RR+: Did I ever expect Aston Villa, Bayern Munich and Tolkien to be named in the same sentence?

It is one of these days when I am combing through hundreds of posts on the internet that claim or seem to have a connection to J.R.R. Tolkien’s life and works that I get a lovely surprise. (see other RR+ news (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre))

Now, you do not need to be a football fan to appreciate this, I believe, just a fan with a twinkle in your eye 🤩

The Roving Ranger Plus (RR+) is a service for my supporters here with Steady, often sharing fun news items to the wider community.

Anyway, today is the Champions League game between Aston Villa and Bayern Munich, it will be played in Villa Park (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre), 8pm, local time.

When fans travel to the game of their favourite team they often have their fan clubs organise a get together before and/ or after the game.

If you like ‘The Return of the King’ just as much as European football royalty, then Middle Earth – sorry, Birmingham – is the place for you.

Paul of the Bayern Munich UK fan club (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre) [Facebook] wrote an article on what people might like to do in Birmingham - and this is the map that is part of this post (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre).

So, yes, you need to know where B’ham’s main station is - New Street (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre) -, where the stadium is, the pub - Post Office Vaults (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre), a cellar bar, directly across from the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre) -, and another pub - the Vine (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre).

I am mentioning this for two reasons: one, the Sarehole Mill Museum (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre) can actually claim a close connection to Tolkien (unlike some other B’ham places), and two, the first and only Tolkien-inspired football fan club in the world is here with me in Jena and I am part of it, of course - Jenas Tirith!

I am a happy member of the FC Carl Zeiss Jena (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre), the eternal #1 of the all-time DDR Oberliga (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre), just for transparency’s sake 😄

Have a lovely day and keep in mind: #ReadMoreTolkien 🤩

If you are interested in more things Tolkienenian why not support me via Steady?

Or simply subscribe to the all things Tolkienian newsletter, the Roving Ranger?