Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Dazvillain on October 11, 2018, 10:36:56 AM
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Sad news this morning, RIP sir
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/former-aston-villa-owner-sir-15266142
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oh........ RIP Doug
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Very sad. Like him or loathe him, he had the clubs interests at heart. RIP.
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My condolences.
Please let's not have a pro-anti Doug argument thread. It's not the place.
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Sad news, RIP Doug
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To be still going down VP at over 90, yes he had the club at heart. RIP Doug, shame you couldn't get to witness the revolution!
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RIP Doug Ellis. Sad news indeed.
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Ah God. Sad news. RIP Doug Ellis.
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RIP Doug. You won't be forgotton which is what you'd have wanted.
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RIP Doug.
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Sad news. Rip Doug.
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Rest in peace HDE
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RIP. He always used to wave or pip the horn on his Rolls as he passed in Sutton as I was walking to the station to go to the game. Never offered a lift though. I wasn’t a fan of his tenure.
RIP
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I have nothing but respect for the man even though I was not in his camp - RIP Doug.
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Condolences to his family. Whatever your views on him, a big part of our history for just about all of my Villa supporting life. RIP Sir Deadly.
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Sad news; RIP Doug Ellis.
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I hope he had a last smile on his face when someone told him Dean Smith is manager . Maybe it was too late. RIP again.
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Weird how a new era at Villa dawns then this happens. R.I.P Doug.
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Sad news.
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God Bless Doug .
A strong character who made most of 94 years . May he rest in peace .
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RIP Doug
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Over the years I have wondered what my reaction would be to this news.
I have also mellowed over the years, to the extent that I accept that we are all flawed and no one is perfect.
I will put aside some of my previous groans and accept that even if he was wrong he probably always thought he had the best interests of Aston Villa at heart.
He had a long Journey and it is always sad when some one dies, so sleep well Doug, if you go to the right place maybe you can get in the Heaven first Eleven and dazzle them with your Bicycle kick.
Condolences to the family.
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Sad news.
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RIP Doug
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nicepost Steamer pretty much sums up my thoughts too.
RIP Deadly.
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Condolences to the family. RIP Deadly Doug.
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Just after he seemingly put a moratorium on scattering of ashes at VP he responded immediately and positively to a fax I sent to the club asking for permission to scatter my Dad's ashes in front of the Holte. Met me and the family on arrival and was brilliant. for that alone I thank hm. RIP.
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Remember seeing him driving his Rolls out of the car park after the 3-0 West Ham win ( Milners last game ) reminded me of Mr Burns driving in The Simpsons.
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Sad news...RIP Doug
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Whatever you think of his spells in charge, he obviously loved the club. Still going up and down the country watching them into his nineties.
RIP Doug.
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A couple of weeks short of the 50th anniversary of his "Revolution" at Villa Park.
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Doug did what he thought was right for Villa. I may not have agreed with what he did or the way he did it, often upsetting people who deserved better, but he always had the club as his main focus. Condolences to his family.
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RIP Doug..... You had a love/hate relationship with the fans, but you always had the club's best interests at heart :( #holteendersInTheSky
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RIP Doug
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Rest well, Sir Doug. Really sad news, to have lost someone so woven into the fabric of the club.
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RIP Deadly
Personal views aside, He always thought he was doing the right thing even if many disagreed
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There's no doubting the love he held for our club.
RIP Doug.
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RIP.
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I did'nt like Deadly to be honest but i am sad to hear of his death R I P
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There's no doubting the love he held for our club.
RIP Doug.
That’s very true and his tenure is starting to fell like the good old days.
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RIP - a character to say the least. An 1980s chairman in the 90s and 00s.
Still better that came after
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RIP Doug
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I'll always be grateful to him for rescuing Villa when, on and off the pitch, the club was an embarrassment, a complete shambles. RIP Sir Doug.
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Sad news, loved the club. RIP Doug.
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A major part of our history throughout my entire lifetime, should have pushed us on in the 90's and made us real contenders at the top (we were so close under 3 different managers), but as others have said more eloquently than I can his love for the club was always there.
RIP Chairman
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RIP, there can be no doubt he loved the club.
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What a morning, genuine happiness then genuine sadness,RIP Doug.
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Sad news - I was always impressed by the effort he made to still travel to support the team even when the club and he were ailing.
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Very sad. Like him or loathe him, he had the clubs interests at heart. RIP.
Sad yes, but Doug always put his interests first.
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Sad news. He looked very frail the other week, but still attending the game.
Maybe rest in peace.
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RIP, Sir Doug. You loved the club and always put us first over everything. Thanks for everything.
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RIP Doug. A larger than life character of a type sadly missing from the game today.
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What a morning, genuine happiness then genuine sadness,RIP Doug.
4 pages and you’ve summed it up for me perfectly.
There will be many who disagree but for me growing up and following the team in the late 90’s and onwards who was Aston Villa.
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Of the many memories, I smiled to myself at the vision of him stepping out to shake a clearly pissed off Abramovich,s hand
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RIP Doug.
Shame he couldn’t see us back in the premieeership.
I sincerely hope he is shown full respect, even by his detractors.
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Sad news, but he certainly had a long & eventful innings.
RIP Doug & condolences to his family & friends.
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Of the many memories, I smiled to myself at the vision of him stepping out to shake a clearly pissed off Abramovich,s hand
That was very funny.
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Very sad. Like him or loathe him, he had the clubs interests at heart. RIP.
Sad yes, but Doug always put his interests first.
No need for that.
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One of the last of the old school football club owners - local business men done relatively well - before it turned into a billionaire's game.
End of a football era.
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Of the many memories, I smiled to myself at the vision of him stepping out to shake a clearly pissed off Abramovich,s hand
That was very funny.
Indeed, sporting a massive shit-eating grin.
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I can't forget his spiteful treatment of Tony Barton and the boys of '82 but he loved the Villa and pulled a couple of rabbits out of the hat when we needed them with SGT, BFR and arguably MON, who in typical style Doug took the credit for. I met him once in the summer of 1991 when I went to buy my season ticket and bumped into him in the North Stand car park as I was on my way to the ticket office. He said something along the lines of "I hope you are going in to buy a season ticket". I replied with all honesty and said I was. As he walked away from me he added "make sure to buy all your mates one too". Or he might have said "make sure all your mates buy one too". It was one or the other. He got his knighthood and his stand that he so badly wanted. RIP DD.
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I sincerely hope he is shown full respect, even by his detractors.
Official site states a minutes silence for him on Saturday - I really hope the morons respect it
Whatever any ones views on him he was a gentleman to the end.
He never really came back from the point of losing his son Peter
RIP Herbert
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RIP
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I had no time for him but condolences to his family.
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Of the many memories, I smiled to myself at the vision of him stepping out to shake a clearly pissed off Abramovich,s hand
That was very funny.
He didn't even get out of his seat, if I remember correctly. He just extended his hand to Abramovitch as he flounced past. The latter grudgingly obliged and stomped off while Doug was chuckling away merrily.
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presumably there will be a minutes silence or applause before the Swansea game?
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Sleep on you old bugger you. Respect.
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Of the many memories, I smiled to myself at the vision of him stepping out to shake a clearly pissed off Abramovich,s hand
That was very funny.
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He was a big figure at Villa and in English football in general for a long period and continued following the club as his health was deteriorating. I'm sure a lot more will be written over the coming days about the man. Condolences to his family and friends.
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presumably there will be a minutes silence or applause before the Swansea game?
A minute's silence. Although they often seem to end up breaking out into applauses these days.
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Of the many memories, I smiled to myself at the vision of him stepping out to shake a clearly pissed off Abramovich,s hand
That was very funny.
To be fair that is one of the funniest things I've ever seen.
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It was December 68, when Villa were bottom of the 2nd Division and facing liquidation, that, with Pat Matthews, he took control of the club and formed a new board. That month the crowds went from 12,000 to 41,000.
Sad news RIP Doug
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If he gave us nothing else (And he gave us loads) he gave us.
Karren Brady) Hello Mr Ellis.
Doug) (reading her name badge) Good evening Miss Brady. Why are you at this function?
Karren Brady) I am with The City.
Doug) (knowing full well who she was) Ah. The Council.
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They simply have to play that Abramovich clip in slow motion on the big screens during the minute's silence. It's magic - you just know he's thinking exactly what we all were. UTV
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RIP Doug.
I missed the league and European success by a few years, so my best Villa moments were with Doug as chairman.
Whatever his failings, he never missed the chance to let people know about our heritage.
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Yes he was a constant source of frustration when he was running the club. But he loved the club, and he left us in good shape. We never quite hit where we could have, and he had a lot of missed opportunities, but we need only look at the two who followed him to see how badly things could have gone. We would chase players that could have stepped us up a level and he'd lowball. Then decide to bankroll Balaban say.
All being said, I liked Doug. His heart was in the right place, even if he was a stubborn so and so with matters of the wallet.
We had good times, more than bad under him. We won some trophies. Will always fondly remember the teams we had under Big Ron and SBL. Many a great Doug story too.
