Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Legion on October 29, 2023, 03:47:45 PM
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Sadly passed away.
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RIP
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Godspeed to one of our very greatest.
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Just talking with dad about him this afternoon. Very sad, RIP.
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He'd have been playing when I started going as a nipper. Was with us during our darkest times, and played his part in us changing direction and heading to our greatest moment.
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Nooooooooo :'(
My first Villa hero and the best left back I’ve seen at the club
Thanks for the wonderful memories Charlie. RIP
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A sad day for the Villa. Truly a HEITS!
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HEITS!
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Good night Charlie. One of our greatest.
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I am sorry to read this RIP Charlie
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God bless you Charlie. What a fantastic servant to the club. Rest in peace, thank you so much for the service.
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Genuine sadness for the loss of a the Villa stalwart
I was lucky enough to see his last three seasons
HEITS
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Very sad news.
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Too young to have seen him play, but my dad loved him. Rest in peace, HEITS.
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Sent off with a win at least. Before my time but a legend I knew from my uncle. Heits and RIP
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Sad news indeed. Did he still attend the odd Villa game?
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So sad to hear this, when I started watching Villa in the late '60's, Charlie was always there, I thought he always had been and always would be!
RIP Villa man
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A true great. My first Villa hero.God bless Charlie.
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RIP HEITS.
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Very sad
One of my first Villa heroes
Mr 110%
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Sad news. A cracking left back, a wonderful servant to the club and by all accounts a real gentleman. I doubt his record number of appearances will ever be beaten.
RIP HITS
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Very sad news. A loyal clubman in an era when he could have been forgiven for wanting to move on as we tumbled down the leagues. Be amazed if his appearance record will be beaten. RIP Charlie
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Very sad news, one of my favourite ever players, saw him make his debut as a 18 year old in 1961, our all time record holder with 659 appearances. A record, I expect will stand for a very long time.
Thanks Charlie God bless you and RIP.
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I don't remember the game...sometime in 62/63...but the forwards were misfiring. Charlie picked up the ball in his own end in front of the Holte and sprinted with it down the pitch. Old bloke near me shouted "Show 'em how it's done Charlie". A wholehearted, skillful player and one of my Villa heroes.
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Thank you Charlie. Part of the first Villa team I saw. Stuck with us through the tough times and made it back to where we should be. Part of my Villa heritage and I was privileged to play against him once- decades older he was still faster than me.
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Very sad news indeed. Rest in peace, Charlie.
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Very sad news, one of my favourite ever players, saw him make his debut as a 18 year old in 1961, our all time record holder with 659 appearances. A record, I expect will stand for a very long time.
Thanks Charlie God bless you and RIP.
Not sure that record will ever be beaten. Players just don't tend to stick around at one club that long any more.
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Very sad to hear this and it makes me wonder what else can we do as a club to immortalize the memories of our heroes. Our 81/82 squads are aging too.
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Really sad news, Charlie was in the team when I started going to Villa as a kid, I will always remember him bombing down the flank..proper player, proper Villa man
RIP and condolences to all his family
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He seemed to be liked and admired by all. Sad news, one of the greats has left us.
What a career - all time appearance record for us, then popping over to New York for a swan song with Pele and co.
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RIP Charlie, there when I started supporting Villa.
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Oh dear no. What a clubman, a true Aston Villa stalwart, not to mention legend. I saw his debut. He had the lot, speed tackling ability, attitude and application, if Charlie had a shortcoming he didn't score enough, but then again, most of his teammates could be accused of the same.
I am so glad he got to play again in the top flight under a great manager, he deserved it. I had the pleasure/honour of refereeing him when he played for the Villa Old Stars. RIP Charlie, Villa through and through I thought you were indestructible. A sad day for Villa fans everywhere.
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Damn. Another part of my childhood gone.
What a player. RIP.
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Sad news indeed. One of my first heroes. Love and respect, Charlie. Sincere condolences to friends and family.
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Terrible news to get back home to.
God bless Charlie and thank you.
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Very sad news.
A true Villa legend. Lived on the next road to mine for many years.
RIP and condolences to the family.
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At the time I never thought Charlie would play in the 1st Division again. It’s one of my most cherished memories that he did.
No fuss, he just got on with the job.
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So sad to hear this after the match, today.
One of my first Villa heroes. I was looking at the League and cup winning teams wall photos behind the North Stand, this afternoon and Charlie appeared in one from the 60’s.
RIP Charlie and thanks very much for the Villa years.
