39:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
And you can get in touch across all of our socials listed in the description. This has been a global sports podcast network. Thank you for listening and up the Villa.