RIP Doug.
Please please please, can someone score a bicycle kick in the next game.
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RIP Doug Ellis. Genuinely sad at his passing.
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RIP
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RIP - no one can doubt his love for the Villa. History will judge him & our recent problems certainly put his time in a much better light than they would have 10 years ago.
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Of the many memories, I smiled to myself at the vision of him stepping out to shake a clearly pissed off Abramovich,s hand
That was very funny.
Indeed, sporting a massive shit-eating grin.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUgybiG0BEg Clearly loved the club, best wishes Doug
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After the shock of hearing the sad news, I've had a few smiles thinking about some of my memories of Doug.
Queuing up for hours for away cup tickets on winter morning around '96. Along with hundreds of others, I was freezing cold and thoroughly fed up when Doug's voice came over the tannoy. 'Good morning, It's Doug Ellis' we all thought he was going to continue with, 'We'll send a tea wagon out' or 'We'll give everyone`one of last year's bobble hats'. He said 'When you are buying the ticket, don't forget to buy membership for the Holte Suite (The old Bingo Hall)....It's only a couple of pounds'. Everybody gave him a begrudging laugh. Never one to take his eye of the till!
RIP Doug
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RIP Doug
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RIP Sir Doug
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Genuinely sorry and saddened to hear this news. Part of the fabric albeit from the sidelines these last few years...
Remember some years back I wrote to Doug on behalf of my Dad when they ran a VIP supporter scheme for older fans. It was following my mum's death and Dad, who had been a lifelong fan and the reason my sister and I became avid fans was coming up to his 80th birthday. Not only did Doug write back offering Dad a full day and a seat in the Directors enclosure, he also arranged tickets for the family to come along with him to the match. Had never met Doug before and he never knew us but recall him sending us over champagne at half-time and saying to my sister and I, 'you must all be luck mascots!' as we came back from a goal down to beat Ipswich. He really was a true supporter and loved the Villa.
Was a truly amazing day-and according to Dad one of his best ever. For that alone I thank Doug. RIP fella
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Proper old school chairman. Proper gent. Genuine fan. RIP.
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Very sad. Like him or loathe him, he had the clubs interests at heart. RIP.
Sad yes, but Doug always put his interests first.
No need for that.
Whilst I agree with Durham, and to say anything else would be hypocritical, I guess this is one of those times where if you can't say anything good it's better to say nothing. Condolences to his family.
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Sad news, part of the fabric of the club during my formative years.
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RIP Deadly. It's sad that in his twilight years, since he sold up, he's seen the club - which he clearly loved - go into such a decline. On the other hand, Villa's demise under Lerner has had the effect of making Doug's stewardship of the club seem like a golden period. Most of us won't remember it quite like that, but it can't be denied he made some decent appointments which led to us having some fine players and some entertaining teams which gave us a bit of success and some fond memories. We'd have liked the successes to have been bigger and more frequent, but on the whole he did right by the club, and the club has undoubtedly lost a huge figure in it's history.
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Even at my advanced age it is hard to think of the Villa without Doug. I was at the Digbeth Hall meeting (goodness 50 years ago next month) when the ‘revolution’ took place and was inspired to buy a share for £5 (would have been 2 but used the other fiver to go to Southampton) and donate £1. We were close to going under but fans rallied around, even turning up to paint the ground and the enthusiasm returned.
I wasn’t always happy with Doug but never doubted his love for the club.
I last saw him before the Sheffield Wednesday game, he looked very frail but was still smiling and looking as though he enjoyed being there.
I hope that the minutes silence is treated with respect.
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He will always be remembered, which is what he would have wanted, hogging the limelight.
Always liked the rascal, sometimes through gritted teeth but he really did love the Villa and for that alone I will always have a soft spot for him.
RIP and condolences to his family at this time!
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Very sad. Like him or loathe him, he had the clubs interests at heart. RIP.
Sad yes, but Doug always put his interests first.
No need for that.
Whilst I agree with Durham, and to say anything else would be hypocritical, I guess this is one of those times where if you can't say anything good it's better to say nothing. Condolences to his family.
But still couldn't.
RIP Doug Ellis, he clearly loved the Villa and being involved for many, many years.
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RIP Doug a supporter to the end
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Never met him. Heard lots of stories, some good some bad. You can't deny he loved the Villa. R.I.P
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If it hadn't been Doug arriving in 1968, for better or worse the club would have been very different in the last 50 years. I will happily take all the good and bad memories over the last half century for which he has had a massive influence.
If he is going up there will he being asking for the Pearly Gates to be renamed ?
RIP
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Every man has his detractors and Doug is no different but no-one can deny he was one of us. Go forward into broad sunlit uplands Mr Ellis. :-\
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Very sad, RIP
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Rest in peace, Sir Doug.
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Very sad news RIP Doug.
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Big part of our history for pretty much my whole Villa supporting life.
A character, that's for sure. Sad news, and condolences to his family.
Rest in Peace, Sir Doug.
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After the shock of hearing the sad news, I've had a few smiles thinking about some of my memories of Doug.
Queuing up for hours for away cup tickets on winter morning around '96. Along with hundreds of others, I was freezing cold and thoroughly fed up when Doug's voice came over the tannoy. 'Good morning, It's Doug Ellis' we all thought he was going to continue with, 'We'll send a tea wagon out' or 'We'll give everyone`one of last year's bobble hats'. He said 'When you are buying the ticket, don't forget to buy membership for the Holte Suite (The old Bingo Hall)....It's only a couple of pounds'. Everybody gave him a begrudging laugh. Never one to take his eye of the till!
RIP Doug
Brilliant!
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No matter what your thoughts on him he played a big big part in our history.
Condolences to the family. RIP HDE
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Rest In Peace Doug. A very lively couple of chapters associated with you at Villa. With the greatest respect, the club moves on.
Thank you
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I remember Blackpool awa,y a few years ago. We had just parked up and were walking past the ground to the front. Suddenly his Rolls Royce pulled up beside us and he asked where the ground was. He didn't realise we were Villa fans as we wern't wearing any Villa colours. When he found out we had driven up from Bournemouth for the match he was astonished and thanked us for our support. Fair Play to him, he was at all the matches home and away. In this regard, many other owners of football clubs could learn a lesson from him! RIP Doug
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A hugely influential Villa figure from the time he came on to the Club's scene in the late 1960's in my early days as a supporter.
RIP and thoughts with his family.
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RIP Deadly Doug. It will seem strange not seeing his Roller around the ground.
Only the other day I was watching an old clip of Saint and Greavsie and as a kid I was absolutely in awe of this chap called "Deadly Doug"
I remember meeting him when little and he was nothing but fantastic to myself and parents.
Thoughts to the family.
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RIP Doug.
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I've posted this before but it's appropriate now. During a football trip to England myself and a mate brought our then U15/16 to Villa Park for the tour, we were all in the dressing rooms when Doug and a minion walked past. I ran after him and asked would he oblige for a photograph with my son, all the other Irish kids were Manure/Liverpool supporters.
Doug's response was to send the other bloke ahead and say to me 'ok but be quick I'm very busy'. I got my photo and Doug then asked where we were from so I told him Ireland. He then proceeded to come into the dressing room where all the others were, introduced himself and then went on to tell them of the current batch of Irish apprentices one being Gareth Farrelly. He then told them of his offices in Dublin and kept the kids spellbound for about ten minutes.
That was the charisma of the man, testimony to him that some of those kids who are now approaching middle age always remind me of it when I see them. And for that, I will always be grateful to him.
Condolences to his family. RIP Doug.
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Whether you were in his camp or not? Still a loss to his family and the club. RIP Deadly
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Goodbye Sir Doug. Such a polarizing character but so much about him is Aston Villa. I will always appreciate the fact that as a young boy I wrote him a letter and he sent me a half season ticket. There’s lots of stuff written about him but he truly loved the club. RIP Doug. What a few hours. The highs of Dean Smith and then this. Too many very sad passings in the Villa family in the last 12 months or so.
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Farewell Doug, thanks for saving our club from liquidation for that I will always be thankful.
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God bless him. Very sad news indeed after the recent good news. I both liked him and disliked him during his time at Villa. A sad day
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Seeing him recently you couldnt help but sense this sad day was close. RIP Doug. Regardless of our football politics opinions of you, no doubt you loved the club. As others have said it will be weird not seeing his Rolls around the place.
Rest easy Doug UTV
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A Villa Man.He is part of our Foklore and there was good and bad.
R.I.P.
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I've posted this before but it's appropriate now. During a football trip to England myself and a mate brought our then U15/16 to Villa Park for the tour, we were all in the dressing rooms when Doug and a minion walked past. I ran after him and asked would he oblige for a photograph with my son, all the other Irish kids were Manure/Liverpool supporters.
Doug's response was to send the other bloke ahead and say to me 'ok but be quick I'm very busy'. I got my photo and Doug then asked where we were from so I told him Ireland. He then proceeded to come into the dressing room where all the others were, introduced himself and then went on to tell them of the current batch of Irish apprentices one being Gareth Farrelly. He then told them of his offices in Dublin and kept the kids spellbound for about ten minutes.
