Brian Green

Preface:

Dear Lee,

Thanks for your letter. Your project sounds an excellent idea. I am flattered that you should consider me for inclusion in your cross section of Villa fans but I must say that there are far more interesting people than I who love the Villa as much as I do. My two older brothers, both in their 80s now go back much further than I do but they are quiet, reflective men and not sufficiently extrovert to give your book reader appeal. My two sons and daughter are interesting subjects being what I am not; well educated, professionally highly successful and typical of the new classless football fan. However, if you want something of my Villa story I will be glad to oblige. There will not be much original in it for I have told and retold all old stories of my Villa journey but you are welcome to recycle them from the tale of my Mother carrying me in her arms from Small Heath to Aston in an air raid so that I could have Aston on my Birth Certificate right up to me trying unsuccessfully to get Villa to give a trial to Dion Dublin's illegitimate son.

I think I should make it clear that you would be getting the version of my life as a Villa fan which has been polished over the years to amuse and entertain other fans. The real reasons I am a Villa fan of such long standing are that I became deeply homesick for the city of my birth and know deep down I should never have left. Villa also gives me one last bond with my family and my youth. Apart from Villa all I have left is a very old aunt hanging on in Castle Vale. Villa has also given me something with which to bond with my children. We are all Villa fans together. A less lucky man would get only the occasional 'phone call or Birthday card from his much loved children. Finally, following Villa has helped me come to terms with being told that my wife had only six months to live twenty three years ago but she is still right here, complaining that I love Villa more than I love her. Those are the basic truths but anything about me you may care to publish will make no reference to those truths. I much prefer the - entirely true - biographical snapshots of my mother making tea and sardine sandwiches for Harry Hampton and the discovery of a letter from my grandmother to my grandfather which said, "Went to see cousin Howard play in Calthorpe Park. He had his picture in the paper again last week..." My grandmother's name was Mary Ann Spencer. And pictures of my maternal grandfather who played for Stourbridge and captained Bloxwich Strollers holding the FA gold medal for his services setting up the Birmingham Works AFA.

Let me know how you want to do it and I will be at your disposal. I cannot really do pubs on match days because we all come a long way and there is always driving involved but pretty much anything else is possible.

What is your name?
Brian Green

How old are you?
Sixty-Eight

What is your gender?
Male

What do you do for a living?
I buy and sell property.

What is your level of education?
B.A, M.A, M.Phil., incomplete Ph.D.

Do you hold any religious beliefs?
Yes.

Do you wish for your entry to be anonymous or under a pseudonym?
No.

What Stand do you sit in?
Holte Lower

How long have you been going to Villa Park?
As a fan, 61 years.

Can you describe some of your favourite goals?
Only one. Der Hammer against Small Heath.

Can you tell us about your favourite players?
Peter McParland, Peter withe and Paul McGrath.

What are your favourite Villa-related moments?
Too many to recall.

What would be your best-ever eleven players (plus 5 subs) and why?
Spink
Gidman
Gibson
McGrath
Laursen
Sleuewenhoek
Con Martin
Mortimer
Sid
Platt
Shaw
Withe
Morley
Ashley
McParland
Hitchens
Bosnich * (Sub)
Blanchflower

Why are you a Villa fan?
Unanswerable question

Can you tell us about some important moments in your Villa supporting life and where they were?
Too many to recount

What incidents have you been present at (on/off field)?
None to speak of

Can you tell us any interesting/little known fact about yourself in connection with Aston Villa?
My grandmother's cousin was Howard Spencer.

What has been your worst ever Villa-related moment?
Going into Division 3.

Why do you continue to support the club?
Unanswerable question.

What changes would you make to any aspect of Aston Villa in order to improve the experience?
Employ a proper catering firm to sell beer and food.

Is there a defining moment in your life as a Villa fan?
No.

What memorable moments can you tell us about?
Too many.

Are there any family influences?
As far back as the 19th Century.

Where did you grow up/do you live and has that influenced you?
Sparkhill. No.

What have been the influence of clubs (if any) in those areas?
None.

How and why did you come to support Aston Villa?
I was born to it.

What is your first memory of the club?
Being taken by my Mom to see the bombed Witton Stand.

What would you do to improve the overall Villa Park experience?
See above. Improve food and drink quality and service.

Do you have a Villa-related claim to fame?
No.

How do you see the club progressing?
Well.

How long have you supported Aston Villa?
All my life.

Do you ‘follow’ any other clubs?
No.

What teams in other sports do you support?
The Bears.

What hobbies and interests do you have outside of supporting Aston Villa?
Horse racing.

Do you go Home, Away, both or are you an armchair/pub supporter? Why?
Home and Away.

Is there an established family history following the Villa and what does the future hold?
Yes. 5 generations. Future who knows?

What Villa-related pictures have meaning for you?
The one of the trams in front of the old Trinity.

Have you ever been ‘inside’ the ground and if so, what impressed you the most?
Yes. Not much.

What are your views on the past, present and future of Aston Villa?
Proud history, bright future.

Do you possess any memorabilia that is particularly special to you and could you explain its meaning?
No.

Do you have any special emotional attachment to a part of the club?
No. They pulled it all down.

What are the views of your friends and family to your supporting Aston Villa?
I really don't care.

Has supporting Aston Villa affected your lifestyle? If so, how?
No.

Have you ever supported/followed another club? If so, what made you change your allegiance?
No.

Do you feel that away games are for the fan or the family?
Absurd distinction if I may say so.

What changes have you seen that are for the better/worse (prices, atmosphere, obscenities, TV, fans etc)?
Over-marketed. Too much hype. I blame SKY.

If you use a pseudonym on the internet, what is the meaning/reason behind the name choice?
No.

Do you have anything else to add?
No.

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