Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine

Heroes & Villains => Villa Memories => Topic started by: Chico Hamilton III on July 16, 2010, 09:50:49 AM

Title: 21 years ago - our finest signing?
Post by: Chico Hamilton III on July 16, 2010, 09:50:49 AM
Thank God internet chatrooms didn't exist in the good old days. This fella would have been slated before he'd even had his photo taken, holding a scarf in front of the North Stand. Must be up there with one of the top 10 most inspired Villa signings of all time?


The Independent

July 20 1989, Thursday

Football: Taylor in mood for McGrath

SECTION: Sport ; Pg. 33



PAUL McGRATH'S troubled career at Manchester United is set to end. The 29-year-old Republic of Ireland international was discussing terms with Aston Villa's manager Graham Taylor last night with a view to a pounds 400,000 transfer.

McGrath, regarded as one of the best central defenders in Britain, has made more than 150 League appearances for United since November 1982. But off-the-field incidents have brought him into conflict with Alex Ferguson, the United manager, and his departure has been expected for some time.
Title: 21 years ago - our finest signing?
Post by: *shellac* on July 16, 2010, 12:21:06 PM
God!
Title: 21 years ago - our finest signing?
Post by: TaxDodger on July 16, 2010, 12:34:08 PM
Just finished reading his book which was fantastic stuff. I'm a bit gutted that due to my young age I only started supporting Villa in his final season.
Title: Re: 21 years ago - our finest signing?
Post by: Dr Butler on July 16, 2010, 12:36:02 PM
Quote from: "Chico Hamilton III"
Thank God internet chatrooms didn't exist in the good old days. This fella would have been slated before he'd even had his photo taken, holding a scarf in front of the North Stand. Must be up there with one of the top 10 most inspired Villa signings of all time?


The Independent

July 20 1989, Thursday

Football: Taylor in mood for McGrath

SECTION: Sport ; Pg. 33



PAUL McGRATH'S troubled career at Manchester United is set to end. The 29-year-old Republic of Ireland international was discussing terms with Aston Villa's manager Graham Taylor last night with a view to a pounds 400,000 transfer.

McGrath, regarded as one of the best central defenders in Britain, has made more than 150 League appearances for United since November 1982. But off-the-field incidents have brought him into conflict with Alex Ferguson, the United manager, and his departure has been expected for some time.


Thanks Chico....£400,000 what a bargain .......What a player.....brings a tear to my eye.

We'll not see his like again.

UTV
The Doc
Title: 21 years ago - our finest signing?
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on July 16, 2010, 01:29:16 PM
(http://www.showbiz.ie/images/stars/pa-bestmcgrath01.jpg)
Title: 21 years ago - our finest signing?
Post by: Dr Butler on July 16, 2010, 01:35:30 PM
Quote from: "Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air"
(http://www.showbiz.ie/images/stars/pa-bestmcgrath01.jpg)


Great picture Andy

He looks a little overwhelmed to of met the big man........
Title: 21 years ago - our finest signing?
Post by: willywombat on July 17, 2010, 07:55:57 AM
400k for the best defender in the world. Wonder what he would have been worth in todays market?
Title: 21 years ago - our finest signing?
Post by: LeeB on July 17, 2010, 08:34:57 AM
Quote from: "willywombat"
400k for the best defender in the world. Wonder what he would have been worth in todays market?


God bless Sir Graham. Within 18 months he spent about £700,000 on McGrath, Platt and Yorke.

And then spent pretty much the same on Ormo, and double on Cascarino.
Title: 21 years ago - our finest signing?
Post by: richard moore on July 17, 2010, 11:35:50 AM
Quote from: "TaxDodger"
Just finished reading his book which was fantastic stuff. I'm a bit gutted that due to my young age I only started supporting Villa in his final season.


I found it quite disappointing to be honest. It slipped into the usual 'season by season' chronology after a while, contained quite a lot of repetition and I didn't think he was that complimentary about the Villa which made me feel rather whistful when we adored him so much...
Title: 21 years ago - our finest signing?
Post by: dave.woodhall on July 17, 2010, 12:10:43 PM
Quote from: "richard moore"
Quote from: "TaxDodger"
Just finished reading his book which was fantastic stuff. I'm a bit gutted that due to my young age I only started supporting Villa in his final season.


I found it quite disappointing to be honest. It slipped into the usual 'season by season' chronology after a while, contained quite a lot of repetition and I didn't think he was that complimentary about the Villa which made me feel rather whistful when we adored him so much...


