Mat Kendrick's Dear John letter to John Carew
Dear John,
Life goes on,
By the time you get this note,
You’ll be gone.
I couldn’t let John Carew depart Villa Park after four eventful years without writing him a fond farewell...
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Dear John,
I’ve been speaking to a fair few Villa fans and the general consensus is thanks for the memories. I took a small straw poll on Twitter and it seems you have made a lasting impression on many of the claret and blue brigade.
Off the top of my head the highlights seem to be the hat-tricks against Newcastle in the Prem in February 2008, and at Reading in the FA Cup quarter-final last season. Then of course there was the day you bullied Blues and helped yourself to a brace in the 5-1 win in April 2008.
If that wasn’t enough, you hoisted the ball boy off his feet in celebration and were then pictured driving away from the ground, grinning from ear to ear and gesturing the scoreline with your fingers.
My personal matchday highlight was the way you almost speared a young fan in the Holte End by kicking the corner flag in an over-exuberant celebration after grabbing the winner against Stoke.
Even then you came out of it as the good guy, by giving the lad your shirt and a playful pat on the head/ruffle of the hair by way of an apology.
That was typical of you. From the moment you arrived from Lyon in a swap deal with Milan Baros in January 2007 you always knew how to play up to your adoring public.
An excitable clenched fist towards the crowd, a friendly wave, a kiss of the badge. When it came to PR you were the Max Clifford of Villa Park. (Although, occasionally saluting the supporters chanting your signature tune, when you should have been chasing the ball did divide opinion!).
Not that I am trying to do you a disservice in terms of contribution on the pitch.
To be Villa’s top scorer for the past three seasons is no mean feat and some of the goals will live long in the memory, not least that sublime finish against Stoke in the 2-2 draw in March 2009 I hope they don’t think you can do that every week!
From a press point of view I always found you to be a charming and humorous interviewee.
