Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine

Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: The Laughing Policeman on November 06, 2015, 09:24:43 AM

Title: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: The Laughing Policeman on November 06, 2015, 09:24:43 AM
The great man is 83 today. I only met him once a few years ago and trying to speak to him I became a gibbering idiot. How he managed to put up with my ramblings for 10 minutes I'll never know.
Thank you for the best times in my life as a Villa fan.
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: not3bad on November 06, 2015, 09:42:26 AM
happy birthday Ron!
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: papa lazarou on November 06, 2015, 09:49:10 AM
Happy Birthday Ron. Hoping you are fit and well.
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: frankmosswasmyuncle on November 06, 2015, 09:59:07 AM
Happy birthday Ron.
As TLP says: "Thank you for the best times in my life as a Villa fan."




Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on November 06, 2015, 10:08:10 AM
Happy Birthday, Ron.

Hail Saunders, King of the Villa!
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: tricky dicky on November 06, 2015, 10:09:56 AM
Happy birthday Ron
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: Percy McCarthy on November 06, 2015, 11:12:36 AM
Happy birthday Ron.
As TLP says: "Thank you for the best times in my life as a Villa fan."

Thirded. Especially seasons 75/76 and 76/77. That first season after we were promoted often gets overlooked in favour of the next one, but it was a fucking brilliant season to be at Villa Park. Especially if it was your first at the back of the Holte End with your mates and sans adult accompaniment.

Happy Birthday Ron, you bugger; you're the reason I'm so bloody depressed now.
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: PeterWithesShin on November 06, 2015, 11:15:13 AM
Happy birthday Super Ron.
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on November 06, 2015, 11:30:24 AM
Happy birthday Ron.
As TLP says: "Thank you for the best times in my life as a Villa fan."

Thirded. Especially seasons 75/76 and 76/77. That first season after we were promoted often gets overlooked in favour of the next one, but it was a fucking brilliant season to be at Villa Park. Especially if it was your first at the back of the Holte End with your mates and sans adult accompaniment.

74/75 wasn't too shabby either. Brilliant home and away support, promotion and a cup in the bag. We only lost once in the league from the beginning of January to the end of the season, scoring 18 goals in our last five games, conceding only one.

Just to add, our home record that season was amazing:

Played: 21
Won: 16
Drew: 4
Lost: 1
Goals: 47
Against: 6
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: olaftab on November 06, 2015, 11:36:29 AM
Happy Birthday Sir Ron. As a young man I didn't properly appreciate what you did for us at the time  but I do now. Thank for it all  but like Percy 75/76 was such a brilliant season and we need someone like you again now.
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: langleylions on November 06, 2015, 11:44:46 AM
Happy birthday ron mr 110% .greatest villa manager ever .
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: RichardBatchelor on November 06, 2015, 11:53:24 AM
With 110 % from each and every one of the players and fans, I'm sure we can get the right result... we usually did. In the current spirit, 'bon anniversaire' Ronald.
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: brian green on November 06, 2015, 11:57:42 AM
Happy Birthday Ron. The look on your face was a goal start in every game.
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: Villan For Life on November 06, 2015, 12:04:01 PM
Happy birthday Ron. Thanks for everything you did for the Villa
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: rob_bridge on November 06, 2015, 12:15:11 PM
Happy Birthday to the Best Manager we ever had.
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: darren woolley on November 06, 2015, 12:25:39 PM
Happy Birthday Ron.
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: robbo1874 on November 06, 2015, 12:26:05 PM
Happy birthday Ron. That 3-part interview with JW was excruciatingly awkward on Pravda, but compelling viewing.

Paraphrasing here but:

JW: what's the secret of a successful team ron?
RS: shape
JW: shape??
RS: shape. The team's got to have shape
JW: .............
RS............
Marvellous stuff.
The man's a legend. (Ron, not Jack).
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: sid1964 on November 06, 2015, 01:09:29 PM
Happy Birthday Ron, you are the best manager this club has ever had
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: Witton Warrior on November 06, 2015, 01:10:53 PM
Met Mr Saunders at the Stourbridge Lions club which met at the old bus garage social club.
Most of our lot were about 17 and we were utterly in awe of him. There had been some trouble away the weekend before his visit and he spoke very sternly about what should happen to the perpetrators (us basically!) and my one mate hid at the back of the room the entire evening convinced Ron would single him out.

