Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine

Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: joecrow on December 19, 2015, 11:33:18 AM

Title: Brian Little - my sporting life.
Post by: joecrow on December 19, 2015, 11:33:18 AM
10.00 PM tomorrow night (20/12) talksport. Sir Brian talks about his career with the excellent Danny Kelly. Should be worth a listen.
Title: Re: Brian Little - my sporting life.
Post by: Clampy on December 19, 2015, 11:42:06 AM
I saw him a few months ago at a supporters club Q&A. He was excellent and a genuinely nice bloke.
Title: Re: Brian Little - my sporting life.
Post by: Malandro on December 19, 2015, 12:42:24 PM
Nice bloke and a bit of bloody hero in my eyes.
Title: Re: Brian Little - my sporting life.
Post by: dave.woodhall on December 19, 2015, 12:43:05 PM
It really should be on next Friday.
Title: Re: Brian Little - my sporting life.
Post by: Percy McCarthy on December 19, 2015, 02:06:38 PM
It really should be on next Friday.

He shouldn't have to work on his birthday.
Title: Re: Brian Little - my sporting life.
Post by: wittonwarrior on December 19, 2015, 02:12:52 PM
He scored  so  many important goals for us, so  must never be pushed aside when talking about Villa top strikers. 

Just wished he had played in a different era  where his talents would have had a higher profile. 

Better than  average manager as well.  What more do you want.
Title: Re: Brian Little - my sporting life.
Post by: eamonn on December 19, 2015, 02:23:33 PM
Is he a good raconteur with jokes and bantz?
Title: Re: Brian Little - my sporting life.
Post by: conman on December 19, 2015, 02:23:42 PM
what a lovely man
Title: Re: Brian Little - my sporting life.
Post by: Deano's Mullet on December 19, 2015, 02:31:00 PM
Him and BFR my favourite managers. Brians team arguably more consistent and solid between 1995-97 and was a joy to be a supporter back then.
Title: Re: Brian Little - my sporting life.
Post by: dave.woodhall on December 19, 2015, 02:39:43 PM
Is he a good raconteur with jokes and bantz?

He is omnipotent.
Title: Re: Brian Little - my sporting life.
Post by: Ger Regan on December 19, 2015, 03:22:38 PM
Not to worry, that doesn't seem to hold Pele back much.
Title: Re: Brian Little - my sporting life.
Post by: ChicagoLion on December 19, 2015, 11:57:04 PM
True Hero and I think Legend (which is used to often) is fair when considering Brian Little.
Title: Re: Brian Little - my sporting life.
Post by: PeterWithesShin on December 20, 2015, 12:28:46 AM
Him and BFR my favourite managers. Brians team arguably more consistent and solid between 1995-97 and was a joy to be a supporter back then.

Brian's teams were more consistent. Our only consecutive top 5 finishes since the early 30s stops it being any kind of argument.
Title: Re: Brian Little - my sporting life.
Post by: brian green on December 20, 2015, 01:05:25 PM
When I still had good eyesight Sir Brian was one of the two Villa player's I could always tell from their eyes where the shot was going. He would gather the ball, do his shimmy, look up then plonk the ball right where he had looked. Wally Walters was the other one. He had great big eyes he would open wide like a great white shark and roll them in the trajectory the ball would take.

I once pulled the leg of the friend who sits to my right. I said I still had the gift despite all my eye surgery but there was only one player whose shots I could read. Who? He said. Tonev I replied.
Title: Re: Brian Little - my sporting life.
Post by: class-of-82 on December 20, 2015, 09:13:22 PM

One word somes him up
Legend
With a capital l
Title: Re: Brian Little - my sporting life.
Post by: olaftab on December 20, 2015, 09:19:25 PM
10.00 PM tomorrow night (20/12) talksport. Sir Brian talks about his career with the excellent Danny Kelly. Should be worth a listen.
Look forward to that and Danny Kelly will treat  Sir Brian with utmost respect.
Title: Re: Brian Little - my sporting life.
Post by: LeeB on December 20, 2015, 09:58:47 PM

