Gardner digs Blues
It was hard for Craig Gardner to conceal his delight.
Being introduced to him into box 12a at St Andrew's - once the chief executive's (Karren Brady's) box, now the president's - Gardner had a grin as wide as Olivier Tebily's neck.
He pointed to where he and his family sat in the Main Stand and talked about just what it meant for him to join his boyhood club.
He told V***a boss Martin O'Neill that he wanted to leave for Blues, no-one else.
And the story about him being mascot for John Frain's testimonial in 1996 was true, as the picture with Paul Devlin that night shows.
I always think it's important to have a home-grown player or two in your team, especially in these cosmopolitan times.
Think what Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher are to Liverpool, and what Liverpool might be without them.
Gardner will certainly give that little bit extra in a Blues shirt, and his presence and commitment will not go unnoticed in the dressing room by any 'outsiders'.
Brought up in Yardley, he has a feel for the club, the city and that can only help at a stage in Blues development when we may see some big names ending up at St Andrew's and more foreigners.
In itself that could bring extra pressure but judging from Gardner's determination to be at the forefront of Blues resurgence, and a four-and-a-half-year contract, he's quite happy to deal with it.
Lee Carsley's the same, another down to earth Brummie from that Sheldon/Yardley area who has been able to pass on the significance to others of what Birmingham City is, what it means to the people, what fans expect of their players.
Gardner revealed that he had been speaking to Carsley regularly ever since Blues revived their long-standing interest in the summer.
And he admitted that even when he was on the dark side of town, he still managed to pop up at St Andrew's.
"I've been down a few times, hiding with my hood up," Gardner laughed.
"I've sat in Cars' executive box in the Main Stand, trying to go unnoticed.
"It was at the Man U game. He kept going 'get down', things like that. It was funny.
"Now I'm here and everyone knows I'm a Blues fan, there's no need for all of that. I just can't wait to play."
And the first thing Gardner did after signing in a ã3.5 million deal was purchase two executive boxes for himself and his family.
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Colin Tattum - Mail man Colin Tattum's view of what's going on at Birmingham City FC.
What confuses me about this whole thing is when was he lying?
Here?
http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10265~1544771,00.html
Here?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/6562813.stm
Or in his latest interview after becoming a Birmingham City player?
I've never kidded myself into thinking modern day footballers are loyal, but this seems a very strange thing to do. Surely Birmingham City fans couldn't care less who he 'used' to support, it's about how he performs now.
Why do you think he said he supported Vile?? because he would have been villified by their supporters for saying he was a bluenose!!!
Not rocket science is it??
Sort of the same reason he could be saying he's a Blues fan now?
Did you read the two links I posted? He's talking about the times he was on the terraces, naming specific games in which he was there.
It doesn't bother me if he's a Blues fan, in fact he's probably about found his level, I just find it all a bit strange. Perhaps he recognises the mindset of Blues fans and your obsession with the much more successful club accross the city.
Also, it's not very professional to censor the name of a local football team, on a local newspaper's website. So maybe something to think about Mr Tattum.
OUR obsession Carl? You're the one who came snooping around the Blues pages and spending god knows how long finding links.
Now off you go.
"OUR obsession Carl? You're the one who came snooping around the Blues pages and spending god knows how long finding links.
Now off you go."
Actually, the links were posted on a Villa/Blues board I post on.
Anyway, best of luck for the rest of the season.
PMSL this is an average at best player who cant even get on our bench let along the team, its not like its ashley young or james milner whos admitted to having "problems" is it?
Carl, V***a is not censorship; it's just a bit of fun, tongue in cheek. I always write the name of the team across the road that way on blogs and live chats and it is taken in good humour by the vast majority of fans of both clubs who see it for what it is.
Tatts, I assumed it was meant in good humour, I just don't find it very funny. Not that I'm the sort of person that this article is aimed at. So that's understandable.
Another point about this piece, Carragher and Gerrard were both Everton fans as youngsters, so using them as a comparison doesn't work. Or maybe this is exactly the right sort of comparison?
LOL at Tatts. You've been merked son
Maybe, like Paul Tait, he's one of those childhood turncoats who don't really get it. Like Tait he probably supported both clubs at sometime or other depending on which way the wind blew.
The future is bright for us Bluenoses and this time we are making the move to the next level. You maybe bigger at the minute but mark my words, without the name of the city connected to your club your days as top dogs are numbered. You have owners that sell your club to Americans that don't care about football vs 1 billion Chinese that do care about football. I live in Canada and i get asked about my team all the time. Not one person i have spoke to even know were your team is from lol. So great promotion.
We may fall flat on our faces again as history has always shown, but if we don't then be worried as your days are numbered. Who ever you are and were ever you are from lol
For V***a fans to make predictable comments like "Gardner is an average at best player who cant even get on our bench let along (his typo) the team" etc show's lack of football knowledge. So what? Loads of players have had their careers re-ignited by a move elsewhere.
Gary Cahill couldn't get into their 1st team, now he's on the verge of an England call-up. Lee Bowyer has been class for Blues all season but last year West Ham felt he wasn't good enough. I haven't got a crystal ball but Gardner is 23, versatile, scores goals and with a decent run in the 1st team will hopefully fulfill his potential with Blues.
I'm such a gimp
Didn't Steve Bruce try to buy him from the Vile once ? I'm sure I can remember DOL putting the block on it. I can also remember Robbie Keane saying he had been a childhood Liverpool fan when he signed for them. After they got rid of him there was talk of a move to celtic .. you guessed it he said he had always been a celtic fan.
I would guess the picture of Gardner with Paul Devlin, taken at John Frain's testimonial, in a Blues shirt is enough for me to suggest he was a Blues fan as a kid.
At the end of the day, as long as he performs well in a Blues shirt now, he can support who he likes in my opinion! :)
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11694_7004233,00.html.... Next he'll be a life long sunderland fan! Gardner leaving blouse is a bigger slap in the face to them then mcleish coming to Villa, considering he was Blues through and through, and as one blues fan horribly predicted above the futures bright for blues... dont think so anymore.