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I saw his debut which I think might have coincided with the last appearance of Johnny Dixon. His appearance record will never be broken I’m sure. Such a dependable player who had pace and lots of heart. I too thought he was indestructible. He played through an era for Villa that had many downs but he did get to play a large part in getting us back to where we belong. I’ll never forget you Charlie, one of my Villa heroes.
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A sad day for all Villa fans, one of our greats.
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A sad day indeed. RIP.
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On the train back to London after the match and just heard this news, RIP.
Am I right in in thinking that Aitken’s Villa debut was also Johnny Dixon’s final game for us?
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RIP.
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Is this sad news correct ? ,cuz not saying he has passed on anything i have seen
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Our left back has left us now, very sad news. RIP Charlie.
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Very sad. A permanent fixture at number 3 for many years. Will his appearance record ever be beaten? I suspect not. Deserves to stay in our record books.
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On the train back to London after the match and just heard this news, RIP.
Am I right in in thinking that Aitken’s Villa debut was also Johnny Dixon’s final game for us?
Indeed it was. Clichéd I know, but it does really seem like yesterday to fans of my generation.
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He seemed to be liked and admired by all. Sad news, one of the greats has left us.
What a career - all time appearance record for us, then popping over to New York for a swan song with Pele and co.
From first division to third, then all the way back up again.
(Would never happen now sadly.)
I never saw him play but “legend” can surely be used in this instance.
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Definitely a legend. RIP Charlie
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Oh no… a true Villa legend if ever there was one. I saw him play twice at the end of his career. Always held him in the highest esteem - a great ambassador for the club. Rest in Peace.
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I count myself as young so never saw him play but if anyone embodied Aston Villa in my early days it was Charlie. Always around, afforded respect by those who know better than me, a big Doug acolyte but with a heart firmly in the right place.
There are few left now, from an age that can only invoke huge respect.
RIP
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RIP Charlie, I never saw you play but my dad made sure that I knew all about you and you were a Villa legend. Holte Ender in the Sky
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A lovely man. I met him a few times. He was my team's manager when I took part in a Football Aid event at VP. A true gentleman. A real Villa legend.
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I count myself as young so never saw him play but if anyone embodied Aston Villa in my early days it was Charlie. Always around, afforded respect by those who know better than me, a big Doug acolyte but with a heart firmly in the right place.
There are few left now, from an age that can only invoke huge respect.
RIP
I can only think that the feelings Charlie had for Ellis may have stemmed from the time Ellis and Pat Mathews walked into the club. Charlie would have seen a dying club and recognised those two as saviours of sorts. It would be hard to break that mindset knowing what an absolute crock of shit Villa were at that time.
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https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2023/october/29/tribute-to-charlie-aitken/
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The players of that time held Ellis in high regard because he did a good job then. A lot of supporters felt the same way.
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Charlie left Villa at the of the season before the first one remember but I've always been aware of his significance to the club. The only player to make the trip down to Division 3 and back to Division 1 via two League Cup Finals. Nobody has played as many games for Villa and probably never will. A true club legend in the true sense.
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Sad news indeed first saw him play under the AV flood lights when I first fell in love with the club what a legend
RIP Charlie
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I started going to Villa Park in the late 60’s when we were generally on the slide.
The dark days of relegation to division three and then the journey back.
Charlie Aitken for me is and always will be a true club legend.
His loyalty and service to the club over this period was a part of our identity as a big club that was on a journey back from the abyss.
RIP Charle true club legend.
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Played in the first ever game my Dad took me to, Arsenal in 1975.
Shook his hand when we met him after blagging tickets in the directors box away at Blackburn in the 90s.
A proper club legend and his record is most unlikely ever to be broken.
RIP Charlie.
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I remember Billy Walkers widow presenting him an award at Villa Park for breaking Billy’s record, possibly at the home game against dirty Leeds in our first season back in Division 1.
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Very sad news. Like many on here I started going in the late sixties and Charlie was the consumate professional in many a substandard team. A no-nonsense player, no risks taken and fit as a fiddle.
In the early seventies various regional Lions Clubs would arrange visits from players for an evening's chat and I was at one in Brownhills when Charlie and Ian Ross visited. An enthusiastic fan insisted on buying them a drink and being presented with a pint Charlie said " I can't drink all that".
Thanks and RIP Charlie
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So sad to hear this, when I started watching Villa in the late '60's, Charlie was always there, I thought he always had been and always would be!
RIP Villa man
This.
I feel very sad.
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Sad news indeed. Whenever I think of Charlie it’s his stooping header at the near post in a 1-0 win at Bradford City in 1972. One of his rare goals. RIP Charlie 😔
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Would be nice to think that Charlie's memory and long service to Villa could be be commemorated as part of the new North Stand development.
