Sir DOUG RIP

[SashasGrandad]

Do we have a collection so we can build a statue?

Deadly doing the infamous bicycle kick?

Hoping this is a joke.

A wind up to see who would be first to take the bait!

[Damo70]

Do we have a collection so we can build a statue?

Deadly doing the infamous bicycle kick?

Any statue should include a coin slot and collection box. It's what he would have wanted.

[Chico Hamilton III]

The will reading should be interesting if all his “ sons” start contesting things

[lordmcgrath5]

I've posted this before but it's appropriate now.  During a football trip to England myself and a mate brought our then U15/16 to Villa Park for the tour, we were all in the dressing rooms when Doug and a minion walked past.  I ran after him and asked would he oblige for a photograph with my son, all the other Irish kids were Manure/Liverpool supporters. 

Doug's response was to send the other bloke ahead and say to me 'ok but be quick I'm very busy'.  I got my photo and Doug then asked where we were from so I told him Ireland.  He then proceeded to come into the dressing room where all the others were, introduced himself and then went on to tell them of the current batch of Irish apprentices one being Gareth Farrelly.  He then told them of his offices in Dublin and kept the kids spellbound for about ten minutes. 

That was the charisma of the man, testimony to him that some of those kids who are now approaching middle age always remind me of it when I see them.  And for that, I will always be grateful to him.

Condolences to his family.  RIP Doug.

Great story. RIP Doug, a true Villa fan and proper old school chairman. More often than not, Deadly put a smile on my face, and it's no surprise to hear so many Villa greats speak so fondly of him.

[VILLA MOLE]

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/were-sir-doug-ellis-last-15270797

[XXVilla]

Interesting revisionism on this thread. I didn’t feel to strongly about Doug when he was chairman but I was always optimistic that someone with real money would buy the club off him. Look how that turned out...

[chrisw1]

Interesting revisionism on this thread. I didn’t feel to strongly about Doug when he was chairman but I was always optimistic that someone with real money would buy the club off him. Look how that turned out...

I don't know if it's revisionism or people just trying to pick out the positives.

I do have pretty strong feelings about his tenure, so will limit my comments to RIP.

[Bad English]

Interesting revisionism on this thread.

I thought we were politely paying our respects to a recently-deceased 94 year-old man.

[Legion]

It's hardly revisionism to post a few positive, respectful anecdotes experienced first-hand.

[XXVilla]

Maybe revisionism is a bit strong a term. It’ll be interesting to see however how Sir Doug is perceived as time goes by.

[clash city rocker]

At the end of the day Deadly wanted what we all want....A successful Aston Villa team.

[usav]

At the end of the day Deadly wanted what we all want....A successful Aston Villa team.

Quite.  And as others have proven since he stepped down, it's not so easy.

[nodge]

I told my wife he'd passed away yesterday and she said you hated him back in the day. I replied that hate is a very strong word, let's just say he frustrated me.  Having watched my own father pass away last year helps to put things into perspective, it was only football. RIP Doug

[XXVilla]

Dave Woodhall unusually quiet. No article or comment

[kippaxvilla2]

We didn’t like him but not on a personal level just on his constant perceived penny pinching.  We can’t erase the pound sign protest as if it never happened.  There was outright hostility towards him and rightly so at various points.  However, his aims were the same as ours to win things.  And anyone who donates £2m to childline deserves praise and respect in life as well as death.