When I spoke to him for  minute or so I was delighted that he seemed not to be so firece but had a real impish twinkle about him.

In our house me and the lad stand and salute if his name is ever mentioned ;-) Wife thinks we are mad...
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: exigo on November 06, 2015, 01:25:35 PM
Happy birthday. Hope it's the full 110%, Ron.
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: castlefields_villan on November 06, 2015, 01:35:51 PM
Agree with everything said so far - Happy Birthday Ron - I'm glad Barry Davies and everyone else didn't "bet against us" after that Ipswich game.

Some superb memories in his 7 and a half years at the helm and I was fortunate enough to meet him a function to launch a new book after winning the League Championship, he was very polite, sincere and a gentleman to talk to on a one to one.

As has already been said "do we need someone like him now"
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: Lobsterboy on November 06, 2015, 01:38:03 PM
Happy Birthday Ron

Absolute bloody legend
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: in exile on November 06, 2015, 02:10:01 PM
Happy Birthday Ron, as has been mentioned - the best manager we have ever had (in my opinion)
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: steamer on November 06, 2015, 02:21:36 PM
Happy Birthday Sir,

Best villa supporting years of my life, I thought it would never end. >:(
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: simon ward 50 on November 06, 2015, 02:25:03 PM
110% Happy Birthday to the full Ron Saunders!
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: adrenachrome on November 06, 2015, 02:28:39 PM

Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: Tayls_7 on November 06, 2015, 03:05:18 PM
Happy Bithday Ron, you miserable old git.
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: The Left Side on November 06, 2015, 03:12:07 PM
Happy Birthday Ron
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on November 06, 2015, 03:34:15 PM
He makes it onto the Guardian birthday list (not sure Deadly gets on it).
Shares a birthday with Jim Rosenthal.
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: Witton Warrior on November 06, 2015, 05:41:58 PM
Still shameful there is nothing around the stadium dedicated him
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: clash city rocker on November 06, 2015, 05:49:10 PM

Happy birthday Ron...Those were the days when a lot of people were envious of our club and support...Where did it all go wrong.?
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: passport1 on November 06, 2015, 05:55:42 PM
The best manager we have ever had in my lifetime and probably ever will. Enjoy your day Ron. By the way where is the statue Lerner , how many has Booby Robson got? Disgraceful.
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: gpbarr on November 06, 2015, 06:03:25 PM
The best manager we have ever had in my lifetime and probably ever will. Enjoy your day Ron. By the way where is the statue Lerner , how many has Booby Robson got? Disgraceful.
this
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: dave shelley on November 06, 2015, 06:46:01 PM
He makes it onto the Guardian birthday list (not sure Deadly gets on it).
Shares a birthday with Jim Rosenthal.

He also shares it with my eldest grandson who is eleven today.  I love 'em both, happy birthday to the both of you.  When the Eamonn Deacy memorial match took place, I was fortunate enough to meet the Great Man at the after match reception, I was overjoyed.  He's quite frail.

As a slight aside, my son shares his birthday with Andy Gray.  There's a theme here.
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: four fornicholl on November 06, 2015, 06:53:24 PM
happy birthday ron,ive also often thought we need a decent reminder of mr saunders somehow or somewhere around villa park
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: Smirker on November 06, 2015, 06:59:21 PM
The best manager we have ever had in my lifetime and probably ever will. Enjoy your day Ron. By the way where is the statue Lerner , how many has Booby Robson got? Disgraceful.

Statue outside the redeveloped north stand would be excellent.
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: Jimbo on November 06, 2015, 07:05:40 PM
Whenever the words 'football manager' enter my brain I get an image of Ron Saunders, the long coat, the fixed stare, the lack of nonsense. He's the archetype. Happy Birthday, Ron.
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: class-of-82 on November 06, 2015, 07:18:19 PM
Happy birthday sir Ron
Thanks for the greatest days of my life
Thanks for the greatest villa team ever
And how do you top that you do it by winning the league and European cup a few years later
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: newtonsballs on November 06, 2015, 07:20:17 PM
Happy birthday boss: thanks for all you did for the Villa.
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: purpletrousers on November 06, 2015, 07:27:48 PM
The best manager we have ever had in my lifetime and probably ever will. Enjoy your day Ron. By the way where is the statue Lerner , how many has Booby Robson got? Disgraceful.

