I HAVE supported Aston Villa Football Club since I was knee high to a grasshopper. 

I first started supporting Villa when we were a Third Division (in old money) team. So I’m no glory hunter — not that there’s been much glory in recent times. At least not since the great teams that won the league in 1981 and then went on to win the coveted European Cup in 1982.

Villa fans can more easily be described as survivors! We stand with our team through thick and thin and defend our club when we are attacked nonsensically, as in recent weeks.

The fact that there even has to be a conversation about a club based in west Asia playing in Europe is actually farcical in the extreme.

Even though it has been decided not to give Maccabi Tel Aviv fans tickets to the game — and their club said they would accept them if there was a change of mind — it still doesn’t mask the fact that the safety of the local community in Birmingham and, specifically, Aston, was completely ignored by politicians during the furore.

A decision taken to ensure the safety of the very Muslim Aston area of Birmingham is being portrayed by salivating politicians as anti-semitism. This is clearly and demonstrably not the case. 

Indeed, the decision to treat the safety of the predominantly black population of Aston as less important than the “right” of Maccabi Tel Aviv fans is where the racism comes in.

I should be really clear from the outset that I don’t think the game should be taking place at all. I think Maccabi and every other Israeli team or competitor in every sport should be banned from participating in world or European (or Asian) competitions.

Israel has committed a genocide in full view of the world, with tens of thousands of people killed. The figure of around 68,000 dead Palestinians is, we will discover in the coming weeks, a gross underestimation of the true total.

Included in this death toll are not only record numbers of journalists, health and education workers, but the dead are largely non-combatant women and children.

The fact that we are talking here about just the fans not being allowed into Villa Park only goes part of the way towards what should really be happening.

But Maccabi fans have form that some politicians are trying their level best not to talk about. Many of their fans are simply racist and don’t hide the fact.

Before a recent game in Amsterdam, they went on the rampage through that wonderful city, chanting racist slogans and picking fights with local people. This appears to be of secondary importance to politicians intent on demonstrating their credentials as supporters of Israel.

Brian Homer, a long-time Villa supporter from Birmingham, told me that “as soon as the European fixtures came out, I could see that the Maccabi game at home could be a problem. 

“Not because of race or religion, but because of the poor reputation of a significant number of their fans. I remember the dark days of football violence in the ’70s and ’80s, and since then, have been pleased that protocols were developed to assess safety issues before every game.

“So it seemed normal that those protocols would be followed and that any previous issues would be taken into account. In this case, Maccabi fans caused so much trouble in Amsterdam recently, so I was relieved when a ban on their fans attending the Villa game was proposed.”

Homer added: “In my view, this has nothing whatsoever to do with anti-semitism and everything to do with the police and other authorities trying to ensure safety for both fans and local residents. 

“So I am shocked that the Labour government appears to be trying to undermine the normal protocols to ensure this.”

Other fans have expressed anger that the good name of Aston Villa has been dragged through the mud during this row.

A season ticket holder from Oxfordshire (no, not me!) said he was horrified that the club has been used “as a tool to project some quite clear agendas and propaganda.

“As far as I see it, West Midlands Police have made an informed decision following a careful review that has taken into account aspects such as resources available, the demographic of the local area and the past behaviour and actions of some groups of fans within Maccabi’s travelling fan base.”

The fan, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “Facts are being clearly misrepresented, such as ‘ban on Jewish people,’ ‘unable to guarantee the safety of Jewish supporters,’ etc, in order to push an obvious narrative. 

“I also feel the politicians, especially those from the ruling party, have got this drastically wrong, all in an effort to appease without any consideration of the facts and risks involved.”

He felt that there was now a “potential powder-keg situation,” with the row having been “jumped on by prominent far-right figures and the inevitability of a counterdemonstration (which itself is likely to attract people with bad intentions), the prospect of unsavoury incidents on the night of November 6 has likely been increased regardless of the final decision.”

Many Villa fans feel this famous club has been hung out to dry by politicians with no real interest in football.

The Oxfordshire fan added: “As Villa fans, we just want to enjoy our team’s performances all without the reputation of the club we love being subjected to high-profile, unwarranted criticism and abuse. 

“Here’s hoping for a safe, incident-free night for everybody and a resounding Villa win on the pitch. Up the Villa!”

Simon, a fan for 46 years, said: “Historically, for high-risk games, the route from the station to Villa Park has been well-managed — police at key corners and one-way access usually does the job.

“However, with the strong public support for the Palestinian cause seen nationwide, this match could attract more than just Villa fans, especially from the diverse local community. The usual pinch points could be overwhelmed.”

He added: “Taking extra precautions makes complete sense for public safety, especially while tensions remain high. When religion is central to a conflict, rationality often takes a back seat.”

I am sure that there are other supporters who take a different view, and maybe even some that are supportive of the genocide carried out by the Israeli forces against the Palestinians in Gaza. But what unites all of them/us is that the game — if it has to take place — should be played in the safest possible environment.

Most people I have talked to — whether they were prepared to be quoted here or not — are clear that the action of the government has significantly worsened the prospects for the game to go ahead without trouble.

If the game has to go ahead — and, I repeat, I still call for the game’s cancellation — I hope that Villa comes away with a huge victory, but that as many supporters demonstrate their support for the Palestinians during the match.