That was the charisma of the man, testimony to him that some of those kids who are now approaching middle age always remind me of it when I see them. And for that, I will always be grateful to him.
Condolences to his family. RIP Doug.
RIP Doug
I think he had a soft spot for the Auld Sod as he used to come over to Galway salmon fishing and kept in regular contact with Chick Deasy
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Not that they're comparable but the symmetry with a new dawn having been announced by the club last night, it reminds me of Bowie's last album coming out and then dying the next day.
I dare say Dean Smith's family have a few Doug tales of their own. I hope Doug was conscious to take in our news last night.
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Not that they're comparable but the symmetry with a new dawn having been announced by the club last night, it reminds me of Bowie's last album coming out and then dying the next day.
I dare say Dean Smith's family have a few Doug tales of their own. I hope Doug was conscious to take in our news last night.
Great point - Eamonn
Circle of (villa) life and all that
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God bless him. Very sad news indeed after the recent good news. I both liked him and disliked him during his time at Villa.
I think that perfectly sums up his time for most supporters of a certain age.
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Does anybody know if it will be a minutes silence or round of applause before the Swansea game?
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Does anybody know if it will be a minutes silence or round of applause before the Swansea game?
Tends to always be applause these days
I can't remember a non-Armistice silence at VP for a while
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Been in back to back meetings all day and only just seen this, RIP Doug, sent my Dad a birthday card on his 80th birthday complete with a handwritten message rather than just Happy Birthday. I'm sure he'll be telling tall tales somewher.
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I remember Blackpool awa,y a few years ago. We had just parked up and were walking past the ground to the front. Suddenly his Rolls Royce pulled up beside us and he asked where the ground was. He didn't realise we were Villa fans as we wern't wearing any Villa colours. When he found out we had driven up from Bournemouth for the match he was astonished and thanked us for our support. Fair Play to him, he was at all the matches home and away. In this regard, many other owners of football clubs could learn a lesson from him! RIP Doug
We had a similar encounter with him after a game at Arsenal a few years back, about 2 hours after the game had finished a few of us were staggering around Finsbury Park when his Roller pulled up at the zebra crossing for us. He was sitting in the back like Monty Burns, giving us the royal wave. The only time I've seen him lost for words was after Alex Alex Cropley from here gave him both barrels at a Q and A evening with Doug at the Irish Centre about 30 years ago.
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RIP Sir Doug.
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We hired a function room at VP for a business meeting and had arranged to set up the evening before. It mush have been 6:30 - 7:00pm when we arrived and nobody was on reception desk. As if by magic, Sir Doug appeared and escorted us to the function room and made sure that we had everything we needed. My colleagues were saying that a man in his position should not be doing such a menial thing but it impressed me as he didn't seem to think that he was too important to do what needed to be done.
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Incredible to think that Sir Doug was a part of my life's jigsaw for over 50 years. Like others I have mellowed my angst against him and today's news did sadden me. He was a character and a charmer and I will remember him for that handshake with Abramovich when we defeated Chelsea.
Rest in Peace Sir HDE and, compared to what followed you, you weren't all that bad.
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After beating Arsenal a few years back a few of us chased his Roller around Finsbury Park, when it finally stopped at the lights we all knelt down in front of it and bowed down, he was waving and laughing at us and you could see he lived the victory with us and that why I liked him.
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After beating Arsenal a few years back a few of us chased his Roller around Finsbury Park, when it finally stopped at the lights we all knelt down in front of it and bowed down, he was waving and laughing at us and you could see he lived the victory with us and that why I liked him.
Was it you I was with?
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https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/oct/11/sir-doug-ellis-obituary
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Typical Doug, always trying to steal the headlines.
For me there were three Dougs; one that was heavily involved in saving the club back in the 60s and driving it forward through the 70s. The second was Egotistical Doug that held us back on his return and used us as his play thing. The third, and for only reasons known to the man himself, continued throughout his retirement to support us home and away when he could have been enjoying his millions, free time and having a lot more fun.
I can only guess he was more than happy to live up to his self titled name of 'Mr Aston Villa' it's just a shame having watched so much crap he won't be here to see us live up to our potential again. I never knew about the death of his son, Peter. Poor fella, can't imagine losing a son.
Thoughts go out to his family on this sad day. They've had to sacrifice a life time of sharing him with us, often when he was very much unloved by the majority of fans. Finally, it's also worth remembering Doug gave and worked a lot for charity. As others have said, an end of an era of local businessmen involved in big time football. I just hope he doesn't bullshit St Peter about the bicycle kick.
RIP Doug Ellis. Enjoy your rest.
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After beating Arsenal a few years back a few of us chased his Roller around Finsbury Park, when it finally stopped at the lights we all knelt down in front of it and bowed down, he was waving and laughing at us and you could see he lived the victory with us and that why I liked him.
Was it you I was with?
And me.
I bet he loved it, the silly old sod.
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RIP Doug.
I met him once and he was a gent.
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Not that they're comparable but the symmetry with a new dawn having been announced by the club last night, it reminds me of Bowie's last album coming out and then dying the next day.
I dare say Dean Smith's family have a few Doug tales of their own. I hope Doug was conscious to take in our news last night.
When I heard the news this morning, this was very much a thought that came into my head. Sad news that it is, 94 is a great age. Hopefully recent events are the beginning of a new, and more prosperous era for the club.
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https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/oct/11/sir-doug-ellis-obituary
Blimey, I didn’t know Brian Glanville was still a journo.
RIP Doug. I was definitely against having a stand named after him but appreciate his efforts in the 1968 revolution. As a poster said above, you could carve his Villa life into 3 segments, 2 of which were positive.
In the very early 70s my uncle played in a local amateur final at Villa Park ( as an aside, in the 60s he had been offered a contract by Peterborough but earned more as a draftsman than he would have done as a lower league professional footballer). My cousin was distraught at his dad’s team losing and at the trophy and medals presentation, presided over by Doug, Doug consoled him and gave him a few bob. That was a kind gesture.
RIP Doug
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His second biggest monument (after AVFC) should have been a National Stadium home of the national team. I know personally that his completely viable 100,000 seater stadium beside the NEC was costed at £150 million. The new Wembley is a billion and counting. The FA never took him seriously and they should have.
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An odd and sad symmetry to events of etc last 24 hours. RIP.
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Very sad news, and RIP Doug. As far as old school chairmen went, he was a legend. He probably should have sold out and moved aside earlier, but many a time I have looked back since then with fondness to his days as chairman and the stability we had in those days.
As many others have said, I have huge respect for how he continued to travel up and down the country to follow the team well into his 90s.
Sincere condolences to his family. One hell of a good innings.
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Sad news. Condolences to Mr.Ellis' family.
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Condolences to his family.
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Very sad news, and RIP Doug. As far as old school chairmen went, he was a legend. He probably should have sold out and moved aside earlier, but many a time I have looked back since then with fondness to his days as chairman and the stability we had in those days.
As many others have said, I have huge respect for how he continued to travel up and down the country to follow the team well into his 90s.
Sincere condolences to his family. One hell of a good innings.
I agree. I know people were massively disappointed by how he went about dismantling our legendary 80s team but at least we bounced back relatively quickly.
If you look back in the 90s we had a superb spell, two 2nd places and constant top 6 finishes and two league cups. Superb managerial appointments in SGT, Big Ron and Brian Little. Also Gregory for a spell.
If people are quick to take out the wrecking ball for his decisions in the 80s they also should praise (through gritted teeth) the many decisions he got right that had us truly as one of the top teams throughout the 90s.
The 2000 cup final was the turning point imo. From then on we were really treading water for many seasons (appointing O'Leary was probably his last role of the dice to get us back to the top) but the decent spending had also stopped. Around that period we had all those mass Ellis out demonstrations so certainly a difficult point in his tenure and he certainly should've sold up there and then.
History will judge his reign more favourably given how the last 10 years have panned out. Since 2008 Lerner and Xia have given textbook case studies of how not to run a football club by ballsing up pretty much all the major decisions. Not quite the path to greatness many of us thought it would be post Ellis.
A divisive figure for sure but even though I never meet him he was a figure who was simply a big part of my life growing up as wierd as that sounds. Feels a little like a death in the family. Let's hope the minute's silence v Swansea is well respected by all.
R.I.P Doug.
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RIP Sir Doug.
I actually thought the old bugger was gonna outlive all of us.
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So did Doug
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A sad day - part of the club for so many years.
Claret and Blue through and through.
RIP Doug.
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Thought Midlands Today and Central both gave excellent tributes to Doug.
Certainly one of the most well known chairman there has been in the football. There will be a big turn out at his funeral, he was well respected in the game.
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Thought Midlands Today and Central both gave excellent tributes to Doug.
Certainly one of the most well known chairman there has been in the football. There will be a big turn out at his funeral, he was well respected in the game.
Agree with this RIP Doug, my dad knew him personally, always used to crack a joke because dad was a nose, 'when you going to come over to supporting a real football club' that kind of stuff.
