Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Villa Memories => Topic started by: Toronto Villa on May 30, 2013, 01:59:41 PM
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So I'm driving home yesterday, about 11pm your time, 6, my time, and I'm listening to a football show on satellite radio out here. They are interviewing the manager of Orlando City FC, some bloke called Adrian Heath. Yep that Adrian Heath, and I said to myself, he played for us didn't he? I remember Heath as Sharp's partner at Everton under Howard Kendall and doing really well. Then I recalled he came to us from some club in Spain and did the square root of fuck all before he left for Man City. I know we've had plenty of players who are irrelevant, but they might have been as irrelevant before they played for us. But it got me thinking is Adrian Heath, a player with a decent reputation in the game when he joined us, one of the most insignificant players in Aston Villa history?
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Stephen Ireland might run him close.
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David Unsworth must be up there. Did he even play for us before his wife threw a tantrum?
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It's an interesting classification. Should we put Frank McAvennie and Warren Aspinall in there with him as well?
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David Unsworth must be up there. Did he even play for us before his wife threw a tantrum?
He played a friendly or an Intertoto Cup game, didn't he?
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Hassan Kachloul
Mark Kinsella
Paul Mortimer
Gary Penrice
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I think I remember Adrian Heath scoring for us, come to think of it, it could have been that the ball hit the back of the net rebounded out and he then put it in the net. I'm sure he has scored for us though.
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So I'm driving home yesterday, about 11pm your time, 6, my time, and I'm listening to a football show on satellite radio out here. They are interviewing the manager of Orlando City FC, some bloke called Adrian Heath. Yep that Adrian Heath, and I said to myself, he played for us didn't he? I remember Heath as Sharp's partner at Everton under Howard Kendall and doing really well. Then I recalled he came to us from some club in Spain and did the square root of fuck all before he left for Man City. I know we've had plenty of players who are irrelevant, but they might have been as irrelevant before they played for us. But it got me thinking is Adrian Heath, a player with a decent reputation in the game when he joined us, one of the most insignificant players in Aston Villa history?
Stephen Ireland might run him close.
no chance. Any player, irrespective of the reason that wins player of the year is immediately discounted. History will resign Ireland to the irrelevant bin, but I don't think he's insignificant.
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Boulding?
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ta for moving
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Isiah Osborne, Mustapha Salifou, Marlon Harewood, Habib Beye, Ivo Stas, Franz Carr, Neale Cooper Eric Djemba Djemba the list is endless
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David Unsworth must be up there. Did he even play for us before his wife threw a tantrum?
He played a friendly or an Intertoto Cup game, didn't he?
Didnt he play in friendly at Wycombe
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Isiah Osborne, Mustapha Salifou, Marlon Harewood, Habib Beye, Ivo Stas, Franz Carr, Neale Cooper Eric Djemba Djemba the list is endless
Irrelevant. Just to clarify it is a player that comes to us with some kind of a reputation and does literally nothing. I'd say someone like Sasa Curcic comes to mind.
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Oscar Arce
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It's an interesting classification. Should we put Frank McAvennie and Warren Aspinall in there with him as well?
That's a bit harsh on Warren Aspinall. I remember seeing him play for us a fair bit back in 1987/88 in the old second division. A quick google shows he played 44 games for us and scored 14 goals and if my memory serves me correctly, one of them was away at West Brom in a midweek match.
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David Unsworth must be up there. Did he even play for us before his wife threw a tantrum?
He played a friendly or an Intertoto Cup game, didn't he?
Didnt he play in friendly at Wycombe
That rings a bell. Especially with the Gregory link.
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Isiah Osborne, Mustapha Salifou, Marlon Harewood, Habib Beye, Ivo Stas, Franz Carr, Neale Cooper Eric Djemba Djemba the list is endless
Salifou was with us four seasons... why???
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It's an interesting classification. Should we put Frank McAvennie and Warren Aspinall in there with him as well?
That's a bit harsh on Warren Aspinall. I remember seeing him play for us a fair bit back in 1987/88 in the old second division. A quick google shows he played 44 games for us and scored 14 goals and if my memory serves me correctly, one of them was away at West Brom in a midweek match.
Fair point, mate. In light of Toronto's clarification, I'll swap him for Didier Six.
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Berson
De Bilde
Bakke
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Tommy Craig. My recollection of him was as a very fine player, who just did not completely fit in with the Villa's style of play.
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Mervyn Day
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Makoun's gotta be up there. Over 50 caps for his national side, having played Champions League football and gaining a solid reputation while at Lille and Lyon before moving to us for over £6 million at age 27 - supposedly his prime.
What a flop.
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Makoun's gotta be up there. Over 50 caps for his national side, having played Champions League football and gaining a solid reputation while at Lille and Lyon before moving to us for over £6 million at age 27 - supposedly his prime.
What a flop.
yep entirely agree. He'll be known more for his flashy jumper and being sent off at Blackpool. Came with a good reputation and a cracking CL goal vs Real Madrid I think.
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Balaban, he was no Jankovich.
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Nigel Callaghan.
What a waste of a transfer fee. I recall that he arrived around the same time as Heath. IIRC he ended up as an overweight club DJ in Ibiza
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This site is worth a trawl for that info, brings back memories
http://astonvillaplayerdatabase.com/
Reminds me of a bloke I used to know called Andy Comyn who played 12 games for us in 1990. His first games was 3rd round of the FA Cup at home against Liverpool in front of 48,000. He got turned inside out by John Barnes at his best.
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Am I imagining John Fashanu in a Villa shirt?
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What about the guy in the tracksuit bottoms? so insignificant I dont even remember his name, just that he came to us on a loan and played in tracksuit bottoms every game. I remember thinking he had a decent reputation beforehand and hoped that if he did well it might turn into a permanent move. From memory he was completely toilet.....
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What about the guy in the tracksuit bottoms? so insignificant I dont even remember his name, just that he came to us on a loan and played in tracksuit bottoms every game. I remember thinking he had a decent reputation beforehand and hoped that if he did well it might turn into a permanent move. From memory he was completely toilet.....
Are you thinking of Gabor Kiraly? Loaned goalkeeper in 2006/07. I remember we played him in an FA Cup tie at Old Trafford, which we lost in the last few minutes after a shot from OGS went straight through him.
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Am I imagining John Fashanu in a Villa shirt?
excellent call on John Fashanu Mr Terry
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Warren Aspinall was an important part of our promotion team and his goals, particularly the one at home to Shrewsbury, were vital. Two less significant names from that season spring to mind though. David Hunt and Malcolm Allen. And a few years later, Alan Mcloughlin.
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Michael Bradley
Bosko Balaban
Eirik Bakke
Mathieu Berson
And that's just the B's
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Reminds me of a bloke I used to know called Andy Comyn who played 12 games for us in 1990. His first games was 3rd round of the FA Cup at home against Liverpool in front of 48,000. He got turned inside out by John Barnes at his best.
I'm sure he played in the 2-0 home win over Inter. I might have imagined that.
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Michael Bradley
Bosko Balaban
Eirik Bakke
Mathieu Berson
And that's just the B's
Breitkrutz, he looked a decent player whenever I saw him in the reserves. Forgotten the name of the other German player with the mullet and moustache, he was a striker.
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Stefan Beinlich - he actually had a decent career and went on to play for the German national team.
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Simon Dawkins, definitely Simon Dawkins.
Has he gone yet ?
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Reminds me of a bloke I used to know called Andy Comyn who played 12 games for us in 1990. His first games was 3rd round of the FA Cup at home against Liverpool in front of 48,000. He got turned inside out by John Barnes at his best.
I'm sure he played in the 2-0 home win over Inter. I might have imagined that.
I think you are right. Paul McGrath didn't play. If I remember right the official story was an injury, but rumours it wasn't as simple as that were confirmed in his book.
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Michael Bradley
Bosko Balaban
Eirik Bakke
Mathieu Berson
And that's just the B's
I always thought Berson looked quite a good player in his brief appearances, hopefully Sylla has broken the curse of French signings.
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To be fair to the selection who started this thread off, Adrian Heath wasn't even our most insignificant signing that summer. Not all non league signings called Spink go on to play as many games as Nigel. Dean, first team appearances 0.