One word somes him up
Legend
With a capital l

Brilliant unintended fail.
Title: Re: Brian Little - my sporting life.
Post by: LTA on December 20, 2015, 10:15:03 PM
Sad that I never saw Brian play, but one of few people to be successful as a player and then a manager at the same club.  Can't wait to hear some his stories about Ron Saunders.
Title: Re: Brian Little - my sporting life.
Post by: Des Little on December 20, 2015, 11:13:43 PM
Fantastic listening, as you'd expect. Quite why he's not involved with us in some capacity is beyond me. I'm not saying as Manager, but his love and passion for us is pouring out of this show.
Title: Re: Brian Little - my sporting life.
Post by: ChicagoLion on December 20, 2015, 11:32:51 PM
Could not agree more Des,
Title: Re: Brian Little - my sporting life.
Post by: luke95 on December 20, 2015, 11:49:14 PM
There's no doubt whatsoever he's one of us.
Title: Re: Brian Little - my sporting life.
Post by: LTA on December 20, 2015, 11:54:44 PM
Clearly regretted going to West Brom
Title: Re: Brian Little - my sporting life.
Post by: dave.woodhall on December 20, 2015, 11:55:02 PM
Much as I adore him, I can't think of a job he could do for us. he's been out of top-level football too long to have any sort of on the pitch role and he hasn't got the media savvy or profile of a BFR to be the presidential figure we need. The other problem is that he's been away too long; there's a good proportion of our support who only know him as a vaguely-remembered manager.
Title: Re: Brian Little - my sporting life.
Post by: LeeB on December 20, 2015, 11:58:57 PM
Let's not tarnish the great man with the big shitty mark of cain that this season is going to leave on many of the club's personnel.
Title: Re: Brian Little - my sporting life.
Post by: ChicagoLion on December 21, 2015, 12:25:29 AM
Much as I adore him, I can't think of a job he could do for us. he's been out of top-level football too long to have any sort of on the pitch role and he hasn't got the media savvy or profile of a BFR to be the presidential figure we need. The other problem is that he's been away too long; there's a good proportion of our support who only know him as a vaguely-remembered manager.
The one thing he said when it was put to him that the American owner had not got to grips with owning us was, and I paraphrase. "You could say that but I would also look at the players that have been bought and how much effort I put into getting the right players in"
Maybe not now but having someone like him involved in the decisions about recruitment could have helped us dodge some bullets.
Title: Re: Brian Little - my sporting life.
Post by: dave.woodhall on December 21, 2015, 12:27:55 AM
Much as I adore him, I can't think of a job he could do for us. he's been out of top-level football too long to have any sort of on the pitch role and he hasn't got the media savvy or profile of a BFR to be the presidential figure we need. The other problem is that he's been away too long; there's a good proportion of our support who only know him as a vaguely-remembered manager.
The one thing he said when it was put to him that the American owner had not got to grips with owning us was, and I paraphrase. "You could say that but I would also look at the players that have been bought and how much effort I put into getting the right players in"
Maybe not now but having someone like him involved in the decisions about recruitment could have helped us dodge some bullets.


Top end player recruitment was hardly Brian's strength. Collymore, Curcic...

Title: Re: Brian Little - my sporting life.
Post by: peter w on December 21, 2015, 12:40:50 AM
It really should be on next Friday.

He shouldn't have to work on his birthday.

Applauds.
Title: Re: Brian Little - my sporting life.
Post by: ChicagoLion on December 21, 2015, 12:45:55 AM
Much as I adore him, I can't think of a job he could do for us. he's been out of top-level football too long to have any sort of on the pitch role and he hasn't got the media savvy or profile of a BFR to be the presidential figure we need. The other problem is that he's been away too long; there's a good proportion of our support who only know him as a vaguely-remembered manager.
The one thing he said when it was put to him that the American owner had not got to grips with owning us was, and I paraphrase. "You could say that but I would also look at the players that have been bought and how much effort I put into getting the right players in"
Maybe not now but having someone like him involved in the decisions about recruitment could have helped us dodge some bullets.