This is one of the things that makes me so uneasy about the adulation he gets - the feeling that it's always a bit one-sided.
Title: 21 years ago - our finest signing?
Post by: garyshawsknee on July 17, 2010, 12:20:26 PM
Quote from: "LeeB"
Quote from: "willywombat"
400k for the best defender in the world. Wonder what he would have been worth in todays market?


God bless Sir Graham. Within 18 months he spent about £700,000 on McGrath, Platt and Yorke.

And then spent pretty much the same on Ormo, and double on Cascarino.


 Don't forget 'Inchey Heath' as well!! Least he flog him pretty quickly,also signed Kent Neilsen same time as McGrath?
Title: 21 years ago - our finest signing?
Post by: WarszaVillan on July 17, 2010, 12:31:10 PM
Quote from: "LeeB"
Quote from: "willywombat"
400k for the best defender in the world. Wonder what he would have been worth in todays market?


God bless Sir Graham. Within 18 months he spent about £700,000 on McGrath, Platt and Yorke.

And then spent pretty much the same on Ormo, and double on Cascarino.


And don't forget re-signing Sid. He must have bought arguablly our best 4 players of a generation (Sid, McGrath, Platt and Yorke) for around a million quid!
Title: 21 years ago - our finest signing?
Post by: Nev on July 17, 2010, 01:38:24 PM
Quote
This is one of the things that makes me so uneasy about the adulation he gets - the feeling that it's always a bit one-sided.


While he is never gushing about Villa, he has, to my knowledge, never sullied the memory with inappropriate comments about the club.

I'm sure he did some corporate work for Manure, which ordinarily would raise my hackles, and he's rarely seen at Villa Park but I couldn't care less.

He is, quite simply, the finest footballer I have seen at the Villa and it was a privilege to see him in Claret and Blue.
Title: 21 years ago - our finest signing?
Post by: usav on July 17, 2010, 03:22:00 PM
Quote from: "dave.woodhall"
This is one of the things that makes me so uneasy about the adulation he gets - the feeling that it's always a bit one-sided.


I'd put that down to him being humble and shy.   He'd pretty much have to shit on the center circle to ruin it for me.
Title: 21 years ago - our finest signing?
Post by: Pete3206 on July 17, 2010, 06:51:30 PM
The greatest player to wear the shirt in my lifetime.
Title: 21 years ago - our finest signing?
Post by: Chris Harte on July 17, 2010, 08:20:16 PM
Quote from: "Pete3206"
The greatest player to wear the shirt in my lifetime.

Possibly the same for many on here.
Title: 21 years ago - our finest signing?
Post by: LeeB on July 17, 2010, 08:51:47 PM
Quote from: "WarszaVillan82"
Quote from: "LeeB"
Quote from: "willywombat"
400k for the best defender in the world. Wonder what he would have been worth in todays market?


God bless Sir Graham. Within 18 months he spent about £700,000 on McGrath, Platt and Yorke.

And then spent pretty much the same on Ormo, and double on Cascarino.


And don't forget re-signing Sid. He must have bought arguablly our best 4 players of a generation (Sid, McGrath, Platt and Yorke) for around a million quid!


How thoughtless of me.

McGrath was the best, but growing up playing football, Sid was the player I wanted to play like.

The most stylish player I've seen play for us.
Title: 21 years ago - our finest signing?
Post by: villa1 on July 17, 2010, 10:20:35 PM
Quote from: "Pete3206"
The greatest player to wear the shirt in my lifetime.


Seconded.

Read his book a while ago. Upsetting at times.
Title: 21 years ago - our finest signing?
Post by: dave.woodhall on July 18, 2010, 11:47:24 AM
It goes without saying that he's the best player in any of our lifetimes (unless Jack Watts is reading this) but I still say he doesn't have the Villa in his soul like, say, Brian Little or Sid does.
Title: 21 years ago - our finest signing?
Post by: barrysleftfoot on July 18, 2010, 03:18:56 PM
BL and Sid were with us from an early age though, Macca joined us at 29.

   A case of 1st love?
Title: 21 years ago - our finest signing?
Post by: dave.woodhall on July 18, 2010, 03:57:12 PM
Quote from: "barrysleftfoot"
BL and Sid were with us from an early age though, Macca joined us at 29.

   A case of 1st love?


Probably, but still true.
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