Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Villa Memories => Topic started by: dave.woodhall on January 03, 2018, 02:34:27 AM
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I've just found out that Alan died on Tuesday evening after a short illness. He was 76.
RIP and best wishes to his family. He was a true gent on the occasions when I met him; I'm sure those with longer memories than mine will be able to tell us about their recollections of his playing career.
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I was a regular at Villa Park when Alan was captain it's a long time ago but I remember he was a solid player more reliable than spectacular. It's a credit to him that he played so many games for Villa another Villain gone.
R.I.P
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RIP Alan
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Very sorry to hear this and condolences to his family. Memories are a bit hazy from that long ago but I think that I recall him as one of 'Mercer's Minors' along with Mike Tindall and John Sleeuwenhoek. My 1st heroes.
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He, Slogger and Hateley were my first favourites. I remember reading of him missing the chance to beat Spurs at WHL when the score was 5-5.
I suppose it must have been injury, but he seemed to fade away quickly.
Wish I could remember exactly what he'd done to annoy Denis Law (apart from his head being a tempting target)!
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Sorry if I missed it on here but Jimmy MacEwan died recently too. My sister interviewed him shortly before he passed away and he was in good spirits. She attended the funeral and Sid, Colin Gibson, Des Bremner, Ken McNaught and Tony Morley were also there.
I saw him play for the Old Stars when I was a lad and got his autograph. RIP to both Jimmy and Alan.
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How sad R.I.P
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RIP.
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R.I.P. Alan
I also remember Alan alongside my early Villa heroes like Harry Burrows and Tony Hateley.
Woofles mentioned the infamous Denis Law incident.
If I remember correctly that lead to our best result of a difficult season, 4-0 and Alan was one of the scorers.
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R.I.P Alan
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R.I.P Alan. One of my favourites, as Scratchins said, a Mercer Minors half back line of Tindall, Slogger and Deakin.
I remember he suffered a broken leg and or ankle which ultimately slowed down his career and allegedly allowed Bobby Moore to take his place in an international call up. Not sure if that is true or simply something we Villa fans liked to think was the case. Saw him play for Walsall a few times as well.
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Sad news. He was playing when I started to go to the games regularly. As Woofles suggested his career seemed to come to an abrupt end. RIP.
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I remember well the emergence of those Mercer Minors. Alan Deakin was one of those the like of which I hadn't seen up to that point. The likes of Alan and John Sleuenhoek had international futures ahead of them. Alan Deakin suffered a broken leg, against whom I can't remember but was never the same player after. He went on to serve the Villa well in times that began so promising but fell away to decline. As it ever seems to be with the Villa, lack of foresight. RIP Alan, condolences to your family and friends and thank you.
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One of my first Villa heroes, Alan was a solid player who was at one time tipped for England honours after Under 23 caps.
My first Villa team was routed out of my wooden rattle which I still have, made in woodwork at school.
Withers: Wright Aitken: Chatterley Sleeuwenheok Deakin: McLeod Mitchinson Greenhalgh Godfrey Anderson.
RIP Alan
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While living in The Cotswolds I used to organise games between my village side and the Old Stars in the 1990's. I had the pleasure of meeting Alan on a couple of occasions and as Dave said, he was a gentleman and great company.
Rest In Peace Alan
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Sad news indeed, my condolences to all his family and friends. As with Oscar, that team was one of my first memories of our beloved Villa, and Alan Deakin one of its mainstays thru changing times.
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That really is sad. He is three years younger than I am. Great, brave, creative player. The rapier to Mike Tindall's broadsword in Joe Mercer's team. Adored him. Wanted to be him. Very odd observation for which I crave indulgence. He had a very bad complexion just like I did then.. My salvation was that if Alan Deakin could cope with acne so could I. Always remembered as the face under Dennis Law's boot. Those of you who think you have seen The Holte explode should have been there that day. God bless you Alan. Sleep on you Villa hero.
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Before my time unfortunately but my Father always talked about him and the infamous incident with Denis Law
For those that were there please relay the incident again
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Alan was one of my first Villa heroes along with Colin Withers, Charlie Aitken, John Sleeuwenhoek and Tony Hateley....tough times to be a Villa fan but I worshipped all of them! Alan Deakin was automatic choice every game and should have been selected for England but for competition for his position. A schoolmate who was a Baggies' fan had an uncle who knew Alan who gave him a shirt with the number 4 on it....I tried for years to get it off him but failed!
A fellow Villa fan told me that he spoke with Denis Law at a book signing and asked him about the head stamping incident...Law said he was due in Manchester to open a night club and was being paid handsomely for it so had to do something outrageous to get off the field and on the train to Manchester, so....
how true it is I have no idea!
RIP Alan.
