EXCLUSIVE GARETH BARRY LETTER
But before the numerous news and sports organisations who've been phoning all morning get TOO excited, this is not THAT letter.
This is our reply to Gareth, which appears in the editorial leader slot in tonight's paper.
Gareth's letter to fans is ONLY (ie: exclusively) in the Birmingham Mail print edition until 4pm today, when we will upload it to birminghammail.net.
Until that stage, we invoke our copyright on Gareth's letter.
Meanwhile, to whet appetites, here's our reply that appears in tonight's paper, page 14:
Dear Gareth -
FOOTBALLERS come and footballers go, but not many take the trouble to write to
supporters when they leave a club.
The majority disappear and kiss their new team badge without a thought for the loyal
thousands left behind.
So your decision to write to Villa fans explaining your decision to join Manchester
City is a welcome one.
Your words - describing how you joined Villa as a 16-year-old boy and during the past
12 years have seen many changes at the club - will stir fond memories for those who
chanted your name as you matured from a promising youngster into an international
midfielder respected and admired throughout the game.
They will share your regret that the team and its fans didn't enjoy the success they
deserved during that time. And they will pray that you are right when you say that
Villa are in a great position to push on.
You are right when you say the manager will be able to strengthen the team with the
money generated by the deal - but, it has to be said, players like you, Gareth, are few and far between.
Many will understand the turmoil you went through as you struggled to decide what was
best for you and your career. They will understand your fears of going stale and
slipping into the comfort zone.
But fewer are going to be convinced by the reasons you give for joining Manchester City, a club that has often promised much but delivered nothing.
Gareth, Villa fans could have stomached you joining one of the truly big clubs like
Liverpool or Arsenal.
But - and no disrespect is meant here - Manchester City are hardly one of the
giants of the game, are they?
They might have a fortune to spend, but that doesn't guarantee success. Your words
don't wash and many supporters will suspect that money lies at the root of your decision.
That said, this city and newspaper is grateful for 12 years of fine service and we
send our sincere best wishes for the rest of your career.
Thanks for the memories... but don't pretend that cash has not tempted you!
The Editor
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Steve Dyson - Blog from the Editor on recent issues and events.
but what did barry say?
Every word in Barry's letter can be read in today's Birmingham Mail... print edition only until 4pm.
Gareth's letter is actually up on your website Mr Dyson:
http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/aston-villa-fc/aston-villa-news/2009/06/03/gareth-barry-letter-to-aston-villa-fans-original-and-uncut-version-97319-23780406/
Unless there is another one? I have to say, I'm disappointed to see Gareth go and especially to Man City. I agree with you that I could have stomached seeing him to go Arsenal, Liverpool maybe but Man City?! Unless he misread and thought it was Man Utd he was joining then this move seems to be completely motivated by money.
That said, good luck to him. Can't argue with the service he has provided Villa - just wish he'd gone on to bigger things than that!!
Hi Michael. I know about the early upload. Did that because of thievin' bar-stewards at the Express and Star! Legal letter may follow... (In all seriousness, fair cop on this occasion, them just being jealous of us having a real Premiership team! Buy me a double and I'll let you off, Faber and Faber). Good thing was the live broadcast news focus on the Birmingham Mail paper editions driven by delaying upload (Five Live, Setanta, Talk Sport, etc, all interviewed and boosted Mail paper coverage). Dog-eats-dog paper rivalry aside, I agree with you... he will rue the day he left Villa, mark my words.
Blimey! How did they steal the letter if it wasn't already on your website?!?! You probably won't agree but I think it's good to have proper rivalries between companies in the same field - underhand tactics and all!!! And was the "real Premiership team" a deliberate dig at Wolves?!?! Like it!!!
Still, great story. As I'm starting to calm down over the whole transfer, I agree with you that his letter is a nice touch even if we don't think he is being entirely truthful about why he left. He didn't have to write to us and set himself up for people like me to come on a forum and effectively call him a money-grabber!!!!
From an England point of view I hope he doesn't regret it but sorry, Villa comes first. And quite frankly, I won't shed a tear for him if it is a terrible decision.
Michael: I'd like to think that good old Adrian Faber (E&S editor) himself had to leg it down to a newsagents, buy the Mail for 42p and tap in the letter into a laptop himself!! (We're on sale with 1st edition from 11am). In reality, if his team has any nouse (and of course they have) they probably persuaded Barry's man or the club to let them have a copy by email at 11am. Still late though. And still our exclusive. And still our focus on all the above-mentioned channels. Good fun. Good rivalry.
Re. Barry's actual letter, I tend to agree with you, though my 16-year-old son Tom and 12-year-old son Ben (both season ticket holders) were simply in pain last night, ("I can't believe he's gone... why?"). For them and thousands more Villa fans, it's all now about what comes next. £20m believable transfer market victory needed in 4-6 weeks!
I honestly get my head round it all. This summer promised so much but as yet were going into it with 2 major parts missing,Laursen god bless him has had to give in the ghost and retire and Barry the Blue gone off to count his money.I love Villa with a passion but even i cant see the light through all the gloom at the moment.Theres one thing that could help that out and that would be Mr oneil. He has that feel good factor about him and with the backing of Mr Learner we might just start to see a bit of that light.
Of course! I forgot about the early editions!!!
But I know how your boys are feeling. I remember feeling gutted when David Platt was sold but at least that was for a whole new experience in Italy...
But the thing is, no matter how bad it feels now, Villa will survive and we will find new heroes. It won't feel like it now, but tell your sons to believe that and keep the faith in MON!
Thanks for responding to my comments!
You're welcome, Michael (and Anthony and villamad). Don't forget to buy this Saturday's Mail... 8-page special pull-out on the Gareth Barry Story...
Barry hasn't gone for the money. He's gone to a bigger club with a better manager who will spend what it takes to get into the top four. Martin O'Neill is a bluffer and Barry knew they won't go any further under him. Man City will be like Chelsea in a couple of years, that's what apppealed to Barry.
You're a neutral then, Lee?
Lee is essentially right. When you get an offer from the richest club in the world it would only be fair to judge Barry's decision over the course of his contract and not jump in like some do easily.
There will be a few more players joining Man City we can only envy at.Still at least he is a big enough name to sell a few more papers for a short while longer (not many left like that at B6 now)
Ooo, I don't know about that, GT. Aggy, Carew, Young... methinks they'd all be gigantic moves if they were ever made (hope not!)
A 'Sly Fox' has brought this issue up on another post today, so I thought I'd paste him/her here to discuss.
Sly Fox, June 24: "if the letter was written by Gareth Barry to Villa fans it's anyone's business to publish, surely if the E & S readers read it that is wider readership than the Mail anyway."
My reply: You make a good point, Ms/Mr Fox. Apart from the fact that Barry gave the letter to the Mail's Villa rep for publication in the Mail.
That said, as I light-heartedly refer to above, I applaud the E&S's cheeky lifting. 'Good fun. Good rivalry,' I think I said.
My error above... 'Anonymous' at 6.44pm on June 24 is me.