Aston Villa Ban Use Of ‘One Stan Petrov’ Banner Due to Nine Complaints – Fan Petition to Reverse Decision

By
MOMS
-

Aston Villa Ban Use Of ‘One Stan Petrov’ Banner Due to Nine Complaints

As some fans will already know the complaints of nine ‘Villa fans’ has lead to the club deciding to ban fans using the  ‘One Stan Petrov’ flag during the 19th minute one-minute applause for the club captain.

On the 19 Minute mark of the Aston Villa game vs Everton, when Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov received his traditional tribute of a one-minute applause and fans chant ‘One Stan Petrov, there’s only one Stan Petrov’, in L8 of the Holte End, a ‘One Stan Petrov’ flag was ‘surfed’ above the heads of the Villa Supporter’s group Brigada 1874. After that minute, it is folded and packed away.

This banner has since been banned from appearing then at Villa Park, because the club received complaints from nine ‘Villa fans’ after the Everton game. If it blocked the views of these ‘supporters’, it couldn’t have blocked their view for more than a matter of seconds. This is the same amount of time you’d lose looking at your mobile phone to check text messages or to find out other scores.

It seems on further investigation that these fans had a problem with the vibrant supporter group Brigada 1874 now being on their patch ,but why be mean-spirited and a kill-joy and single out the banner, when others have gone to the trouble to create it, to further support Petrov and add to the occasion and atmosphere of the 19th tribute?

As one Villa supporter eloquently put it on a forum, it’s akin to ‘complaining about flowers being left after a car crash’.

Please sign the petition (on the right-hand side of this page and CONFIRM it when you receive the confirmation email) to ask the club to reconsider and reverse this short-sighted decision (petition ended)

Let supporters support and let common sense prevail. 

UTV.

‘Hello, is that Aston Villa? Yes, I’m ringing about that surfer flag you have at the start of games. It blocks my view. Can you please ban it?’ 

Points to Consider

The Big Villa Flag being surfed before games is OK, but this isn’t?

Before Villa Park matches, the club orchestrates the surfing of a huge flag before the game (a welcome initiative), which blocks the views of several hundred Villa fans. Would the club ban that if nine kill-joy fans complained?  After all, some fans enjoy to watch the warm-up of the players and they pay god money to do so. The difference is this is a club-controlled exercise. If anything is not orchestrated by them, then it’s perceived as a threat. A huge lack of understanding and trust of fan culture doesn’t help. Aston Villa FC is not a branch of Argos that we are consumers of, we pay, but we also want to support our club and its players.

No Compromise or discussion?

The Brigada 1874 group of Villa fans who occupy L8 have decent communication channels with the club, yet, haven’t even been given a chance to surf or display the flag in another way (not that another way is really needed). They have just been told there is no compromise, it’s banned and they will be under surveillance at the next game against Swansea.

Does it only take nine complaints to remove anything from Villa Park?

If so, then lets all call the club to ban the kill-joy ‘Villa Nine’. Unfortunately in society, there’s always been naysayers and kill-joys, who never considered other people’s feelings and the bigger picture. Here, we are talking about nine people opposing the wishes of thousands of Villa fans and it might be in the interests of [their] health and safety not to be at Villa Park.

 Supporters pay a lot for match tickets – let them support.

For the cost of going to a match, to have such regulation of harmless and supportive intentions, it’s akin to an infringement of civil liberty. For the amount of money paid, it’s not as if the treatment at football grounds fans get equates to decent value. Witness the fiasco at the Boleyn Ground on the opening day of the season. If you treat people like animals, they’ll end up behaving like them.

Is the banner complaint, just an excuse to moan about a group of fans trying to create some atmosphere?

Maybe the ‘One Stan Petrov’ banner is an excuse for a bunch of fans to have a go against the Brigada 1874 group, because god forbid they actually want an atmosphere in the Holte End.

