Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Villa Memories => Topic started by: Exeter 77 on November 30, 2015, 07:14:14 PM
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I know he's been an idiot in recent years but my first Villa hero is 60 today. How we could do with the 1976 version of him now.
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One of the greatest players I've ever seen.
The standing ovation from the Kop said it all, he had everything in spades.
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Met him in the Beeches pub in 75, before he was well known, he came over as a well grounded bloke, happy to chat with no airs and graces. Probably not changed much after all these years
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Agree with Jon, one of my favourite Villan. That glorious night against Liverpool will never be forgotten.
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Happy Birthday, Andrew Mullen Gray.
All these years on, I can still effortlessly copy his autograph having perfected it from his fortnightly article in SHOOT. As boyhood heroes go, they didn't come much better or braver than Andy Gray. What a player he was for us and how much do we need somebody like him in the team right now.
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Best centre forward I have ever seen in a villa shirt come to think of it any shirt
Happy birthday sir andy
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my first villa hero
first game of the season 1976, boiling hot day my first game with my late dad, nil nil with west ham at half time then we attacked the holte second half and battered them 4 nil, gray and little scored two each. it doesnt get any better.
the most exciting villa team i have had the pleasure of watching
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my first villa hero
first game of the season 1976, boiling hot day my first game with my late dad, nil nil with west ham at half time then we attacked the holte second half and battered them 4 nil, gray and little scored two each. it doesnt get any better.
the most exciting villa team i have had the pleasure of watching
3 weeks later beat Ipswich 5 - 2 with a Gray hattrick. Remember it like yesterday
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Greatest Villa centre forward ever and my first Villa hero. Happy Birthday, Andy!
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my first villa hero
first game of the season 1976, boiling hot day my first game with my late dad, nil nil with west ham at half time then we attacked the holte second half and battered them 4 nil, gray and little scored two each. it doesnt get any better.
the most exciting villa team i have had the pleasure of watching
It was Gray 2 and Graydon 2 I think
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my first villa hero
first game of the season 1976, boiling hot day my first game with my late dad, nil nil with west ham at half time then we attacked the holte second half and battered them 4 nil, gray and little scored two each. it doesnt get any better.
the most exciting villa team i have had the pleasure of watching
It was Gray 2 and Graydon 2 I think
i stand corrected lol
just looked at the teams and west ham were no mugs, day in goal, bonds, lampard and brooking
was there for the ipswich game and the demolition of liverpool, what a first season
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I remember one afternoon standing in the chicken run at Upton Park when Gray scored in about the 5th minute against the Spammers, we always won at Upton Park, happy days. Less happy days were his second coming in 86/87 away at Selhurst Park to Charlton, he'd been on the piss in The Mulberry Bush the night before and it showed.
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Andy was an awesome sight on the pitch. They way he dominated defenders either marauding through the centre or arising to head in a cross left you gasping with delight. Gave me the biggest hair raising thrills ever in almost every match he played in. Broke my heart when he left us ....yes hold on for Wolves but I think Ron had decided he didn't want him. Happy birthday Andy and thank you.
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Thanks for all your kind comments about Dad, always a pleasure to read. That 1st spell at Villa was certainly something special, what a superb team & I know Dad feels privileged to have been part of it. It was his favourite time in his career, everything he did on the pitch turned to gold & the goals flew in. The less said about the 2nd spell the better, he should never have come back, it wasn't the same team & he wasn't the same player, but his heart ruled his head. Knackered his overall goals to games ratio too!!!! Once again, thanks ever so much for sharing your good wishes & memories. With so little footage around & having not been born until 1980 your memories are all I have to imagine the player my Dad was.
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JG tell your Dad I love him. Oh Andy your the Greatest the Holte End say, Oh Andy Oh Andy we're be with you all the way.
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His bravery in a Villa shirt was incredible -he'd throw himself at any ball into the area and frequently win it.Cost him a lot in injuries over the years but oh the memories.
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He had presence. Always seemed to convey that he was on that pitch to score goals or die trying. Got to have the talent but I suspect putting the doubt/fear into the mind of defenders is half the game at that level.
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A true no 9 - I know he gets a lot of flack now but he'll always be up there among our greatest strikers in my book.
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I remember one afternoon standing in the chicken run at Upton Park when Gray scored in about the 5th minute against the Spammers, we always won at Upton Park, happy days. Less happy days were his second coming in 86/87 away at Selhurst Park to Charlton, he'd been on the piss in The Mulberry Bush the night before and it showed.
That Charlton match was the early kick off on a bank holiday Monday? (I remember getting the train from New Street at the crack of dawn). Gray had a chance in the six yard box, a sitter, about three yards out, ball at knee height, and tried to put it in with a diving header. Missed it completely. I've never seen a better number 9 than him in his prime, though.
