On behalf of the non-knuckle dragging cohort of our fan base (trust me, we do exist!) I want to apologise for the whole embarrassing ‘Sob on the Tyne’ fiasco.
Seeing a small section of fans display that petty banner on that day back in the 08/09 season where you got relegated definitely didn’t fill me with pride about my club.
It made me cringe like I’d never cringed before. And what made it worse was up until this point there had been no bad blood between two clubs who were (and still are) one of the main pillars of English football.
It just happened because some unwashed ‘members’ of our fan base wanted to revel in another club’s misfortune.
We know all too well about the pain it causes when an owner mismanages and neglects your club to the point of ruin (we too, were perilously close to the brink under a certain ‘Dr’ Tony Xia a few years back).
And so I wanted to write this article, with our huge tie this weekend looming, to let you know that the vast majority of Villa fans were never behind such a crass and pointless emblem of what was a very ‘small club mentality kind of move, you know, the sort of thing a Mackem would do.
In fact, what has filled me with pride recently is seeing a lot of Villa and Toon fans on social media both praising each other’s clubs for the excellent seasons they’ve had. Another thing we both have in common (other than being exposed to the Cabbage’s inept football), is knowing the feeling of watching on as the Sky ‘big six’ get all the silverware and plaudits, so for sleeping giants (that are awaking) clubs like ours to disrupt this season that can only be a good thing for the game.
You guys look like more and more like a top four side with each passing game and for us, we looked down and out just before the World Cup before our Lord and saviour Unai Emery came along and completely revitalised the club. What a time to be a Villa or a Toon fan!
So, as we welcome you to Villa Park on Saturday afternoon I wanted to wish the Toon all the best and hope you accept this olive branch no matter what the score is at full time.
UTV and HWTL!
I was there also,no problem with the sign or the abuse,not telling me Newcaastle fans wouldnt of done similar,it was quite funny,stop being so sensitive,move on.Nothing against Newcastle then,now I dislike because of where the money comes from.
David Budden(Quote)
Good article and fair play… I agree that it would be great to see both clubs, with such great history upsetting the sinister 6 and competing for top 4 in years to come.
valle1(Quote)
I personally accept your olive branch with my whole heart and thank you for being a decent human being. No matter what the score line is tomorrow. We wish you the best for this and the following seasons to come and hope you are challenging the Big 6 with us. May the best team win tomorrow
Sirhaan Karim(Quote)
All the best for tomorrow. I hope we can win to keep Spurs at bay though. To be fair, whilst you’re on a good run, Brighton are still the main challengers and your run has been against bottom half teams.
Alex(Quote)
I do hope that this post resonates as a whole-hearted apology and honest olive branch to our friends in the North.
Before this game, we’d had no beef with Toon, and I know that the majority of us Villans still don’t.
I was there on that day too…and I wasn’t angry at these cretins, just “VERY DISAPPOINTED”.
Let’s bury this…I’m tired of it. I just want the traditional group of entitled teams to be broken-up and am delighted that you guys are doing just that.
Hopefully we join you there soon.
In peace and UTV HWTL
Scotty Dog(Quote)
Most negative fans in England.
I often go to Villa when working in the area with a few friends who have season tickets and are Villa fans. They tell me a true Villa fan has to be born within the sound of another Villa fan whinging.
We all have knuckle draggers, Villa just have more than anyone else.
BillytheFish(Quote)
Sound like a true Villa fan.
Were you born within the sound of another Villa fan Whinging?
Letsjustwhinge(Quote)
The apology is well over due and apt.
The sad fact is, all fan bases have elements, who find stuff like that amusing….fortunately they are the minority.
Having experienced relegation, with Villa, its a very saddening time, I wouldn’t wish on any fans.
Anyway, both teams are flying and best of luck to them both.
Paul A Myles(Quote)
Dave, thanks for jumping on a positive thread to reaffirm that you were a bellend then and are still a behind now. Love how much a small contingent of our fans like to do that wherever possible.
Newcastle fans, good luck with the rest of the season (apart from tomorrow). UTV.
VillaPete(Quote)
*bellend
VillaPete(Quote)
Bell end
Chrisb(Quote)
Always get a group of Villa fans in ex servicemen club in Newcastle never been any bother and good crack to be honest I’ve never bothered about the sob on the Tyne banner can’t understand why people want to cause bad blood over nothing
Tedd Sloan(Quote)
Considered Villla our closest rivals since that day… Naturally we were never going to play the scum or boro any time soon so it was almost welcome! No bad feelings here but I’d love to see those holding that banner having a bad time tomorrow afternoon! Gl with the rest of the season boys but you’ll hopefully get nowt on the morra.
Slappy(Quote)
Hey, that should be all water under the (Tyne) bridge now. Every club has its share of passionate but idiot fans.
Fans of both clubs should now be pulling in the same direction and fighting the traditional top 6, fighting between ourselves simply strengthens their position.
I really appreciate the Villa perspective and gracious letter. – class response.
Alan Brown(Quote)
I was there on the final day and was so surprised to see the villa fans turn all their efforts to us fans once they had score especially as they had never made a peep in the first half hour.
I truly didn’t know they disliked the toon so much but really thought they’d have been backing their own team a lot more than they did, even after scoring.
It really wasn’t just a few but the whole stadium. My thoughts and feeling towards villa changed on that day.
Quite amused when they got Gerrard and were convinced he was better than Howe.
The-corner(Quote)
I have a lot against the likes of Dave burden who want to woke wash football whilst eating McDonald’s, on Twitter etc .. hypocrites who want to poison football and use it for politics ..if your serious about human rights look to the U.K. and US owners who pay taxes and influence politicians who killed millions in illegal invasions of the mid east ..,thankfully most fans are aware so stfu you parasites and enjoy the sport
Mike(Quote)
Its nice to know not all Villa fans are clowns but I’m afraid one don’t talk for most. I remember that day well, it wasn’t the only banner either. It felt like getting kicked when we are down and just showed how much hate they had for us. If it was local rival i understand it and before i never had anything against them but your right it has started a rivalry between us and we shouldn’t forget. Eddie doesn’t need no motivation speech today just show the players the seens of that day and Villa will be in for a battering.
TootsyToon(Quote)
What a complete moron
Its called banter does this clown think that the banter would not have come the other way if villa were in there position
You are not a villan you are a snowflake looking for attention
UTV
Tony(Quote)
Well we all know,or some of us know the reason for the bad blood.
It’s because the Villas Ultras and Sunderland Seaburn Casuals are close from England games and now holiday together in Spain every year.
I was at that game and never took it personally, and it’s the fans right to gloat and dish out sick.
It was accepted and returned with the same intent it was received.
Snedd(Quote)