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Doug passes away as the most powerful owners we have ever had implement the most progressive management structure we've ever had. Weird.
Now is the time to pay respect but it's so sad that the Bartons family memory of the man will not be filled with happiness.
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End of an era, goodbye Doug and condolences to your family. RIP
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RIP Doug. Will always be mixed opinions of him but without doubt he was a character and a Villa man.
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I sincerely hope he is shown full respect, even by his detractors.
Official site states a minutes silence for him on Saturday - I really hope the morons respect it
Whatever any ones views on him he was a gentleman to the end.
He never really came back from the point of losing his son Peter
RIP Herbert
Interesting. Didn't know his son had passed end of last year. Is Heidi still alive, she must be on a fair old innings herself if she is.
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My views on him have been said many times but today isn't a day to go into them again, however this is great timing by the Evening Mail, running a story today with this headline "Sir Doug Ellis on getting death threats from angry Aston Villa fans"
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My views on him have been said many times but today isn't a day to go into them again, however this is great timing by the Evening Mail, running a story today with this headline "Sir Doug Ellis on getting death threats from angry Aston Villa fans"
Would you expect anything else from that vile rag?
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I imagine the grim reaper taking Doug for a walk around the rose garden, and the indefatigable HDE still trying to have the last word with an anecdote, a rewriting of history or an unsubtle piece of self promotion. What would be undeniable, though, is that every one of those tales would involve the Villa.
For good and ill, man and boy he's been part of the majority of my supporting life. The highest highs and many of the lowest lows of that supporting experience were for the most part the direct or indirect result of his guiding hand. In the final analysis, I wouldn't have it any other way. Because for all his faults, both genuine and perceived, the Villa under Doug were never an irrelevance.
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RIP Doug. I only met him once face-to-face when he signed my copy of his autobiography at WHSmith (I think) quite a few years ago. He took the time out to talk for a couple of minutes as opposed to just sign the book and move on to the next punter.
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I think the one time I actually ‘met’ him was such was the unveiling of the William McGregor statue.
There was a buffet and speeches in The Holte Suite before the unveiling. We had only attended as people who had shook tins, but then they wanted some diversity amongst the fans who would complete the unveiling. I was asked because I was female ,and Joe C and his nephew - who I think was only about 8 at the time because they thought it’d be nice to involve a child.
Sadly, Doug rambled on for so long in the speeches that we ended up going across to the statue really late, and a crowd of fans had been waiting ages and roundly booed all of us! It is a special memory for Joe’s nephew to have been booed by Villa fans at such an early age.
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RIP Doug. I only met him once face-to-face when he signed my copy of his autobiography at WHSmith (I think) quite a few years ago. He took the time out to talk for a couple of minutes as opposed to just sign the book and move on to the next punter.
I remember getting Doug and BFR's autobiographies at the same time (I think they actually came out at the same time) and they had both written pretty much a whole chapter on each other. It was fascinating to read BFR's recollections of Doug and then Doug's recollections of BFR back to back.
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He looked frail when McGregor's grave was rededicated, 6 or 7 years ago? Then the TV cameras were turned for interviews and he was past everyone and at the front of the queue faster than Usain Bolt.
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The closest I ever was to Doug was seeing him with some other old school type chairmen in a restaurant at the Hilton Hotel Gatwick. From memory they were on their way out to Euro whatever year it was tournament. He's had a good innings, still sad though.
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It's nice to read personal stories from folk about Doug, he was obviously a very charming guy, but we did go from European Champions to relegation in 5 years under his watch, treated people from that era terribly and held us back for years. He lived a very good and long life, but he's no Sir Graham.
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RIP Sir Doug, Claret and Blue blood ran through his veins, Condolences to his family and friends.
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Very sad day and for Doug's family and friends.
I will first of all say I have been massively impressed with him in recent years, for his following Villa following his passing over of ownership and also hearing of the massive charity work he has done. He deserves every respect for this and do really think he was a massive Villa fan for many years until his sad passing.
Now is not the time to say how I feel about his attempt to basically oust the finest manager in Aston Villa's history and may he RIP
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But you still did !!
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His second biggest monument (after AVFC) should have been a National Stadium home of the national team. I know personally that his completely viable 100,000 seater stadium beside the NEC was costed at £150 million. The new Wembley is a billion and counting. The FA never took him seriously and they should have.
Yeah on that I agree.
Bit like the Millenium Dome - spend a billion on a white elephant sold for a fiver, as opposed to use the capacity available on something already built (NEC) and more accessible to the population
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He looked frail when McGregor's grave was rededicated, 6 or 7 years ago? Then the TV cameras were turned for interviews and he was past everyone and at the front of the queue faster than Usain Bolt.
That made me chuckle. Excuse me young fellas, let me deal with this palaver - on your behalf.
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But you still did !!
No I didn't actually
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I'm pulling your leg VRL. Btw, what part of Luton are you from? I'm a Lea Manor boy.
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RIP Doug, whilst not a Villan from birth he is definitely a Holte Ender In the sky.
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Good story from Keown!
I always felt that, deep down, Doug Ellis really wanted to be a footballer and owning a club was the next best thing.
He had a great love for and wanted to be involved in everything.
I was there when Graham Taylor slammed the dressing-room door on Doug’s fingers.
He would regularly come in before matches, even though Graham told him not to.
Once, Graham told me to sit with him and said: ‘When that door opens, I’m shutting it.’
Doug’s hand appeared and Graham trapped it in the door. The chairman didn’t come in so often after that!
Bringing Graham to the club was Doug’s shrewdest appointment. Villa had dropped out of the First Division and there was a fear that if we did not arrest the slide, the club could go through the divisions.
Aston Villa signed Martin Keown in 1986 and Ellis questioned whether he was worth the fee
Aston Villa signed Martin Keown in 1986 and Ellis questioned whether he was worth the fee
Winning promotion back to the top flight with Villa is the most satisfying thing I ever achieved in football.
Doug would do anything for the players, but he had a reputation for counting the pennies, too. I suppose that is what made him such a successful businessman.
As soon as we had won promotion, he told us he would show us his villa in Majorca and take us for a day on his boat to celebrate.
He arrived at the airport with a huge bag and beckoned me over to help him carry it. It weighed a ton. I asked him what was inside and he replied: ‘It’s all the meat for the barbecue.’ He’d got it from one of his butchers!
Doug Ellis (right) poses for a photo with Everton chairman Bill Kenwright in 2011
Doug Ellis (right) poses for a photo with Everton chairman Bill Kenwright in 2011
But there was one story he would always tell whenever I was in his company. It was about the car journey back from the tribunal which set my transfer fee when I joined Villa from Arsenal in 1986.
A £125,000 fee had been agreed and Doug was shaking his head. ‘We’ve spent too much money this summer,’ he said to Graham Turner, the manager. ‘We’d better be successful.’
Sitting in the back of the car, I tapped him on the shoulder and said, ‘Sorry, Mr Chairman, I couldn’t help overhearing. I’m offended by what you have just said. This is the best £125,000 you’ll ever spend — and I’ll prove it.’
He replied: ‘You’d better!’ Years later, I would bump into him at England get-togethers when he was involved with the FA. Every time, he kept trying to get me back to Villa!
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I'm pulling your leg VRL. Btw, what part of Luton are you from? I'm a Lea Manor boy.
You fecker and I read your comment after lol. I am a posh boy born in Dudley Road and ended up in Chelmsley, but my old man was great mates with Peter Mcparland when they came over from Ireland and my late brother was a massive fan as well. Have lived in Luton for 30 years now, but still go lots of games and after you are bored of all that, I live in Bushmead. Lea Manor, the school has hanged its name I think to make it sound posher lol As i was a posh boy from Chelmsley surrounded by smelly people I can't talk much lol
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Ha ha. Well I'm now living in Hove, so I'm defintely above my station!! My old dear is close to Bushmead, I was in The Boater watching the 8 -0 Chelsea game a few years back, could have done with some moral support !!
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I think Luton is above my station lol. DM me and will arrange to meet for a game. I have been in the boater a few times
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Over the years I have wondered what my reaction would be to this news.
I have also mellowed over the years, to the extent that I accept that we are all flawed and no one is perfect.
I will put aside some of my previous groans and accept that even if he was wrong he probably always thought he had the best interests of Aston Villa at heart.
He had a long Journey and it is always sad when some one dies, so sleep well Doug, if you go to the right place maybe you can get in the Heaven first Eleven and dazzle them with your Bicycle kick.
Condolences to the family.
That's brilliantly put Steamer and I share the same sentiments.
RIP Deadly and condolences to the family.
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Over the years I have wondered what my reaction would be to this news.
I have also mellowed over the years, to the extent that I accept that we are all flawed and no one is perfect.
I will put aside some of my previous groans and accept that even if he was wrong he probably always thought he had the best interests of Aston Villa at heart.
He had a long Journey and it is always sad when some one dies, so sleep well Doug, if you go to the right place maybe you can get in the Heaven first Eleven and dazzle them with your Bicycle kick.
