My early years were on The Witton End, mostly because I found a way in through the old GPO yard at the back of the Witton, so I had a good view of the players tunnel.
I have said on here before, I played inside left, but when we played a pre season friendly against Ansells I was given the job of marking Jimmy at left back. He must have been late forties by then and still made me look a right mug.
Strange how your memory let's you down isn't it.
My favourite all time Villa manager.I fucking loved BFR.
Favourite boss? 100% SIR RON SAUNDERS.
20th August 1962, Aston Villa 2 - 1 Totenham Hotspurs in front of 55,000 at Villa Park, watching Jimmy running his guts out down the wing and could hardly put one leg in front of the other at the final whistle, what a player
Thanks for that mate.
Apart from anything else, if my memory serves me right, he invented that fantastic Dwight Yorke chant, singing it in the Anfield dressing room before we played them in the FA Cup. BFR fancied himself as a crooner. Everybody copies everybody's chants now, but that was just ours. We need to sign a Mike Cork or someone soo, then we can sing it again!
BFR did a fans forum that went out live on George Gavins show on BRMB a few days before the 93 final v Utd. I taped it and have it somewhere. It was absolutely brilliant, Ron was on fine form, I think he'd had a few pre show refreshments if that makes sense. What a manager, back from the day when it wasn't all so vanilla and PC.
Forgot about that one.
Ron Davies, Geoff Astle,Bob Latchford, and Alan Shearer were usually lethal in the air. Our mob? Hateley, Dougan and Peter Withe come to mind.
Horrible news and close-to-home as his family lived close to us as kids. I had an uncle who developed the disease at age 53. It's an awful condition and a daily disheartening challenge for everyone.