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Met him in the Beeches pub in 75, before he was well known, he came over as a well grounded bloke, happy to chat with no airs and graces. Probably not changed much after all these years
Was that at a Tony Butler BRMB Football Forum ? - Andy was there around this time when I went to The Beeches - John Gidman was one of the guest panelists
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Andy was an awesome sight on the pitch. They way he dominated defenders either marauding through the centre or arising to head in a cross left you gasping with delight. Gave me the biggest hair raising thrills ever in almost every match he played in. Broke my heart when he left us ....yes hold on for Wolves but I think Ron had decided he didn't want him. Happy birthday Andy and thank you.
More than 36 years on - I still can't believe he left us to go there.
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Great player and then for a 2nd career a brilliant broadcaster. Best "Colour" commentator on tv.
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I think he was the first Villa superstar in my time. Bruce Rioch was fantastic but he didn't play for us in the top flight. Andy Gray played in our most exciting team and scored wonderful goals and I remember him being feted in the national press. - a first for us.
His hat tricks against Ipswich and Albion were the best I have seen for us, and he killed Liverpool on That Night. Still wish he had chinned Trever Francis after that dive to con us at the Sty in 1977 though.
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I wish we had Andy Gray playing for us now what a player.
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I think he was the first Villa superstar in my time. Bruce Rioch was fantastic but he didn't play for us in the top flight. Andy Gray played in our most exciting team and scored wonderful goals and I remember him being feted in the national press. - a first for us.
His hat tricks against Ipswich and Albion were the best I have seen for us, and he killed Liverpool on That Night. Still wish he had chinned Trever Francis after that dive to con us at the Sty in 1977 though.
I remember that night (still painful) well even now - never a penalty in a million years - I was on the corner of the Tilton and their main stand. Didn't Leighton Phillips get sent off early in that game and Andy had a man of the match performance at centre back ?
As you say Darren - what a player - what would we do to have one like him now - probably the most exciting player in my 48 (nearly 49 years) of watching us. Him and Sid Cowans will always be my 2 favourite all time players.
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I think he was the first Villa superstar in my time. Bruce Rioch was fantastic but he didn't play for us in the top flight. Andy Gray played in our most exciting team and scored wonderful goals and I remember him being feted in the national press. - a first for us.
His hat tricks against Ipswich and Albion were the best I have seen for us, and he killed Liverpool on That Night. Still wish he had chinned Trever Francis after that dive to con us at the Sty in 1977 though.
I remember that night (still painful) well even now - never a penalty in a million years - I was on the corner of the Tilton and their main stand. Didn't Leighton Phillips get sent off early in that game and Andy had a man of the match performance at centre back ?
As you say Darren - what a player - what would we do to have one like him now - probably the most exciting player in my 48 (nearly 49 years) of watching us. Him and Sid Cowans will always be my 2 favourite all time players.
I think Philips was sent off and Andy Gray went to centre half to replace him. IIRC Deehan scored for us and we conceded two late goals.
Mayhem after the game - I think there were about 43k there that night and anybody under 25 was fighting.
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and after. The Glorious sight of about 5000 villa marching back into the city together
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I think he was the first Villa superstar in my time. Bruce Rioch was fantastic but he didn't play for us in the top flight. Andy Gray played in our most exciting team and scored wonderful goals and I remember him being feted in the national press. - a first for us.
His hat tricks against Ipswich and Albion were the best I have seen for us, and he killed Liverpool on That Night. Still wish he had chinned Trever Francis after that dive to con us at the Sty in 1977 though.
I remember that night (still painful) well even now - never a penalty in a million years - I was on the corner of the Tilton and their main stand. Didn't Leighton Phillips get sent off early in that game and Andy had a man of the match performance at centre back ?
As you say Darren - what a player - what would we do to have one like him now - probably the most exciting player in my 48 (nearly 49 years) of watching us. Him and Sid Cowans will always be my 2 favourite all time players.
I think Philips was sent off and Andy Gray went to centre half to replace him. IIRC Deehan scored for us and we conceded two late goals.
Mayhem after the game - I think there were about 43k there that night and anybody under 25 was fighting.
Am I right in thinking Phillips was sent off for making a V sign to the referee ? I remember Andy playing at centre half and had a tremendous game - kept Trevor Francis quiet for most of it - until that "penalty" about 5 minutes from time.
I was 19 at the time, but I wasn't there looking for trouble - although as previously said - a big crowd of 40,000 plus and a white hot atmosphere - as I remember Dixie Deehan headed us in front and we seemed in complete control under Terry Hibbit equalised about 10 mins from time - that seemed to spur them on - and of course it lead to that rather dubious penalty decision.
