Chris Barton

What is your name?
Christopher Barton

How old are you?
46

What is your gender?
Male

What do you do for a living?
I own a graphics company

What is your level of education?
8 “O”s 3 “A”s

Do you hold any religious beliefs?
Not particularly

Do you wish for your entry to be anonymous or under a pseudonym?
No, not necessary

What Stand do you sit in?
It varies

How long have you been going to Villa Park?
Around 30 years

Can you describe some of your favourite goals?
Chris Nicholl, League cup 2nd replay v Everton at Old Trafford. An equalizer from nearly halfway.

Peter Withe- European Cup1982. (Enough said)!!!

Can you tell us about your favourite players?
Alex Cropley-. Underrated, Brian Little / Gary Shaw-. Genius, Sid Cowans- immaculate distribution., Alan Evans/Ken McNaught - best centre half pairing I’ve seen, I could go on.

What are your favourite Villa-related moments?
European Cup win. League cup win V everton, 1st Div Champions 1981.

What would be your best-ever eleven players (plus 5 subs) and why?
To follow. I need to think about that one

Why are you a Villa fan?
Initially because my dad worked there but I’ve lived here for 30 years now so it’s become my team, although I do still keep an eye on the other clubs he’s been at.

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

What incidents have you been present at (on/off field)?
Again too many, some I can tell, some I can’t!

Can you tell us any interesting/little known fact about yourself in connection with Aston Villa?
When I was younger I had to “break in” John Gidman's boots. Oh yes & my dad managed Villa in the 80’s.

What has been your worst ever Villa-related moment?
Probably the day dad was sacked. I really didn’t think he deserved it.

Why do you continue to support the club?
I live here. It's where dad's had most success & recently the club have been very good to my family

What changes would you make to any aspect of Aston Villa in order to improve the experience?
I’m a bit biased with this one because I usually have a good time whenever I go there.

Is there a defining moment in your life as a Villa fan?
I suppose it was the day the whole family was invited to Ron Saunders' home in Knowle. We didn’t know it at the time but it was so he & dad could discuss his position at villa. We moved up here within a month, so without that day there would have been no Villa for the Barton family.

What memorable moments can you tell us about?
Again, lots.

Are there any family influences?
Dad

Where did you grow up/do you live and has that influenced you?
We followed dad around. He played for Fulham, Notts Forest & Portsmouth & has worked at Portsmouth, Southampton, Northampton, Aston Villa, Birmingham City, & coached in the USA

What have been the influence of clubs/fans (if any) in those areas?
Obviously with someone in my position people either love you or hate you. For the most part people are pretty good though. Wasn’t too happy the day I had blue paint poured over my car though !!

How and why did you come to support Aston Villa?
As above

What is your first memory of the club?
My first memory is actually of a player. When we arrived at our new house the removal lorry was already there as I walked up the drive. Frank Carrodus was helping to unload the van.

What would you do to improve the overall Villa Park experience?
Again as above

Do you have a Villa-related claim to fame?
Dad

How do you see the club progressing?
I think things are finally in place to make Villa serious challengers again. I can honestly see European football at Villa Park in the very near future.

How long have you supported Aston Villa?
30 years

Do you ‘follow’ any other clubs?
Yes. Fulham, Notts Forest, Portsmouth, Southampton, Northampton & the Fox & Dogs FC. (A Sunday side I’m player/manager for)

What teams in other sports do you support?
None

What hobbies and interests do you have outside of supporting Aston Villa?
Kick Boxing, Live Music & sport in general.

Do you go Home, Away, both or are you an armchair/pub supporter? Why?
I watch when work allows.

Is there an established family history following the Villa and what does the future hold?

What Villa-related pictures have meaning for you?
I have many pics, but the two I like most is one of dad & Withie holding the European Cup and one of dad & the team on the town hall balcony in Birmingham.

Have you ever been ‘inside’ the ground and if so, what impressed you the most?
I have, probably the changing rooms.

What are your views on the past, present and future of Aston Villa?

Do you possess any memorabilia that is particularly special to you and could you explain its meaning?
I have a European Cup winners medal, a Super Cup winners medal, a world Club Champions R-up medal, a Div 2 & Div 3 champions medal and a couple of England Caps. Also various Shirts & club mementos and many photos (God bless Terry Weir)

Do you have any special emotional attachment to a part of the club?
I still see a number of the’82 side.

What are the views of your friends and family to your supporting Aston Villa?
I think they’d be surprised if I didn’t.

Has supporting Aston Villa affected your lifestyle? If so, how?

Have you ever supported/followed another club? If so, what made you change your allegiance?
As above

Do you feel that away games are for the fan or the family?
Not for young families

What changes have you seen that are for the better/worse (prices, atmosphere, obscenities, TV, fans etc)?
I don’t agree with the law getting involved in on pitch incidents.

If you use a pseudonym on the internet, what is the meaning/reason behind the name choice?
N/A

Do you have anything else to add?
Not at this stage.

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