Condolences to the family.
That's brilliantly put Steamer and I share the same sentiments.
RIP Deadly and condolences to the family.
Me too.
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I think Luton is above my station lol. DM me and will arrange to meet for a game. I have been in the boater a few times
Will do mate.
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I wrote to Doug twice you may recall during pug noses last Days in office especially when in an article he criticised the academy. He replied to both letters within a day. He was remarkably candid and virtually intimated the end for O’Leary was nigh despite not directly saying so.
Sure enough in June three months after that letter he was gone. Imagine a modern day owner responding like that these days. The last of an era of owners who for all their faults and he had plenty cared about their club. RIP.
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I wrote to Doug twice you may recall during pug noses last Days in office especially when in an article he criticised the academy. He replied to both letters within a day. He was remarkably candid and virtually intimated the end for O’Leary was nigh despite not directly saying so.
Sure enough in June three months after that letter he was gone. Imagine a modern day owner responding like that these days. The last of an era of owners who for all their faults and he had plenty cared about their club. RIP.
Didn't he have his heart bypass op around that time? The surgeon pretty much ordered him to sell the club there and then otherwise he'd have probably clung on for a few more seasons until his health really declined.
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No I meant pug nose but yes it was around the same time for Doug as well.
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Ha I know who Pug nose is. Should've put that term on that fickle banner.
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RIP Doug. Hope you're enjoying your rose garden now.
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RIP Doug, a massive part of the club's history and an ever present in my Villa supporting life as a season ticket holder.
You did what you did for the good of the club and I respect that. The amount of times I've thought ''Doug would never have put up with this etc'' over the last 10 years.
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I'm pulling your leg VRL. Btw, what part of Luton are you from? I'm a Lea Manor boy.
You fecker and I read your comment after lol. I am a posh boy born in Dudley Road and ended up in Chelmsley, but my old man was great mates with Peter Mcparland when they came over from Ireland and my late brother was a massive fan as well. Have lived in Luton for 30 years now, but still go lots of games and after you are bored of all that, I live in Bushmead. Lea Manor, the school has hanged its name I think to make it sound posher lol As i was a posh boy from Chelmsley surrounded by smelly people I can't talk much lol
Lea Manor High School Performing Arts College ;D ;D
RIP Doug Started Following Villa in the 90's so no exposure to what happened with the EC winning Side and relegation.For me it came across as his penny pinching was holding us back ( we don't want to be another Leeds United , which Ironically we have ended up being) and I was glad he sold up thinking it would allow us to push on , instead his ownership in the 90's is now looked back on as a successful period.
Can imagine he ended up regretting choosing Lerner and watching us fall apart
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RIP Deadly.
I had travelled down from Aberdeen for Christmas with the family and the Boxing day game v Liverpool, with Dad. Got to VP and the game was called off, saw Deadly at the back of the North stand, and gently chided him that I was buggered to travel back down to VP from aberdeen for the re-arranged fixture. He took us into the players lounge, and sorted tickets in a box for my Dad and a pal for the re-arranged fixture.
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Lots of stories on here which reflect the human side of the man; so often overlooked in the harsh world of football. My own story involves writing to Rob Bishop, who edited the programme, in 2006, to ask for a mention on the occasion of my nephew's 7th birthday, who went by the name of Dougie Ellis (complete coincidence as my brother was no Villa fan). Rob kindly wrote back and invited us (my brother, Dougie and my daughter) to meet Deadly Doug in the executive suite on matchday (a tedious 0-0 draw against Fulham as it turned out). We arrived, Doug came out of the suite and said 'Is there someone here called Doug Ellis; shy Dougie raised his hand. 'That's a bit of bad luck isn't it?' boomed Doug and spent at least ten minutes on a photo shoot with all of us. He was so generous with his time and very genuine in his comments. Always appreciated his human side after that.
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only met him once when the Villa special plane to Bordeux/Bilbao/Madrid (can't remember which one ) was delayed 30 minutes for him to get on
everyone was very respectful to him on the flight which I remember being quite surprised by because he was no where near as liked as he is now
every time I heard him the only thing I ever came away with was how egotistical he was,
so its nice to read all the positive stories on this thread showing he did have another side
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I think like most I had a love/hate relationship with the man; waving to him in the Rolls yet going on the Ellis out demos. I met him at a book signing the morning after we lost 3-0 to Doncaster. I was fuming about O Leary and expected Doug to back his manager but quite the opposite and he too was pissed off with the whole situation. We had a bit of a chat and a laugh about all sorts of stuff and told him in not so many words that I hoped it wouldn't be too long before pug nose got sent back to Royston Vasey.
RIP Doug.
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I hope we have a minute’s applause at the Swansea game as I fear a minute’s silence will be ruined by the odd idiot
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I hope we have a minute’s applause at the Swansea game as I fear a minute’s silence will be ruined by the odd idiot
I hate the minutes applause, it takes much more effort for 30 thousand people to stay quiet for a minute, but I do take your point.
Like everyone I have my own thoughts about Doug Ellis and his association with Villa, but that conversation is for another time and I, like everyone I hope will show due respect to his passing next weekend.
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Do we have a collection so we can build a statue?
Deadly doing the infamous bicycle kick?
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I never met him but since I started following Villa I have enjoyed the years under his stewardship far more than those since.
Maybe as a mark of respect the club could put the tickets prices up by a fiver for the Swansea match (joke), RIP Doug HEITS
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R.I.P,condolence's to his loved one's.
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I never him but since I started following Villa I have enjoyed the years under his stewardship far more than those since.
Maybe as a mark of respect the club could put the tickets prices up by a fiver for the Swansea match (joke), RIP Doug HEITS
Haha! Great idea. It's what he would have wanted.
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I never him but since I started following Villa I have enjoyed the years under his stewardship far more than those since.
Maybe as a mark of respect the club could put the tickets prices up by a fiver for the Swansea match (joke), RIP Doug HEITS
Haha! Great idea. It's what he would have wanted.
Indeed and hopefully his (like) sons can attend - Platt, Yorke, JJ etc..
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I never him but since I started following Villa I have enjoyed the years under his stewardship far more than those since.
Maybe as a mark of respect the club could put the tickets prices up by a fiver for the Swansea match (joke), RIP Doug HEITS
Haha! Great idea. It's what he would have wanted.
Indeed and hopefully his (like) sons can attend - Platt, Yorke, JJ etc..
Think you will find Dwight's interest in us has diminished again now the manager's position has been filled. Back to "ex- Man U" star Dwight Yorke!
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Do we have a collection so we can build a statue?
Deadly doing the infamous bicycle kick?
Hoping this is a joke.
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Do we have a collection so we can build a statue?
Deadly doing the infamous bicycle kick?
He’s already got a stand
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I hope we have a minute’s applause at the Swansea game as I fear a minute’s silence will be ruined by the odd idiot
I hate the minutes applause, it takes much more effort for 30 thousand people to stay quiet for a minute, but I do take your point.
Like everyone I have my own thoughts about Doug Ellis and his association with Villa, but that conversation is for another time and I, like everyone I hope will show due respect to his passing next weekend.
Maybe we could do a minute's Jazz Hands!
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Half the ground should wear Doug masks, the other half Roman Abramovitch masks. There would then be a one minute piss taking handshake, in honour of arguably his finest moment at Villa Park
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Do we have a collection so we can build a statue?
Deadly doing the infamous bicycle kick?
Hoping this is a joke.
A wind up to see who would be first to take the bait!
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Do we have a collection so we can build a statue?
Deadly doing the infamous bicycle kick?
Any statue should include a coin slot and collection box. It's what he would have wanted. ;)
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The will reading should be interesting if all his “ sons” start contesting things
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I've posted this before but it's appropriate now. During a football trip to England myself and a mate brought our then U15/16 to Villa Park for the tour, we were all in the dressing rooms when Doug and a minion walked past. I ran after him and asked would he oblige for a photograph with my son, all the other Irish kids were Manure/Liverpool supporters.
Doug's response was to send the other bloke ahead and say to me 'ok but be quick I'm very busy'. I got my photo and Doug then asked where we were from so I told him Ireland. He then proceeded to come into the dressing room where all the others were, introduced himself and then went on to tell them of the current batch of Irish apprentices one being Gareth Farrelly. He then told them of his offices in Dublin and kept the kids spellbound for about ten minutes.
That was the charisma of the man, testimony to him that some of those kids who are now approaching middle age always remind me of it when I see them. And for that, I will always be grateful to him.
Condolences to his family. RIP Doug.
Great story. RIP Doug, a true Villa fan and proper old school chairman. More often than not, Deadly put a smile on my face, and it's no surprise to hear so many Villa greats speak so fondly of him.
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https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/were-sir-doug-ellis-last-15270797
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Interesting revisionism on this thread. I didn’t feel to strongly about Doug when he was chairman but I was always optimistic that someone with real money would buy the club off him. Look how that turned out...
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Interesting revisionism on this thread. I didn’t feel to strongly about Doug when he was chairman but I was always optimistic that someone with real money would buy the club off him. Look how that turned out...