From experiences on MOMS,  some Villa fans have misunderstood the Brigada group. They are not ‘communists’, ‘fascists‘, ‘republicans’, ‘Celtic fans’, ‘politically motivated’ etc, etc. They only use the word ‘ultra’ as it’s part of the football lexicon meaning being a passionate fan, and their main aim is simply to vocally support their team at games. That said, Brigada 1874 should show consideration to other fans especially in the early days of moving to L8 of the Holte.

If they were a major influential ‘ultra group’ like the Drughi of  Juventus, there would be hundreds of banners and flags behind the goal in the Holte, and the group would just laugh at the club, if they were told nine ‘supporters’ had complained. If you don’t want an atmosphere or noise at Villa Park, then stay at home.

This is a matter of principle for all football supporters to stand by

This is not anti-social behavior, it’s not criminal…it’s in the interest of the club to have a passionately supported team, don’t make fans guilty for trying to support their club

What would Stan Petrov think?

Now, that’s an awkward one for the club…and the nine ‘supporters’

MOMS is a member of the Football Supporters’ Federation (FSF), whom support our stance on this issue.

Follow MOMS on twitter – @oldmansaid

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

32 COMMENTS

  1. I think the club have lost the plot as usual….9 come on 9 people have complained…not 900 ….9 and yet they have banned something very significant to some many people that care about stan…sorry but I feel and believe they do not care what it stands for. I make no assumptions about the people who are complaining but feel they are petty and need to look at what it represents….the love and support of our captain….If it said RANDY OUT or BENT IS SHIT I would understand it…but its aboout a man that has given so much to our club and could easily have died……sorry I think they are pathetic.I have had a season ticket since I was 11 some 32 years…..and in my opinion they are absolutely pathetic with nothing better to do in their lives….and are insensitive to the other 30k of fans that actually do care about Stan because clearly 60 seconds of a game we are prob playing bad in is more important that our great captain…shame on you miserable bastards!!!

  2. I’m sorry, but those against a banner that passes over their heads for a matter of seconds are just moaning minnies and sound complete miseries to boot…And reinforces the cr*ppy ‘me’ Society.Good luck Stan, Hail Hail!

  3. Guys wake up! There is only one Villa, the one made by you! Fuck retards like owners, sponsors, officials etc they only exist because you give them a reason to exist. Without Villans no owner will succeed, no sponsor will sign a contract, no official would have a job. Support your Villa with all means needed, banners, shouting cheering, standing. And for those who just want to sit and watch go to the Trinity road or Doug Ellis stand. Let the roar come from Holte Enders!

  4. The banner shouldn’t be banned in the name of fan culture and supporter liberty. The key issue of the complaints seems to be the realtionship between the fans in L8 of the Holte. Those new to it (the Brigada 1874) and the people who have been regulars there for a few years. Some regulars have said the Everton game was the best atmosphere they’ve ever experienced, while others have said they were intimidated by members of the Brigada. Obviously, Villa fans should treat each other with respect across the board. I will be asking the Brigada there point-of-view. The banner though shouldn’t be banned for the 19th, it’s a matter of principle.

  5. well its only up for 1 damn minute or so. why complain about supporting our captain while he is fighting cancer. 1 minute/60 seconds im sure at villa park you dont miss much action in that time. next they will complain that we show our respects on the 19th minute to. they could of just enjoyed the moments joined in, help to surf the flag to show their respects and then once the flag is down enjoy the game. people baffle me.

  6. Hang our Heads in shame??????????…………. I’l hold my head up high Thanks!!  And continue to support the cause because unlike yourself i don’t think there is a limit on how much support you can show!.. The flag goes up for 1 minuite!!  the complaints are probably from people who leave the ground early just to avoid traffic!!….

    • JulianHolteEnderFraser so based on an assumption you’re suggesting these people who’ve complained are not proper fans and don’t support their team properly. Another case of ‘in a better fan than you’ bullshit. Pathetic.

