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GravityBoy
Either of you two guys old enough to remember the 70s.

Now that was a time to be a Villa fan.

I started going down Villa Park in '68.

What a ride.

And for the Americans who don't "get" football.. quality beats quantity... and you probably never saw a sports star like George Best who didn't need to score goals to be completely brilliant.

Not me sadly, i was only a nipper when i first went in '82. How little did i know then, European Champions and we got relegted a few seasons later!

But it wouldn't be the same without the misery. That's what makes the Villa so special!

Favourite player ever ... Gordon Cowans

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andy js

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GOO
Wherever van Persie plays will win the season, ex arsenal fan, go man u

And people wonder why the yanks don't 'get' football

Now, Now, Goo is Van Persie's mother.......it's only natural...........

I met a woman and she told me...."well baby...... well the blues ain't bad"...........

How many teams are there in this league and is this the only league in England? How many teams are there in London? Living near Vancouver, the only soccer that I even remotely follow is the Whitecaps of the MLS. Soccer seems to be getting more popular in North America. Whitecaps just played down in Seattle and there were around 60,000 in attendance. David Beckham is by far the most popular player in North America playing for the LA Galaxy.

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andy js
Not me sadly, i was only a nipper when i first went in '82. How little did i know then, European Champions and we got relegted a few seasons later!

But it wouldn't be the same without the misery. That's what makes the Villa so special!

Favourite player ever ... Gordon Cowans

Aye.. Sid is one of Villa's greatest ever players.

Little and McGrath are in there as well.

Sky Sports Football - Every Goal Matters

The promo for the 2012/13 season

Too young to have seen Little with my own eyes sadly, but obviously a Villa great

McGrath, well what can you say. Impeccable

Drove past Toronto FC's little ground whilst on my recent trips to the city. Nice-looking little ground. MLS is definitely gaining in popularity.

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DGA35
How many teams are there in this league and is this the only league in England? How many teams are there in London? Living near Vancouver, the only soccer that I even remotely follow is the Whitecaps of the MLS. Soccer seems to be getting more popular in North America. Whitecaps just played down in Seattle and there were around 60,000 in attendance. David Beckham is by far the most popular player in North America playing for the LA Galaxy.

Ther are 4 main professional Leagues
1. The Premiership - 20 teams
2. The Championship - 24 teams
3. League 1 - 24 teams
4. league 2 - 24 teams

Below that I think 8 or 9 semi-professional (for the bottom lot of these it's really just a meagre supplement to their everyday jobs); and below them hundreds of amateur leagues aka Sunday leagues.
All the teams in each league play each other twice in a season, home and away.

Scroll down.......... [en.wikipedia.org]

There's currently 14 professional teams (ie in the top 4 leagues) in London,....... [en.wikipedia.org]

Only Arsenal and Manchester United regularly get over 60,000, a couple of the others, Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea would probaly get a lot more turning up but their grounds are not big enough to take it.........

I met a woman and she told me...."well baby...... well the blues ain't bad"...........



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012-08-20 12:32 by EddieByword.

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GravityBoy

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andy js

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Scooby

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GravityBoy
Villa are going down.

I think that's 17 league games now without a win.

The Randy Learner dream is over and he has lost interest.

I hate to agree with you but from what I saw at Upton Park yesterday nothing has changed from last season. We badly need some creative spark and additional options up front.

I'll back Lambert but he needs money to spend.

Lads, the last game we won was Fulham on March 10th. Certainly not 17 games ago!

Lambert isn't going to change a team thats struggled for two seasons overnight, but you can already see he's trying to completely change our style of play. I thought we were ponderous at best yesterday (West Ham no better), we passed it around nicely but with no edge. Which made it pointless

IMHO we need a left back (obviously) a winger (two would be nice) and a hard midfield general. Another striker to ease the burden on Bent wouldn't hurt either. Doubt Randy can be arsed to splash the required cash though

Lets be honest though, we could've had Bent, Torres, Messi, Ronaldo and Suarez up front yesterday and it wouldnt have made a blind bit of difference. If you don't get the ball to the strikers then you aint gonna score whoever you are

UTV

Yeah sorry.. Fulham.. forgot about that one.

That's one of only 2 league game we won in 2012.

Either of you two guys old enough to remember the 70s.

Now that was a time to be a Villa fan.

I started going down Villa Park in '68.

What a ride.

And for the Americans who don't "get" football.. quality beats quantity... and you probably never saw a sports star like George Best who didn't need to score goals to be completely brilliant.

Good to see some fellow Villains on this board!

My first season was 76/77 happy memories of the League Cup that season and of seeing Barca & Cruyff the following year. Highbury '81 & Rotterdam will live with me forever more. I'm unlikely to witness those kind of days again.

UTV

Little/Gray/Deehan.

Fantastic.

We should have won the league in 76/77.

