Aston Villa Football Club - California Supporters: Chicago

Monday, March 17, 2014

North America Invasion 2014

Lions Club members from all over North America will be descending upon B6 for the final week of the Premier League season (Hull City at home and 2 away fixtures at Man City and Spurs). Following the Hull City match, Lions Club chairmen will take to the Villa Park pitch for the annual UK Lions vs Overseas Lions match and then followed by the annual Lions Club awards night.

(from our Chicago meet-up for the opening of the Premier League season in Aug 2013)

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Fight On!

Today's 2-1 loss to Chelsea was tough because of the missed handball call on Terry in the final minutes which could have helped us possibly level the score. Despite the loss - this year's Villa squad is different. They fought until the end - there was no sign of throwing in the towel.

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Chicago 2013 North America Meet-Up

So much to say about this amazing event. It was great to have been able to participate in this first one in Chicago. Looking forward to seeing this become an annual event!

AVFC sent a message from the players to the supporters in America which we viewed for the first time right before kick-off!

Same moment...from two different angles.

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Can't Wait!

Friday August 16

12:00pm the first beers start to flow at the Globe
12:00pm - 5:00pm various classic Villa matches to be played on the TV's
5:30pm leave the Globe and head on the 80 bus to the friendly at Montrose and Lake Shore Drive (Those of you coming to the bar, remember to bring your kit/boots).
6:30pm warm up and overview of tactics prior to the big match
6:32pm final beers prior to starting the game (that's just for Peever and Butler!)
7:00pm - 8:30pm the BIG game
9:00pm return to the Globe
10:00pm 'til whenever - more classic Villa games and "team building" with our Globe Staff and patrons

Saturday August 17

6:30am - for those who are partially coherent, meet at the Globe for the opening game of the 2013/14 season (Liverpool vs Stoke). A good chance to get the vocal chords warmed up for the big event!
8:15am - I strongly advise if you cannot make it for the opening game, you get to the bar no later than this time. I have a feeling it is going to be very busy, and we want to claim our territory!
8:30am - Group photo outside the bar (To be submitted to AVFC for printing in a match day program, and on the website)
9:00am - the warm up is all complete and the season starts in earnest. Come on you LIONS!!!
10:50am we mock the Gooners relentlessly as they cry into their collective beers having played one, won none!
11:30am The mocking continues as the plastic Mancs struggle against Swansea
RECOMMENDATION
2:00pm head to Southport Lanes (http://www.southportlanes.com/) for a pool competition. Ity is just a 10 minute CTA ride from the Globe. 6 tables for 2 hours costs $300. If we have a minimum of 15 people interested this is just $20 per person. Additional drink packages are available, for example an incremental $20 per person gets you Domestic beer, wine and soda for the 2 hours. We could do a $5-$10 entry fee and winner takes 60%, runner up 30%, third place 10%. Please let me know if this is of interest ASAP so I can try to book a private party for us.

6:00pm return to the Globe
8:00pm (approximately) Raffle prizes will be drawn. Details below

Sunday August 18

7:30am For the early risers Crystal Palace vs Benteke-less Spurs!
10:00am The "special one" returns to pit his wits against the mighty Hull
RECOMMENDATION
12:00pm Take the 80 bus to the lake and watch some of the air and water show
3:00pm for those still in town, return to the Globe for some final alcoholic lubrication.

How Did You Become a Villa Supporter?

"I wonder how many fans are actually originally from Birmingham or surrounding area. I am and I'm always interested if someone isn't from near Villa Park, why did they pick Villa as the team to follow." .............................................................................................. "I like Rick's story, he picked Villa as they were 'sponsored' by Acorns Children's Hospice at the time, a cause close to Rick's heart."..................................................................................................................... "I was born in Solihull (12 miles south of Villa Park) and my older bro turned me into a Villa supporter"................................................................................................................ "I am originally from Vauxhall (Birmingham B7) and have followed the Villa since my dad took me to see a game at Villa Park on my 4th birthday. I was a season ticket holder at VP from 1968 until I moved over here twelve years ago."........................................................................................................................"I am from Halesowen which is right next to the black country. Which is tesco carrier bag territory. However my dad is from the city and he always took me and my brother to villa games. I was a season ticket holder in the holte untill 2007 when I moved out here."......................................................................................................................."So why do I support Villa if I've never been to Birmingham? That's a very good question that I've asked myself many times over the years. When I started following the league almost everyone was a Liverpool fan for the same reason almost everyone now is a United, City, or Chelsea fan. Not being someone who follows the crowd I wanted to support a team that was unique and different. When I was a kid, Andy Gray was one of my favorite players and I used to read his columns in Shoot magazine about playing for Villa and thought a lot of the things about the team were unique: the team name, colors, and specially the history."..................................................................................................................."Born just a couple of miles from Villa park, with my father, mother, grandparents and more than half of my extended family with claret and blue blood (you can work out who the rest of that motley crew supported SOTC) it was written in the stars that I was going to be Villa through and through."...................................................................................................................I was born and raised in Montreal, Canada. Played the game for 30 some odd years and have been a Villa fan all my life. I have seen 2 live games(both losses, but a great atmosphere none the less). My grandfather was a steward at Villa Park for many years. My father and brother are members of the Canadian Villa fan club in Toronto. I'm here in the central valley, and know of couple of villa fans here in Fresno................................................................................................................