Dwight Yorke – Do YOU forgive him
Today on the Official Site Dwight Yorke has tried to mend bridges between the himself and the Villa fans and basically asks that we forgive him
“It was a great platform to be given the chance to learn my trade and to improve but not only as a footballer but as a person, as an individual, I couldn’t ask for a better club and Aston Villa will always be a very special part in my life and a club that I will continue to support and look out for.
“It was just great to know that I had a great relationship with the supporters and I know some people out there probably not forgave me for leaving. I can understand that but I thought at the time I had given everything to the club that I possibly could.
“Hopefully the Villa fans will forgive me and see the reason why I moved on.”
I was lucky enough to watch Yorke from his first game until his last one, I always rated him and he was the most skilful player I saw play for Villa. Many things stand out about Yorke especially in the championship run in 1994. It is my view that Fat Ron cost us the league that season for dropping an on form Yorke for his favourite Dalian Atkinson.
You felt every time that Yorke got the ball he would do something, he was the most clinical forwards I have seen at the club and his overall stats (73 goals in 263 games) show what a great player he was despite playing the first part of his career on the wing.
However all of this was soured in the summer of 1998, when during off season he was (well for legal reasons) attracted by Alex Ferguson and Man Utd. I can not blame him for wanting to move and what he did subsequently proves he was right to move at that time. However the manner of his leaving left a sour note even now.
I was at Goodison Park at the heart of all the fuss over his mover, he played like he did not care, I have never seen a player play so badly and with no passion and that includes Steve Hodge. It was no surprise that he left shortly afterwards and it was good riddance. To compound this ‘sin’ he then after Beckham’s goal at Old Trafford in the return fixture went deliberately to the corner flag where we were and made sure we saw him kiss the Man U badge, that was too much.
However despite these actions, time does heal and he is right, it is time to forgive. We should remember what a quality player we had (at times world class) and instead of spite and bile move to appreciation, Yorke has been man enough to do this, so should we.
“It’s up to you, Dwight Yorke, Dwight Yorke, dum, dum, dum”
That is much better than John Carew song
nothing to forgive – Villa legend – i’d give my right arm to get someone with his goal record at the club now – it’s what we desperately need. At the end of the day, he achieved the maximum he ever would with Man U (T & T are a long way off winning any international trophies) and i could never deny him that – we were never gonna achieve that during Ellis’ reign
February 9, 2010 at 20:53
agree with all that, just wished he left in the ‘right way’ his actions were not good at all and other things were happening behind the scenes that we were not privy to
February 9, 2010 at 21:03
I too witnessed the badge kissing incident at Old Trafford which absolutely disgusted me.
Considering we plucked him from total obscurity and groomed him into the player he became, kissing that badge right in front of us showed total disrespect to the very people who made him a hero. Absolutely no forgiveness.
February 9, 2010 at 21:11
he did AVFC, but time is an healer, at least for me
never will acheve the ultimate hero status because of what he did but those of us who watched him will always remeber the goals, he would always make my all time Villa XI
February 9, 2010 at 21:16
The way he left was horrible, but I can now manage to forgive him. As has been said we really could do with him in his prime in the present team.
February 9, 2010 at 22:02
if we did I reckon a challenge for the league would not be out of the question
February 9, 2010 at 22:06
He made mistakes in the way he left, but has of late consistently waged a charm offensive to tell the Villa fans where his heart lies.
Yep. I forgive him
February 10, 2010 at 08:58
I’m afraid I don’t forgive him – because he is not acknowledging what he did! It is not about leaving for ManU, it is how he went about it – the Goodison and, even worse, Old Trafford incidents. No mention of any of that….just forgive me for moving to ManU. He’s got no idea! Apologise for that and I will consider his apology
February 10, 2010 at 09:31
the goofy toothed little knobend can kiss my arse…
February 11, 2010 at 12:29
I have no problems with him joining the RedMancCockneys.
What I DID have a problem with were his stupid fucking comments when he signed for Karren The Slapper at Small Heath
February 11, 2010 at 20:16