We were good enough.

We were just knackered though after 3 league cup finals and a ridiculous postponed fixture list.

Without starting a riot....

I'm an American who is starting to get into English football as my local cable provider is showing a lot of games. The games look like a lot of fun to be at, but I will have to settle for watching on TV while drinking a Guinness.

But I need a team to root for. Man U is just too popular for me. Like our NY Yankees in baseball, they dominate too much and seem to get a disproportionate amount of attention, and players.. I prefer cheering for an underdog, someone without a ton of money to spend on importing players, a team with some home-grown talent. Can anyone recommend a team that fits those categories?

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buffalo7478
Without starting a riot....

I'm an American who is starting to get into English football as my local cable provider is showing a lot of games. The games look like a lot of fun to be at, but I will have to settle for watching on TV while drinking a Guinness.

But I need a team to root for. Man U is just too popular for me. Like our NY Yankees in baseball, they dominate too much and seem to get a disproportionate amount of attention, and players.. I prefer cheering for an underdog, someone without a ton of money to spend on importing players, a team with some home-grown talent. Can anyone recommend a team that fits those categories?

Swansea City fit the bill.............only promoted to the Premiership the season before last, they have bought a few modestly priced foreign players but a lot of them have been with the club for years, (Joe Allen who they just sold to Liverpool for £15 million unfortunately is a Swansea boy who has been with them since he was 9 years old) some were there (Alan Tate, Leon Britton & some other lesser known players) when Swansea came 90th out of the 92 professional clubs about 8 years ago.
The betting has them being relegated at the end of this season but they upset the odds and won their first match of the season away from home 0-5 on Saturday.
Also scored the first goal of the new season in the Premiership of all the clubs.
Also to their credit, they are one of the few clubs in the whole country to not be in debt. So for the club to be where it is, (in the top 20), is pretty amazing when you consider the half billion or so Man U. is in hock for to keep them at the top.

But if you don't fancy them, anyone else under Man. U. or Man City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool or perhaps Tottenham, the rest are pretty much underdogs.

I met a woman and she told me...."well baby...... well the blues ain't bad"...........



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012-08-20 18:53 by EddieByword.

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EddieByword

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buffalo7478
Without starting a riot....

I'm an American who is starting to get into English football as my local cable provider is showing a lot of games. The games look like a lot of fun to be at, but I will have to settle for watching on TV while drinking a Guinness.

But I need a team to root for. Man U is just too popular for me. Like our NY Yankees in baseball, they dominate too much and seem to get a disproportionate amount of attention, and players.. I prefer cheering for an underdog, someone without a ton of money to spend on importing players, a team with some home-grown talent. Can anyone recommend a team that fits those categories?

Swansea City fit the bill.............only promoted to the Premiership the season before last, they have bought a few modestly priced foreign players but a lot of them have been with the club for years, (Joe Allen who they just sold to Liverpool for £15 million unfortunately is a Swansea boy who has been with them since he was 9 years old) some were there (Alan Tate, Leon Britton & some other lesser known players) when Swansea came 90th out of the 92 professional clubs about 8 years ago.
The betting has them being relegated at the end of this season but they upset the odds and won their first match of the season away from home 0-5 on Saturday.
Also scored the first goal of the new season in the Premiership of all the clubs.
Also to their credit, they are one of the few clubs in the whole country to not be in debt. So for the club to be where it is, (in the top 20), is pretty amazing when you consider the half billion or so Man U. is in hock for to keep them at the top.

But if you don't fancy them, anyone else under Man. U. or Man City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool or perhaps Tottenham, the rest are pretty much underdogs.

I was about to suggest the Swans too Mike. Yeah - Swansea played out of their skins last season and became a very difficult team to play at their ground - as Man City unfortunately found out. Good luck to the Swans this season.

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buffalo7478
Without starting a riot....

I'm an American who is starting to get into English football as my local cable provider is showing a lot of games. The games look like a lot of fun to be at, but I will have to settle for watching on TV while drinking a Guinness.

But I need a team to root for. Man U is just too popular for me. Like our NY Yankees in baseball, they dominate too much and seem to get a disproportionate amount of attention, and players.. I prefer cheering for an underdog, someone without a ton of money to spend on importing players, a team with some home-grown talent. Can anyone recommend a team that fits those categories?

Aston Villa!!

And we have an American Owner (Randy Lerner) and ex-White House military advisor on the board (General Krulak).

Lots of homegrown talent and little money to spend.

Definite underdogs this season.

Perfect.

PS. We have the most beautiful name in football.

PPS. Aston Villa started league football in 1888. It was their idea, that is a fact. This club has quite a history.

[en.wikipedia.org]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012-08-20 19:06 by GravityBoy.

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Silver Dagger

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EddieByword

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buffalo7478
Without starting a riot....