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To be fair to the selection who started this thread off, Adrian Heath wasn't even our most insignificant signing that summer. Not all non league signings called Spink go on to play as many games as Nigel. Dean, first team appearances 0.
see, Dean Spink was irrelevant. Unheard of before and very much after. Adrian Heath was a relatively prominent player at the time, and did the sum total of nothing for us in a brief uneventful spell.
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Neale Cooper - came down from Aberdeen as the next big thing.
Got injured, didn't play his first game until after Christmas. Played about 5 times for the team that got relegated and about another 3 at the start of the season in Second Division.
SGT sussed he was a waste of space and got rid.
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Neale Cooper - came down from Aberdeen as the next big thing.
When I lived in Newcastle I went to watch our reserves against them and Cooper was playing, all I can remember about the game was an old bloke near me just constantly shouting 'I'm watching you Cooper, you dirty bastard'.
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Has anyone mentioned Nii lamptey!!! Big ron signing if I remember dubbed the new PELE!!
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Andy Blair was a big disappointment for someone who got a EC winners medal
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Simon stainrod what waster.
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Sorry a waster
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Oscar Arce
Think you've hit the jackpot. I think he made two appearances for the reserves and was released. Ex-Argentina International. Was he earning his fair back home - who knows!?
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Am I imagining John Fashanu in a Villa shirt?
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Alan McLoughlin
Tony Cascarino
Andy Blair part 2
Mike Pejic
Frank McAvennie
Guy Whittingham
Rob Edwards
Mark Burke
Ivor Linton
Jake Findlay
Lee Butler
Ronnie Johnsen
Oyvind Leonhardsen
I could go on...
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Nicky Shorey?
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Phil Bardsley
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Steve Foster
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Najwan gharayib? John Gregory signing, supposed to be Alan wrights replacement at left back, can remember him ever playing though?
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Saw him play against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough, it was a midweek game just after (I think) the FA Cup semi final.
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Bosko BAlaban, IVo Staas, do they actually ever play a game?
Oscar ARce did play once or twice and I'm sure that he was sent off.
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Najwan gharayib? John Gregory signing, supposed to be Alan wrights replacement at left back, can remember him ever playing though?
He played 1 league game and 1 LC game plus 4 sub appearances
Yup a pretty crap signing.
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Aston Villa [edit]
Balaban failed to find any form for Aston Villa, making just nine appearances, seven as a substitute, in two and a half years.[3] He was loaned back to Dinamo Zagreb for the 2002–03 season, scoring 15 times in 24 appearances.
In December 2003, Aston Villa released Balaban from his contract and he signed for Club Brugge on a free transfer.[3]
On 4 July 2007, Times Newspapers ranked Balaban as one of their 50 worst footballers.[ 4] Made me think, so borrowed this from that wiki lot. Sure I saw him come on as a sub & he was that bad that the rest of the players didn't bother passing to hm.
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Bosko BAlaban, IVo Staas, do they actually ever play a game?
Oscar ARce did play once or twice and I'm sure that he was sent off.
Oscar never actually managed to play a single game for Villa.
Neither did his brother Hector, before they both scuttled back to argieland, presumably a little richer.
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Oyvind Leonhardsen
Ronny Johnsen
Peter Schmeichel
The other Andy Gray
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The other Andy Gray
You mean the guy we signed from Palace? As I remember he was very much involved in our promotion season of 1987-88. Hardly what I'd call insignificant.
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Tony Cascarino
I wouldn't describe him as insignificant. Quite the opposite, in fact. Made a very telling contribution in claret and blue.
Just not in a good way.
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Reminds me of a bloke I used to know called Andy Comyn who played 12 games for us in 1990. His first games was 3rd round of the FA Cup at home against Liverpool in front of 48,000. He got turned inside out by John Barnes at his best.
We signed him from Alvechurch though, so I don't think we can say he was a household name when we signed him.
Didn't he quit football when he left us as he had just became a qualified accountant?
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Freddie Mwila or Emment Kapengwe.
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Neil Tarrant. Had scored bucket loads of goals for Ross County before we bought him, did fuck all in the reserves for a couple of seasons and then went on a grand tour of obscure north-east non-league clubs.
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What about the guy in the tracksuit bottoms? so insignificant I dont even remember his name, just that he came to us on a loan and played in tracksuit bottoms every game. I remember thinking he had a decent reputation beforehand and hoped that if he did well it might turn into a permanent move. From memory he was completely toilet.....
Are you thinking of Gabor Kiraly? Loaned goalkeeper in 2006/07. I remember we played him in an FA Cup tie at Old Trafford, which we lost in the last few minutes after a shot from OGS went straight through him.
yep I was at that night game, didn't Baros score to make it 1-1 before pyjama pants had a late doors mare? I think he was an 'emergency loan' as well if I recall.
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Bobby Park.Scottish forward in the mid sixties....totally useless.
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Neil Tarrant. Had scored bucket loads of goals for Ross County before we bought him, did fuck all in the reserves for a couple of seasons and then went on a grand tour of obscure north-east non-league clubs.
I remember the Teletext headline when we signed him: 'Tarrant set to become a Villionaire'. Talk about over-hyped!
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Bobby Park.Scottish forward in the mid sixties....totally useless.
He was described by the manager (Dick Taylor/Tommy Cummins???) as the most enthusiastic player on the books. Sadly, his football stood out as awful in an awful team.
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Thinking back, they do tend to be 'Bs': Gustavo Bartelt anybody??
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I've already stuck up for Aspinall and I will stick up for Cascarino and Andy Gray II as well. Andy Gray played a big part in our promotion side and was sold for about three times what we paid for him, and Cascarino set up a couple of vital goals in the title race season and scored some very important goals against our relegation rivals Derby and Sunderland the following year.
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I've already stuck up for Aspinall and I will stick up for Cascarino and Andy Gray II as well. Andy Gray played a big part in our promotion side and was sold for about three times what we paid for him, and Cascarino set up a couple of vital goals in the title race season and scored some very important goals against our relegation rivals Derby and Sunderland the following year.
Well said!
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Didier Agathe. Fucking horse shit he was
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Didier Agathe. Fucking horse shit he was
On the cobbles or did he put it in a carrier bag first?
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Reminds me of a bloke I used to know called Andy Comyn who played 12 games for us in 1990. His first games was 3rd round of the FA Cup at home against Liverpool in front of 48,000. He got turned inside out by John Barnes at his best.
I'm sure he played in the 2-0 home win over Inter. I might have imagined that.
Comyn had a very good game vs Inter. It was a bit of a shame that he looked so ordinary against everyone else.
Insignificant to me really means you have to scratch your head at the thought that they were once on or books. Either because you hadn't noticed or had long since forgotten.
Tord Grip.
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Mike Pejic
Bit harsh, looked the business when he first came then got a career ending injury so far as I remember
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David Curtolo?
Stefan Beinlich
Matthias Breitkreutz
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Apart from being the last player we signed from Small Heath, from a playing point of view Alan Curbishley was insignificant. At least we got rid of Hopkins as part of the deal.
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David Hunt - the worst Villa player I have ever seen
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I mentioned this lad on a similar thread a while back, John Inglis, I got his first name wrong then but this was one awful player, the worst I have ever seen for the Villa and believe me, I've seen some shit in my time.
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Daveeed Ginola
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David Norton, Dean Glover, Darren Bradley, Ray Walker and Paul Kerr. Surely Graham Turner set a record there for the most number of insignificant Villa players in one team.
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Phil Robinson - scored probably the most insignificant goal in Villa history at Old Trafford in the 1-3 defeat after relegation in 1987.
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Daveeed Ginola
Man of the Match when we relegated Coventry I think?
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I mentioned this lad on a similar thread a while back, John Inglis, I got his first name wrong then but this was one awful player, the worst I have ever seen for the Villa and believe me, I've seen some shit in my time.
I was going to name Inglis but I think Bobby Park just edged him out..
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The national press gave Ginola the man of the match plaudits for the Coventry game. Apparently him coming on for Staunton turned the game. I was there and thought it was Merson who turned the game and was MOTM.
