Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Villa Memories => Topic started by: Scratchins on October 08, 2017, 08:00:28 AM
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08/10/1934 Gerry Hitchens born. My 1st hero, I saw him sell a dummy to the other 21 on the pitch. Hence my user name for those old enough to remember.
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Happy birthday to my first No9.
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Before my time but an older chap I used to go to the Villa with always said he was the best
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Before my time as well. But read enough and seen enough to know he was a great player.
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Read a lot about this gentleman. Everything suggests he is a great Villain. Happy birthday Mr Hitchens.
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He died at the early age of 48.
Wiki says: He died playing in 1983 during a charity football match for a Mold-based firm of solicitors at Castell Alun sports ground in Hope. Seconds after heading a cross over the bar, Hitchens collapsed and was taken to Wrexham General Hospital but pronounced dead on arrival. His ashes were interred in Holywell on 20 April 1983. He was 48.
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I was at the famous Villa 11 Charlton 1 game when Gerry went on his goal spree, great day.
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My first recognisable hero, along with Peter McParland. I was devastated when he was sold. He was tough as old boots, could score with his head and both feet and would be unaffordable in today's monopoly money football.
I was also lucky enough to see him and Villa run riot in that eleven-one win over Charlton. Great player.
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My first recognisable hero, along with Peter McParland. I was devastated when he was sold. He was tough as old boots, could score with his head and both feet and would be unaffordable in today's monopoly money football.
I was also lucky enough to see him and Villa run riot in that eleven-one win over Charlton. Great player.
You and me both Dave, I could have written exactly the same.
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I wish I could have seen him play brilliant player and a gentleman.
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Indeed a great player and one of the rare successes of his era when he went to Italy.
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One of my favourite Villa players of all time, absolutely gutted when he left for Inter Milan. Scored 5 goals in the Charlton humiliation. Played for England in the 62 World Cup, but didn't play again when Ramsey took over, as he only picked home based players.
Following Trevor Ford, Gerry was one of a dynasty of great Villa centre forwards since the war, then Dougan, Hateley, Lochhead, Gray, Withe, McInally, Dublin, Angel and Benteke. Apologies if I left anyone out.
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Indeed a great player and one of the rare successes of his era when he went to Italy.
The fact that he succeeded in Italy, where many great players failed, has always made me think he must have been special.
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Indeed a great player and one of the rare successes of his era when he went to Italy.
The fact that he succeeded in Italy, where many great players failed, has always made me think he must have been special.
Absolutely. A special talent, even if he was in the England team beaten by the USA
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Indeed a great player and one of the rare successes of his era when he went to Italy.
The fact that he succeeded in Italy, where many great players failed, has always made me think he must have been special.
Absolutely. A special talent, even if he was in the England team beaten by the USA
Thought that would have been before his international career started.
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Indeed a great player and one of the rare successes of his era when he went to Italy.
The fact that he succeeded in Italy, where many great players failed, has always made me think he must have been special.
Absolutely. A special talent, even if he was in the England team beaten by the USA
Thought that would have been before his international career started.
That was 1950 when he would gave been only 15. He was the first major British success in Italy succeeding where Jimmy Greaves and Denis Law failed playing for Torino, Atalanta and Caligiari as well as Inter.
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Indeed a great player and one of the rare successes of his era when he went to Italy.
The fact that he succeeded in Italy, where many great players failed, has always made me think he must have been special.
Absolutely. A special talent, even if he was in the England team beaten by the USA
Thought that would have been before his international career started.
That was 1950 when he would gave been only 15. He was the first major British success in Italy succeeding where Jimmy Greaves and Denis Law failed playing for Torino, Atalanta and Caligiari as well as Inter.
Not arguing with you E77 but just to say that Eddie Firmani who played for Charlton played for a few clubs in Italy, and was relatively successful, Inter being one of those clubs and his goal scoring record was non too shabby. He was South African born.
One of the best footballers I ever saw was John Charles who enjoyed Paul McGrath status in Italy such was his ability both up front and in defence.
I take your point about Gerry though. One of very few that settled early and made a significant impact over there.
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Much as I thought Gerry Hitchens was great John Charles was on a different level. An absolute beast, I saw him towards the end of his career but he made a real impression on me. My dad reckoned he and Duncan Edwards were the best two players he ever saw, closely followed by Billy Walker.
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I was in the Gerry Hitchens Suite at Highley Working Men's Club last night. If you've never been, which you probably haven't, I'd suggest going soon, as I was one of five people there and you can't run a business like that! His Inter shirt was in a frame on the wall, as well as some other cool photos. Some elderly gents were in attendance also, one of whom knew my dad, which was a nice treat.
I'd never been to a working men's club before. What a place!
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The Longbridge Social still has a Gents Only bar. It is one of the saddest bars Ive ever been in!
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I was in the Gerry Hitchens Suite at Highley Working Men's Club last night. If you've never been, which you probably haven't, I'd suggest going soon, as I was one of five people there and you can't run a business like that! His Inter shirt was in a frame on the wall, as well as some other cool photos. Some elderly gents were in attendance also, one of whom knew my dad, which was a nice treat.
I'd never been to a working men's club before. What a place!
Gerry was my Uncle. Back in the 1960's My Aunt bought a caravan, sited in Highly, used to take me and my brother most weekends in the summer. Spent many a saturday night in Highley club.
2 other things about Highley
Parker pens were made there
One more Sombre, as we went regularly we made friends with the locals, one of whom was Lesley Whittle, who was murdered by Donald Neilson aka the Black Panther
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I was in the Gerry Hitchens Suite at Highley Working Men's Club last night. If you've never been, which you probably haven't, I'd suggest going soon, as I was one of five people there and you can't run a business like that! His Inter shirt was in a frame on the wall, as well as some other cool photos. Some elderly gents were in attendance also, one of whom knew my dad, which was a nice treat.
I'd never been to a working men's club before. What a place!
Gerry was my Uncle. Back in the 1960's My Aunt bought a caravan, sited in Highly, used to take me and my brother most weekends in the summer. Spent many a saturday night in Highley club.
2 other things about Highley
Parker pens were made there
One more Sombre, as we went regularly we made friends with the locals, one of whom was Lesley Whittle, who was murdered by Donald Neilson aka the Black Panther
Mrs SE worked in that factory as a holiday job. And was best friends with Lesley's niece growing up (obviously long after the awful event). Small place!
Her folks also knew Gerry pretty well I think.
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I watched the 66 world cup final at Gerrys House wearing his full England kit and cap.
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I watched the 66 world cup final at Gerrys House wearing his full England kit and cap.
Oof!