Bit of a 'blog' on how I feel about football and Halesowen

[RobYeltz]

I can only really echo many of the comments on here, with my first love being Aston Villa.

Apart from one miserable season under the clown O'Leary I've had a season ticket at Villa for years, I've travelled the country watching them and enjoyed trips abroad to Milan, Bilbao, Hamburg and Bordeaux to name but a few.

I actually like what Villa are doing at the moment, and I'm happy that Paul Lambert is going with a 'young and hungry' recruitment policy as opposed to the journeymen time wasters like Stephen Ireland who are looking for a final pay day. My problem with the modern game is the way the game is dictated by a television channel. I hated the fact that I was buying a season ticket and my team could kick off pretty much anytime between 12:45 on a Saturday up to 8:00pm on a Monday. I hate the fact the TV channel dramatises the transfer window closing and the fact they have that shouty Scottish twat yelling at me the 'sensational transfer news from White Hart Lane'. I hate the fact that they have to get 'Dodgy Arry's opinion on everything from his car seat, and I hate the fact he then taps up other peoples players. I hate modern football, but I do love Aston Villa.

Since moving to Halesowen 9 months ago I've been to all but a couple of games at the Grove and have fell in love with the club. So much so, my first point of call on the computer is here before Heroes and Villains. I love the intimacy of Halesowen Town, I like the friendly nature of the club and the fact the players clearly give their all for the club. The manager and coaches may not always get it right, but I don't think their effort, and willingness for the club to move forward can be questioned. The players all seem genuinely appreciative of having the opportunity to wear the Yeltz shirt and this is typified by Ben10's loyalty in staying with the club despite having the opportunity to better himself.

Whilst I've clearly not been a fan for as long as many on here, and don't know too much about the bad years of a few years ago it is clear to see that the club is moving forwards. I love the fact that at 3pm every Saturday Halesowen will playing (apart from today of course) and I'm not being dictated to by a TV company and then charged a fortune for it!

Up the Yeltz!

[lutleyyeltz]

I agree with all that has been said by previous posters regarding the boring predictability of the Premier League.

I well remember the great excitement at the age of eight of being told by my dad that he was taking me to Villa Park, for the first time. This was in 1947 for a game against Derby County in which Trevor Ford was centre-forward for Villa. From then on I was a Villa fan and regularly, from the age of about ten, I went on my own from Kings Heath armed with half a crown (12.5p), which bought me entrance into the one shilling (5p) boys’ entrance, a programme and my tram and bus fare.
Those were the days when the youngsters were ushered to the front and woe betide anyone close to us who swore – they’d be told to; “mind your language, there’s kids here!” Probably the other way around these days.

The years that followed took in the lows of relegation to the old 3rd. Division and the high of winning the European Cup. Like AVFCYeltz, I did all the away games as well as travelling to Bilbao, Madrid and Bucharest et al. My moving away from the Halesowen area in 2000 meant that I gave up my season ticket that I had had for 15+ years, and the only football that I watched on a Saturday was HTFC whenever I came back to visit relatives. I have never been back to Villa Park since and, although I follow every bit of news concerning “ the pink and baby blue,” my football loyalty lies primarily with The Yeltz.

Others have mentioned the cameraderie that exists in non- league football and I find that in abundance at The Grove. Although we may have differing views on all things “Yeltz” there is always a handshake and a friendly exchange of banter.

As regards the players there is no comparison between the attitude of the overpaid, over tattooed and under brain powered PL professional and the lads who turn out for training after a day at work and give their all on match days. The closed, sycophantic world that is PL football has produced a “believe all my own publicity” player who feels that he is not subject to the same constraints in life as are we mere mortals.

A Saturday afternoon, or a Tuesday evening at The Grove after a few pints of Batham’s plus a good natter with like-minded people, is far more pleasureable to my way of thinking then all the hassle of going to a “big game.” But, on the other hand, some may think that I’m too old to manage the aggro anyway - and they're probably correct!

I also get the feeling that a lot more fans of all club are finally realising that they are being taken for mugs by the big clubs - that can only be good for the non- league game.

Long may it continue!

[saddlersandyeltz]

Same for me really.

Although bit different in that I started supporting Walsall back in the 70s in the old third and fourth divisions. In those days it was great - players who were never going to grace the highest level but with plenty of commitment and no little skill, loads of passion and humour on the terraces, basic, humble ground but a place full of character and history.

Not as bad as the premiership in league 1 but a lot of changes for the worse I feel. A move to a better equipped ground but one with little character, rarely any atmosphere, players, owners and board totally remote from the fans. The league table reflects how much money each team has at that level too.

