41 years ago today

[wittonwarrior]

Without checking did we lose any homes in the second half of that season, I remember a few 0-0's

QPR 0-2

Well they were half decent that season !

[flybo]

Without checking did we lose any homes in the second half of that season, I remember a few 0-0's

QPR 0-2

Well they were half decent that season !

yes

[wittonwarrior]

Avid photographer, bit of trivia now - he went to the same school as another English European cup captain Phil Thompson , brookfields in Kirkby

[Lsvilla]

..... and what a debut match.  Boxing days were meant for matches like that.  He led the team as a true captain from the front.

And still one of my favourite ever games - stood on the Witton End as an 11 year old with my dad who always worked Saturdays which meant we hardly went to games together and my (scouse) uncle (by marriage not blood) - in awe at the balloons from the Holte pre-match and then the performance. It was then I knew we had a special team and from then to Rotterdam has so many memories I wouldn't swap for anything.

[PeterWithesShin]

Fixed that for you Lsvilla.

[Lsvilla]

Thanks. Late-ish on Christmas Eve on a phone I didn't think I did too bad !

[dave shelley]

Ron said, "I bought him as a Christmas present for the fans"
Imperious

I remember that quote.

Denis was a fabulous, fabulous player.  Yes, doubly fabulous.

Is that true? It definitely sounds like something Ron Saunders would say.

[Pat McMahon]

We were in our usual spot on the left side of the Witton End that day. A bumper crowd - an uncle who Wasn't that passionate came along, as was the Boxing Day wont in those days - and the Holte End looked truly majestic in its rammed, pre-partition days.

[olaftab]

A leader a true leader. Few years ago I met Dennis in one of  the hospitality suites at VP. I asked for his autograph. He was standing next to another man who I did not recognise, honestly. Dennis shook my hand and realised that I had totally ignored the man next to him so he gently took the programme form my hand and said yes of course but let's get Tony to sign it first. Of course he was with Tony Morley and it is my shame that I did not recognise one of our other greatest players.

[castlefields_villan]

I met Dennis outside Wembley in march 2011 before the England v Ghana game, obviously you would either have to be a Villa man or a certain age to know who he is - I'm both! He was only to happy to have a photo taken with me and to chat about things for a couple of minutes. I also met him just after we won the league in 1981 - a very sincere man and as mentioned earlier, absolutely amazing to think he never played for england.

[Villa Lew]

Yeah my favourite captain of all time. Along with the 4 Beatles the greatest scousers of all time.

[clash city rocker]

A fantastic boxing day game against west ham with Dennis running the show...we used to call him hover boots as he seemed to float over the muddy villa park...one of the few englishmen to lift the European cup.

[Morleys left boot]

Best xmas present ever ! Thanks  sir Ron

[saint13]

A fantastic boxing day game against west ham with Dennis running the show...we used to call him hover boots as he seemed to float over the muddy villa park...one of the few englishmen to lift the European cup.

Brilliant game...my first ever Boxing Day match. I always remember my now late father saying to me the next morning when scanning the paper that we had stood in the biggest crowd of the day. Priceless memories!

[FrankyH]

Just watched The  History of Aston Villa video.

Loved watching Dennis score some crucial goals the season we won the league, Everton away and Liverpool at home stand out (I was only at the home match) .It's great to watch something and appreciate some qualities he had as a great Captain I didn't see at the time. No fist pumping , he just turns round and smiles while the team congratulate him.Calmness personified.
When a player scores a screamer ( usually Morley ) he stands and applauds and lets the rest of the team mob the player. Marvellous.

I'm sure someone on here will know , but did David Geddis get a Championship medal ?
I hope he qualified , as he scored some important goals when called up to the team.