I'm an American who is starting to get into English football as my local cable provider is showing a lot of games. The games look like a lot of fun to be at, but I will have to settle for watching on TV while drinking a Guinness.

But I need a team to root for. Man U is just too popular for me. Like our NY Yankees in baseball, they dominate too much and seem to get a disproportionate amount of attention, and players.. I prefer cheering for an underdog, someone without a ton of money to spend on importing players, a team with some home-grown talent. Can anyone recommend a team that fits those categories?

Swansea City fit the bill.............only promoted to the Premiership the season before last, they have bought a few modestly priced foreign players but a lot of them have been with the club for years, (Joe Allen who they just sold to Liverpool for £15 million unfortunately is a Swansea boy who has been with them since he was 9 years old) some were there (Alan Tate, Leon Britton & some other lesser known players) when Swansea came 90th out of the 92 professional clubs about 8 years ago.
The betting has them being relegated at the end of this season but they upset the odds and won their first match of the season away from home 0-5 on Saturday.
Also scored the first goal of the new season in the Premiership of all the clubs.
Also to their credit, they are one of the few clubs in the whole country to not be in debt. So for the club to be where it is, (in the top 20), is pretty amazing when you consider the half billion or so Man U. is in hock for to keep them at the top.

But if you don't fancy them, anyone else under Man. U. or Man City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool or perhaps Tottenham, the rest are pretty much underdogs.

I was about to suggest the Swans too Mike. Yeah - Swansea played out of their skins last season and became a very difficult team to play at their ground - as Man City unfortunately found out. Good luck to the Swans this season.

Cheers Mike, good one, I daren't make a prediction but suffice to say Saturday was an 'out of this world' start especially as QPR have spent so much & trounced us 3-0 & 4-0 at Loftus road for the last two seasons........
My instinct is though that Michael Laudrup is just perfect, trouble is, if he does the business others will be after him as they did with Brendon Rodgers, probably Tottenham Hmmm
My brother supports Man City, since they beat Leicester in the FA cup in '69. (Pick a team as an 8 year old to support for the final job - he stuck with them)
At least this year we don't have the baptism of fire we had at the start of last season, Man City, Chelsea & Aresenal all away in the first 4 matches. .I think City are the first big one on 27th Sept...............
Looking forward to this, good luck to City too, except against us of course

I met a woman and she told me...."well baby...... well the blues ain't bad"...........



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 2012-08-20 20:09 by EddieByword.

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GOO
Wherever van Persie plays will win the season, ex arsenal fan, go man u

He didn't win the title with Arsenal!!!
Don't hope he means bad luck to United.

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buffalo7478
Without starting a riot....

I'm an American who is starting to get into English football as my local cable provider is showing a lot of games. The games look like a lot of fun to be at, but I will have to settle for watching on TV while drinking a Guinness.

But I need a team to root for. Man U is just too popular for me. Like our NY Yankees in baseball, they dominate too much and seem to get a disproportionate amount of attention, and players.. I prefer cheering for an underdog, someone without a ton of money to spend on importing players, a team with some home-grown talent. Can anyone recommend a team that fits those categories?

QPR! OK we've spent a lot but we're still crap. Now that's an underdog.

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GravityBoy

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buffalo7478
Without starting a riot....

I'm an American who is starting to get into English football as my local cable provider is showing a lot of games. The games look like a lot of fun to be at, but I will have to settle for watching on TV while drinking a Guinness.

But I need a team to root for. Man U is just too popular for me. Like our NY Yankees in baseball, they dominate too much and seem to get a disproportionate amount of attention, and players.. I prefer cheering for an underdog, someone without a ton of money to spend on importing players, a team with some home-grown talent. Can anyone recommend a team that fits those categories?

Aston Villa!!

And we have an American Owner (Randy Lerner) and ex-White House military advisor on the board (General Krulak).

Lots of homegrown talent and little money to spend.

Definite underdogs this season.

Perfect.

PS. We have the most beautiful name in football.

PPS. Aston Villa started league football in 1888. It was their idea, that is a fact. This club has quite a history.

[en.wikipedia.org]

Prince William is a Villa fan, as is the current Prime Minister, the Governer of the Bank of England and Tom Hanks. You'll be in exalted company!

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Scooby

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GravityBoy

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buffalo7478
Without starting a riot....

I'm an American who is starting to get into English football as my local cable provider is showing a lot of games. The games look like a lot of fun to be at, but I will have to settle for watching on TV while drinking a Guinness.

But I need a team to root for. Man U is just too popular for me. Like our NY Yankees in baseball, they dominate too much and seem to get a disproportionate amount of attention, and players.. I prefer cheering for an underdog, someone without a ton of money to spend on importing players, a team with some home-grown talent. Can anyone recommend a team that fits those categories?

Aston Villa!!

