Can Aston Villa sign United States president Barak Obama?

Nov 16 2008 Sunday Mercury

Obama has said publicly that he is a big fan of football, or soccer as it is known stateside.

But the Birmingham football team face competition because another team who play in claret and blue – West Ham United – have already tried to claim the President Elect as a fan of their team.

They made their claim following rumours one of his relatives is a massive Hammers fan.

West Ham recently sent the Obama family an invitation to attend a match at Upton Park.

Apparently Obama attended a West Ham game while on a London visit five years ago and his half-sister Auma is married to an Englishman who is a Hammers fan.

But Villa are hoping their American connections might sway his vote their way.

American entrepreneur Randy Lerner became chairman of the club in 2006 and his fellow countryman General Krulak became director shortly afterwards.

As well as American owners the side also boasts two American international footballers in goalkeepers Brad Fridel and Brad Guzan.

General Krulak revealed his plans to get Barack on board during a conversation with supporters on the message board on Villa fanzine forums on the internet, including Heroes and Villains and Villa Talk.

In one of his postings he confirmed he had sent the scarf to the President Elect and invited him to join the Villa masses.

A spokesman for Aston Villa confirmed the scarf had been packaged and posted over to the United States.

He said: “Aston Villa already has some wonderful fans and we thought it would be fun to invite the future President of America to join us!”