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Before my time unfortunately but my Father always talked about him and the infamous incident with Denis Law
For those that were there please relay the incident again
16 Nov 1963 , Villa beat a highly fancied Utd side 4 nil . Hately (2) Burrows & Deakin himself, were the scorers.
I was young man standing down front of the Witton End , Law & Deakin had been at it all the game, with Deakin coming off best & containing Law. There was a tussle between the two about 10 yds up from our penalty area with play moving up-field ( towards the Holte ). Deakin was lying prone on the ground when Law turned back and maliciously kicked him full in the face.
Play was stopped and Law was sent off, I remember this vividly because, for the first ( and last ) time in my life I ran onto the field , and remonstrated with Law who basically told me to F-off. The crowd went ballistic and if Law had´nt gone off I would have feared ( not really!) for his well being , mainly from other Villa Players. Law was abrilliant, dirty , cowardly back-street bully, type of player. Deakin was no Angel but he certainly did´nt deserve what Law did to him.......................R.I.P indeed, Alan , you ,´ Slogger´ Sleewenhoek and AlanTindall were the best of ´Mercers Minor´s .............Godzvilla!
VILLA...Starting lineup:
Goalkeeper Geoff Sidebottom
Defender/Right back Mick Wright
Left back Charlie Aitken
Centre half John Sleeuwenhoek
Wing half Alan Deakin
Wing half Dave Pountney
Outside Left Harry Burrows
Outside right Tommy Ewing
Outside right Jimmy MacEwan
Centre forward Tony Hateley
Inside Forward/Wing half Ron Wylie
MAN.UTD.
Goalkeeper Harry Gregg
Defender Bill Foulkes
Defender/Left back Tony Dunne
Left back Noel Cantwell
Midfielder Paddy Crerand
Midfielder Graham Moore
Wing half Maurice Setters
Midfielder/Forward Bobby Charlton
Centre forward David Herd
Forward Denis Law
Inside forward Albert Quixall
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Thank you godzvilla. Brings it all back.
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Very sad news one of my favourite players from the 60s, as others have mentioned part of a famous half back line of Tindall, Slogger and Deakin. A talented player, whose career was blighted by injury, during his time with us he suffered a broken leg, fractured ankle, broken toe and twisted knee. He did however finish his career as captain.
Glad to see his passing has been mentioned on Sky Sports. He played over 230 games for us and hopefully he will be remembered on Saturday with a deserved round of applause.
RIP Alan
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He, Slogger and Hateley were my first favourites. I remember reading of him missing the chance to beat Spurs at WHL when the score was 5-5.
I suppose it must have been injury, but he seemed to fade away quickly.
Wish I could remember exactly what he'd done to annoy Denis Law (apart from his head being a tempting target)!
The day of 5-5 game at WHL my late father and I were watching the reserves at VP - the bloke manning the scoreboard was really busy that day - there weren't many communication outlets back then but before we left to go home word had soon got around that Alan Deakin had missed a sitter in the last minute - must have been via a radio commentary or through one of the Argus hacks on a phone in the press box - incredible
My lasting memory of Alan was walking behind him after a game at Bramhall Lane - me and dad were heading back to the station (for the Villa special)and Alan and another guy (presumably the trainer) were heading for the hospital on foot - Alan had been injured in the game and was going for an X-ray at the local A&E !!
No fancy taxis or ambulances for footballers in those days.
A Villa stalwart was Alan - RIP
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That 5 - 5 game sticks in my memory too. I was due to have an interview at Margaret Street College of Art on the Monday morning and my mother insisted that I should have a haircut. (not really necessary because I was brilliant) and I sat in the chair of Mr Les Joyner on the Warwick Rd Greet listening to the goals rain in. He was a Nose so he turned off the radio when Alan Deakin missed a sitter for our sixth goal. I sometimes think I dreamed all this. Like beating Brizzle 5-0.
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Apologies for repeating what I've posted before on the 5-5. Me and the old man couldn't afford to go to that match so, went up the Sty instead. The half-time score came up as either 4-1 or 5-1 I can't remember. What I do remember though is the cheering from the noses and thinking that that was either eight or nine goals we'd shipped in one-and-a-half games as the previous week we'd been turned over by four at home to Fulham I think it was.
After the game was over, we hung around for the full-time score and for the life of me I can't think why as I was expecting double figures! Anyway, the score came up 5-5 and we thought the scoreboard blokes were taking the piss, no transistors at football matches those days. Me and the old man walked back into town just in time for the early editions of the Argus to hit the streets. 5-5 it was, couldn't believe it, and the fact that it could have been 5-6 felt like we'd lost, wins at WHL were a rarity back then.
Godzvilla, that's just as I remember the Denis Law incident too and you couldn't have been too far away from me as I was stood down the Witton End that day. I must admit I don't remember your cameo though. Too incensed with Law I suppose. Sendings off were also a rare sight back then.