Bobby Park sounds like a Melchester Rovers player.
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I mentioned this lad on a similar thread a while back, John Inglis, I got his first name wrong then but this was one awful player, the worst I have ever seen for the Villa and believe me, I've seen some shit in my time.
I was going to name Inglis but I think Bobby Park just edged him out..
It was a toss-up between the two Ron but, Inglis edged it because Park at least managed to score a couple.
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I mentioned this lad on a similar thread a while back, John Inglis, I got his first name wrong then but this was one awful player, the worst I have ever seen for the Villa and believe me, I've seen some shit in my time.
I was going to name Inglis but I think Bobby Park just edged him out..
It was a toss-up between the two Ron but, Inglis edged it because Park at least managed to score a couple.
There is a fine line between insignificance and being a very poor footballer. I think Bobby Park probably qualifies more towards the latter.
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If we are going for the double of insignificance and poor footballer then my vote goes to David Hunt.
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For the older more discerning Villians.
Gentlemen I give you
Cammie Fraser!! He was scottish you know...as is Alan Hutton...and possibly even worse at right back.
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For the older more discerning Villians.
Gentlemen I give you
Cammie Fraser!! He was scottish you know...as is Alan Hutton...and possibly even worse at right back.
I can actually remember Villa signing him. Signed and played the same evening, you could do that back then.
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Again, for us old fogey's, another I've posted about on here, Dave Pountney; he of the milk bottle legs, and just as quick!
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For the older more discerning Villians.
Gentlemen I give you
Cammie Fraser!! He was scottish you know...as is Alan Hutton...and possibly even worse at right back.
I can actually remember Villa signing him. Signed and played the same evening, you could do that back then.
Dave who did he replace? Ive been thinking it was Stan Lynn but was it Jock Winton?.
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I didn't realise Cammie played for us. Unbelievable Jeff!
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Oyvind Leonhardsen
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Oyvind Leonhardsen
I've always wanted to hear his name dramatically announced by the voiceover bloke from the X factor. Oooyyyvviiinniiind Leeeooonhhaaardseeennnnn!
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For the older more discerning Villians.
Gentlemen I give you
Cammie Fraser!! He was scottish you know...as is Alan Hutton...and possibly even worse at right back.
I can actually remember Villa signing him. Signed and played the same evening, you could do that back then.
Dave who did he replace? Ive been thinking it was Stan Lynn but was it Jock Winton?.
I think it was Stan Lynn Ron but, I'm not 100%. It was possibly around 1962ish, I'll have to check.
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Again, for us old fogey's, another I've posted about on here, Dave Pountney; he of the milk bottle legs, and just as quick!
Didn't he play left half after Alan Deakin broke his leg?
Seem to remember we called him "Passback Poutney" after his favourite manouvre.
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Again, for us old fogey's, another I've posted about on here, Dave Pountney; he of the milk bottle legs, and just as quick!
Didn't he play left half after Alan Deakin broke his leg?
Seem to remember we called him "Passback Poutney" after his favourite manouvre.
That's the one. Dire.
Regarding Cammie Fraser Ron, I was right about 1962. Check out Wiki, it says on there that he went on to help relegate the Noses, I forgot about that so he can't be all that bad!
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Steve Watson. Ferndo Nelson. Andy Marshall. Stephen Ireland. To name but a few.
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Eirik Bakke
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To be a truly insignificant player they can't have been so bad they became infamous, or a loan signing. An insignificant player must have cost not very much, been here a while, done absolutely nothing, had no effect on the team, played in no great games and been forgotten the day after they left, never to be discussed again.
Terry Bullivant, Adrian Heath, Nicky Shorey, Colin Calderwood, Joe Ward, Willie Young.
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That sounds like Paul Mortimer then.
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Again, for us old fogey's, another I've posted about on here, Dave Pountney; he of the milk bottle legs, and just as quick!
Didn't he play left half after Alan Deakin broke his leg?
Seem to remember we called him "Passback Poutney" after his favourite manouvre.
That's the one. Dire.
Regarding Cammie Fraser Ron, I was right about 1962. Check out Wiki, it says on there that he went on to help relegate the Noses, I forgot about that so he can't be all that bad!
Actually bridging the gap between Stan the Wham and Cammie Fraser was Gordon Lee IIRC (later Everton boss) ??
Cammie debuted 17.11.62 Stans last game was at Blackburn 16.9.61 (Charlie's 2nd game)
Not sure if mentioned earlier - I give you Frank Pimblett - barely made it into double figures in 2 seasons - score a couple mind...
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Again, for us old fogey's, another I've posted about on here, Dave Pountney; he of the milk bottle legs, and just as quick!
Didn't he play left half after Alan Deakin broke his leg?
Seem to remember we called him "Passback Poutney" after his favourite manouvre.
That's the one. Dire.
Regarding Cammie Fraser Ron, I was right about 1962. Check out Wiki, it says on there that he went on to help relegate the Noses, I forgot about that so he can't be all that bad!
Actually bridging the gap between Stan the Wham and Cammie Fraser was Gordon Lee IIRC (later Everton boss) ??
Cammie debuted 17.11.62 Stans last game was at Blackburn 16.9.61 (Charlie's 2nd game)
Not sure if mentioned earlier - I give you Frank Pimblett - barely made it into double figures in 2 seasons - score a couple mind...
Another senior moment! I thought Gordon Lee played at left back. Im wrong. I also thought he had died several years ago but he hasnt.
Hes 78 and living in Lytham St Annes.
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With apologies to the "youngsters" on here but, please indulge us "oldies". Lads, do you also remember John Neale who played right back for us around the same time? He went on to manage Middlesborough and Chelsea amongst others, reasonably well iirc.
Sorry for deviating from the thread as John Neale and Gordon Lee were far from insignificant.
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and Stan Lynn was super significent.. John Neal was passable.
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Stefan Beinlich
Mattaius Brietkruetz
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Mark Kinsella unless he's been mentioned previously.
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Again, for us old fogey's, another I've posted about on here, Dave Pountney; he of the milk bottle legs, and just as quick!
Didn't he play left half after Alan Deakin broke his leg?
Seem to remember we called him "Passback Poutney" after his favourite manouvre.
That's the one. Dire.
Regarding Cammie Fraser Ron, I was right about 1962. Check out Wiki, it says on there that he went on to help relegate the Noses, I forgot about that so he can't be all that bad!
Actually bridging the gap between Stan the Wham and Cammie Fraser was Gordon Lee IIRC (later Everton boss) ??
Cammie debuted 17.11.62 Stans last game was at Blackburn 16.9.61 (Charlie's 2nd game)
Not sure if mentioned earlier - I give you Frank Pimblett - barely made it into double figures in 2 seasons - score a couple mind...
Another senior moment! I thought Gordon Lee played at left back. Im wrong. I also thought he had died several years ago but he hasnt.
Hes 78 and living in Lytham St Annes.
Gordon Lee was interviewed for the Villa job in 1984. Steve Stride described this in his book as being such a boring event to endure, he and Doug dreaded to think what his team talks were like.
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To be a truly insignificant player they can't have been so bad they became infamous, or a loan signing. An insignificant player must have cost not very much, been here a while, done absolutely nothing, had no effect on the team, played in no great games and been forgotten the day after they left, never to be discussed again.
Terry Bullivant, Adrian Heath, Nicky Shorey, Colin Calderwood, Joe Ward, Willie Young.
I think that's just about perfect as a criteria for insignificance but I would be inclined to include loan signings and Michael Bradley would certainly fit the bill.
Alternatively, Ronny Johnsen must be worthy of inclusion and Wayne Routledge too, can't imagine the printers in the club shop sticking their names and numbers to many shirts.
Maybe even Carl Tiler but I'm pretty sure he scored for us which might rule him out as may also be the case with Franz Carr whose only goal was an enormously signinficant one.