I don't know if it's revisionism or people just trying to pick out the positives.
I do have pretty strong feelings about his tenure, so will limit my comments to RIP.
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Interesting revisionism on this thread.
I thought we were politely paying our respects to a recently-deceased 94 year-old man.
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It's hardly revisionism to post a few positive, respectful anecdotes experienced first-hand.
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Maybe revisionism is a bit strong a term. It’ll be interesting to see however how Sir Doug is perceived as time goes by.
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At the end of the day Deadly wanted what we all want....A successful Aston Villa team.
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At the end of the day Deadly wanted what we all want....A successful Aston Villa team.
Quite. And as others have proven since he stepped down, it's not so easy.
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I told my wife he'd passed away yesterday and she said you hated him back in the day. I replied that hate is a very strong word, let's just say he frustrated me. Having watched my own father pass away last year helps to put things into perspective, it was only football. RIP Doug
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Dave Woodhall unusually quiet. No article or comment
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We didn’t like him but not on a personal level just on his constant perceived penny pinching. We can’t erase the pound sign protest as if it never happened. There was outright hostility towards him and rightly so at various points. However, his aims were the same as ours to win things. And anyone who donates £2m to childline deserves praise and respect in life as well as death.
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Dave Woodhall unusually quiet. No article or comment
That's unfair. No one should be called out on whether they have or haven't commented, regardless of who they are. Stop trying to shit stir.
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Really sad News. Yes, I went on one of the pound sign marches but nevertheless I know that he loved The Villa. I am sure that there will be a fantastic Tribute v Swansea. Rest in peace, Sir Doug.
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Dave Woodhall unusually quiet. No article or comment
Many years ago I decided that when this happened there was nothing I could say that wouldn't sound either disrespectful or hypocritical.
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Dave Woodhall unusually quiet. No article or comment
Many years ago I decided that when this happened there was nothing I could say that wouldn't sound either disrespectful or hypocritical.
I think you're being a bit hard on yourself there. I think most people's stance has changed over the years.
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Dave Woodhall unusually quiet. No article or comment
Many years ago I decided that when this happened there was nothing I could say that wouldn't sound either disrespectful or hypocritical.
Fair enough. I would have liked to see an article though. I don’t think you can dodge a big news event if you write extensively otherwise on a subject because it is awkward. Part of me would like to see how you would have handled it.
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Like him or loathe him, he had the clubs interests at heart. RIP.
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Maybe as a mark of respect the club could put the tickets prices up by a fiver for the Swansea match (joke), RIP Doug HEITS
That did make me laugh.
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Like him or loathe him, he had the clubs interests at heart. RIP.
I would dispute that in the late 70's and early 80's, but now is not the time to go into that. RIP
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Maybe as a mark of respect the club could put the tickets prices up by a fiver for the Swansea match (joke), RIP Doug HEITS
That did make me laugh.
to be fair i think it would have made Doug laugh too.
I've also appreciated hearing about the best of the man.
I'm not sure it's revisionist to willfully rejoice in the positives and maintain dignified silence on others.
I've actually appreciated many folk doing exactly that, I think it's one of the qualities of this board on occasions.
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I'm pulling your leg VRL. Btw, what part of Luton are you from? I'm a Lea Manor boy.
You fecker and I read your comment after lol. I am a posh boy born in Dudley Road and ended up in Chelmsley, but my old man was great mates with Peter Mcparland when they came over from Ireland and my late brother was a massive fan as well. Have lived in Luton for 30 years now, but still go lots of games and after you are bored of all that, I live in Bushmead. Lea Manor, the school has hanged its name I think to make it sound posher lol As i was a posh boy from Chelmsley surrounded by smelly people I can't talk much lol
I was going to ask you Villa from Luton where you were exactly, am looking at moving form East London to Bushmead ideally myself at the moment.
Interesting it took the death of HDE to learn that. I don't get to so many games atm (and couldn't face any until now this season), but might a few more once up that way, if I don't break the bank with my mortgage!
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Maybe as a mark of respect the club could put the tickets prices up by a fiver for the Swansea match (joke), RIP Doug HEITS
That did make me laugh.
Or maybe announce the attendance as 28,000 when it's clearly 10k more than that.
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Maybe as a mark of respect the club could put the tickets prices up by a fiver for the Swansea match (joke), RIP Doug HEITS
That did make me laugh.
Or maybe announce the attendance as 28,000 when it's clearly 10k more than that.
Excellent post.
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I have many stories from Aston Manor brewery and Aston villa regarding the Ellis family. The only thing that matters is that against Swansea we will do the right and proper thing. I shall stay silent or applaud. There will come a day when the greatest villa manager ever for me will pass away, on that day I will cry because that man was my Aston villa as a young boy in the 70s as was Andy gray my hero.
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You fecker and I read your comment after lol. I am a posh boy born in Dudley Road and ended up in Chelmsley, but my old man was great mates with Peter Mcparland when they came over from Ireland and my late brother was a massive fan as well. Have lived in Luton for 30 years now, but still go lots of games and after you are bored of all that, I live in Bushmead. Lea Manor, the school has hanged its name I think to make it sound posher lol As i was a posh boy from Chelmsley surrounded by smelly people I can't talk much lol
[/quote]
I was going to ask you Villa from Luton where you were exactly, am looking at moving form East London to Bushmead ideally myself at the moment.
Interesting it took the death of HDE to learn that. I don't get to so many games atm (and couldn't face any until now this season), but might a few more once up that way, if I don't break the bank with my mortgage!
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I think I have pm'd you mate
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I have many stories from Aston Manor brewery and Aston villa regarding the Ellis family. The only thing that matters is that against Swansea we will do the right and proper thing. I shall stay silent or applaud. There will come a day when the greatest villa manager ever for me will pass away, on that day I will cry because that man was my Aston villa as a young boy in the 70s as was Andy gray my hero.
Excellent post and entirely agree
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Maybe as a mark of respect the club could put the tickets prices up by a fiver for the Swansea match (joke), RIP Doug HEITS
That did make me laugh.
Or maybe announce the attendance as 28,000 when it's clearly 10k more than that.
Excellent post.
World class! Remember Arsenal at home when he posted 29,000. The h and v headline the next week. ‘. Where in the ground could you have fitted another 11000 people against arsenal?’
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Dave Woodhall unusually quiet. No article or comment
Many years ago I decided that when this happened there was nothing I could say that wouldn't sound either disrespectful or hypocritical.
I think you're being a bit hard on yourself there. I think most people's stance has changed over the years.
Mine hasn't and I can totally see where DW is coming from.
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Let’s not start it. A 94 year old bloke has died who happened to have a very long association with our club. Most want to pay tribute and most who do will agree they are being slightly fickle in doing so but also acknowledge that time tends to be a healer and also creates a can’t be arsed anymore tendency. The end.
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Dave Woodhall unusually quiet. No article or comment
Many years ago I decided that when this happened there was nothing I could say that wouldn't sound either disrespectful or hypocritical.
I think you're being a bit hard on yourself there. I think most people's stance has changed over the years.
Mine hasn't and I can totally see where DW is coming from.
Same here, and I suspect many posters are in the same boat.
I met HDE quite a few times, and he was always gracious, so I hold no personal animosity against him, but changing history for sentimental reasons is a dangerous game.
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Like him or loathe him, he had the clubs interests at heart. RIP.
In later years he was a likeable old soul no question , but I would never agree that the interests of Aston Villa were his priority.
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I don't see why anyone should be compelled to contribute to this thread if they don't care to, just as I don't think a few kind words about a pivotal figure in our lives is rewriting history. He is a devisive figure but he's no Margaret Thatcher.
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I don't see why anyone should be compelled to contribute to this thread if they don't care to, just as I don't think a few kind words about a pivotal figure in our lives is rewriting history. He is a devisive figure but he's no Margaret Thatcher.
She was a awful person who divided the country, so no Sir Doug was not in the same category. Less old hits than me will have seen a ma devoted to Villa and I accept that, he continued to see his team till the end. I will always remember how he was trying to get rid of the greatest manager in our history and if he had won that vote, I am 110% certain we would have not have won the league and the proper european cup. I will stay silent next weekend, but as someone said earlier, if Sir Ron Saunders passes away there will be proper tears from me
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Doug simply looked after the pounds and the Villa.
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Doug simply looked after the pounds and the Villa.
Were you around in the late 1970's and very early 80's ?
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He had his faults but the club was in a better state when he was chairman than it has been since and you could argue that without Doug there would now be no Aston Villa so please pay your respects next Saturday.
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He had his faults but the club was in a better state when he was chairman than it has been since and you could argue that without Doug there would now be no Aston Villa so please pay your respects next Saturday.
This. It's not hypocritical to put aside differences when times change & things move on. There's no medals for who can hold the longest grudge.
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He had his faults but the club was in a better state when he was chairman than it has been since and you could argue that without Doug there would now be no Aston Villa so please pay your respects next Saturday.