I remember going to Goodison Park in 1966 to watch us. I was an apprentice at the time and the bloke I was attached to was a Scouser that supported Everton. We were two down and the match was drawing to a close when Everton attacked again which was broken up by Alan Deakin, Colin Withers was on the edge of the penalty area and shouted 'yes Al' and Alan obviously thought he was further back than he was as instead of just tapping it back to Withers, he put his boot through it and it went flying straight into the net, you couldn't help but laugh. Boom 3-0! If memory serves, I think we pulled one back.
Alan Deakin RIP you stalwart.
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I had just started going regularly in 1963-6 season, having left school in the summer. Standing in the Trinity Road enclosure I remember the Man U game and Law kicking /stamping Deakin on the head as Deakin lay on the ground. When Law's name is mentioned, usually in adulation it seems, the memory of the dirty coward's action comes to the fore
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The half back line of Tindall, Slogger and Deakin had its potential ruined by serious leg/ankle injuries to both Tindall and Deakin; they were never the same afterwards.
I have a memory of an England U23 game being shown on the BBC, circa 1962-63, in which Slogger, Deakin and Burrows played. Hope that is not a false one down to old age!
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Alan Deakin was a fine player whose career was ruined by injury.
RIP, Alan.
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16 Nov 1963 , Villa beat a highly fancied Utd side 4 nil . Hately (2) Burrows & Deakin himself, were the scorers.
I was young man standing down front of the Witton End , Law & Deakin had been at it all the game, with Deakin coming off best & containing Law. There was a tussle between the two about 10 yds up from our penalty area with play moving up-field ( towards the Holte ). Deakin was lying prone on the ground when Law turned back and maliciously kicked him full in the face.
Play was stopped and Law was sent off, I remember this vividly because, for the first ( and last ) time in my life I ran onto the field , and remonstrated with Law who basically told me to F-off. The crowd went ballistic and if Law had´nt gone off I would have feared ( not really!) for his well being , mainly from other Villa Players. Law was abrilliant, dirty , cowardly back-street bully, type of player. Deakin was no Angel but he certainly did´nt deserve what Law did to him.......................R.I.P indeed, Alan , you ,´ Slogger´ Sleewenhoek and AlanTindall were the best of ´Mercers Minor´s .............Godzvilla!
What isn't often mentioned in reports of the 1963 game, which tend to concentrate on the Law kicking, is the quality of Deakin's goal, a thundering volley from (as I recall) well outside the box. I'd put it in the top 10 of Villa goals I've seen live.
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That match cemented my youthful belief that we were going to win every match. From 63-66 the spine of the team were burnt into me, along with the kit of that period (I had a knock-off replica) and the music. I didn’t go to every game (none of my family were interested in football and I had no money) but I don’t recall attending a home game that we lost until we were in the second division.
Alan, like the rest of them, are still young men in their prime for me.
Sigh.
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I had just started going regularly in 1963-6 season, having left school in the summer. Standing in the Trinity Road enclosure I remember the Man U game and Law kicking /stamping Deakin on the head as Deakin lay on the ground. When Law's name is mentioned, usually in adulation it seems, the memory of the dirty coward's action comes to the fore
.
The half back line of Tindall, Slogger and Deakin had its potential ruined by serious leg/ankle injuries to both Tindall and Deakin; they were never the same afterwards.
I have a memory of an England U23 game being shown on the BBC, circa 1962-63, in which Slogger, Deakin and Burrows played. Hope that is not a false one down to old age!
I know I definitely saw an England U23 match at the Sty that included Deakin and Sleeuenhoek. I can't remember who the opposition were unfortunately.
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R.I.P. Alan Deakin. He played in the first game I saw, v Burnley, April 1966.
He's the only player that I've got the autograph of twice. This first was in 1968 at the old Cooksey Lane training ground in Kingstanding. The second was when a friend, who was later to become my best man, got his autograph for me when he saw him running in Perry Park.
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Older folks will recognise this. You collected a certain amount of coupons cut from the side of Typhoo Tea packets and sent off for a colour picture of the team of your choice.
I took this picture to Villa Park one morning (mid 60s) and snagged players as they came out from training (no Bodymoor then). You'll see I got Alan's scribble. Sadly didn't get Tony.
(http://www.ydpinkfloydp.com/Villa_Large.jpg)
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(http://thumb.ibb.co/jHw4wb/denis_law_being_jeered_november_1963_5425309.jpg) (http://ibb.co/jHw4wb)
And here is Law being cheered on his way after said sending off.
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(http://thumb.ibb.co/jHw4wb/denis_law_being_jeered_november_1963_5425309.jpg) (http://ibb.co/jHw4wb)
And here is Law being cheered on his way after said sending off.