And we have an American Owner (Randy Lerner) and ex-White House military advisor on the board (General Krulak).

Lots of homegrown talent and little money to spend.

Definite underdogs this season.

Perfect.

PS. We have the most beautiful name in football.

PPS. Aston Villa started league football in 1888. It was their idea, that is a fact. This club has quite a history.

[en.wikipedia.org]

Prince William is a Villa fan, as is the current Prime Minister, the Governer of the Bank of England and Tom Hanks. You'll be in exalted company!

Yes and Geezer Butler from Black Sabbath.

Nigel Kennedy - perhaps you don't know him - he's Britain's most famous classical musician but he's a bit of a head case with it,

Already mentioned....




Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012-08-20 23:07 by GravityBoy.

I'm a long time Liverpool supporter ..after watching the WBA game I can see it will be a long long season of 'what ifs' ..in Aust we don't hear too much about certain players just the well known ones ..Joe Allen what's he like? and the new striker Borini is it? do need a good winger though and Carroll ..hope he comes good! Oh well Man City next week see how that goes

Come on 2014, I am jonseing for some WC football.

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sneaky
I'm a long time Liverpool supporter ..after watching the WBA game I can see it will be a long long season of 'what ifs' ..in Aust we don't hear too much about certain players just the well known ones ..Joe Allen what's he like? and the new striker Borini is it? do need a good winger though and Carroll ..hope he comes good! Oh well Man City next week see how that goes

With Joe Allen you've got a good one, rock solid, he does make the occasional mistake but he's one of those that you only notice his mistakes because he makes so few. He has been at Swansea since he was 9 years old.
Borini played here for a while too on loan from somewhere else. That's why Rodgers got him for you, he knows him and that he's pretty sharp.

I met a woman and she told me...."well baby...... well the blues ain't bad"...........

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buffalo7478
Without starting a riot....

I'm an American who is starting to get into English football as my local cable provider is showing a lot of games. The games look like a lot of fun to be at, but I will have to settle for watching on TV while drinking a Guinness.

But I need a team to root for. Man U is just too popular for me. Like our NY Yankees in baseball, they dominate too much and seem to get a disproportionate amount of attention, and players.. I prefer cheering for an underdog, someone without a ton of money to spend on importing players, a team with some home-grown talent. Can anyone recommend a team that fits those categories?

How about my team, Chelsea...joke

Actually Chelseas very near neighbours Fulham have a fair number of american supporters due to having 3 or 4 American players a few years ago, although there's only one left now and he's looking to move.

Go for Swansea, relatively new to the Prem, will lose as many as they'll win, but will play entertaining football either way.

Hi Eddybyword, thanks for the info. I can't believe there's so many teams in London! I've heard of teams like Chelsea and Arsenal but didn't realize they played in London. What team plays in Wembley Stadium? Is the Twickenham stadium where the Stones played several years ago a soccer stadium? If so, who plays there?

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DGA35
Hi Eddybyword, thanks for the info. I can't believe there's so many teams in London! I've heard of teams like Chelsea and Arsenal but didn't realize they played in London. What team plays in Wembley Stadium? Is the Twickenham stadium where the Stones played several years ago a soccer stadium? If so, who plays there?

Yes, Chelsea and Arsenal are in London.

Leyton Orient as well - they are not a Chinese team - they've applied to have the Olympic Stadium as their home ground. Good luck with that one. Their average home attendance is about 47.

West Ham are in East London.

Never have anything to do with Millwall. Just don't.

Sadly regards Wembley- Manchester United usually play there.

Twickenham is a nice stadium, but it is reserved for a game involving chasing an egg. It's not natural.

Manchester United plays in Wembley?? Not to sound stupid but don't they play in Manchester? Why would they play in London?
Do any sports teams play in Wembley Arena or Earl's Court?

Wembley is used for cup semi-finals and finals.

And it's not the real Wembley.

The real Wembely was murdered 12 years ago and they but a giant picnic basket in it's place.

The real Wembley had gravitas.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012-08-21 09:51 by GravityBoy.

Ah yes the ole Twin Towers with its heavy pitch.
Never had a chance to visit it but watched many a cup final there on my big, ugly satellite dish back in the '80s and 90's.

Motson was the commentator back them and for the life of me I cannot remember his annoying partner?! Was it Jimmy Hill?

As iconic as the old Wembley Stadium was, it was a @#$%& DUMP!

The new one is a much nicer stadium, better views, better facilities etc etc

But it has no romance or individuality to it sadly. Like a lot of these modern soulless stadia

I agree about it being a dump.

The toilets were always difficult to get into - there seemed to be only one door for the whole stadium.

I still prefer it to the souless thing that put up in it's place.

What bugged me is they made no attempt to keep any of the spirit of the old place, the twin towers were iconic, they could have kept them or moved them or replicated them (but bigger).

I hate that basket handle over the top.