Hendrie You Plonker!

The penny seems to have dropped with Lee Hendrie as he says he has no future at Villa.

It also appears his testimonial is being put on hold. On hold? I’d forget about it if I was him. Never delivered what he should and was often talked about in the press more for his off field activities than what he did on the field.

Also, the testimonial was apparently going to donate ‘a slice’ of the profits to charity. A SLICE? Why the feck would us fans go to a testimonial to make him richer? Fair enough if it was for charity 100% but not for lil Lee to get a few more drinking vouchers. Certainly not someone with the same class as Niall Quinn is he? He made a bomb as he was a proper club legend and the lot when to charity.

‘The testimonial looks like it’s going to happen after next season because we haven’t organised any events for a benefit year yet. My dad has spoken to the gaffer and my dad is going to organise a golf day and a big dinner possibly in July then have a game in the summer of next year. We’ve talked about giving a cut of the money to charity because it would be nice to give something back. My dad’s organising a testimonial committee to sort it all out and he’s going to publicise events. We’re trying to get a few of the old faces such as Paul Merson, Dion Dublin and Ian Taylor, as well as Ron Atkinson and John Gregory to attend a meal at Villa Park. My dad has spoken to Ron and John this week and they are keen to come along.’

I have the feeling Ron would go to the opening of an envelope these days to be honest!

‘As for opposition for a game, no one has been mentioned as yet. Speaking to the gaffer, the summer of next year would be better because there’s more chance of a few more signings being on board by then.’

Seriously, who would be attending this?

And on his future: ‘I don’t think I have a future at Villa. There’s been no talk of me signing a contract. I’m disappointed because I’ve said a few times I’d prefer to stay and I’ve been there such a long time. I could have chosen to sit on my backside and play in the reserves for the rest of the season, but I wanted to play first team football. Sometimes I wish I’d played better in some games and given myself more of a chance. Certain managers came in and fancied me and certain managers, such as Graham Taylor, didn’t. ‘

‘Martin O’Neill has been pretty fair: he said he didn’t think I would play much so I went out on loan. I know I’ll bounce back really strong next season. I just feel I’ve got a point to prove. It seems like I’ve been out of the Premier League for two years and I want to get back because the football is different in the Championship.’

Hendrie has been linked to Sheffield United, Blackburn, Middlesbrough as well as an extended stay at Stoke. Such a talent and although he has been ok, he has never achieved what he should have. Plonker, because on his day he was a very handy midfielder, certainly had more about him than Gavin McCann but never gave 100% a 100% of the time.