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New York Times
14 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Planes, ferries and mini-buses with Aston Villa's long-distance supporters: ‘It's more than the game'
It is an evening in early May and The Athletic joins the call. Smiling faces beam back. There are several, more than anticipated and, for the first few seconds, it feels overwhelming. They are each sitting in their homes, not in Birmingham, where Aston Villa are based, but 200 miles away in the county of Cornwall, England's extreme south-western peninsula. 'Our closest game is Bournemouth (circa 145 miles) but watching Villa is definitely still the quickest to get to,' says Andy. Andy is a member of the Cornwall Lions, a Villa supporters group based in the south-west that has amassed more than 250 local members. But it is far from the only supporters group geographically distant from Villa. Their stories vary, but each of them shares on thing: a mutual love of Villa. Here, The Athletic spoke to some of the team's long-distance supporters who make the journey through rain or shine, hell or high water, to Villa Park… Jay White lives on the Isle of Wight. Born and bred in Birmingham, he has resided on the island off the southern coast of England for more than a quarter of a century, though his passion remains. To get to Villa Park he has to travel by boat and car, with logistical and financial pressures complicating matters. Advertisement 'For context, my dad is Peter White,' Jay says. 'He's retired now, but he covered Villa in the 70s, 80s and 90s for the Birmingham Mail. It was ingrained into me. I've had a season ticket sitting in the Lower Holte End for four years. Before that, I didn't need one because I could always get tickets. 'My wife comes to a few games. I don't want to say our life revolves around Villa, but on occasions it can. I was fortunate enough for both of us to be in Paris (for the Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain). 'For other Champions League games, I've had to use holiday. I'll take a half day on the day of the game, stay up and then drive back down for work that afternoon. 'If it's a Saturday match, sometimes I'll go the night before. But mostly, for a 3pm kick off, I'll leave home at 7am to catch the ferry, which takes around an hour. The drive up into Birmingham's city centre is three and a half hours. I'll then meet pals. 'If I do come back straight after, it would be the 10pm ferry, provided we get out of the ground by six. I'll then walk through my front door just before midnight. 'I did 20 games last season, including a few Champions League matches. The cost is a problem. If an average ferry is £80, then staying up in a hotel, having a couple of beers and petrol costs means it becomes £250/£300 day. That's before you take into account a match ticket. 'But it's just a pure love. It's more than the game — it's meeting up with mates and camaraderie. The football we're playing now makes the journeys better. Luckily, my wife is very understanding. Our wedding last year had a claret-and-blue-themed table plan.' In the early hours of a January morning, Rob Steele sits next to me in one of Heathrow's departure lounges. Villa are playing Monaco that evening and despite a 6am flight, there is no shortage of enthusiasm. Rob, who lives in Bridgend in Wales, about 130 miles from Birmingham, is used to early morning starts in aid of Villa. 'The journey to Birmingham is fine most of the time,' he says. 'We set off a bit earlier to make sure we get a tidy parking spot and then we kill time in the Witton Pub.' Later in the season, he describes his itinerary for a home match against Newcastle: 'My main accessory is a portable charger. I can't be having a dead phone with the drive from South Wales. It wasn't such an issue with physical season-tickets, but with them now on my phone, you've got to have a backup plan. Advertisement 'I go with mates, so we sort who is driving — and organise pickup times — a couple of us live in Bridgend and some in Cardiff. For tonight's 5.30pm kick off, I'll leave Bridgend with my mate Nik at 11am. At 12pm, pick up one of the lads in Cardiff. At 2pm, park up and get some food. '5pm: Head to Villa Park. 5.30-7.30pm: Stress like hell about the game. 10.15pm: Home.' Bryan, one of the Cornwall supporters, explains his support for Villa over the video call: 'My family are from Essex, we moved to Hampshire when I was four. My dad supported Villa and we had season tickets driving from Hampshire for six years. I relocated here five years ago. Me and my lad George don't have season tickets, but we travel to as many games as we can.' 'I'm from North Kent,' says Stuart, another Villa supporter on the call. 'My dad was Tottenham, my mum was Arsenal. I got to the middle of junior school and I had to stick with a team. Villa chose me.' Karen: 'I was born in Sutton Coldfield, but my family came from different parts and just congregated in Birmingham. But I've got a great-grandmother who was a proper Brummie and family that were there before Villa's inception, so it's in my blood. I'm still a season ticket holder. I join the guys on the mini-bus — when we lose, it's like a hearse.' Andy: 'I'm from Great Barr. I used to walk to Villa Park with my dad and grandpa. I've been going since 1984. I had a hiatus after I moved down to Cornwall and started picking it back up in 2016. My first game back was with my boy in the Championship and we've been season-ticket holders for the best part of 10 years. 'We were going up on the train before I met Dave. We will car share up to Exeter and then make our own way, by hook or by crook. It's a labour of love and a 500-mile round trip every couple of days.' Stuart: 'For a Saturday 3pm, the mini-bus that some of our members arrange sets off at 9am. We aim to be up there two hours before.' Dave: 'With a pit stop at the Witton Pub for a couple of beverages.' Andy: 'For a 12.30 kick off, we hit the road just after six. Rousing my 16-year-old son takes time, but we are there for 10am. For Champions League nights, I was picking up from school and arriving 7pm. The journey is four hours on a good day.' Advertisement Dave: 'I was getting back from those games at 4.30am and then going to work about 10am. If you're not there, we have a big WhatsApp chat that you almost feel like you're at the game. We've got group chats for tickets, events, banter and matchday talk.' Karen: 'When you're somewhere like Cornwall, you're so far apart from each other. I live in a village and I've got two other Villa supporters here, so that helps any sort of isolation.' Bryan: 'When George and I go, we've had to buy higher-priced tickets because they were the only ones available. Throw in hotel accommodation and a couple of beers, it's expensive. We can't really stay on a Sunday night after games because George's school doesn't particularly like us missing Mondays. It's tricky to manage.' George: 'I don't think school is very important when it comes to Villa! It's painful when you go back to all your friends at school the next day who are United fans but have never been to the ground. They give it the big one all the time, for some reason.' The following week, I'm joined by Andrew Bready in the Villa Park press box. I first met Andrew in Athens before Villa's Conference League semi-final against Olympiacos last May. He commutes to every home and away match — barring the odd Carabao Cup fixture — from Northern Ireland and has been for 15 years. 