I will pay my respects next week but as someone else said, if I am around when Sir Ron passes away I will be crying my eyes out and will be remembering who was trying to oust him from our club in 1978. We would never have had our success if that man had won his battle.
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I would respectfully suggest that the negative comments re HDE be left until after his funeral. By all means continue with any stories you may have that can be deemed as good natured, but, once the funeral is over feel free to have at it.
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Whatever the views, the stories from ex-staff paint the picture of a thoroughly decent chap. Ironic that he was lambasted for safeguarding the financial state of the club even though the last few years have seen the current board accused of wild spending. The grass isn't always greener. Yes, the 90s were frustrating but when you look at the club now it's nice to have those memories of competing in Europe and winning cups.
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Whatever the views, the stories from ex-staff paint the picture of a thoroughly decent chap. Ironic that he was lambasted for safeguarding the financial state of the club even though the last few years have seen the current board accused of wild spending. The grass isn't always greener. Yes, the 90s were frustrating but when you look at the club now it's nice to have those memories of competing in Europe and winning cups.
As Mr.shelley said now is not the time to have a pop at the bloke but people I know who have worked at villa park didn't paint him in a favourable light.
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I had a long chat with Doug’s driver/Man Friday once. He had nothing but good things to say about him, particularly about how kind and generous he was to him personally. He wasn’t very complimentary about the Americans who followed him at all.
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Nice tribute on Football focus today - quite tasteful I thought - all this reminds me of a cartoon in the NME after John Lennon was shot “One day you’re not good enough the next day you’re Just too good to be true”..........
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Where will we put the Sir Doug Ellis statue?
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Where will we put the Sir Doug Ellis statue?
Right back?
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Where will we put the Sir Doug Ellis statue?
In front of the William McGregor one.
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Sir Doug mellowed over the years and have to say I almost liked him.
Then I think back to 1the autumn of 1978 and him trying to totally change our club. His criteria was basically Ron Saunders should go after losing Andy Gray and John Gidman. It was a horrible time as a Villa fan as they were 2 great players, but thankfully Sir Doug lost and it was the right decision and thankfully I was at Highbury and Rotterdam. I do wonder what would have happened if he had won that vote lol
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Like most fans of my generation, I thought he was great in '68 but had to go by the late '70's. I disliked him immensely for what he did in the 80's, felt he held us back in the late 90's/early part of this century and was pleased to see him sell up in 2006. He was ahead of the times when he came in but behind the times when he left. I always imagined him and Bob Lord at the FA doing deals on the share of the sales of meat pies at Wembley before casting votes.
Having said all of that you cannot deny his love of Aston Villa and have respect for a guy that was known throughout football and for his charity work after he sold Villa. RIP Doug.
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Sir Doug mellowed over the years and have to say I almost liked him.
Then I think back to 1the autumn of 1978 and him trying to totally change our club. His criteria was basically Ron Saunders should go after losing Andy Gray and John Gidman. It was a horrible time as a Villa fan as they were 2 great players, but thankfully Sir Doug lost and it was the right decision and thankfully I was at Highbury and Rotterdam. I do wonder what would have happened if he had won that vote lol
I was at a shareholders AGM in the late 70's. Sat in the old witton lane stand. Who should walk in and sit in front of me along with two rather large blokes but non other than Sir Ron. He sat there and listened and did make discreet comments to the two blokes he was with. I did catch some of the things he said and at a later date I will share those with you. The highlight of the night was that I got his autograph. To think I got to actually speak to the great man.
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A solid round of applause for Doug today, nice to see the blue Roller AV1 still parked up at the back of the North Stand.
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I never expected to see the day when the Holte End would be singing 'there's only one Doug Ellis.'
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All done properly.
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I never expected to see the day when the Holte End would be singing 'there's only one Doug Ellis.'
And I certainly didn't join in. I can be hypocritical with the best of them but that would be a step too far.
RIP and all that but I am not rewriting history for him. And I deliberately left this thread alone for about a week in case anyone gets arsey about a lack of respect.
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I never expected to see the day when the Holte End would be singing 'there's only one Doug Ellis.'
And I certainly didn't join in. I can be hypocritical with the best of them but that would be a step too far.
RIP and all that but I am not rewriting history for him. And I deliberately left this thread alone for about a week in case anyone gets arsey about a lack of respect.
Agree with every word of that.
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I guess that most of the guys singing were not representative of the Holte End 78- 82
Never mind, I am glad we were respective and that one his sons laid the wreath.
Sleep well Doug.
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I never expected to see the day when the Holte End would be singing 'there's only one Doug Ellis.'
And I certainly didn't join in. I can be hypocritical with the best of them but that would be a step too far.
RIP and all that but I am not rewriting history for him. And I deliberately left this thread alone for about a week in case anyone gets arsey about a lack of respect.
Agree with every word of that.
Me too.
We got there just as it finished, which is just as well as I'm not sure a minutes booing would have been appreciated in the good natured manner it was intended.
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Thought the black corner flags were a nice touch.
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I respected the moment but not the man
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All done properly.
Yep, a good and fitting send off for him today.
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Whatever the views, the stories from ex-staff paint the picture of a thoroughly decent chap. Ironic that he was lambasted for safeguarding the financial state of the club even though the last few years have seen the current board accused of wild spending. The grass isn't always greener. Yes, the 90s were frustrating but when you look at the club now it's nice to have those memories of competing in Europe and winning cups.
l’ve loved and hated Doug, like most of us, down the years. The big frustration is the untaken opportunity in the early premiership years, when we had the world at our feet. Who was bigger than us then ? Utd, Liverpool? Who else? No-one really. Massive wasted opportunity- RIP though Mr Ellis. After your own, you had our best interests at heart.
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Doug was a business man who loved Aston Villa ....the problem was that he ran the club as a business and would not put money into transfers if it pit the club into debt. Doug was rich but a pauper compared to some of todays owners.
If Doug had still been in charge today we would not have any possible FFP issues in the near future and its likely would still be in the Prem.
Yesterday was a great farewell for Doug and the respect shown was excellent - thats one thing about Villa fans is they show respect when its due
RIP Doug and tell them about your bicycle kick and the Karen Brady stories up there
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I don't believe he loved Villa at all and I'm not sure why people think this is beyond doubt. I didn't want to be a hypocrite so he got no applause from me.
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Those of us who were around in the 60's & 70's are under no illusions about Ellis. I daresay to younger fans he may well have appeared to be a kindly old gentleman.
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I don't believe he loved Villa at all and I'm not sure why people think this is beyond doubt. I didn't want to be a hypocrite so he got no applause from me.
That's always been my thinking about him. Took the opportunity when it came his way, did us decent service when we needed it and for that I'll always be grateful but he got more than adequately compensated in the overall scheme of things as others on here who know more about these things can testify.
As I posted on the death thread, he was kind to a bunch of Irish kids we had brought to Villa Park and that's something else I'll be grateful to him for, but love the Villa for the Villa's sake? I don't think so.
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I don't believe he loved Villa at all
So why did he go to games home and away after he'd sold the club?
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I never expected to see the day when the Holte End would be singing 'there's only one Doug Ellis.'
And I certainly didn't join in. I can be hypocritical with the best of them but that would be a step too far.
RIP and all that but I am not rewriting history for him. And I deliberately left this thread alone for about a week in case anyone gets arsey about a lack of respect.
My feelings exactly.
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I never expected to see the day when the Holte End would be singing 'there's only one Doug Ellis.'
There really was only one Doug Ellis, whichever way you look at it.
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I don't believe he loved Villa at all and I'm not sure why people think this is beyond doubt. I didn't want to be a hypocrite so he got no applause from me.
A 94 year old man passed away and after a 50 year association with our club. You didn't have to chant his name but a few rounds of applause to mark his passing would not have been hypocritical in my opinion.
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I don't believe he loved Villa at all and I'm not sure why people think this is beyond doubt. I didn't want to be a hypocrite so he got no applause from me.
A 94 year old man passed away and after a 50 year association with our club. You didn't have to chant his name but a few rounds of applause to mark his passing would not have been hypocritical in my opinion.
Look, the reality is whilst we've held our tongue on this thread so far out of respect, it seems a lot of us thought he was an utter ****** who took far more out of the Villa than he ever put in. So by all means tell stories about what a nice chap he was and have some applause for him given his long tenure, but don't expect those of us with long memories to join in.
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My Dad has a long memory and remembers him saving the club in the 60s. In his mind, if he held us back a bit later on, it doesn’t negate that.
Don’t make it about how far back you can remember because it isn’t. He divided opinions and for me, I hated him and protested against him, but I don’t feel hypocritical applauding him because the time since has taught me a bit about being careful what you wish for, and added some perspective to his overall story.
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I don't believe he loved Villa at all
So why did he go to games home and away after he'd sold the club?
I'm pretty sure he didn't pay for tickets, would be welcomed into the cosy environs of every boardroom with the requisite free food and drink and have his ego massaged, something he would've absolutely loved.
