Happy Birthday Dennis Mortimer

[robbo1874]

A European cup is probably worth more

[LeeB]

And not one cap for England.

Such a great England side at the time though.  *rubs chin*

[passport1]

Used to love watching Morty. Infact I got a bit of a preview before he signed as a school friends dad was a Coventry supporter and used to take us as kids to the occasional game. He was very popular with the Coventry supporters as I recall.

[Godfrey Brian]

He combined cultured ability with guts and the grit to rough things up when necessary. Above all though he was a true captain and team leader on and off the pitch. The combination of Saunders as manager and Mortimer as captain was perfect for that squad.

[Big Dick Edwards]

And not one cap for England.

Such a great England side at the time though.  *rubs chin*

It's staggering to think back that a player and captain of the League and European champions couldn't get a single game for a very mediocre England side in the early 1980s.

[Lastfootstamper]

Didn't play in red, didn't play in London.

[Dlp]

Great player. Always enjoyed watching him for us, a great captain, leader on the pitch and dynamic player. Actually had the good fortune to meet him on the Wembley car park before the 2000 cup final. Had a chat and pictures taken with him. Happy birthday Dennis.

[olaftab]

Marvellous fantastic brilliant player.  Happy birthday Dennis.

[peter w]

And not one cap for England.

Such a great England side at the time though.  *rubs chin*

It's staggering to think back that a player and captain of the League and European champions couldn't get a single game for a very mediocre England side in the early 1980s.

Morley didn't get a look in, Swain, Shaw...

[Lizz]

It's a sort of weird feeling realising people you've idolised are now of a pensionable age. Hope he has a long, healthy and happy retirement

[PeterWithesShin]

I still find it amazing that the 80-82 side received so few caps. I know Scotland were better than they are now but Ken and Des were ignored.

By my reckoning this is the caps total that the Champions of England and Europe managed while Villa players.

Evans 4 (all in 1982)
Morley 6 (81-82)
Withe 11 (81-84)
Deacy 4 (all in  1982)
Cowans 7 (all in 1983) plus 1 when playing for us in 1990.

[olaftab]

Born in 1980, so didn't see him play.  My Dad has always raved about him, particularly his runs from midfield.  In our history of distinguished midfielders, where would he rank?

Unfortunately Tom when it comes to midfielders you have seen no one like Dennis in a Villa shirt. He is comparable with Robson, Scholes, Gerrard, Lampard etc

[Pat McMahon]

I still find it amazing that the 80-82 side received so few caps. I know Scotland were better than they are now but Ken and Des were ignored.

By my reckoning this is the caps total that the Champions of England and Europe managed while Villa players.

Evans 4 (all in 1982)
Morley 6 (81-82)
Withe 11 (81-84)
Deacy 4 (all in  1982)
Cowans 7 (all in 1983) plus 1 when playing for us in 1990.

That always angers me.

Re Sid, well played Bobby Robson in realising how good he was. I always think his predecessor Ron Greenwood was an FA Blazers' choice as an inept, bland stooge when Clough was making groups of average players perform as top teams.

[PeterWithesShin]

Imagine how quickly these days a 19/20 year old would be capped as he scored 20 goals (18 league) and won the league. Instead he had a handful of U21 caps and that was it. Vardy was capped after scoring 5 for a side that just avoided relegation.

It doesn't still annoy me, honest.

[peter w]

To be fair regarding Sid he was starting to get a consistent run in the England team until that dirty Mexican bastard got to him.