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I think you needed to have some reputation before playing for us yet are infamous for being utterly insignificant during the time with us. That's why Adrian Heath came to mind because he did have a standing in the game yet did absolutely fuck all for us. To me that's where the line is between insignificant and irrelevant. There are lots of irrelevant players in our history that came from nothing, did nothing for us and disappeared up their own arses. However, when I think of Nigel Callaghan as an example, I think of a player signed by Sir Graham, played quite well at Watford, and yet couldn't be fucking arsed when he came and played for us. I just think to myself, did he really play for us?
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To be a truly insignificant player they can't have been so bad they became infamous, or a loan signing. An insignificant player must have cost not very much, been here a while, done absolutely nothing, had no effect on the team, played in no great games and been forgotten the day after they left, never to be discussed again.
Terry Bullivant, Adrian Heath, Nicky Shorey, Colin Calderwood, Joe Ward, Willie Young.
I think that's just about perfect as a criteria for insignificance but I would be inclined to include loan signings and Michael Bradley would certainly fit the bill.
Alternatively, Ronny Johnsen must be worthy of inclusion and Wayne Routledge too, can't imagine the printers in the club shop sticking their names and numbers to many shirts.
Maybe even Carl Tiler but I'm pretty sure he scored for us which might rule him out as may also be the case with Franz Carr whose only goal was an enormously signinficant one.
I thought Ronnie Johnsen did a decent job for us while he was here.
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To be a truly insignificant player they can't have been so bad they became infamous, or a loan signing. An insignificant player must have cost not very much, been here a while, done absolutely nothing, had no effect on the team, played in no great games and been forgotten the day after they left, never to be discussed again.
Terry Bullivant, Adrian Heath, Nicky Shorey, Colin Calderwood, Joe Ward, Willie Young.
I think that's just about perfect as a criteria for insignificance but I would be inclined to include loan signings and Michael Bradley would certainly fit the bill.
Alternatively, Ronny Johnsen must be worthy of inclusion and Wayne Routledge too, can't imagine the printers in the club shop sticking their names and numbers to many shirts.
Maybe even Carl Tiler but I'm pretty sure he scored for us which might rule him out as may also be the case with Franz Carr whose only goal was an enormously signinficant one.
I thought Ronnie Johnsen did a decent job for us while he was here.
He did, I think he scored for us aswell?
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Colin Calderwood trumps Johnsen in the insignificant stakes surely?
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To be a truly insignificant player they can't have been so bad they became infamous, or a loan signing. An insignificant player must have cost not very much, been here a while, done absolutely nothing, had no effect on the team, played in no great games and been forgotten the day after they left, never to be discussed again.
Terry Bullivant, Adrian Heath, Nicky Shorey, Colin Calderwood, Joe Ward, Willie Young.
I think that's just about perfect as a criteria for insignificance but I would be inclined to include loan signings and Michael Bradley would certainly fit the bill.
Alternatively, Ronny Johnsen must be worthy of inclusion and Wayne Routledge too, can't imagine the printers in the club shop sticking their names and numbers to many shirts.
Maybe even Carl Tiler but I'm pretty sure he scored for us which might rule him out as may also be the case with Franz Carr whose only goal was an enormously signinficant one.
I thought Ronnie Johnsen did a decent job for us while he was here.
He did, I think he scored for us aswell?
I agree - he played well for us. I was disappointed he didn't get a second season
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Malcolm Beard from the Noses,i am sure he played a few games for us.
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Surely the most Insignificant player for Villa must be Jim Herriott,we signed him on loan from the Noses in 1971 and i am pretty sure he never actually played a game for us
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Malcolm Beard from the Noses,i am sure he played a few games for us.
I'm not going to look it up but around the same time did we have Geoff Vowden from them as well?
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Geoff Vowden did indeed play for us around the same time,but he did play 97 games and score 22 goals .I use to like him as i can remember he use to get some awful stick from a lot of the Villa fans just for having come from the noses
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Charles N'Zogbia
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Colin Calderwood trumps Johnsen in the insignificant stakes surely?
Bt... was it Calderwood who squared up to Phil Thomson on the Anfield touchline and Thomson reversed backwards at lightning speed? If so surely not insignificant.
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Surely the most Insignificant player for Villa must be Jim Herriott,we signed him on loan from the Noses in 1971 and i am pretty sure he never actually played a game for us
Quite correct - he had to go to Durban City to get a game apparently....
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Geoff Vowden did indeed play for us around the same time,but he did play 97 games and score 22 goals .I use to like him as i can remember he use to get some awful stick from a lot of the Villa fans just for having come from the noses
We had Vowden and Beard towards the end of their careers, both of whom, especially Beard, were past their best, but I liked them both before and after they joined us. Malcolm Beard later became our youth coach.
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Met my bro in law in the Queslett once, he was having a drink with a bloke I'd never met before. He was a real character and had me in stitches. I didn't find out until he left that it was Mal Beard. Top bloke
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Colin Calderwood trumps Johnsen in the insignificant stakes surely?
Bt... was it Calderwood who squared up to Phil Thomson on the Anfield touchline and Thomson reversed backwards at lightning speed? If so surely not insignificant.
Yes I was at Anfield that day and I've never forgotten Calderwood telling Thompson to fuck off back to the bench (which he did). He really went up in my expectations that day and I've had a soft spot for him ever since. Thompson was like a scolded child. Brilliant.
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Surely the most Insignificant player for Villa must be Jim Herriott,we signed him on loan from the Noses in 1971 and i am pretty sure he never actually played a game for us
Quite correct - he had to go to Durban City to get a game apparently....
But became very significant in TV history.
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Geoff Vowden did indeed play for us around the same time,but he did play 97 games and score 22 goals .I use to like him as i can remember he use to get some awful stick from a lot of the Villa fans just for having come from the noses
We had Vowden and Beard towards the end of their careers, both of whom, especially Beard, were past their best, but I liked them both before and after they joined us. Malcolm Beard later became our youth coach.
Dont forget Trevor Hockey as well!!!
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Gilles de Bilde.
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I can remember seeing a headline about a 'big' Villa signing and being pretty underwhelmed to discover it was Gary Penrice. He was fairly insignificant.
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Oyvind Leonhardsen. I remember when SGT bought him, all he could think to say was "I'd forgotten about him!"
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Did we not sign Johnsen and Leonhardsen because SGT was trying to strengthen the squad on a limited budget and they were both free transfers? They were a step up from Steve Sims and David Hunt to be fair. Jim Walker once said that Steve Sims was the only footballer he ever dealt with who had worse knees that Paul McGrath. Almost certainly the only time Sims and God have been seriously compared with each other.
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Did we not sign Johnsen and Leonhardsen because SGT was trying to strengthen the squad on a limited budget and they were both free transfers? They were a step up from Steve Sims and David Hunt to be fair. Jim Walker once said that Steve Sims was the only footballer he ever dealt with who had worse knees that Paul McGrath. Almost certainly the only time Sims and God have been seriously compared with each other.
Sims and Hunt did their bit in the promotion season though (well Sims more than Hunt anyway)
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Oyvind Leonhardsen. I remember when SGT bought him, all he could think to say was "I'd forgotten about him!"
He scored a few though, didn't he end up with something like a 1 in 5 scoring rate for us?
Edit: looked it up, it was 3 in 19, so 1 in 6.
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Geoff Vowden did indeed play for us around the same time,but he did play 97 games and score 22 goals .I use to like him as i can remember he use to get some awful stick from a lot of the Villa fans just for having come from the noses
We had Vowden and Beard towards the end of their careers, both of whom, especially Beard, were past their best, but I liked them both before and after they joined us. Malcolm Beard later became our youth coach.
Yes I liked Malcom Beard he was a class act one of the two they had. The other being Terry Hennesey
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Did we not sign Johnsen and Leonhardsen because SGT was trying to strengthen the squad on a limited budget and they were both free transfers? They were a step up from Steve Sims and David Hunt to be fair. Jim Walker once said that Steve Sims was the only footballer he ever dealt with who had worse knees that Paul McGrath. Almost certainly the only time Sims and God have been seriously compared with each other.
Sims and Hunt did their bit in the promotion season though (well Sims more than Hunt anyway)
Sims gave us experience at the back for the first half of the season while Alan Evans was injured. Unfortunately, my main memories of him are taking all our free kicks that were awarded deep in our own half, kicking the ball out for a throw, then examining his boots to find out why this had occurred.