Who knows what would've happened had circumstances been different all those years ago, he may have ended up Mr Wolves or Mr Small Heath? Either way, and despite everything, I applauded on Saturday if for nothing else only the fact that he appointed Sir Graham Taylor in 1987.
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I was around in the 60's. IT was Pat Matthews who saved the club. He has been largely airbrushed from our history in the Doug centric telling of the story.
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I don't believe he loved Villa at all and I'm not sure why people think this is beyond doubt. I didn't want to be a hypocrite so he got no applause from me.
A 94 year old man passed away and after a 50 year association with our club. You didn't have to chant his name but a few rounds of applause to mark his passing would not have been hypocritical in my opinion.
Look, the reality is whilst we've held our tongue on this thread so far out of respect, it seems a lot of us thought he was an utter c*** who took far more out of the Villa than he ever put in. So by all means tell stories about what a nice chap he was and have some applause for him given his long tenure, but don't expect those of us with long memories to join in.
I haven't told any stories about him and I don't see him as cuddly uncle Doug, just think its sad that the passing of a 94 year old man who rightly or wrongly had such an affiliation with our club for so long can't be acknowledged. Only my opinion.
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Doug was also pretty much the last of the old school, local-boy-with-a-few-quid breed of football club owners.
His passing marks the end of that chunk of the game's history.
When i was younger, I used to get very wound up over him, but time passes.
We've also just escaped from a chairman who took us to the bring of financial oblivion, so although we all got fucked off with Doug's parsimony, we've just had an example of how much worse it could have been.
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Doug was also pretty much the last of the old school, local-boy-with-a-few-quid breed of football club owners.
His passing marks the end of that chunk of the game's history.
When i was younger, I used to get very wound up over him, but time passes.
We've also just escaped from a chairman who took us to the bring of financial oblivion, so although we all got fucked off with Doug's parsimony, we've just had an example of how much worse it could have been.
Worded far better than I could, but essentially thats the nail on the head for me.
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Ultimately, whatever you think of Doug's time, and I don't think very much if it, for all the bad it's solely connected to the stupid game of football.
His biggest crimes are what, really, when you think on. Same for Lerner. Just poor owners of a football club. So what.
I didn't sing his name, but it did make me chuckle. But I don't see how it would be beyond anybody to mark a minute out of the 1440 you got that day to show some respect.
A husband, a father and a grandfather died. He didn't shell out on Robbie Keane, he dismantled the 82 squad. So fucking what now, really.
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I never expected to see the day when the Holte End would be singing 'there's only one Doug Ellis.'
And I certainly didn't join in. I can be hypocritical with the best of them but that would be a step too far.
RIP and all that but I am not rewriting history for him. And I deliberately left this thread alone for about a week in case anyone gets arsey about a lack of respect.
My feelings exactly.
And mine.
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Bought an undervalued asset for a relatively low sum.
Increased its value using other people's money.
Paid himself handsomely whilst doing so
Never invested in, or loaned any of his own money in the club.
Walked away with a substantial profit when he finally sold out.
Leveraged his position as chairman to his advantage throughout.
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He paid himself handsomely, ripped down the Trinity, had a massive ego and managed to miss the opportunity of a lifetime to turn us into a genuine modern giant in European football. But he wasn’t as bad as Lerner or Xia. Hardly a ringing endorsement.
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I was around in the 60's. IT was Pat Matthews who saved the club. He has been largely airbrushed from our history in the Doug centric telling of the story.
Is something I have been tempted to post for some time now.
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Without trawling through the thread a couple of things always spring to mind to me whenever Ellis is mentioned.
First was not signing Juninho when we had the chance. I’m convinced we would have won the league that year.
The second always rankles with me, mentioning insurance when ‘thanking’ Luc Nilis on the pitch after his career ending injury. It summed him up to me.
Oh and he pissed me off when he used to say “Preemier league”.
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Was it a minute's silence or applause in the end?
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I don't believe he loved Villa at all
So why did he go to games home and away after he'd sold the club?
Quite simple - it kept him in the spotlight. Something he did love was being the centre of attention and boosting his ego.
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Was it a minute's silence or applause in the end?
Applause.
Quite sensibly I think the club realised what was likely to happen to a minute's silence.
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I was around in the 60's. IT was Pat Matthews who saved the club. He has been largely airbrushed from our history in the Doug centric telling of the story.
Have to agree. Doug was a 'Salesman' all his life.
If perceivable, a man ahead of terms like 'hype'
I met Doug many times over the years. He gave me a seat alongside him twice :)
Once v Chelsea in the Bates era. The pensioner's contingent were across from us when all of a sudden there was a great "ughh" from them and a leaning away from Mr Bates. Nothing to do with the match. I thought a 'salty' comment.
Doug leant sideways,no expression to be picked up by the pappa -(as was our weakest link then) and said
" I believe he has problems with breaking wind"
Then looked back at the match as if nothing happened.
I was never a mad supporter of Doug, I liked him and was grateful for my crumbs.
I wish him Peace now.
R.I.P Doug
:'(
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Without trawling through the thread a couple of things always spring to mind to me whenever Ellis is mentioned.
First was not signing Juninho when we had the chance. I’m convinced we would have won the league that year.
The second always rankles with me, mentioning insurance when ‘thanking’ Luc Nilis on the pitch after his career ending injury. It summed him up to me.
Oh and he pissed me off when he used to say “Preemier league”.
Juninho was past his best after breaking his leg at Atletico Madrid as he showed in his two later spells at Boro. Still would've excited people of course but don't think he'd have made much more of an impact for us than Carbone did.
Robbie Keane a few months later was the big what if from that period (if anything we'd have made a good profit on him as Coventry did which makes it more baffling why we didn't sign him).
I think at that point we started going from one of the top clubs in the premier league to also rans in the last 6 years of his reign that accelerated from losing the 2000 cup final.
Interesting that at the time John Gregory said it was his decision not to stump up that extra half a million Wolves wanted and to the best of my knowledge he hasn't said anything else in all the years since.
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I think if you have anything nice to say about him, then you pay your respects to him on here. If you haven't, then as they say, don't say anything. i'm not going to.
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Good to see the fans giving Doug a good send off on Midlands Today.
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Couldn’t help but notice that in tonight’s programme the late Sir Doug Ellis is still listed as President Emiritus. Is this just a publishers oversight or is it a title that remains beyond this mortal coil?
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Tried to find something on internet machine to confirm what exactly Emiritus means.
http://www.formsofaddress.info/Emeritus.html
Emeritus means they no longer work with you (e.g. they are retired) but continue to have a relationship with the organization.
So deceased official/s/persons are no longer emeritus/emerita
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Couldn’t help but notice that in tonight’s programme the late Sir Doug Ellis is still listed as President Emiritus. Is this just a publishers oversight or is it a title that remains beyond this mortal coil?
They're still not sure he isn't coming back so it's to be on the safe side.
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Tried to find something on internet machine to confirm what exactly Emiritus means.
http://www.formsofaddress.info/Emeritus.html
Emeritus means they no longer work with you (e.g. they are retired) but continue to have a relationship with the organization.
So deceased official/s/persons are no longer emeritus/emerita
I reckon they will do the respectful thing and leave his name and title in the programme for the rest of this season and discreetly drop it for next year.
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Couldn’t help but notice that in tonight’s programme the late Sir Doug Ellis is still listed as President Emiritus. Is this just a publishers oversight or is it a title that remains beyond this mortal coil?
They're still not sure he isn't coming back so it's to be on the safe side.
*Snigger*
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Couldn’t help but notice that in tonight’s programme the late Sir Doug Ellis is still listed as President Emiritus. Is this just a publishers oversight or is it a title that remains beyond this mortal coil?
They're still not sure he isn't coming back so it's to be on the safe side.
Ooooh Dave you are awful, but I like you :-*
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Twelve months today and he hasn't come back, so I think it's safe to say he found away of taking it with him.
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I wonder if he got to the Preeeemiership or was relegated to the other place.
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I wonder if he got to the Preeeemiership or was relegated to the other place.
If there is an afterlife I wonder what famous dead people he has taught the bicycle kick to.
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Er.
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If there is an afterlife I wonder what famous dead people he has taught the bicycle kick to
frank Barson, charlie Athersmith, Mush, Johnny Dixon, Pongo, and has probably had a good set too with the Bendals, fired Vic Crowe, Tony Barton, Sir Graham,and Billy Mcnneill.
Had the celestial heavens renamed ,and pulled down the Pearly gates.
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And charged them all a fee for the tutorial.
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I didn't know he died a year ago - I thought this was a new thread.
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Couldn’t help but notice that in tonight’s programme the late Sir Doug Ellis is still listed as President Emiritus. Is this just a publishers oversight or is it a title that remains beyond this mortal coil?
Could just be a failure of proofreading.
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Every other thread now appears to be about Brexit so I popped onto this thread to see how many people were blaming Doug for Brexit. Surprisingly nobody.
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Every other thread now appears to be about Brexit so I popped onto this thread to see how many people were blaming Doug for Brexit. Surprisingly nobody.
He'd have been firmly pro-remain, surely. Didn't he invent the EU?