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In the spotlight: Olympic special

Aug 24 2004

 

In this feature, leading figures from West Midlands football usually agree to answer the questions of Row Z readers.*

But this week, to celebrate the games of the games of the XXVIII Olympiad, we've asked the BBC's ace trackside interviewer Sally Gunnell to pop the questions to Aston Villa chairman Doug Ellis.

Sally Gunnell: Thanks for joining us, Mr Ellis. Or can I call you Doug?

Doug Ellis: The pleasure's all mine, Sally. And of course you can call me Doug.

SG: Thank you, Mr Ellis. You're chairman and chief shareholder of Aston Villa Football Club. What's that like?

DE: Well, it's a big responsibility, Sally. Lot's of hurdles to overcome, so to speak.

SG: That's incredible! Because I used to be a hurdler!

DE: Yes.

SG: So you basically own the football club. Tell us how that feels.

DE: It's a strange feeling, Sally, but it's an honour to be the custodian of a club with great traditions like Aston Villa.

SG: Awesome! How does it feel when your team scores a goal?

DE: Well, er, it feels nice.

SG: Great! And what about when the team your team's playing against scores a goal. That must be a bad feeling. Mustn't it Doug?

DE: Yes, it is a bad feeling.

SG: But what about when your team scores another goal and goes in front again. How does that feel?

DE: That feels good.

SG: But, hang on, what's this? The other team have gone up and scored again!

DE: Have they?

SG: Yes, I'm afraid they have.

DE: Oh bother.

SG: Yes. Bad luck Doug, you must be gutted.

DE: Yes, Sally, I am.

SG: I'm not surprised, Doug. Would you like a cuddle?

DE: No, I'm fine just now thanks.

SG: Go on, Doug. I give all the athletes a cuddle when they come off the track

DE: No, really, I'm fine thanks.

SG: Suit yourself. How does it feel to have lots of fans singing your name every week?

DE: Well, ha ha, sometimes it's not an entirely pleasant experience.

SG: Really? Why's that, then?

DE: I do attract criticism from some sections of our support.

SG: Oh dear. How does that feel?

DE: It's not a nice feeling, Sally.

SG: You must be gutted, sometimes.

DE: Yes, Sally, sometimes I suppose I am.

SG: How do you bounce back from that?

DE: Eh?

SG: Sorry, it's just a question I always ask in every interview.

DE: Oh.

SG: So what do the fans say to you?

DE: Well, they tell me they want me to quit my job and leave the club. In no uncertain terms.

SG: How does that feel?

DE: It's a fairly unpleasant feeling, to be honest.

SG: Sometimes you must be quite sad about it.

DE: Sometimes, yes.

SG: Would you like that cuddle now?

DE: Yes please.

DE & SG hug.

SG: There, there.

DE: Thanks.

SG: Sue, it's back to the studio - oops, sorry, force of habit.

Row Z: Thank you Sally Gunnell and Doug Ellis. 

 

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