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Did we not sign Johnsen and Leonhardsen because SGT was trying to strengthen the squad on a limited budget and they were both free transfers? They were a step up from Steve Sims and David Hunt to be fair. Jim Walker once said that Steve Sims was the only footballer he ever dealt with who had worse knees that Paul McGrath. Almost certainly the only time Sims and God have been seriously compared with each other.
Sims and Hunt did their bit in the promotion season though (well Sims more than Hunt anyway)
Sims gave us experience at the back for the first half of the season while Alan Evans was injured. Unfortunately, my main memories of him are taking all our free kicks that were awarded deep in our own half, kicking the ball out for a throw, then examining his boots to find out why this had occurred.
I'll always have a soft spot for the players that did their bit to get us back up in '87. They've been almost forgotten over the years but Christ did they help get us out of the hole we had dug ourselves into.
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Geoff Vowden did indeed play for us around the same time,but he did play 97 games and score 22 goals .I use to like him as i can remember he use to get some awful stick from a lot of the Villa fans just for having come from the noses
We had Vowden and Beard towards the end of their careers, both of whom, especially Beard, were past their best, but I liked them both before and after they joined us. Malcolm Beard later became our youth coach.
Yes I liked Malcom Beard he was a class act one of the two they had. The other being Terry Hennesey
Agree about Hennessy. He probably was too good for them. Silly sods sold him to Forest. They did have a class forward around that time though that they bought from Tommy Doc's Chelsea, who only cared to score goals if he could do so in a thrillingly spectacular style, but his name escapes me at the moment.
*Got it! Barry Bridges.
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Did we not sign Johnsen and Leonhardsen because SGT was trying to strengthen the squad on a limited budget and they were both free transfers? They were a step up from Steve Sims and David Hunt to be fair. Jim Walker once said that Steve Sims was the only footballer he ever dealt with who had worse knees that Paul McGrath. Almost certainly the only time Sims and God have been seriously compared with each other.
Sims and Hunt did their bit in the promotion season though (well Sims more than Hunt anyway)
Sims gave us experience at the back for the first half of the season while Alan Evans was injured. Unfortunately, my main memories of him are taking all our free kicks that were awarded deep in our own half, kicking the ball out for a throw, then examining his boots to find out why this had occurred.
I'll always have a soft spot for the players that did their bit to get us back up in '87. They've been almost forgotten over the years but Christ did they help get us out of the hole we had dug ourselves into.
To be fair to Steve Sims, after the wait for other results to be confirmed that all of us who were in the corner of The County Ground in Swindon that day will remember very well, SGT said he had bumped into a player in the dressing room area who was pacing up and down and praying it would be OK. That man was Sims, who had barely played since Christmas and was only in for the last two games because Keown was injured and must have known he wasn't part of the future plans. So fair play.
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Fabio Ferrassi
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Billy Kellock
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Billy Kellock
Now there's a name! Didn't he play loads of games for a lower league club like Halifax or Peterborough and then have a spell at Wolves? And then you hear or read that he started at Villa. I think there was a bloke called Campbell who played for Bradford who followed the same path.
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Billy Kellock
Now there's a name! Didn't he play loads of games for a lower league club like Halifax or Peterborough and then have a spell at Wolves? And then you hear or read that he started at Villa. I think there was a bloke called Campbell who played for Bradford who followed the same path.
Bobby Campbell. A Bradford legend and I believe he is there all-time top goalscorer.
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Billy Kellock
Now there's a name! Didn't he play loads of games for a lower league club like Halifax or Peterborough and then have a spell at Wolves? And then you hear or read that he started at Villa. I think there was a bloke called Campbell who played for Bradford who followed the same path.
Billy Kellock went to Cardiff. I lost track of him after that.
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Remember who played alongside BL in the 1972 Youth Cup ??
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Betts (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Betts)
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From the Mail - Villa's one game wonders!
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-special-feature-mat-4389097
IF Derrick Williams completes his move away this summer the rookie defender will join the elite Aston Villa ‘One- Game Wonders’ club.
Williams, who is in line for a switch to Bristol City in League One, has made a solitary appearance for Villa, playing 24 minutes as a substitute in the Premier League draw at QPR last December.
But he is not alone. Since World War II 21 players, including Williams, will have departed after competitively pulling on the famous claret and blue colours just once.
Here we remember the One Game Wonders and offer them this consolation – at least you played more times than homesick here-today-gone-tomorrow David Unsworth!
The list kicks off with a player who played the very first game after the war, but never kicked a ball for Villa again, TOMMY DODDS.
The inside forward, from South Shields, started the 1-0 opening- day home defeat to Middlesbrough on August 31, 1946, but left to join Swansea the following January as part of the deal which brought prolific scorer Trevor Ford to Villa.
A debut against Leicester at Villa Park on November 6, 1954, put the ‘proud’ in ARTHUR PROUDLER, but the 5-2 Division One defeat under manager Eric Houghton was to be the former Halesowen Town wing-half’s only action for Villa before he left to join Crystal Palace.
JOHN WILLIS tasted disappointment in his only appearance in a Villa shirt, losing 4-0 at Wolves on September 17, 1958, in the season they were relegated to Division Two. He returned to former club Mossley.
Also that year BILL BEATON was heavily beaten when his claret and blue career lasted just 90 minutes.
With regular goalkeeper Nigel Sims unavailable, the Scottish stopper let in six goals in his one and only appearance for Villa during a 6-3 defeat at Leicester on November 15, 1958. He then joined Airdrie.
RALPH BROWN’S first game turned out to be his final game in two senses of the word.
His debut came in the first leg of the League Cup final in its inaugural year in 1961 but, having started the 2-0 defeat to Rotherham, ‘Bomber Brown’ bombed. He was dropped for the return leg as Villa won 3-0 to clinch the trophy with an aggregate win and he never played again, moving on to Notts County.
There was another one-game wonder that season, ALLAN JONES, who played in a 3-1 Division One defeat at home to Fulham on October 7, 1961, as Villa went on to finish seventh under Joe Mercer.
It was a similar story for winger JOHN MARTIN, who appeared in a 3-1 Division One loss at Blackpool on September 12, 1964, but never appeared again and was allowed by Dick Taylor to join Colchester.
BARRY ANSELL can claim to have played alongside European Cup winning legend Peter Withe – but not at Villa. The Small Heath-born left-back’s one game for the claret and blues was a 3-0 Division Two defeat at Cardiff on Boxing Day 1967, long before Withe arrived.
In fact, the former Waverley Grammar School pupil was a team-mate of Withe’s at Arcadia Shepherds in the early 1970s after moving to South Africa to kick-start his career.
BRIAN ROWAN’S one and only Villa game must have put him in the shop window because even though they lost 3-0 at Watford on September 13, 1969, he subsequently joined the Hornets, with the Glaswegian left-back going on to play for Toronto Metros and New York Cosmos.
Villa’s next fleeting first-teamer was out of Africa – FREDDIE MWILA. The Zambian midfielder impressed Tommy Docherty when he played against Villa for Atlanta Chiefs during the tour to the United States in the summer of 1969.
Mwila became the third black player to play for Villa following Emment Kapengwe, who arrived with him, and Stan Horne, who made his debut in 1963.
Mwila’s one appearance came in a 0-0 draw at home to Blackpool in Division Two on 15 November, 1969. He left Villa after nine months and was named Zambia’s youngest player-coach at the age of just 24 for a friendly series.
STUART RITCHIE could not even get a game in Villa’s relegation season of 1986-87. Until, that is, their demotion to Division Two was confirmed, Billy McNeill was sacked and caretaker boss Frank Upton handed him a substitute cameo in the 3-1 last day defeat at Manchester United on May 9, 1987.
He replaced Andy Gray in the Scottish striker’s final game for Villa. Until recently Ritchie was combining managing non-league AFC Totton with driving for Parcel-force.
Another one-game wonder to have carved out a new career after giving up the day job at Villa is DARRELL DUFFY.