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So very sad. Charlie was already a mainstay when my dad first took me down in 1969. My mom’s favourite player. The shirt I wore to go to games was a “Charlie Aitken shirt” So many happy memories stem from this player. RIP
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Shame the BBC has ignored the news totally. I never expected the coverage of Charlton on the main pages. But a player with a club record appearances for a team and he doesn't even appear under the Villa page or the local Birmingham News page, or even a line in the match report.
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Shame the BBC has ignored the news totally. I never expected the coverage of Charlton on the main pages. But a player with a club record appearances for a team and he doesn't even appear under the Villa page or the local Birmingham News page, or even a line in the match report.
The news has only broken in the last few hours so eventually they'll be a paragraph or two on their Villa page.
Very sad. Always remember him being part of our pre match presentations when I first went in the 90s so of course never saw him play but knew early on what he'd achieved by being our record appearance holder.
Thought at one stage likes of Barry and Agbonlahor would break that record but neither got close which shows the service he gave us.
Hopefully he gets a fitting send off v Alkmaar.
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That such sad news. Before my time but a name I think every Villa fans knows and feels a fondness with.
RiP Charlie.
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Didn’t go to my first game till 1978 so never got to see him play but obviously knew all about him. My stepdad and grandad were always telling me what a great player he was for us.
Very sad news indeed.
RIP
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Sad news, RIP.
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He played in my first ever Villa game aged 5 (me, not him), my first two Wembley finals, my first game abroad and I’d guess nearly all of my first 100 games.
Thanks for the memories Charlie. A true club legend and a good man. RIP.
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I grew up in Acocks Green and as a kid used to see him in the antique shop he opened there after he retired. He played all through my early years watching the Villa. RIP Charlie.
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That is sad news to come home to: his playing days were before my time admittedly, but everyone young and old recognised him as a legend and one of Villa's greatest servants.
RIP Charlie. Condolences to family and friends. X
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Sad news, a legend & very much part of our history from the dark days of the late sixties to our return to the First Division. A one club man, a record 561 appearance's & part of the fabric of the club since the day he joined.
RIP Charlie, I doubt we'll see your like again.
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Mr Aston Villa.
RIP
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Sad news. HEITS
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A club great, a true stalwart during bad and good times for the club, and times of revolution. I remember him on dank, foggy days at Villa Park in front of crowds of 12,000, and in front of 100,000 in two League Cup finals at Wembley. I went to his testimonial match in I think 1970, Coventry City were chosen as glamorous opponents who might help bring in a good crowd, Coventry then being a division above us.
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His playing days were before my time, but he had legendary status at the club and always got a good welcome when he came on the pitch at games.
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My first game was in the 70's and Charlie was playing . I was probably 4 or 5 on the old Witton terrace ,I spent the majority of the game kicking
a paer cup round the terrace, stopping momentarily to ask my dad where Charlie Aitken was . He picked me up pointed him out then put me down to carry on kicking the paper cup around . I met him a few times and was struck by how humble and what a gentleman he was .
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Somehow deemed unworthy of mention on MOTD or even Midlands Today. Bad form, BBC.
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I was there for his first game for Villa and his last, A clubman in the true sense. Hope the club do something for the next home game.
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https://youtu.be/tumIt6mPuHs?si=Zcs14mqLkT5tlQD2
This is how I will remember Charlie, seeing him use his pace on the above clip at 2 mins 45 sec. A professional footballer who deserved that title, never dirty in the tackle, never moaned or difficult to manage, saw playing for Villa as a privilege and a honour. A true club legend. RIP.
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Very sad news.
Charlie was a part of the first Villa team I saw in 1968.
We were in sad decline back then of course and but he was a part of our recovery as well as when we finally returned to the First Division in 1975.
A great club man.
Ron Saunders wanted him out as he was beginning to build for our Championship and European Cup winning teams but that's the brutal side of football.
He was very quick and very fit.
Legend is a word much used these days but for Villa he certainly was.
I hope that the club honour him in the correct manner.
RIP Charlie.
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I was at school in Washwood Heath, He used to play tennis at the courts behind the Beaufort picture house.
Always had a smile and word for us.
A Villa Legend.
I went to the Coventry Testimonial, am I right in thinking he had two testimonials ?
RIP Charlie
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Very sad to read this.
When I started going in the early 70's Charlie was a permanent fixture. An appearance record that is unlikely to be beaten and when I spoke to him on match days in later years he appeared to be a real gentleman.
RIP
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A true Villa legend. I was lucky enough to see the tail end of his career at Villa. A very good player and a true Villa man through and through. RIP Charlie.