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Met him in the Beeches pub in 75, before he was well known, he came over as a well grounded bloke, happy to chat with no airs and graces. Probably not changed much after all these years
Was that at a Tony Butler BRMB Football Forum ? - Andy was there around this time when I went to The Beeches - John Gidman was one of the guest panelists
No think he just came down for a pint with a mate from the area. How times have changed
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Met him in the Beeches pub in 75, before he was well known, he came over as a well grounded bloke, happy to chat with no airs and graces. Probably not changed much after all these years
Was that at a Tony Butler BRMB Football Forum ? - Andy was there around this time when I went to The Beeches - John Gidman was one of the guest panelists
No think he just came down for a pint with a mate from the area. How times have changed
Cheers -
Actually it must've been at the start of the 1976-77 season as he was there with Gordon Smith (RIP)- so I met him there August/September 1976.
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One of the most exciting players and best goalscorers I've had the privilege to see in my life time...and he was Villa!
Used to love the journeys home after matches in my mate's Capri, listening to Tony Butler...and the number of Villa fans who used to phone in: "What about The Villa Tone?....Andy Gray's great" etc.
I remember thinking that with the team we had at the time and with Andy Gray at number 9 we could beat anybody!
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JG tell your Dad I love him. Oh Andy your the Greatest the Holte End say, Oh Andy Oh Andy we're be with you all the way.
Ditto.
Had forgotten the song ww...thanks for the reminder!
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the big fella in action.
UTV
The Doc
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One of the most exciting players and best goalscorers I've had the privilege to see in my life time...and he was Villa!
Used to love the journeys home after matches in my mate's Capri, listening to Tony Butler...and the number of Villa fans who used to phone in: "What about The Villa Tone?....Andy Gray's great" etc.
I remember thinking that with the team we had at the time and with Andy Gray at number 9 we could beat anybody!
"'ello Tone - Tone what about the Villa"
"What about 'em"
"Thanks Tone"
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His bravery in a Villa shirt was incredible -he'd throw himself at any ball into the area and frequently win it.Cost him a lot in injuries over the years but oh the memories.
I remember him being interviewed on one of the Sat lunchtime football shows (Saint&Greavsie?) and they showed a couple of clips of him heading goals about a foot off the ground. The interviewer asked if he was worried about getting his head kicked off. In true Andy Gray style his reply was if it goes in the net and counts as a goal for The Villa it's OK by him.
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His bravery in a Villa shirt was incredible -he'd throw himself at any ball into the area and frequently win it.Cost him a lot in injuries over the years but oh the memories.
I remember him being interviewed on one of the Sat lunchtime football shows (Saint&Greavsie?) and they showed a couple of clips of him heading goals about a foot off the ground. The interviewer asked if he was worried about getting his head kicked off. In true Andy Gray style his reply was if it goes in the net and counts as a goal for The Villa it's OK by him.
It wasn't for us but I loved that diving header a foot off the ground he scored for Everton v Sunderland when they won the league in 1985. That summed him up.
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His bravery in a Villa shirt was incredible -he'd throw himself at any ball into the area and frequently win it.Cost him a lot in injuries over the years but oh the memories.
I remember him being interviewed on one of the Sat lunchtime football shows (Saint&Greavsie?) and they showed a couple of clips of him heading goals about a foot off the ground. The interviewer asked if he was worried about getting his head kicked off. In true Andy Gray style his reply was if it goes in the net and counts as a goal for The Villa it's OK by him.
It wasn't for us but I loved that diving header a foot off the ground he scored for Everton v Sunderland when they won the league in 1985. That summed him up.
That's so right Pat - when he went to Everton he seemed to re-ignite his career - they were a good team and he was formidable with Graham Sharp up front. In a way that 1985 championship winning Everton side, to me, was very comparable to our 1981 side - used very few players and no real weak links and good to watch.
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I also remember when he was sold to Wolves, Ron Saunders gave an interview to the Evening Mail about the shit storm that had erupted over the sale. In the interview Ron said Andy was spending more time on the treatment table than he was playing. And if he was the manager of a factory and bought a machine for £100,000 which kept breaking down and sold it for a million quid he'd be called a great business man.
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What I will always remember about Andy, was the reaction to scoring goals, he loved it as much as us, True Villan
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I remember one afternoon standing in the chicken run at Upton Park when Gray scored in about the 5th minute against the Spammers, we always won at Upton Park, happy days.
Yes I was there, a one nil victory. I got in the ground late, just as he was celebrating the goal. Upton Park silent (no celebrating away fans in those days obviously. Very dodgy down there back then).