Statue outside the redeveloped north stand would be excellent.

Absolutely.

Happy birthday sir Ron
Thanks for the greatest days of my life
Thanks for the greatest villa team ever
And how do you top that you do it by winning the league and European cup a few years later

Indeed. I'm deeply grateful to him and all who supported him to achieve what he did, and my dad for taking me along to witness all those heights.

Gosh we really should honour him more.

Thank you Ron.
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: Percy McCarthy on November 06, 2015, 08:13:55 PM
Happy birthday sir Ron
Thanks for the greatest days of my life
Thanks for the greatest villa team ever
And how do you top that you do it by winning the league and European cup a few years later

Ha! Very good.
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: dave shelley on November 06, 2015, 08:16:44 PM
Regarding the above posts re honouring him, I agree it would be nice, but, not knowing too much about these things I would imagine a commissioned statue would be somewhat expensive.  I'm sure there are those of us on here who can say how much the McGregor statue cost.  How would posters suggest it be funded? By the club or by the fans or by both?  Just asking.
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: preston28 on November 06, 2015, 09:48:40 PM
Happy Birthday Ron.

The Birthday card you gave me for my 16th Birthday after we won the league in 1981 is a cherished possession!
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: ChicagoLion on November 06, 2015, 09:56:40 PM
Regarding the above posts re honouring him, I agree it would be nice, but, not knowing too much about these things I would imagine a commissioned statue would be somewhat expensive.  I'm sure there are those of us on here who can say how much the McGregor statue cost.  How would posters suggest it be funded? By the club or by the fans or by both?  Just asking.
he is 83 I think we need to get a move on
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: dave.woodhall on November 06, 2015, 10:28:26 PM
The best manager we have ever had in my lifetime and probably ever will. Enjoy your day Ron. By the way where is the statue Lerner , how many has Booby Robson got? Disgraceful.
this

I'm sure that if either of you organised and raised the money for a statue, our current owners will give you as much help as they gave the people who did the last one.
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: passport1 on November 06, 2015, 10:50:19 PM
Probably the Supporters Association or fan backed organisation would be better placed.
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: Louzie0 on November 06, 2015, 11:22:29 PM
Happy Birthday, Ron.
Just in before midnight.
Appreciate the nights in Europe and the Cup.

Have a really good one,
Louise
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: Damo70 on November 06, 2015, 11:31:21 PM
I remember that interview he did a few years back that was posted on here. Despite his age and looking slightly frail compared to the man we knew he still scared me. I would have been tempted to give him the Villa job until the end of the season. He would eat Mourinho for breakfast even now.
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: Stirchley Villain on November 07, 2015, 12:25:59 AM
He always reminded me of my late Uncle Bill.
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: steamer on November 07, 2015, 06:00:41 AM
I am too far away to do the organising, but if someone wants to take up the challenge. A 100 pounds from me to kick off the contribution.
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: robbo1874 on November 07, 2015, 08:45:49 AM
Witton Ln stand should be re-named the 110% stand I reckon.
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: Gregorys Boy on November 07, 2015, 08:50:33 AM
Yeah saw this in the paper yesterday.  Happy Birthday great man! Just hope the Villa can make him proud again before he's very much older :)
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: Billy Walker on November 07, 2015, 10:24:16 AM
Happy Birthday Mr. Saunders.  What you achieved with the club serves as a constant reminder to us that Villa should never settle for second best or listen to the doubters and knockers in the media. 

I might be dreaming this but I recall reading some programme notes you wrote ( I think it was for Villa's celebratory centenary match v Leeds in 1974) where you congratulated Leeds on getting to a European Cup Final and suggested Aston Villa should be playing in such games too. Considering we were a Division Two team at the time and had been out of the top flight for quite a while (by our standards) it was a bold thing to write...but you were as good as your word.  You set the modern standard for this club and I'll not be totally content until we've climbed the mountain and got back to our rightful place on the very top of the pile again.
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: passport1 on November 07, 2015, 10:45:03 AM
Its called ambition Billy.Without ambition you end up.........well where we are.
Title: Re: Happy Birthday Ron Saunders.
Post by: wittonwarrior on November 07, 2015, 08:35:25 PM
its the extra percentage that got us there ha ha.  Loved the man, what a guy - the likes of which we are unlikely ever to see again at Villa Park.
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