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I was at school in Washwood Heath, He used to play tennis at the courts behind the Beaufort picture house.
Always had a smile and word for us.
A Villa Legend.
I went to the Coventry Testimonial, am I right in thinking he had two testimonials ?
RIP Charlie
He did. One in 1970 and one in 1977 (I think).
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https://youtu.be/tumIt6mPuHs?si=Zcs14mqLkT5tlQD2
This is how I will remember Charlie, seeing him use his pace on the above clip at 2 mins 45 sec. A professional footballer who deserved that title, never dirty in the tackle, never moaned or difficult to manage, saw playing for Villa as a privilege and a honour. A true club legend. RIP.
What a fabulous clip. My favourite away kit, Alun Evans, a Charlie Aitken goal, the list goes on. God how I loved those days
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I was at school in Washwood Heath, He used to play tennis at the courts behind the Beaufort picture house.
Always had a smile and word for us.
A Villa Legend.
I went to the Coventry Testimonial, am I right in thinking he had two testimonials ?
RIP Charlie
I'd forgotten about his testimonial(s).
Wasn't the Coventry one the Friday night before the FA Cup Final in front of a disappointing attendance, 5,000 or so?
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Never saw him play, bit too young. But his loyalty to the club through its darkest days is something to be massively admired. Rewarded for that with a league cup winners medal in 1975. Lovely guy too. HEITS
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My first every memory of visiting Villa Park, Charlie dashing down the left side.
Thanks for the memories Charlie, a true Villa legend. Rest in Peace.
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I was there at his debut although as it was Johnny Dixons last game he was a bit under the radar. A great Villa stalwart and nice man as well. Rest easy Charlie. HEITS.
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Charlie’s an early happy memory for me. I remember his shop too. Lovely fella.
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Watching that clip above reminded me that Charlie was so quick, like shit off a shovel, as they say. I know it's moot but it got me thinking just how much that pace would have been enhanced had the physical advances we see in modern football been around in those times.
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I think he was still playing when my old man took first took me to Villa Park. I have a vague recollection. I remember my dad pointing out what a great player he was and how he never argued with decisions he just got on with the game. A true Villa legend in every sense of the word and a brilliant professional the likes of which we will never see again. Rest in peace Mr Aston Villa.
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Really sad news RIP Charlie Aitken a true Legend.
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Seemed to be an ever present back in the early 70s and involved in so many memorable games. He had an antique shop in Acocks Green for a while and lived in a big house opposite Solihull Hospital so my wife told me this morning. RIP Charlie.
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RIP Charlie. HEITS
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Im not the right age to have seen Charlie Aitken, but being Villa obsessed for most of my life am well aware of his incredible feat of games. I read the Ticket to the Moon book when the first lockdown happened and interesting how ruthless Ron Saunders was with him.
Over 600 games crossing such a time period and another rollercoaster period for Villa, equals legend status. Im sure we will do him proud in the next home game. RIP.
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I first saw him play on Boxing day in 1968 vs Cardiff City
RIP Charlie and thanks for all your efforts down the Villa.
UTV
The Doc
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He was a permanent fixture in the team when I was first taken to Villa. Sad to learn if his passing.
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I think I read yesterday that of Charlie's 660 appearances only 3 were as substitute, if true it says all you need to know about the man.
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He was a permanent fixture in the team when I was first taken to Villa. Sad to learn if his passing.
Same here, my mate’s dad used to call him touchline Charlie as he reckoned he never moved more than 10 yards from the touchline.
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I think I read yesterday that of Charlie's 660 appearances only 3 were as substitute, if true it says all you need to know about the man.
No such thing as a substitute for most of his career I would have thought?
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I think I read yesterday that of Charlie's 660 appearances only 3 were as substitute, if true it says all you need to know about the man.
No such thing as a substitute for most of his career I would have thought?
Substitutes were introduced in England at the start of the 1965/66 season.
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I think I read yesterday that of Charlie's 660 appearances only 3 were as substitute, if true it says all you need to know about the man.
No such thing as a substitute for most of his career I would have thought?
Substitutes were introduced in England at the start of the 1965/66 season.
One sub but only for an injury!
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Very sad to have just seen this news. Started watching Villa aged 7 in 1970 so have many happy memories of seeing Charlie play. He also came to our School Sports Day when I was about 11. I was so excited to see him and eventually plucked up the courage to ask for an autograph, which he happily obliged. He was subsequently inundated with requests which made me feel a bit guilty but as far as I could tell he remained approachable and affable with everyone. RIP
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67264523
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I think I read yesterday that of Charlie's 660 appearances only 3 were as substitute, if true it says all you need to know about the man.
