Ulises de la Cruz

[MorrisNielson]

Aston Villa scapegoat 2002-2006.
At the time the general feeling was that he played far too many games for us. Probably says more about Mark Delaney’s injury record than his actual playing ability.
My main memory of him was scoring was I thought was a great individual goal in the League Cup (Luton?), only to watch a replay of it showing the ball bobbling about and him somehow ending up in front goal.

[Gregorys Boy]

I always like him.  Never pulled any trees up.  But was a commited pro who was decent going forward and gave us a different option.  One of the better performers in a different period for the club.  That won't make the article though will it?

[Jon Crofts]

He used to live about 100 yards from us when he was at Reading, a nice chap, had an impromptu kick about with some of the local kids on the village green one summer.  I believe he's a politician back in Ecuador now?

[Exeter 77]

I would rather have a team of players with Ulises De La Cruz's attitude to football and life than a single Micah Richards.

[PeterWithesShin]

Was an okay player, never deserved the 'Useless' tag. But we do love making fullbacks our scapegoats down B6.

[cdbearsfan]

As others have said, he was OK.  Probably better than most of the full backs we've had this decade though I acknowledge that's hardly awe-inspiring praise. Didn't deserve his nickname and those who used it were tediously unfunny twats.

He also seems to be an excellent human being given his charity work back home.

[Rudy65]

As others have said, he was OK.  Probably better than most of the full backs we've had this decade though I acknowledge that's hardly awe-inspiring praise. Didn't deserve his nickname and those who used it were tediously unfunny twats.

He also seems to be an excellent human being given his charity work back home.

He was poor and thats being kind

[brentastonb6]

Always tried his best even if that wasn't good enough , supported poor people in his home country through his foundation work which has already been mentioned. I seem to remember his hair being dyed various shades of orange on a regular basis : )

[myf]

Abiding memory is Graham Taylor calling him the Ecuadorian Beckham

[adrenachrome]

Abiding memory is Graham Taylor calling him the Ecuadorian Beckham

Around the same time he said that he wanted to buy Mark Kinsella, original pointer and precursor of Westwood,  together  Matt "Matty" Holland "as a pair".

[Risso]

Abiding memory is Graham Taylor calling him the Ecuadorian Beckham

Around the same time he said that he wanted to buy Mark Kinsella, original pointer and precursor of Westwood,  together  Matt "Matty" Holland "as a pair".

I remember that too.  Always best to ensure you get the better of the two first, lest you end up being lumbered with the rubbish one by himself. 

The only time UDLC looked even half competent was when he played behind Solano, but that was because Solano was extremely good, it took a lot of pressure of the full back.

[Lucky Eddie]

I really liked Ulises he had a warm smile and a professional attitude.

He was adored in his homeland, my buddy worked with an Ecuadorian lad who started to follow Villa with us. We used to meet in their Ecuadorian Restaurant on the Holloway Road.

[peter w]

Abiding memory is Graham Taylor calling him the Ecuadorian Beckham

Around the same time he said that he wanted to buy Mark Kinsella, original pointer and precursor of Westwood,  together  Matt "Matty" Holland "as a pair".

I remember that too.  Always best to ensure you get the better of the two first, lest you end up being lumbered with the rubbish one by himself. 

The only time UDLC looked even half competent was when he played behind Solano, but that was because Solano was extremely good, it took a lot of pressure of the full back.

See Cascarino T

[Brend'Watkins]

My abiding memory is that first Blues league game in 16 years. He hit a thunderous shot out of nowhere that rattled the bar when it was still 0-0. That was about as good as it got that night.

[ADVILLAFAN]

Known for doing a lot of charity work in impoverished areas of Ecuador.

A decent if not great right-back.

Have a vague memory of him beating about 4 opposition players at home, but can't remember if he scored or not. It was attacking the North Stand anyway.