The Aston Villa Chronicles (1874-1924)

This publication has been very well received by the Villa readership and my heartfelt thanks go to all those who have reported their enjoyment of the pages describing the wonderful early days of this great Club.

I must state my appreciation, of course, to the Club for underwriting the complete cost of printing and binding this publication, and to the great backing given to the publication by Professor Carl Chinn by way of his foreword to the book, his radio programme and also free advertising in his Brummagem magazine, etc.

Having now recovered all my share of the costs in its production, I am pleased to announce that I have instructed the Club to pay all my future royalties (some 75% of the total royalties due to me) to the sterling work of the 'Save the Children' charity.

If you are interested in purchasing a copy of The Chronicles, please click here for further information.

Big John

Following my unanticipated exit from Villa Park in January, the song 'Big John' came to mind. Please excuse these revised lyrics; they are meant to be self-deprecating. Nothing else is intended.

Big John
Big John

Every morning at the Archives, you could see him arrive.
He stood 6 foot 4, weighed 245.
Kind of broad at the shoulders, narrow at the hip.
And everybody knew you gave no lip to Big John.

Big John
Big John
Big Bad John
Big John

Nobody seemed to know where John called home
He just drifted into town and stayed off his phone.
He didn't say much, kind of quiet and shy
And if you spoke at all, you just said hi,
to Big John.

Somebody said he came from Billesley way,
Where he played footie on his day.
And a crash and a blow from a huge right foot
would send a ball way up into the goal net roof.

Big John
Big John
Big bad John
Big John

Then came the day at Villa Park,
when he got the sack right out of the dark.
Villans asked why, and hearts beat fast
and everybody thought they had seen the last of Big John.

Through the dust and the smoke of this man made hell,
walked a giant of a man that the Villans knew well.
Grabbed a sagging goalpost and gave out with a groan,
and like the old oak tree he just stood there alone;

Big John
Big John
Big John
Big Bad John
Big John

Along came O'Neill and asked this old fan
"What you doin' here, old son?"
Big John replied slowly, taking a big deep breath ...
"Mart, you don't know me, but I know of you,
"You're gettin' the glory, and that might be true,
"But think of those long ago here,
"Their memory dimmed and obscure,
"And now I'm sacked who else to remind mine host?
"That's why Big John still holds onto his post!"

Big John
Big John
Big Bad John
Big John