After coming through the ranks as an English schoolboy player at Lilleshall, the Brummie defender’s only Villa appearance was a 2-1 Division One defeat at Derby on May 6. 1989. He joined Moor Green and also turned out for West Midlands Police, among other non-league clubs, after becoming a copper and rising to the rank of Detective Constable.
Playing for Villa was the zenith of ALAN McLOUGHLIN’S playing days – kind of. The Republic of Ireland international midfielder’s only appearance of a loan spell from Southampton was in the Zenith Data Systems Cup win at Coventry on October 23, 1991. He could hardly be described as a career fly-by-night though, playing more than 300 times for his next club Portsmouth.
CHRIS BODEN appeared for just seven minutes in the 1-1 Premier League draw at Leicester on December 3, 1994, after coming off the bench to replace Phil King. Boden was sold to Derby for £150,000 and went on to play for Hereford, Barnsley and Shrewsbury before injury cut short the Wolverhampton-born utility player’s career.
The 1998-99 season produced a record number of OGWs (that’s one-game wonders, to you and me!).
First up was FABIO FERRARESI, the 19-year-old Italian ‘wonderkid’, who had supposedly snubbed AC Milan to join Villa. Apparently he had starred in Cesena’s promotion push the previous season, but it transpired he had been an unused substitute and hadn’t kicked a ball.
Such inactivity was common for him at Villa too – a 20 minute run out as a replacement for Ian Taylor in a 3-0 UEFA Cup win at Stromsgodset on September 29, 1998, was his only action before he returned to Cesena.
TOMMY JASZCZUN might score highly as a word in Scrabble, but he didn’t score highly at Villa, replacing Alan Wright for the last 16 minutes of a 4-1 League Cup defeat at Chelsea on October 28 before carving out a career at Blackpool, Northampton, Rochdale, Cambridge and Kettering.
The heartening tale of many of the one game wonders is that they left Villa and made plenty of appearances elsewhere. Goalkeeper ADAM RACHEL left Villa and played just one game at his next club Blackpool too, although did go on to play regularly at Moor Green after that.
His taste of Villa action was as a sub for the last 35 minutes of a 2-1 loss at Blackburn on December 26, 1998, after Michael Oakes got sent off. He conceded a late winner.
Villa have often been linked with Joleon, but his big brother AARON LESCOTT enjoyed just 24 minutes of action for the claret and blues.
The former Four Dwellings School pupil from Quinton came on as a substitute for Lee Hendrie in the 3-0 FA Cup win over Hull at Villa Park on January 2, 1999. Lescott then left to play for Sheffield Wednesday, Stockport, Bristol Rovers, Walsall and Halesowen Town.
Goalkeeper NEIL CUTLER’S love affair with Villa was restricted to a brief Valentine’s Day date at Middlesbrough in 1999. Villa won 4-0 and Cutler kept a clean sheet for six minutes after replacing David James as an 84th minute substitute.
Last but not least – well it is least, actually. In terms of time on the pitch, anyway, as JONATHAN BEWERS surely boasts the shortest playing career in the club’s history.
Bewers was once hailed as the new Gareth Barry, but whereas Barry made 422 starts and 18 substitute appearances for Villa, Bewers played for less than a minute.
His cameo came as a last gasp substitute for Mark Delaney in Villa’s 4-2 victory over Spurs at White Hart Lane on April 15, 2000. Bewers’ career fizzled out with unremarkable spells at Notts County and Walsall before turning to non-league.
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Carl tiler would be one for me.
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Ray Walker
Richard Walker
Paul Kerr
Dean Glover
David Norton
Pat Heard
Terry Bullivant
Tommy Craig
Malcolm Allen
Adrian Heath
Lee Butler
David Farrell
Simon Dawkins
Steve Foster
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From the Mail - Villa's one game wonders!
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-special-feature-mat-4389097
IF Derrick Williams completes his move away this summer the rookie defender will join the elite Aston Villa ‘One- Game Wonders’ club.
Williams, who is in line for a switch to Bristol City in League One, has made a solitary appearance for Villa, playing 24 minutes as a substitute in the Premier League draw at QPR last December.
But he is not alone. Since World War II 21 players, including Williams, will have departed after competitively pulling on the famous claret and blue colours just once.
Here we remember the One Game Wonders and offer them this consolation – at least you played more times than homesick here-today-gone-tomorrow David Unsworth!
The list kicks off with a player who played the very first game after the war, but never kicked a ball for Villa again, TOMMY DODDS.
The inside forward, from South Shields, started the 1-0 opening- day home defeat to Middlesbrough on August 31, 1946, but left to join Swansea the following January as part of the deal which brought prolific scorer Trevor Ford to Villa.
A debut against Leicester at Villa Park on November 6, 1954, put the ‘proud’ in ARTHUR PROUDLER, but the 5-2 Division One defeat under manager Eric Houghton was to be the former Halesowen Town wing-half’s only action for Villa before he left to join Crystal Palace.
JOHN WILLIS tasted disappointment in his only appearance in a Villa shirt, losing 4-0 at Wolves on September 17, 1958, in the season they were relegated to Division Two. He returned to former club Mossley.
Also that year BILL BEATON was heavily beaten when his claret and blue career lasted just 90 minutes.
With regular goalkeeper Nigel Sims unavailable, the Scottish stopper let in six goals in his one and only appearance for Villa during a 6-3 defeat at Leicester on November 15, 1958. He then joined Airdrie.
RALPH BROWN’S first game turned out to be his final game in two senses of the word.
His debut came in the first leg of the League Cup final in its inaugural year in 1961 but, having started the 2-0 defeat to Rotherham, ‘Bomber Brown’ bombed. He was dropped for the return leg as Villa won 3-0 to clinch the trophy with an aggregate win and he never played again, moving on to Notts County.
There was another one-game wonder that season, ALLAN JONES, who played in a 3-1 Division One defeat at home to Fulham on October 7, 1961, as Villa went on to finish seventh under Joe Mercer.
It was a similar story for winger JOHN MARTIN, who appeared in a 3-1 Division One loss at Blackpool on September 12, 1964, but never appeared again and was allowed by Dick Taylor to join Colchester.
BARRY ANSELL can claim to have played alongside European Cup winning legend Peter Withe – but not at Villa. The Small Heath-born left-back’s one game for the claret and blues was a 3-0 Division Two defeat at Cardiff on Boxing Day 1967, long before Withe arrived.
In fact, the former Waverley Grammar School pupil was a team-mate of Withe’s at Arcadia Shepherds in the early 1970s after moving to South Africa to kick-start his career.
BRIAN ROWAN’S one and only Villa game must have put him in the shop window because even though they lost 3-0 at Watford on September 13, 1969, he subsequently joined the Hornets, with the Glaswegian left-back going on to play for Toronto Metros and New York Cosmos.
Villa’s next fleeting first-teamer was out of Africa – FREDDIE MWILA. The Zambian midfielder impressed Tommy Docherty when he played against Villa for Atlanta Chiefs during the tour to the United States in the summer of 1969.
Mwila became the third black player to play for Villa following Emment Kapengwe, who arrived with him, and Stan Horne, who made his debut in 1963.
Mwila’s one appearance came in a 0-0 draw at home to Blackpool in Division Two on 15 November, 1969. He left Villa after nine months and was named Zambia’s youngest player-coach at the age of just 24 for a friendly series.
STUART RITCHIE could not even get a game in Villa’s relegation season of 1986-87. Until, that is, their demotion to Division Two was confirmed, Billy McNeill was sacked and caretaker boss Frank Upton handed him a substitute cameo in the 3-1 last day defeat at Manchester United on May 9, 1987.
He replaced Andy Gray in the Scottish striker’s final game for Villa. Until recently Ritchie was combining managing non-league AFC Totton with driving for Parcel-force.
Another one-game wonder to have carved out a new career after giving up the day job at Villa is DARRELL DUFFY.
After coming through the ranks as an English schoolboy player at Lilleshall, the Brummie defender’s only Villa appearance was a 2-1 Division One defeat at Derby on May 6. 1989. He joined Moor Green and also turned out for West Midlands Police, among other non-league clubs, after becoming a copper and rising to the rank of Detective Constable.
