Sir DOUG RIP

[TopDeck113]

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.

[Legion]

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.

[amfy]

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.

[Damo70]

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.

[PeterWithesShin]

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.

[Lizz]

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.

[garyshawsknee]

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.

[D.boy]

RIP Sir Doug, Claret and Blue blood ran through his veins, Condolences to his family and friends.

[villan from luton]

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

[garyshawsknee]

But you still did !!

[rob_bridge]

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

[rob_bridge]

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.

[villan from luton]

But you still did !!

No I didn't actually

[garyshawsknee]

I'm pulling your leg VRL. Btw, what part of Luton are you from? I'm a Lea Manor boy. 

[brentastonb6]

RIP Doug, whilst not a Villan from birth he is definitely a Holte Ender In the sky.