Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Villa Memories => Topic started by: Chris Jameson on December 20, 2013, 10:59:35 AM
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Spent the evening in Cleethorpes watching Grimsby Town v Kidderminster Harriers in the company of a few ex Grimsby players last night. Amongst them was Terry Donovan, when he learned I am a Villa supporter he was happily giving me memories of his time at Villa, he still loves the club and said he was invited to the Sunderland match and couldn't believe how well the club looked after him and treated him.
It was fantastic listening to stories of being around the club during such a period, his best mate at the club was Nigel Spink. He told so many brilliant stories but think my favourite was about Eamonn Deacy against Juventus, evidently he clattered into Paolo Rossi and being such a nice bloke had walked over to him as he was writhing in agony and said 'I'm terribly sorry about that Mr Rossi, I hope you're okay'.
Never thought I'd say it but I had a brilliant evening in Cleethorpes watching Grimsby Town. Terry Donovan is an absolute gentleman.
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He used to attend the church we were frogmarched to in Great Barr and he was happy to chat to people and sign for the little uns. Always smiley and friendly and I can believe everything you have written about him Chris.
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Which church would that be Pat?
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Holy Name at the Scott Arms, Dave
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Terry's daughter is our local weather girl on the BBC. That was a Terry Donovan trivia fact!
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Thought so, my kids went to school there before we left for Ireland. When our daughter was a baby, Tony "Bomber" Brown and his Mrs used to sit behind us at Mass and took a great shine to her. I've liked him ever since. That was back in the day when I was a good Catlick.
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Thought so, my kids went to school there before we left for Ireland. When our daughter was a baby, Tony "Bomber" Brown and his Mrs used to sit behind us at Mass and took a great shine to her. I've liked him ever since. That was back in the day when I was a good Catlick.
I was going to say that Bomber Brown used to go there. Given the location he was often mobbed on the way out but I remember him always being happy to sign autographs.
What year did your kids go to school there? I only went there for one year.
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1980 to 1986, 1979 if you count nursery. I know they enjoyed their time there and were always happy. It's funny but, our son had his first boy baptised there despite living in Lye at the time.
I can't ever remember seeing Terry Donovan though, probably due to my rush to escape.
Miss Lucas was the headmistress there at the time IIRC.
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Terry's daughter is our local weather girl on the BBC. That was a Terry Donovan trivia fact!
She's an absolute stunner too! She does North East weather on Thursday and Friday (the only days I watch the regional news!)
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1980 to 1986, 1979 if you count nursery. I know they enjoyed their time there and were always happy. It's funny but, our son had his first boy baptised there despite living in Lye at the time.
I can't ever remember seeing Terry Donovan though, probably due to my rush to escape.
Miss Lucas was the headmistress there at the time IIRC.
Maybe he liked a drink and was a Sunday morning hangover merchant as I used to see him at the Sunday 5pm mass - lurking in the standing area at the back with the others who didn't really want to be there.
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Great stuff Pat. I used to try and upset one or the other of my kids so that I could use it as an excuse to take them out so as not to annoy people. Took Mrs S a long time to suss me.
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Terry's daughter is our local weather girl on the BBC. That was a Terry Donovan trivia fact!
And a looker she is too Chris.
Mind you I am upset at you mentioning Terry as it makes me feel very old!
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Re Terry Donovan I remember his brace against Valur at Villa Park as well as a goal in the FA Cup at Cambridge in 1980. That was the smallest ground I had been to in my life at that stage and I remember the special took 4 hours to get us back to Brum.
Off the top of my head I can't remember his other goals for us.
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I could have listened to Terry and his mates all night, they had some great stories and it was lovely to see how highly they are all thought of by the Grimsby support. It's like going back in time when you go into the inner sanctum of the old main stand at Blundell Park, I wasn't surprised to learn nothing had changed since the seventies!
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Chris, re your original post I remember Eamonn Deacy clattering Claudio Gentile against Juventus too. He had kicked Morley a few times that night - at that time he was the dirtiest bugger in Europe so I was chuffed Eamonn caught him good and proper.
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Sounds like Eamonn was very popular at Villa, hadn't realised the Villa former players had taken his former teammates over to Galway for the renaming of the stadium. Terry doesn't drink and he said he was the only one sober in the 48 hours they all spent together.
Funnily enough he wasn't too keen on Doug Ellis either! My brother has done quite a bit of work with Grimsby Town this year and I've got to say the work they do in the local community is superb, love to see them get back in the league.
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Thought so, my kids went to school there before we left for Ireland. When our daughter was a baby, Tony "Bomber" Brown and his Mrs used to sit behind us at Mass and took a great shine to her. I've liked him ever since. That was back in the day when I was a good Catlick.
I went to the Holy Name as a child. I am still a 'Catlick' (and still trying to be a 'good' one)
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Sounds like Eamonn was very popular at Villa, hadn't realised the Villa former players had taken his former teammates over to Galway for the renaming of the stadium. Terry doesn't drink and he said he was the only one sober in the 48 hours they all spent together.
Myself, Dave Shelley and Ger Regan of this parish were in attendance. It was a great day and Eamonn/Chick got a great send-off afterwards at the function they held in the hotel.
Colin Gibson gave a fine speech on the night, I have it recorded on my phone, must upload it at some stage.
Donovan sounds great. Sorry to say I wouldn't have recognised him that night. Mind you Stefan Postma's tight sky blue jeans near blinded us all.
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Re Terry Donovan I remember his brace against Valur at Villa Park as well as a goal in the FA Cup at Cambridge in 1980. That was the smallest ground I had been to in my life at that stage and I remember the special took 4 hours to get us back to Brum.
Off the top of my head I can't remember his other goals for us.
I went to that game at Cambridge also. I was convinced we'd reach the final that year and saw all our away games in the campaign, at Bristol Rovers, Cambridge Blackburn and then, painfully, West Ham.
Donovan had a difficult role for his 17 games, with Brian Little not being in the best of fitness, Gary Shaw still a young lad, David Geddis not really settled and Peter Withe yet to arrive, we were struggling up front (which, ultimately, is why we couldn't progress past West Ham).
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Terry Donovan was in the Lions Club a couple of weeks ago. When I said 'hello Terry' he seemed to be surprised that anyone recognised him. Had a nice chat with him and Charlie Aitken, with whom the subject of George Curtis and Andy Lochhead was discussed.
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1980 to 1986, 1979 if you count nursery. I know they enjoyed their time there and were always happy. It's funny but, our son had his first boy baptised there despite living in Lye at the time.
I can't ever remember seeing Terry Donovan though, probably due to my rush to escape.
Miss Lucas was the headmistress there at the time IIRC.
I think I remember your kids if your username is also your surname (which it probably is)
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That's me Eric, pm me with your name and those of your kids if you wish. Mrs S will probably know better than me.