Playing for Villa was the zenith of ALAN McLOUGHLIN’S playing days – kind of. The Republic of Ireland international midfielder’s only appearance of a loan spell from Southampton was in the Zenith Data Systems Cup win at Coventry on October 23, 1991. He could hardly be described as a career fly-by-night though, playing more than 300 times for his next club Portsmouth.
CHRIS BODEN appeared for just seven minutes in the 1-1 Premier League draw at Leicester on December 3, 1994, after coming off the bench to replace Phil King. Boden was sold to Derby for £150,000 and went on to play for Hereford, Barnsley and Shrewsbury before injury cut short the Wolverhampton-born utility player’s career.
The 1998-99 season produced a record number of OGWs (that’s one-game wonders, to you and me!).
First up was FABIO FERRARESI, the 19-year-old Italian ‘wonderkid’, who had supposedly snubbed AC Milan to join Villa. Apparently he had starred in Cesena’s promotion push the previous season, but it transpired he had been an unused substitute and hadn’t kicked a ball.
Such inactivity was common for him at Villa too – a 20 minute run out as a replacement for Ian Taylor in a 3-0 UEFA Cup win at Stromsgodset on September 29, 1998, was his only action before he returned to Cesena.
TOMMY JASZCZUN might score highly as a word in Scrabble, but he didn’t score highly at Villa, replacing Alan Wright for the last 16 minutes of a 4-1 League Cup defeat at Chelsea on October 28 before carving out a career at Blackpool, Northampton, Rochdale, Cambridge and Kettering.
The heartening tale of many of the one game wonders is that they left Villa and made plenty of appearances elsewhere. Goalkeeper ADAM RACHEL left Villa and played just one game at his next club Blackpool too, although did go on to play regularly at Moor Green after that.
His taste of Villa action was as a sub for the last 35 minutes of a 2-1 loss at Blackburn on December 26, 1998, after Michael Oakes got sent off. He conceded a late winner.
Villa have often been linked with Joleon, but his big brother AARON LESCOTT enjoyed just 24 minutes of action for the claret and blues.
The former Four Dwellings School pupil from Quinton came on as a substitute for Lee Hendrie in the 3-0 FA Cup win over Hull at Villa Park on January 2, 1999. Lescott then left to play for Sheffield Wednesday, Stockport, Bristol Rovers, Walsall and Halesowen Town.
Goalkeeper NEIL CUTLER’S love affair with Villa was restricted to a brief Valentine’s Day date at Middlesbrough in 1999. Villa won 4-0 and Cutler kept a clean sheet for six minutes after replacing David James as an 84th minute substitute.
Last but not least – well it is least, actually. In terms of time on the pitch, anyway, as JONATHAN BEWERS surely boasts the shortest playing career in the club’s history.
Bewers was once hailed as the new Gareth Barry, but whereas Barry made 422 starts and 18 substitute appearances for Villa, Bewers played for less than a minute.
His cameo came as a last gasp substitute for Mark Delaney in Villa’s 4-2 victory over Spurs at White Hart Lane on April 15, 2000. Bewers’ career fizzled out with unremarkable spells at Notts County and Walsall before turning to non-league.
I was at Highfield Road for Alan McLoughlin's appearance. I think we won 2-1 and Coventry player manager Terry Butcher got sent off. I remember watching the Boxing Day Adam Rachel appearance at Blackburn in the pub. I had no idea Aaron Lescott played for us. The Cutler and Bewers appearances totally passed me by too.
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Ray Walker
Richard Walker
Paul Kerr
Dean Glover
David Norton
Pat Heard
Terry Bullivant
Tommy Craig
Malcolm Allen
Adrian Heath
Lee Butler
David Farrell
Simon Dawkins
Steve Foster
There is a very inept team in there but Pat Heard should be excluded purely because of his absolute stunner of a winner at the Hawthorns in 1982, a couple of weeks before Rotterdam.
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Michael Bradley
Phil Bardsley
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Don't know if either have been said but Carl Tiler and Frank McAvenie have got to be fairly high on the list.
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David Hunt is a very good call for this category.
John Fashanu is perhaps another. Came in with a fanfare, did absolutely nothing and we're still shaking our heads wondering what on earth prompted us to buy him. Absolutely inexplicable signing.
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didier agathe.
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Scott Murray
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John Fashanu is perhaps another. Came in with a fanfare, did absolutely nothing and we're still shaking our heads wondering what on earth prompted us to buy him. Absolutely inexplicable signing.
I'd genuinely forgotten he'd ever played for us!
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Franz Carr (with the exception of his goal at Forest).
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John Fashanu is perhaps another. Came in with a fanfare, did absolutely nothing and we're still shaking our heads wondering what on earth prompted us to buy him. Absolutely inexplicable signing.
Big Ron was a massive gladiators fan, and wanted Jet's phone number?!?
Its the only sane explanation... Either that or he wanted Fash to teach him karate.
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Giles De Bilde
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Mathie Berson
Isaiah Osborne
Alan Lee
Jamie Ward
Hassan Kachloul
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I've already stuck up for Aspinall and I will stick up for Cascarino and Andy Gray II as well. Andy Gray played a big part in our promotion side and was sold for about three times what we paid for him, and Cascarino set up a couple of vital goals in the title race season and scored some very important goals against our relegation rivals Derby and Sunderland the following year.
Cascarino was like Pele away at Forest that year, tore Des Walker apart, think that bastard Hodge equalised late on.
He was shit though, on the whole.
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Mark Lillis.
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A David Hunt goal for Notts County against Spurs in 1983 was shown on The Big Match Revisited the other day. I don't think it made the goal of the season shortlist
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Time to name and shame those not mentioned so far
Alpay
Hadji
Controvsial maybe but Collymore ?
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Mark Lillis.
Mark Lillis did a great job for us given the mess we were in at the time.
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Neale Cooper? Apologies if already mentioned
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Hassan Kachloul
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Michael Bradley. His name came up the other day on another thread and it was like a complete bolt out of the blue. Had virtually wiped him from my mind.
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Martin Carruthers. I seem to remember seeing him make his debut at Maine Road.
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Harry Gregory was fairly forgetable.
Surprising as according to Wikipedia he made a club record 102 appearances in the 3rd division promotion season.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Gregory_(footballer_born_1943)
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HARRY GREGORY
Born: Hackney d.o.b: 24 October 1943
Position: Midfield
Teams Seasons Apps. Gls.
Source : Juniors
Leyton Orient 62-66 79 12
Charlton Athletic 66-71 149 24
Aston Villa 70-72 24 2
Hereford United 72-75 73 6
to Chelmsford City
Totals 325 44
As per www.neilbrown.newcastlefans.com
With thanks to Dave Woodhall
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Harry Gregory was fairly forgetable.
Surprising as according to Wikipedia he made a club record 102 appearances in the 3rd division promotion season.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Gregory_(footballer_born_1943)
That number of appearances in that one season is obviously absolute nonsense.
It actually says 107.
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Richard Walker
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Richard Walker
Indeed, I saw him against Celta Viga at the Hawthorns and thought he was shite* and never saw him again or rarely heard of him.
*To be fair they played us off the park and the whole team were made to look pretty shite.
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HARRY GREGORY
Born: Hackney d.o.b: 24 October 1943
Position: Midfield
Teams Seasons Apps. Gls.
Source : Juniors
Leyton Orient 62-66 79 12
Charlton Athletic 66-71 149 24
Aston Villa 70-72 24 2
Hereford United 72-75 73 6
to Chelmsford City
Totals 325 44
As per www.neilbrown.newcastlefans.com
With thanks to Dave Woodhall
I think I remember him scoring v Preston on the opening day in 1972 and running behind the Witton End goal and knocking a copper's helmet off. I may be delusional....
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You may be delusional Pat but, your memory is in good order. ;) I recall he did that and I was there.
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David Hugh(e)s?
CB I think from the 90's?
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Richard Walker
Also, Ray Walker. Although he did score an FA cup goal for Port Vale in a win over Spurs that excited Tony Gubba. Also the only Villa player I have ever heard my mum to describe as 'good looking'.