Look at all the blokes, all wearing neck ties, different times eh?
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I had just started going regularly in 1963-6 season, having left school in the summer. Standing in the Trinity Road enclosure I remember the Man U game and Law kicking /stamping Deakin on the head as Deakin lay on the ground. When Law's name is mentioned, usually in adulation it seems, the memory of the dirty coward's action comes to the fore
.
The half back line of Tindall, Slogger and Deakin had its potential ruined by serious leg/ankle injuries to both Tindall and Deakin; they were never the same afterwards.
I have a memory of an England U23 game being shown on the BBC, circa 1962-63, in which Slogger, Deakin and Burrows played. Hope that is not a false one down to old age!
I know I definitely saw an England U23 match at the Sty that included Deakin and Sleeuenhoek. I can't remember who the opposition were unfortunately.
Hope this link works:-
http://www.englandfootballonline.com/MatchRsl/MatchRslTmU23.html
Found this by googling. The match at the Sty was a 5-0 win over Greece. Just look at the names of players yet to be famous who Alan Deakin, Slogger and Burrows were in the teams with. Looking at the seasons 1961-62 and 1962-63.
Makes you wonder what could have been achieved with a fit Joe Mercer as Manager, and a progressive forward looking dynamic board of directors instead of that lot of failures we had in charge at the time.
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Older folks will recognise this. You collected a certain amount of coupons cut from the side of Typhoo Tea packets and sent off for a colour picture of the team of your choice.
I took this picture to Villa Park one morning (mid 60s) and snagged players as they came out from training (no Bodymoor then). You'll see I got Alan's scribble. Sadly didn't get Tony.
(http://www.ydpinkfloydp.com/Villa_Large.jpg)
It was 65/66 season, had this picture on my bedroom wall for many years. Missing from that team who played most of that season were Mick Wright, Mike Tindall, John Sleeuwenhoek, Willie Hamilton and Tony Scott. Sadly along with Alan, big Tony and Phil Woosnam no longer with us, thanks for the post Woofles.
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Smashing picture, lovely memories and a proper Villa kit
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Some wonderful stories and memories on here. A great read and tribute.
RIP Alan. Condolences to your family and friends.
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Older folks will recognise this. You collected a certain amount of coupons cut from the side of Typhoo Tea packets and sent off for a colour picture of the team of your choice.
I took this picture to Villa Park one morning (mid 60s) and snagged players as they came out from training (no Bodymoor then). You'll see I got Alan's scribble. Sadly didn't get Tony.
(http://www.ydpinkfloydp.com/Villa_Large.jpg)
Aye, grand to read. I hope you don't mind if I use that image for a future DIY greetings card for my Dad?
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You’re welcome. The tea was paid for by my Mum, I sent off the coupons, got the signatures and scanned it, therefore I claim some portion of the rights 😀
More importantly, if it means half to him that it means to me, I’d be dead chuffed. The full scan is on my webspace that’s in the image link.
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Older folks will recognise this. You collected a certain amount of coupons cut from the side of Typhoo Tea packets and sent off for a colour picture of the team of your choice.
I took this picture to Villa Park one morning (mid 60s) and snagged players as they came out from training (no Bodymoor then). You'll see I got Alan's scribble. Sadly didn't get Tony.
(http://www.ydpinkfloydp.com/Villa_Large.jpg)
It was 65/66 season, had this picture on my bedroom wall for many years. Missing from that team who played most of that season were Mick Wright, Mike Tindall, John Sleeuwenhoek, Willie Hamilton and Tony Scott. Sadly along with Alan, big Tony and Phil Woosnam no longer with us, thanks for the post Woofles.
Me too! I can even see that WTWD's pin hole is in the exact same position as mine, although my copy does not bear any autographs!
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BTW the scrawl in the bottom right corner is Mick Wright‘s
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Richard Whitehead has written a piece about Deakin for tomorrow's programme
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Does anybody know if Deakin was playing for Walsall when they beat us in 1970-71?
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Does anybody know if Deakin was playing for Walsall when they beat us in 1970-71?
He was. I think he played in all four games.
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Reading this thread has evoked memories of a long lost youth which has inevitably brought a tear to my eye. Sad news indeed. RIP Alan.
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I was sad to hear of the death of Alan He was a regular in the team when i first started to watch the Villa Along with Mike Tindall and Tulip or Slogger as some called him,he was part of a impressive half backline which was ruined by injury R I P Alan
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Does anybody know, whether the club are arranging for a minute's applause for Alan tomorrow?
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One of my first heroes down at Villa Park never the same after broken RIP
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Alan Deakins funeral is on Monday 15th Jan, Streetly crematorium 9.45am.