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Author Topic: Gerry Hitchens  (Read 5396 times)

Offline Scratchins

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Gerry Hitchens
« on: October 08, 2017, 08:00:28 AM »
08/10/1934 Gerry Hitchens born. My 1st hero, I saw him sell a dummy to the other 21 on the pitch. Hence my user name for those old enough to remember.

Offline oldtimernow

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Re: Gerry Hitchens
« Reply #1 on: October 08, 2017, 08:18:54 AM »
Happy birthday to my first No9. 

Offline john e

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Re: Gerry Hitchens
« Reply #2 on: October 08, 2017, 09:49:45 AM »
Before my time but an older chap I used to go to the Villa with always said he was the best

Offline Villa75

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Re: Gerry Hitchens
« Reply #3 on: October 08, 2017, 09:52:33 AM »
Before my time as well. But read enough and seen enough to know he was a great player.

Online olaftab

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Re: Gerry Hitchens
« Reply #4 on: October 08, 2017, 10:14:04 AM »
Read a lot about this gentleman. Everything suggests he is a great Villain. Happy birthday Mr Hitchens.

Offline berneboy

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Re: Gerry Hitchens
« Reply #5 on: October 08, 2017, 10:52:16 AM »
He died at the early age of 48.
Wiki says: He died playing in 1983 during a charity football match for a Mold-based firm of solicitors at Castell Alun sports ground in Hope. Seconds after heading a cross over the bar, Hitchens collapsed and was taken to Wrexham General Hospital but pronounced dead on arrival. His ashes were interred in Holywell on 20 April 1983. He was 48.

Offline bob rowe

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Re: Gerry Hitchens
« Reply #6 on: October 08, 2017, 12:08:17 PM »
I was at the famous Villa 11  Charlton 1 game when Gerry went on his goal spree, great day.

Offline dave shelley

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Re: Gerry Hitchens
« Reply #7 on: October 08, 2017, 12:38:00 PM »
My first recognisable hero, along with Peter McParland.  I was devastated when he was sold.  He was tough as old boots, could score with his head and both feet and would be  unaffordable in today's monopoly money football.

I was also lucky enough to see him and Villa run riot in that eleven-one win over Charlton.  Great player.

Offline SteveN

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Re: Gerry Hitchens
« Reply #8 on: October 08, 2017, 01:20:36 PM »
My first recognisable hero, along with Peter McParland.  I was devastated when he was sold.  He was tough as old boots, could score with his head and both feet and would be  unaffordable in today's monopoly money football.

I was also lucky enough to see him and Villa run riot in that eleven-one win over Charlton.  Great player.

You and me both Dave, I could have written  exactly the same.


Offline darren woolley

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Re: Gerry Hitchens
« Reply #9 on: October 10, 2017, 09:34:05 AM »
I wish I could have seen him play brilliant player and a gentleman.

Offline Boz

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Re: Gerry Hitchens
« Reply #10 on: October 10, 2017, 11:13:10 AM »
Indeed a great player and one of the rare successes of his era when he went to Italy.

Offline Villa Lew

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Re: Gerry Hitchens
« Reply #11 on: October 10, 2017, 12:12:45 PM »
One of my favourite Villa players of all time, absolutely gutted when he left for Inter Milan. Scored 5 goals in the Charlton humiliation. Played for England in the 62 World Cup, but didn't play again when Ramsey took over, as he only picked home based players.

Following Trevor Ford, Gerry was one of a dynasty of great Villa centre forwards since the war, then Dougan, Hateley, Lochhead, Gray, Withe, McInally, Dublin, Angel and Benteke. Apologies if I left anyone out.

Offline Pat McMahon

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Re: Gerry Hitchens
« Reply #12 on: October 10, 2017, 02:18:01 PM »
Indeed a great player and one of the rare successes of his era when he went to Italy.

The fact that he succeeded in Italy, where many great players failed, has always made me think he must have been special.

Offline Boz

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Re: Gerry Hitchens
« Reply #13 on: October 10, 2017, 06:43:56 PM »
Indeed a great player and one of the rare successes of his era when he went to Italy.

The fact that he succeeded in Italy, where many great players failed, has always made me think he must have been special.

Absolutely. A special talent, even if he was in the England team beaten by the USA

Offline SteveN

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  • Location: Surrey. Well .......Croydon
  • GM : Feb, 2014
Re: Gerry Hitchens
« Reply #14 on: October 10, 2017, 09:03:45 PM »
Indeed a great player and one of the rare successes of his era when he went to Italy.

The fact that he succeeded in Italy, where many great players failed, has always made me think he must have been special.

Absolutely. A special talent, even if he was in the England team beaten by the USA

Thought that would have been before his international career started. 

 


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