Rancid

De Kuip Stadion, Rotterdam. May 26th, 1982. Villa Park, Birmingham, 2nd October, 2024. DO YOU STILL WANT TO BET AGAINST US? WE'RE ASTON VILLA, THAT'S FUCKING WHO!!

Dear Gaz I wanted to play football because of you. I love Villa because of you. When I was 11 I asked my Mom if I could have a blonde wedge because of you( 😂). Her wry "I don't think we can do that, Son" will stay with me as one of my abiding memories of her, too. You were a real life superhero. "🎶When he gets the ball he's bound to score🎶!!" I'd sing at home, in the the Holte, whenever you were on telly. At junior school our school team wore black and white stripes, no numbers on the back, just a little printed red number on the sleeve. The first time I got "called up" there was only one number I wanted. 8. Because of you. I wish I'd have done more over the years to befriend you, you know. I so wish I'd have been able to elaborate why you were and are so special and to tell you that so much more often than I did. It's hard to put into words how grateful I am to have latched onto the magic you gave. That kit, those goals, that partnership, that team, those 2 magical seasons. Champions of England. Champions of Europe. With you front and centre. Living the dream of Villa fans everywhere, what a feeling, what a ride! I saw you last, fittingly at Villa Park, and finally after 40 years, you signed my shirt which I'll cherish. To Gary's family, friends and Class of 82', the love, gratitude and thanks from my family to you is from the bottom of our heart. And to you, ledge, thank you. You made a little boy dream big, fall in love with you, our club and the beautiful game. You were my hero on the pitch but most importantly my hero off it. The loveliest of men. Rest in peace, ledge. All of my heroes are Villans.