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ON THE DL

Meet a regular Dubai Lion every few weeks in this new series. This week, it's our favourite Irish DL in Abu Dhabi - Sarah Corcoran

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Welcome to ON THE DL where we meet a new Dubai Lion each month. Through this series, you will get to know us better and for those thinking of joining us on a matchday, you can see that we’re (mainly) just normal folk with an abnormal love for all things ASTON VILLA.

 

This week in ON THE DL, it's about time we met a female contingent of our supporters club as we chat with Sarah Corcoran – a Waterford born lass with a penchant for Jagerbombs and a mam who goes for brummie David Bowie look-alikes. Here, she talks us through her love for all things green and white in The Villa's past and present whilst she brown-noses The General for his season-ticket influence. Only joking, Sarah! (But, seriously...)

HOW DID YOU START FOLLOWING ASTON VILLA?

This is thanks to my mam. I never really had a choice, although my dad is Leeds and my sister was a Villa fan but was converted to Man United. Until the cup final in 2010 I thought my mam supported Villa because of all of the Irish players that played with Villa, but as she revealed to me 22 years later it was because when she was on holidays with her aunt in Birmingham (Blues fan) she fancied the gardener that looked like David Bowie so she started supporting Villa to impress him.

 

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST VILLA GAME - HOME OR AWAY?

Villa 4-1 QPR, 1994. It was a home game to QPR when I was 4 or 5. Villa were winning 2-1 and mam decided to beat the traffic and leave early. So we missed the last 2 goals and I had to watch Match of the Day that night to see them.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ASTON VILLA MEMORY?

Unfortunately, Villa has not won a lot in my lifetime so I would have to say the playoff final last year. The Upper Tier erupted when those 2 goals went in and when the final whistle went. Cracked the screen on my new phone after El Ghazi got the opener but it was well worth it. Also the Everton game this year under lights at Villa Park. The atmosphere was electric!

 

WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE EVER VILLA PLAYER?

Being Irish I would have to say Paul McGrath. I would love to see him play again. Now, it would have to be Grealish. He has had a fantastic season even if we haven’t. Hopefully, this isn’t the last time he plays in a Villa shirt. And if Gareth doesn’t give him a call up he is always welcome back with the boys in green.

 

WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE EVER VILLA MANAGER?

A few people might not talk to me after this (sorry mam) but I would have to say Martin O’Neill. I loved that team we built and when we were challenging with the big teams. Hopefully, we will get back to that level again.

WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO/CONNECTS YOU WITH DUBAI?

I moved to Abu Dhabi in 2011 as a teacher and forgot to leave.

WHAT IS YOUR ROLE WITH DUBAI LIONS?
Unfortunately, I don’t get up to Dubai as often as I would like but am always willing to go watch a match in Abu Dhabi. Hopefully, we will one day get our own club going here.

 

HOW DID YOU DISCOVER DUBAI LIONS?

For years I thought I was the only Villa fan in UAE then one day I decided to search for supporters clubs in UAE and found a little gang in the Center Circle after we were in Dubai for a weekend so I decided to go in and watch the game. I think we were beaten but the lads made me feel very welcome with Jagerbombs and I knew I had found a good crowd.

 

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE AND LEAST FAVOURITE DUBAI LIONS MOMENTS?

Both of these are connected really with the playoffs. The devastation of losing to Fulham in 2018 was hard and tough to watch knowing that it meant another year playing Rotherham but fast forward a year and we are going up with chants ringing out in the Rose and Crown. Also the DL5 celebrations with Ian Taylor and Shaun Teale. Two great Villa legends and great drinkers too. A fantastic day for everyone that went. Well done to the committee for organising a fabulous weekend.

WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE DUBAI LION?

Whenever I come to The Rose & Crown, everyone is always very welcoming but I would have to go with The General. He keeps us all interested in the Championship through Soccer Suicide (that’s as close as we want to get to the Championship) each week and is always ready to meet at Villa Park with a ticket to pass on. Thanks Carl.

 

WHICH DUBAI LION IS THE BIGGEST LIABILITY?

The one that orders the Jagerbombs (I’m normally too drunk to know who that is).

 

AND FINALLY…HAVE YOU EVER SUPPORTED A TEAM OTHER THAN ASTON VILLA?

No. I was luckily born a Villian and would not change that for anything.

Thanks, Sarah. Looks like Jagerbombs are on you for the next game. Seems you'll have plenty of time to save up and we'll remember to remind you whilst you're sober!

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