'My love of Villa began in the early 90s,' he says. 'Villa came to Belfast to play against Man United and my cousins were going and were United fans. I just wanted to be different. I said, 'I'm supporting Villa'. I caught the bug after that. 'I missed three games in the Championship, home or away. Since Covid, I've rarely missed one. I didn't go to Brentford last season because I was at a wedding. I've not missed any other games aside from the Carabao Cup. 'Matches during the week are not ideal. For the Celtic match, I flew from Belfast at 3.30pm. To avoid missing a day off work (Andrew works in a factory managed by his cousin), I worked until lunchtime, got changed and drove to the airport, which takes an hour. 'I then fly over, go to Villa Park and fly back the next morning — usually the 8.35am flight. I'll land an hour later, drive home 70 miles and be back at work for 11am. The next day after the game at Paris Saint-Germain, I was back at work for lunchtime. I'll go straight to Belfast after early-evening kick-offs and will land at 1am. Advertisement 'Delayed flights are a pain. Ipswich Town away, I flew to Stansted. The flight was delayed by over three hours. The plan had been to meet Kevin and hire a car to drive up, but I was delayed so I ended up getting a bus. The drive felt like forever, but I only missed 10 minutes. 'It's nice to get the summer off, yet by the time the season starts, I'll have that buzz again. I sit in the Lower Trinity Stand, so it's good to meet up with the Villa family; the people you know from sitting around them.'
Newsweek
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Injured AEW Wrestler Is Getting Closer To Making In-Ring Return: Report
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Some positive news has emerged regarding the health status of a prominent AEW mainstay. Fans may soon see the return of the energetic and unpredictable Juice Robinson to AEW programming. According to Fightful Select's Sean Ross Sapp, the former IWGP United States Champion is reportedly closing in on a comeback. Sources indicate Robinson has been largely healthy for nearly a month now, though he is still awaiting final medical clearance from AEW officials to compete. This update comes after a significant sideline period for the AEW star. Robinson suffered a serious injury back in late November 2024. Unfortunately, during a challenging AEW Continental Classic tournament match against Will Ospreay, Robinson broke his fibula. The injury reportedly occurred during a pin attempt sequence late in the bout, ending his participation in the prestigious tournament. While Robinson is healthy and considered relatively close to returning, an exact date for his appearance back on AEW television has not yet been confirmed. His recovery adds a potentially crucial piece back to his faction, the Bang Bang Gang (also known as Bullet Club Gold). This photo shows AEW owner Tony Khan on April 20, 2022, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Khan spoke with Newsweek recently about the company coming to New York City for a large event. This photo shows AEW owner Tony Khan on April 20, 2022, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Khan spoke with Newsweek recently about the company coming to New York City for a large event. AEW More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation The Bang Bang Gang has notably struggled with various injuries among its members over the last year. Robinson's return would certainly provide a boost to the group, currently featuring Jay White and The Gunns (Austin and Colten Gunn). Since arriving in AEW, Juice Robinson quickly established himself alongside Jay White as a key figure in Bullet Club Gold. He often serves as the group's boisterous mouthpiece and loyal enforcer. Bringing his signature chaotic energy, Robinson is known for his intense promos and wild ringside mannerisms. He has been integral to the Bang Bang Gang's identity and their multi-man match strategies. Throughout his AEW tenure, Robinson and BCG have engaged in several high-profile rivalries. Their battles included memorable clashes against former AEW World Tag Team Champions FTR (Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood). Robinson also played significant roles in feuds against Ricky Starks and during Jay White's pursuit of the AEW World Championship, then held by MJF. His antics, such as mocking Starks with a cardboard cutout or taunting MJF with a roll of quarters, became notable moments. Robinson achieved championship success with The Gunns. The trio captured the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championships, defending the titles under the Bang Bang Gang name. With reports indicating Juice Robinson is healthy and just awaiting the green light, anticipation builds for his return. His comeback is poised to strengthen the Bang Bang Gang and add his distinct brand of mayhem back into the AEW landscape. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jay White named broadcaster for Mississippi Mud Monsters
PEARL, Miss. (WJTV) – The Mississippi Mud Monsters announced longtime Mississippi broadcaster Jay White as the team's official play-by-play voice for the 2025 season. 'This isn't just a new team—it's a new era, and I'm humbled to be the one holding the mic,' said White. 'Baseball in Mississippi has always had heart, grit, and great stories. I can't wait to help fans hear every crack of the bat, every big play, and every muddy moment that makes this team special.' White makes his Mud Monsters debut on May 8, when the team takes the field for Opening Day at Trustmark Park. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