      •  At NO point have i ever said these fans were not Proper Fans or didn’t support their team properly!!!……Please don’t put words into my views….. True fans of the club will support Stan in any way they see fit!… some went on the bike ride, some have donated money to the foundation and some have created banners of support!!…….  my point is that the select few who have complained ( 9….. you couldn’t fit more than 20 under the banner!!) are fully entitled to want to watch a full 90mins of football for their paid ticket…. however the banner is up for approx 1min during the applause and i feel it’s an unnecessary reaction to a good hearted show of respect at a time where we should all be together as one!……… i hope i’ve put my views across a little more clearly so that i don’t have to read simpleton comments such as pathetic and bullshit from someone who assumes!!

        • JulianHolteEnderFraser ‘the complaints are PROBABLY from people who leave the ground early just to avoid traffic!’That my little friend is an assumption and a clear dig at people you don’t even know. If people are that bothered, hang the banner up, get large groups to wear the t shirts and donate even more. But don’t botch and whine because people have complained about a sheet being strewn over their heads whilst trying to watch football.Let me make this abundantly clear also, the cause the banner represents – brilliant. The bitching and whining about the complaints – pathetic.

        • justrich JulianHolteEnderFraser Forget the course. Fans should be able to have banners if not offensive. We would have an issue here, but from the sounds of it, it’s just been used as a pawn in a conflict between regulars in L8 and the Brigada. It seems a few words were exchanged that got people’s backs up, so they threw in the banner in their complaint. I’m sure, they fans would have had a live and let live attitude to the banner, if it hadn’t been for this exchange of words.

        • The course isn’t the issue here. Fans should be allowed unoffensive banners that don’t cause an real inconvience. There wouldn’t be an issue with this banner, if there hadn’t been exchanged words between some L8 regulars and the new comers of the Brigada. I think this caused some ill-will and the banner was just used as an extra thing in the complaints. I’m sure the complaining fans would have had a live and let live attitude to the banner, if there hadn’t been an exchange of words.

        • The cause isn’t really the issue here. Supporters should be allowed banners that are offensive and that don’t cause any real inconvience. I’m pretty sure there would be no problem with this banner, if there hadn’t been an exchange of words between the L8 complainers and the new comers of the Brigada. The banner was probably just used as an extra thing in the complaints. I’m sure the complainers would have had a ‘live and let live approach’ to the banner, if there hadn’t been any bad blood and exchange of abuse.

        • MyOldManSaid sounds like it to me, but for any villa fan to swear or rant at another is just plain wrong. I think the brigada haven’t done themselves any favours by doing that.Maybe if they apologised at the next game and just got on with things (i appreciate that they want to bring back the atmosphere, and that can only be construed as a good thing) maybe the banner will be allowed back in

        •  The point i was making about them leaving the ground early was with reference to missing perhaps a few minuites of the match…. so what did 1 min matter on the 19th?….. it had nothing to do with loyalty…..  I’m not gonna continue this discussion…….i have my opinion, you have yours …………. 

        • justrich MyOldManSaid The Brigada tell me they weren’t abusive, there were a the odd fun song to wind people up, but that’s fans being fans. However, I did hear the complainer on WM radio accusing them of being pill poppers, potentially causing a Hillsborough and bringing back the violence of 70’s football groups. Such insantity isn’t going to help find a solution! Time for level heads.

  7. All the in fighting comments are pathetic. If people pay money to watch a game they have every right to complain about the service provided. Nobody is disproving the cause the banner represents, but the fact their view was blocked. Personally I think fans have been brilliant to support Stan and its been nice to see some unity, the 19th minute applause, the chanting, the t shirts, the pedal for petrov campaign, I don’t think a banner is going to make much of a difference we’ve been supportive in other ways for a long time now. To suggest the people that complained are not proper fans is a disgrace, hang your head in shame.

    • justrich The ‘One Stan Petrov’ flag is a fan intiative that should be allowed, it’s up for one minute. When any club starts banning flags from nine complaints we’re in very dangerous territory. It’s a big joke we’re actually talking about this, and it’s a joke that ANY football fan would complain about a flag. I’ve been to grounds like Juventus and the San Siro where you’re lucky to see much of the game, due to the amount of banners and flag. The thought of it being an inconvience didn’t even cross my mind, as the atmosphere was incredible. If I pay £30-50 to see a game, I don’t want to sit with a load of kill-joy whingers…I want to see passionate and fun support.