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Preston - Villa on the opening day of 72/73 was at Deepdale :)
I thought Gregory had departed before then. He started the 71/72 season as captain after Godfrey had left for Bristol, but soon fell out of favour after bitch slapping our goalie (Tommy Hughes?) in a league cup game at Wexham. There were rumours that the players refused to come out in the second half if he was in the team.
I can remember him scoring with a half volley from the edge of the area in an Easter game in 71, which may have been either Wrexham or Swansea, but can't for the life of me remember his other goal. Maybe Doncaster away.
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Andrew Greaves :)
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Preston - Villa on the opening day of 72/73 was at Deepdale :)
I thought Gregory had departed before then. He started the 71/72 season as captain after Godfrey had left for Bristol, but soon fell out of favour after bitch slapping our goalie (Tommy Hughes?) in a league cup game at Wexham. There were rumours that the players refused to come out in the second half if he was in the team.
I can remember him scoring with a half volley from the edge of the area in an Easter game in 71, which may have been either Wrexham or Swansea, but can't for the life of me remember his other goal. Maybe Doncaster away.
I think that was the year when the first Mrs. A and I were on holiday in the Lakes, so we popped over to Preston for that game.
My only ever trip to Deepdale.
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I spent a weekend in Preston once. It was supposed to be Blackpool but my fiancé at the time booked us into a hotel in Preston because she thought that was close enough. Which was worrying, as she worked as a travel agent at the time.
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I was sick in an alleyway in Preston once.
Went to see a mate who was at East Lancs Poly about 20 odd years ago and got absolutely twisted. Couldn't focus for about 3 days afterwards. Strange, I can remember having a row with a Blues fan in a pub up there as well.
Anyway, how about Michael Oakes?
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I was sick in Preston once too, it was the season we got relegated to the third division when they got a winner somewhere between the sixth and eighth minute of stoppage time added on by that wanker of a referee Pat Partridge.
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Preston - Villa on the opening day of 72/73 was at Deepdale :)
I thought Gregory had departed before then. He started the 71/72 season as captain after Godfrey had left for Bristol, but soon fell out of favour after bitch slapping our goalie (Tommy Hughes?) in a league cup game at Wexham. There were rumours that the players refused to come out in the second half if he was in the team.
I can remember him scoring with a half volley from the edge of the area in an Easter game in 71, which may have been either Wrexham or Swansea, but can't for the life of me remember his other goal. Maybe Doncaster away.
I think that was the year when the first Mrs. A and I were on holiday in the Lakes, so we popped over to Preston for that game.
My only ever trip to Deepdale.
I was at that one with all my Northfield mates and we went in 'their end' after a bit of a ruckus we were escorted to the other end!!!!! Willie Anderson got the winner - a header to boot!!!!
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Anybody said Stuart Taylor yet?
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Anybody said Stuart Taylor yet?
See also Lee Butler and Stefan Postma. I would say Andy Marshall but I think he was close to becoming the only player in history to qualify for a testimonial without playing a competitive game.
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That Hungarian bloke in pyjama pants, Kiraly or something.
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You may be delusional Pat but, your memory is in good order. ;) I recall he did that and I was there.
I have checked and it was actually 1973-74.
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Ivo stas
Steve foster
They get my votes.
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You may be delusional Pat but, your memory is in good order. ;) I recall he did that and I was there.
I have checked and it was actually 1973-74.
Wherever and whenever it was Pat, I know I was there. Us Oldgiterati have to stick together.
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Just had one pop into my head:
Ronny Johnson.
He was bloody good when he played as well.
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Just had one pop into my head:
Ronny Johnson.
He was bloody good when he played as well.
He was far too good to be insignificant. Helped us finish 6th.
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Just had one pop into my head:
Ronny Johnson.
He was bloody good when he played as well.
He was far too good to be insignificant. Helped us finish 6th.
Was it that season? I thought it was the year under Taylor?
To be honest, the years 2000-2006 just blend together in a sea of mediocrity in my mind.
Anyway, you're right, he was far to good but I'd completely forgotten about him for years till last night.
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Chris Sutton doesn't evoke too many memories if I'm honest.
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Chris Sutton doesn't evoke too many memories if I'm honest.
Just the one to be honest, his header v Everton from a ball in by a contender for this thread, Isiah Osbourne.
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Is it too early to nominate Holman?
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Is it too early to nominate Holman?
No, but he's queing behind Ireland.
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Habib Beye
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David Hughes
Carl Tiler
Franz Carr
Ray Walker
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Phil Robinson - scored probably the most insignificant goal in Villa history at Old Trafford in the 1-3 defeat after relegation in 1987.
Robinson scored the most lamely greeted goal of that season at home to Wednesday. Birchy scored the insignificant goal at Old Trafford, set up by the equally insignificant Stuart Richie, who went on to have an extremely insignificant career. Stuart Richie (http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuart_Ritchie) He still played for The Villa though so he's one up on most of us.
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Is it too early to nominate Holman?
He's currently playing in the UAE Arabian Gulf League; I had no idea.
In fairness to him he did score one very good goal for us at Loftus Road.
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Ivo stas
Steve foster
They get my votes.
One of my best mates, who is a sports (mainly football) insurance broker is a close friend/Business associate of Steve Foster. Apparently he hated his time at the Villa.
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David Hughes
Carl Tiler
Franz Carr
Ray Walker
Franz Carr his screamer at the Forest Quarter final , that got us to our first Semi after so many so closes , nah Always remembered fondly as will Graham Fenton and Mr King , all significant moments
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Has Lee Turnbull had a mention yet?
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Andy Marshall
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Andy Marshall
I don't think he ever made an appearance, did he?
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Andy Marshall
I don't think he ever made an appearance, did he?
Burton Albion last pre season was his only start I think. I was hoping he would be the first player to get a testimonial without making a competitive first team appearance. What a trivia question that would have made.
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Patrik Berger
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Patrik Berger
If I remember right he was practically invisible until a few months before his contract was due to run out.
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Has Lee Turnbull had a mention yet?
In what position did he play?
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Striker. One of SGT's first signings. I think we gave Middlesbrough Poole or Kerr in exchange. never played a game and slunk out to Doncaster after a few months I think.
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Najwan Ghrayib - cost £1m and played 5 games
EDIT - I see that he's already been mentioned. However, my search of the thread didn't turn him up because I'm the first to spell his name correctly :)
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I see that Jonathan Hogg (6 Villa games) signed for Hudderfield this week
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Richard Walker
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Big Ron http://www.astonvillaplayerdatabase.com/53.html
George Graham http://www.astonvillaplayerdatabase.com/522.html
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Najwan Ghrayib - cost £1m and played 5 games
EDIT - I see that he's already been mentioned. However, my search of the thread didn't turn him up because I'm the first to spell his name correctly :)
Our stout scout at the time, Ross McLaren, eulogised over Najwan, some quote about him being the best left-back he'd seen. Tottenham pulled out of a move for him over worries about water on the knee. That synovial fluid issue perhaps prevented him playing more for us. Or maybe he was shite all along. Must admit I had high hopes for him. At the time Gregory was going all England XI on our asses. An Israeli with a dodgy knee seemed the very height of exotic intrigue.
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Scott Murray
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Big Ron http://www.astonvillaplayerdatabase.com/53.html
George Graham http://www.astonvillaplayerdatabase.com/522.html
"I played with Ron in 100 reserve games. And according to Ron he was man of the match in at least 99 of them." - Dennis Jackson.
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Evan Williams.
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Big Ron http://www.astonvillaplayerdatabase.com/53.html
George Graham http://www.astonvillaplayerdatabase.com/522.html
"I played with Ron in 100 reserve games. And according to Ron he was man of the match in at least 99 of them." - Dennis Jackson.
I believe he always voted himself man of the match in training five a sides. Often before they began. I am sure more than one player denied going easy on him to keep on his good side. They argued it was a case of getting out of his way before being injured by his size and clumsiness at that stage of his life.
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Saw BFR score a tremendous headed goal for Oxford on a rare visit to our friends across the city. He probably weighs less now!
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How is Dennis Jackson dave?..I heard he was'nt very well.