Football, much like life, works in cycles.
You’re on top of the mountain one moment and the next you’re at the base looking frustratingly up, wondering whether you’ll ever ascend to the summit again.
Aston Villa had a tough few seasons – struggling in the Premier League, dropping into the division below – the Championship – before several attempts at promotion back to the top-flight.
The fanbase were, understandably, at a low ebb.
The beauty of the industry I’m in – digital – is that you’re able to win over hearts and minds.
But don’t take that for granted – you do have to work at it.
Sitting in the staff canteen one morning, I read a quote on the wall.
It was a lightbulb moment.
Yes Aston Villa were struggling – but no-one could deny the club’s esteem, history and gravitas.
It was then that I set about collating what I – and some of my peers – viewed as the Top 50 things that made Aston Villa great.
There were plenty of them – William McGregor helping found the Football League, the European Cup win and, of course the famous colours to name just a select few.
There was born ‘Distinctly Villa’ – a social media campaign that trumpeted the club’s standing in the beautiful game and reminded fans that form is temporary but class is permanent.
Not long after, of course, Aston Villa returned to the Premier League – but the campaign offered a way of proactively fuelling the feelgood factor with content that had nothing to do with results on the pitch.
Top 10
10] Club Badge
9] Ron Saunders
8] Super Jack Grealish
7] Feeling the Blues – 5-1 win
6] European Cup shirt
5] Letter to found the Football League
4] ‘God’ Paul McGrath
3] The famous colours of claret and blue
2] Villa Park
1] Beautiful Name – Aston Villa
Paul Brown 