      • MyOldManSaid hang the banner up then? Not one person has suggested the banner be banned or that its a bad cause. If you want 40 thousand fans who think the same as you is suggest you get researching gene cloning. Because everybody is different and everybody is entitled to their opinion. Some people work hard and enjoy watching the villa, doesn’t make them any less of a fan than someone who choses to hangs banners or chants till their voices are gone.

        • justrich MyOldManSaid I only have one point – a supporter’s banner that isn’t offensive and is used with due care, shouldn’t be banned (this banner is surfed for one minute for a reason – no big deal, in terms of a football stadium atmosphere). As I mentioned in another comment to you, it seems from hearing from one of the complainers that the banner wasn’t really the issue. More the exchanges of that happened between fans. The banner was just used to add to the complaint. (There is no intent from MOMS that certain fans are better than others or any of that nonsense, it’s more a point about whingers, grassers and complainers, which would have been justified if they were just complaining about a banner – but the complainers have other issues that should be addressed – and the banner should be a seperate issue in principle).

  8. The flag is a sign of unity!!!  Supporters of any club are united by their love for the colours, ground, tradition and players!!……… Our Captain suffered life changing news and has had a serious battle which has dragged his whole family through with him, they never asked to be involved in this illness however they will get full support from every TRUE Villa fan every step of the way!………………. Embrace the support, Love the Captain, Love the Club!!! There’s only one Stan Petrov!!! UTV!!!

  9. I’d be pissed if a flag went over me to block a game that I had payed to see… just saying. 

  12. I think it is a fair call to ban the flag. It has obviously annoyed a bunch of supporters who want to watch the game. Just make a small one. I also think that questioning their loyalty to the club is a bit pathetic.

    • LiamGunning Nobody is questioning anybody’s loyalty.  What we’re questioning here is nine people who have got together to be mean-spirited and kill-joys. The flag is out and surfed for one minute. Many fans have that the Everton was the best atmosphere in L8 in the Holte for years, due to the Brigada group moving there. If this flag is banned, it sets a very dangerous precedent. Read some of the points in the post. There’s more to come too.

      • MyOldManSaid @LiamGunning “‘supporters'(and I use the term supporter very loosely)’ indicates to me that you are questioning their loyalty. Look I understand the banner is for a good cause, but it doesn’t mean it can be put up at the expense of the surrounding supporters. In fact I think it is extremely inconsiderate, and puts them in an extremely awkward position in that they have to complain about something that they would otherwise endorse. Nine complaints seems like an awful lot to me considering there are only a few people likeY affected. I am sure there are others that are also annoyed that just didn’t bother complaining. I think you are just giving the club bad publicity for know reason.

        • I stanbd by that, because what supporters would actually get together to complain about other supporters? What is on the banner/flag isn’t actually the principle here.The fact is it’s a supporter’s flag. As I said in the piece, club’s have a fear nowadays of anything they don’t control themselves. Why is the huge Vilal flag at the start of games, which blocks hundreds of supporter’s views of the warm-up, any different?There is a lack of understanding of fan culture.You’re talking about Villa Park as if it’s a branch of Tescos or something with customer complaints. There was a time you could buy a ticket for the Holte End and you would have atmosphere, hustle and bustle (you’d end up flat on your back, when Villa scored from the surge)…nobody complained. Unfortunately, Roy Keane was right, we just have a bunch of prawn sandwich eating fans, who don’t mind ruining it for the rest of us.

  13. Don’t forget to click the confirm email when you get it to register your signing of the petition. Only registered signatures will be displayed when I put the counter up. We’re already well over the amount of complaints that got the ‘One Stan Petrov’ Flag banned in the first place! UTV.

Comments are closed.