Your Author, putting a challenge in against the Sons of Ben last week

I can say I’ve played for Villa, and only be half bullshitting you.  The above picture is from the first night of Aston Villa’s US Tour, at the supporters match that followed Villa’s open training.  I did put on a shirt made by Macron  issued to me by Aston Villa, I did participate in a game in a professional stadium, on the second best pitch I’ve ever participated in sport on.  Now yes, I did have to pay for the privilege of donning the Villa badge, and no, we weren’t managed by anyone but ourselves.  But I still represented Aston Villa (badly, I might add) against a team representing Philadelphia Union.  But let’s start at the beginning. Continue reading →