My first Aston Villa game was a 6-2 win against Everton under the lights at Villa Park in 1989. I was 9 years old.
Since that day, Villa Park has been my home from home. Iβve seen two trophies, probably more downs than ups, but that grand old stadium has been a place where politics gets parked, and beers are drunk with mates regardless of skin colour or creed.
We all bleed claret and blue, sing about the misguided advice of βMy old manβ, remind the away fans we forgot they were there, and sing hymns to Paul McGrath.
Today, West Midlands Police told us they cannot guarantee the safety of Israeli fans.
Let that sink in.
Immigration has allowed the surrounding area of Villa Park, this bastion of togetherness, to be so dangerous that Jews cannot be there safely. Never mind our governmentβs role in playing along with the disinformation around Gaza, for votes.
This is one step away from other non-Muslim fans not being safe. Hell, Iβm pro-Israel. Am I safe?
@WMPolice have made a decision that is the antithesis of football. Antisemitic lies have won. This will forever be a stain on British football.
Up the Villa, and down with this monstrous reflection on our society.
For @wesstreeting health sec to talk up jobs for ordinary working people when newly qualified nursing and paramedic graduates canβt get a job in the NHS is ridiculous and so insulting! It is a scandal no one is talking about! #gmb@susannareid100@edballs
This Palace fan purposely holding up the Liverpool team bus after their win against them today.
The kind of shithousery we can all appreciateβ¦
π€£οΏ½
Sir Trevor Phillips is so impressive. He refuses to be toe the line from any political tribe. Having opinions on an issue by issue basis and not conforming within any particular political echo chamber is liberating place to be.