I remember the day we signed him as we beat the Blues at Villa Park.
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His bravery in a Villa shirt was incredible -he'd throw himself at any ball into the area and frequently win it.Cost him a lot in injuries over the years but oh the memories.
I remember him being interviewed on one of the Sat lunchtime football shows (Saint&Greavsie?) and they showed a couple of clips of him heading goals about a foot off the ground. The interviewer asked if he was worried about getting his head kicked off. In true Andy Gray style his reply was if it goes in the net and counts as a goal for The Villa it's OK by him.
It wasn't for us but I loved that diving header a foot off the ground he scored for Everton v Sunderland when they won the league in 1985. That summed him up.
That's so right Pat - when he went to Everton he seemed to re-ignite his career - they were a good team and he was formidable with Graham Sharp up front. In a way that 1985 championship winning Everton side, to me, was very comparable to our 1981 side - used very few players and no real weak links and good to watch.
Although suprisingly he left Everton quickly after that season when he returned to VP.
Would we have won in 81 and 82 if he had stayed with us? Goals ratio with Withe and AG was similar but the former had abetter injury record
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His bravery in a Villa shirt was incredible -he'd throw himself at any ball into the area and frequently win it.Cost him a lot in injuries over the years but oh the memories.
I remember him being interviewed on one of the Sat lunchtime football shows (Saint&Greavsie?) and they showed a couple of clips of him heading goals about a foot off the ground. The interviewer asked if he was worried about getting his head kicked off. In true Andy Gray style his reply was if it goes in the net and counts as a goal for The Villa it's OK by him.
It wasn't for us but I loved that diving header a foot off the ground he scored for Everton v Sunderland when they won the league in 1985. That summed him up.
That's so right Pat - when he went to Everton he seemed to re-ignite his career - they were a good team and he was formidable with Graham Sharp up front. In a way that 1985 championship winning Everton side, to me, was very comparable to our 1981 side - used very few players and no real weak links and good to watch.
Although suprisingly he left Everton quickly after that season when he returned to VP.
Would we have won in 81 and 82 if he had stayed with us? Goals ratio with Withe and AG was similar but the former had abetter injury record
That is just so difficult to decide - it must be said his (and the team's) form dropped around the time he left - and he didn't stick around for us to find out if he could re-build his career. I remember losing a game 3-0 at home to Man. Utd. around that time and we were woeful.
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Peter Withe & Gary Shaw are quite rightly club legends & wonderful, fabulous players. However I've always been told that Dad & Brian were better players respectively (although why would anyone tell me different?). Peter is the last Villa player to score 20 league goals for Villa, Dad the last to score 25. Dad won PFA player & young player of the year in 77, which only Ronaldo & Bale have repeated before or since. The argument id make for Dad is that 76-78 there weren't many, if any, better strikes in Europe or possibly the world. That's some statement but apparently he was that good for a while. Dad also always says Brian is the most naturally talented bloke he ever played with. But Peter will always have a special place with Villa fans, he was fantastic
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Peter Withe & Gary Shaw are quite rightly club legends & wonderful, fabulous players. However I've always been told that Dad & Brian were better players respectively (although why would anyone tell me different?). Peter is the last Villa player to score 20 league goals for Villa, Dad the last to score 25. Dad won PFA player & young player of the year in 77, which only Ronaldo & Bale have repeated before or since. The argument id make for Dad is that 76-78 there weren't many, if any, better strikes in Europe or possibly the world. That's some statement but apparently he was that good for a while. Dad also always says Brian is the most naturally talented bloke he ever played with. But Peter will always have a special place with Villa fans, he was fantastic
I've supported The Villa since I went to my first match in 1967 - with the greatest amount of respect to Peter Withe - who will always be a Villa legend (and not just for scoring the goal that won the European Cup) But Andy was dynamite esp in the 76-77 season and to this day the most exciting player I've ever seen in Villa shirt - he was still only 21 then and I imagined him being our number 9 for years and years.
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I also remember when he was sold to Wolves, Ron Saunders gave an interview to the Evening Mail about the shit storm that had erupted over the sale. In the interview Ron said Andy was spending more time on the treatment table than he was playing. And if he was the manager of a factory and bought a machine for £100,000 which kept breaking down and sold it for a million quid he'd be called a great business man.
Anyone whose read Andy Grays book will know he didn't pull any punches with his views on Ron Saunders.
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was that shades of gray ?
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was that shades of gray ?
The first version of his book was called 'Shades Of Gray' but it was calked 'Gray Matters' when it was re-edited and updated a few years ago.
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Cheers Exeter - I read the original when it came out in 1987 - Andy's almost twice as old now as he was then - but the memory will long live on - must get a copy of the new one.