Have been watching the Yeltz on and off since the mid 90s - have lived in the area (in Stourbr*dge actually I am afraid!) came along one time the Walsall game was called off due to a waterlogged pitch. Since then have progressively been to the Yeltz more and Walsall less - might go to Bescot once or twice a season now - come to half/two thirds of Yeltz home games and the odd awayday too.

The Grove seems a lot like Fellows Park, Walsall did many years ago - lots of humour and banter between the fans, supporters, team and owners all in it together, some fantastic, exciting games with lots of goals and full blooded tackles.

I have seen some fantastic games won by the odd goal in 7 or even 9 - these days I look for the Yeltz result first every Saturday if I'm not at the game. Me and my lad joined the Trust and were gutted by everything that happened during the M**s*n/Ingram period - and are delighted by everything that has happened in the last couple of seasons.

Looking forward to the next game!

[dazzlingdazza]

Superb stuff ! Zee Zee, Sprout, yeltz85, LLL, yeltzdoc, johnnybud, noggin would love to hear how you got hooked on the Yeltz ? Would love to hear from anyone to be honest.

[RaidenYeltz]

Another reason why I'm falling out of love with modern day football.

I believe the total spend this transfer window was £663,500,000 - I think, will stand to be corrected.

Kettering are in deep trouble and could fold...debts of £50,000.

What ever the rights and wrong of Kettering's woes, that ain't right.

[lutleyyeltz]

.....and little Darlaston fold for the want of £15K!

PS Some profound thoughts from the more illustrious (notorious ) denizens of The Grove, and other establishments, would be welcomed on this topic - you know who you are. Let's be 'avin' you!

[CRH Yeltz]

As with many others on the thread, I followed the Baggies home and away for 15 years, 10 as a season ticket holder. However 7 years ago I lost the enjoyment, didn't renew and did not go to any games for almost 2 seasons such were my feelings at the time. I then started coming up to the odd game at the Grove and after the boycott period became a regular. What drew me in was the spirit of the fans during the darkest period in our history and as part of that I am immensely proud to be a Yeltz fan. I am on my third season ticket and wouldn't swap it for anything. My work colleagues who still go to the likes of the Baggies, Villa and Blues think I'm mad. Am I really?

I strongly believe that money is killing top level football and more fans like many of us are turning to their local clubs where they are appreciated, know what their money goes to and a genuine connection with the players. Kettering have been mentioned and it seems completely unreasonable that Real Madrid can spend £85 million on Gareth Bale despite being £900 million in debt. Double standards. We all know the 3 or 4 teams that will win the Premier League now and the rest are making up the numbers, more worried about relegation. Where's the excitement in that? £600 million in one transfer window is just obscene. Fans demand immediate success yet keep getting fleeced by people who have no real connection to club heritage, along with agents and players. I find it laughable when you hear players saying that they can't play twice in a week because they are tired, despite their thousands a week in wages. To cite Gareth Bale again, one week of his reported wages would pay our entire current playing budget for about 6 years. It's capitalism in its crudest form and its unsustainable. I don't want to be part of it and won't be.

I like the German model with clubs having to prove solvency and 51% fan ownership. I've been to Mainz and Duisburg this year and seen it in practice. The latter were relegated last season after not meeting the financial criteria and almost went under this summer. Their fans reminded me of us but on a bigger scale. Now if I don't see us play I'll spend my hard earned on a flight over there, hotel and ticket, the total cost being less than a day in London at a Premier League match. it makes for a nice treat a couple of times a season.

I think that for all of us regardless of how long you've followed the Yeltz, see our club as special and somwhere that allows us to enjoy football without the insanity of the things we've all mentioned. Long may it be the case.

Up the Yeltz!

[RaidenYeltz]

Just wondering how long term regulars feel about new fans coming to the Grove?

Is it a good thing, or do people recent professional teams fan base?

[lutleyyeltz]

The more the merrier! The increased gate money to clubs such as ours is crucial - we need, and appreciate, every penny. The recently converted are most welcome at The Grove.
The top level behemoths are just money sucking machines that have no concern for the poor deluded masses that still blindly continue to throw handfuls of money each week into their greedy coffers.
One day, hopefully, the penny will drop (no pun intended) and common sense may prevail.

Welcome one and all - support your local team.

[changesnightspot]

I became a fan in about 1992 and was a regular until work prevented me coming every week. Long may the club prosper. The banter is good although some need an injection of humor lol

Up the yeltz