Source: Daily_Mail
Dear Aston Villa fans! Barry comes clean about Manchester City move in open letter to supporters
Gareth Barry's £12million move to Manchester City stunned the Aston Villa fans yesterday after the England midfielder had said he would only leave for Champions League football. Through an open letter published today in the Birmingham Mail, Barry explained his reasons for signing a five-year, £130,000-a-week deal at Eastlands.'After all the speculation over the last 12 months, I want the chance toexplain my decision to the Aston Villa fans,' he wrote in his letter. Opening up: Barry felt the need to explain his decision to leave Villa park'I want to thank themfor the incredible support I have received over the last 12 years andthis football club has been a huge part of my life. 'I joined as a16-year-old boy and 12 years later I am moving on as a 28-year-old manwith a wife and two children. A lot of things have changed in that time- players, management and a chairman. 'But every season bar none,whether we have been bottom half, mid-table or challenging for Europe,the support myself and the team have received has been fantastic. Top boss: Barry rates O'Neill as one of the best'Myone huge regret is that during my time at this club we have not broughtthe fans the success they deserve and I obviously have to take my shareof responsibility that we have not been good enough to win trophies. 'I feel the club is in the best position it has been in during my timehere. I think we have a group of very good young players, we have afantastic chairman who is here for the good of the club, and one of thebest managers in the game.''Obviously people will askwhy I am leaving if I feel like that. I have honestly been veryundecided what to do. 'The manager and the whole club have bent overbackwards to try and persuade me to stay and made me a fantastic offerwhich I am extremely grateful for. 'But, after changing my mind lotsof times, I came to the decision that the time was right for me and forthe club to part company. 'I need a new challenge, I have a massivefear of going stale and falling into a comfort zone. 'I believe thedeal is a good one for the club. I am sure the manager will use themoney well to strengthen the team and the club will go from strength tostrength. I am also excited now about my new challenge.'Alot of people will question my decision to join Manchester City. They were the club prepared to meet the valuation which, for a28-year-old with a year left on his contract I think shows how muchthey wanted me. National service: Barry's England ambitions played a part in his decision to make the switch to Eastlands'Once I had spoke to Mark Hughes, there was nowhereelse I wanted to go, I was also desperate to avoid any long drawn-outsaga. I feel I am joining a club that will seriously challenge to winmajor honours. 'People might doubt that, but I am convinced with theplans the club has short term and long term, and the backing themanager will receive from the owners, that we will be a major force.'Also the World Cup has alwaysbeen a major part of my thinking and I feel at Man City I will get thechance to play regularly in my best position and play a big part in asuccessful side. 'Time will tell if I am right or not, but those aremy reasons.'I have grown bored of all the speculationsurrounding me over the last 12 months and I am sure all the fans haveas well. I am glad I never left last summer because I would have leftunder a huge cloud. This year I feel things are different. 'I haven'tused an agent. I have discussed things with my best friend butultimately made my own choices and I think the situation has beenhandled properly by everybody involved and once again I have to thankthe manager and the club for that. 'I genuinely wish the club all thebest for the future, and want to thank everyone who has helped andsupported me in my time here. For the rest of my life, Aston Villa willbe the first result I look for.' EXCLUSIVE: Barry's mega-bucks City deal was agreed in Dubai last weekBarry bonanza: City get their man for £130k-a-week and Tevez is nextFlop full-back Shorey admits he faces an uncertain future at VillaMANCHESTER CITY FC