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Aston Villa fan aims to raise £25,000 after Derby County coach attacked on way to Wembley

An Aston Villa fan aims to raise £25,000 after a coach carrying Derby County fans to Wembley was attacked.

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Big Green Coach Ltd said a coach had been vandalised by a "small majority" of fans from the West Midlands club.

And now David Jordan, a lifelong fan of the claret and blue, has launched a fundraising page to raise enough money to pay for the damage – and cover ticket prices for those on the coach.

The Wombourne-born man, who became a fan after taking a liking to the kit as a youngster, said: "I was on the green when it was happening and the people who were talking to me were booing and condemning it.

"It was pretty shocking.

"There was quite a party atmosphere.

"I was there since 10am and it was about 1pm and there about about 2,500 to 3,000 fans.

"It was a good atmosphere then all of a sudden a Derby coach passed by and there was lots of traffic.

"One idiot decided to throw a bottle and then a few more mindless idiots did and then the coach was being sheltered by a minority of the fans with bottles and cans.

"They were sitting ducks.

"There were Villa fans on the other side throwing and missing – and hitting other Villa fans.

"One of the windows started to break and then it got targeted.

"It's not representative of who we are as fans.

"My initial reaction was this was reflecting badly on me and the fans."

Despite the attacks on the coach, the 35-year-old who now lives in Leeds, said it was a "fabulous day".

He said: "It was a fabulous day and I thought we played very well.

"The last 20 minutes didn't do me any favours for my health, but it was incredible.

"The atmosphere was unreal after the goal before half-time."

So far, nearly £6,000 has been raised on the Just Giving page.

"First of all it's to try and portray the fans in the light they should held in," Mr Jordan said.

"Secondly, there's damage to the coach and there was 80 people on board and that was one of the biggest days of their life and, to an extent, Villa fans have ruined it.

"And it does not sit well with me.

"I wanted to turn this into a positive and I think we've managed to do it.

"I'm liaising with the coach company and Derby County to put it right."

Investigating

Birmingham-based coach firm Big Green Coach Ltd said it was upsetting to hear the coach was attacked.

The firm posted on Facebook: "After a fun Bank Holiday weekend of sunshine and good times, taking 1000s of people to various locations around the UK, we were upset to hear when we got back into the office that a coach carrying Derby fans was vandalised by a small majority of Villa fans.

"The action of some does not reflect the actions of the club.

"It warms our heart to see David Jordan has started a Just Giving page.

"With any money that is raised, we will be giving it to those Derby fans that were affected on the coach by the actions of people that decided to act like hooligans.

"We know that these actions do not reflect the rest of Villa's fan base.

"Big Green Coach are currently investigating the incident and will be in contact with all customers."

West Midlands Police's football unit said they were reviewing footage of the incident.

They tweeted: "Disappointed to report again (that) coaches (have been) damaged as a result of persons on the green throwing bottles at a coach containing children.

"Actions of a few let everyone down. I will be reviewing body cam footage from officers to identify those responsible #noexcuse."

For donate, visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/sorry-derby-and-gccl-from-avfc

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