Top end player recruitment was hardly Brian's strength. Collymore, Curcic...
Interestingly he admitted his mistake trying to fit Stan into the team, I had allways believed that Stan was down to Doug.
I guess I am a bit of a romantic as far as Little is concerned and appreciate the way he managed, played and feels for the club.
Title: Re: Brian Little - my sporting life.
Post by: peter w on December 21, 2015, 12:48:27 AM
Much as I adore him, I can't think of a job he could do for us. he's been out of top-level football too long to have any sort of on the pitch role and he hasn't got the media savvy or profile of a BFR to be the presidential figure we need. The other problem is that he's been away too long; there's a good proportion of our support who only know him as a vaguely-remembered manager.

Whilst that is true maybe we will see more personality coming out of him if he wanted to be the presidential figure. he would throw himself into it and I think he could learn the media side of it, too. Because he'd be motivated. A motivated Brian Little as a player and a manager had an attacking flair. I think more truly reflects his personality and wasn't it someone like John Gidman who said that Brian Little was more of a 70s maverick styled person. Learn the media side and let that person shine through.
Title: Re: Brian Little - my sporting life.
Post by: adrenachrome on December 21, 2015, 01:25:20 AM
Much as I adore him, I can't think of a job he could do for us. he's been out of top-level football too long to have any sort of on the pitch role and he hasn't got the media savvy or profile of a BFR to be the presidential figure we need. The other problem is that he's been away too long; there's a good proportion of our support who only know him as a vaguely-remembered manager.
The one thing he said when it was put to him that the American owner had not got to grips with owning us was, and I paraphrase. "You could say that but I would also look at the players that have been bought and how much effort I put into getting the right players in"
Maybe not now but having someone like him involved in the decisions about recruitment could have helped us dodge some bullets.


Top end player recruitment was hardly Brian's strength. Collymore, Curcic...



I think Peter Taylor was Cloughie's main man for player acquisitions.

As for he who walked on water, communication with the fans was not a strength, either.

Remember the fiasco about whether he purchased Savo having only seen  a DVD? No straight answer was ever forthcoming.

In fact, I always got the impression that he did not think it was any of our business, and it was between himself and "Mr. Ellis". 
Title: Re: Brian Little - my sporting life.
Post by: Damo70 on December 21, 2015, 02:39:44 AM
Much as I adore him, I can't think of a job he could do for us. he's been out of top-level football too long to have any sort of on the pitch role and he hasn't got the media savvy or profile of a BFR to be the presidential figure we need. The other problem is that he's been away too long; there's a good proportion of our support who only know him as a vaguely-remembered manager.


He could probably do with a better job for us up front than Gabby. And we wouldn't have to wait until January to sign him up.
Title: Re: Brian Little - my sporting life.
Post by: dcdavecollett on December 23, 2015, 09:19:57 PM
We would, as he's not on our list of 25 players.
Title: Re: Brian Little - my sporting life.
Post by: el león Benidorm on December 28, 2015, 12:16:24 PM
I don't suppose anyone has a podcast of the said interview??
Title: Re: Brian Little - my sporting life.
Post by: Lucky Eddie on January 21, 2016, 03:51:01 PM
He's back!

In football that is; Jersey national team coach.

He could still walk to Jersey imo.

Good luck Brian.
Title: Re: Brian Little - my sporting life.
Post by: castlefields_villan on January 21, 2016, 04:02:59 PM
He's back!

In football that is; Jersey national team coach.

He could still walk to Jersey imo.

Good luck Brian.

Excellent news - all the best Brian

As well being a superb player and all round nice guy, that team of 1995-96 is still thought of very fondly by us long standers - I've said on here more than once before now, I still get annoyed when I think of how Liverpool managed to beat us 3-0 in that FACSF - still a league cup win is no more than the man deserved in the time he was at the helm.
Title: Re: Brian Little - my sporting life.
Post by: go on the dog on January 22, 2016, 05:34:22 PM
I don't suppose anyone has a podcast of the said interview??

Keep a eye on Amazon/Audible pal they sometimes come up maybe a month or two after the show, just type My Sporting Life into the search box, Good listen most of them even the Alex McLeish one
Title: Re: Brian Little - my sporting life.
Post by: go on the dog on January 24, 2016, 08:48:26 PM
I don't suppose anyone has a podcast of the said interview??

You can get it for free on amazon now pal
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