No such thing as a substitute for most of his career I would have thought?
Substitutes were introduced in England at the start of the 1965/66 season.
One sub but only for an injury!
And of course that was strictly adhered to. I remember Chelsea stuffing us 6-2 at Villa Park with Bobby Tambling scoring most of their six. He was being subbed towards the end of the game and was heading towards the touchline when the ball came to him and from a position where you'd have thought his foot was broken he set off like a bullet from a gun and scored their sixth! That rule was redundant five minutes after it was introduced.
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He was a permanent fixture in the team when I was first taken to Villa. Sad to learn if his passing.
Likewise. First saw him in 1967 when we got beaten by Everton 4-2 and were effectively relegated to the 2nd tier.
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I think I read yesterday that of Charlie's 660 appearances only 3 were as substitute, if true it says all you need to know about the man.
No such thing as a substitute for most of his career I would have thought?
Substitutes were introduced in England at the start of the 1965/66 season.
One sub but only for an injury!
And of course that was strictly adhered to. I remember Chelsea stuffing us 6-2 at Villa Park with Bobby Tambling scoring most of their six. He was being subbed towards the end of the game and was heading towards the touchline when the ball came to him and from a position where you'd have thought his foot was broken he set off like a bullet from a gun and scored their sixth! That rule was redundant five minutes after it was introduced.
If only my memory worked as well as yours :-)
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I think I read yesterday that of Charlie's 660 appearances only 3 were as substitute, if true it says all you need to know about the man.
No such thing as a substitute for most of his career I would have thought?
Substitutes were introduced in England at the start of the 1965/66 season.
One sub but only for an injury!
And of course that was strictly adhered to. I remember Chelsea stuffing us 6-2 at Villa Park with Bobby Tambling scoring most of their six. He was being subbed towards the end of the game and was heading towards the touchline when the ball came to him and from a position where you'd have thought his foot was broken he set off like a bullet from a gun and scored their sixth! That rule was redundant five minutes after it was introduced.
If only my memory worked as well as yours :-)
Ha! I can't remember what colour socks I put on this morning without looking, which is a bit odd as all my socks are black! ;)
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Before my time, but great reading on this thread. RIP.
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Does anybody know if the Charlie Aitken book was released in the summer as planned?
Uncatchable: Aston Villa's Charlie Aitken (https://www.legendspublishing.net/product/charlieaitken/)
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Does anybody know if the Charlie Aitken book was released in the summer as planned?
Uncatchable: Aston Villa's Charlie Aitken (https://www.legendspublishing.net/product/charlieaitken/)
Yes it was and is available on Amazon
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From my early days on the Witton end always in the team made few mistakes I thought he’d be capped by Scotland nearest he came was with the under 23s with cammie Fraser (I wonder what happened to him?) playing in the other fullback position. Thanks Charlie Villa through and Through, RIP
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Does anybody know if the Charlie Aitken book was released in the summer as planned?
Uncatchable: Aston Villa's Charlie Aitken (https://www.legendspublishing.net/product/charlieaitken/)
Yes, I bought mine a while ago
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From my early days on the Witton end always in the team made few mistakes I thought he’d be capped by Scotland nearest he came was with the under 23s with cammie Fraser (I wonder what happened to him?) playing in the other fullback position. Thanks Charlie Villa through and Through, RIP
I started my Villa days down the Witton End, my dad used to sit me on the back row terracing and get me a bovril. Been thinking a lot about those days since Charlie’s passing
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A very good Obituary in the Telegraph.
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67264523
Have not seen / heard a dicky bird off fucking Sky - wankers
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Lucky enough to see him play! RIP Charlie.
HEITS
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God Bless to him.
All Souls for he may be remembered in my prayers tomorrow
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Charlie was a member of the first Villa team I saw play in the late 1960s. He was a very good left back but playing in a pretty mediocre Villa team at that time. I'm glad he went on to have some success and bag a couple of medals before his time with us came to an end. His appearance record for Villa is almost certainly not going to be bettered. The word legend is used very freely at times but Charlie Aitken was worthy of the accolade. Thank you for being a true Villa man. RIP Charlie.
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Seen him outside Wembley when we beat Yanited in 1994, he looked as pleased as punch.
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When Barry was with us he was the one who might have beaten Aitken's number of appearances...if he stuck around and stayed fit. Can't see anyone topping it now.
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Jacob Ramsey stands a chance.
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Jacob Ramsey stands a chance.
I thought that as well, if we're successful and he stays injury-free. Still a big ask.
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http://digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/1506/reader/reader.html?social#!preferred/0/package/1506/pub/1506/page/85/article/NaN