Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: brackley on July 21, 2024, 02:10:15 PM
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While on holiday in Majorca a couple of weeks back, I had the pleasure of meeting one of my seventies Villa heroes Ray Graydon. Having been tipped off by another guest that he was staying in our hotel, I sought him out.
Having introduced myself, Ray and his wife Sue immediately let it be known that sadly, Ray is now suffering from dementia so would maybe struggle to maintain a conversation and they didn’t want this to be interpreted as rudeness on his behalf.
However, I found Ray to be great company on the couple of occasions when i chatted to him, even expressing frustration about his increasing deafness, (one of his symptoms) and inability to make himself understood.
Ray is physically mobile, looks fit and suntanned, has a glint in his eye and was able to enjoy his fair share of holiday lagers under the watchful eye of his devoted wife Sue, who assured us that Ray enjoys nothing more than being recognised and discussing his career.
Ray confessed to crying ‘a million tears’ on the passing of his great pal Chris Nicholl and the couple are still close friends and neighbours with Chris’s family.
They don’t do Facebook or forums, but Sue said she would welcome any good wishes or questions for Ray via Chris’s son who keeps an eye on them, including h&v.
Sue is actively campaigning with the FA for recognition for former footballers and their dependants who are in the same situation, so feel free to wish her luck and support as well.
It was a pleasure meeting you Ray, and thanks for the great times, and, of course, that penalty.
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Nice story. Thank you.
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Yes all the very best to Ray and Sue. Also remember him scoring at The Gas.
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Thanks for sharing this.
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Trains Brackley. Ray Graydon always comes across as a good man so glad to hear that your meeting with him backs that up.
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How sad. Probably one of the most important players in our history
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Ray was a brilliant player for us. A goal scoring winger, and hard working. He was a legend of our rise throughout the 1970s.
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According to Facebook, it just happens to be Ray's birthday. Happy birthday Ray.
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How sad. Probably one of the most important players in our history
Totally agree Montague, the player exchange deal which brought Ray Graydon to Villa Park from Bristol Rovers with Brian Godfrey going to ply his trade at Eastville was to me the catalyst for change which saw the Villa resurgent during the dark days of Division 3. I remember a fantastic goal he scored during a night match when Jimmy Cumbes punted one of his kicks to Andy Lochhead who nodded it on to Ray Graydon who volleyed it into the top corner. So good it was worthy enough to be written up (with diagrams) into a weekly magazine called World of Football. Some on this forum will be able to give more details I am sure. I am sorry to hear of his illness and I hope he can remember how much he he was, and still is, revered and thought of fondly at Bristol Rovers, Villa and at Walsall where he had success as a Manager.
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I first saw Ray playing for Bristol Rovers in 70/71 vrs Villa in my second game watching.
The following season he was a Villa player.
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Sorry to hear about his troubles. He played a big part in the Villa revival in the 70s amongst plenty of great memories a couple stand out. A diving header against Notts County in the third division and a follow up to a saved penalty for the winner in the league cup final against Norwich.
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Loved the Grayder
Seen some old games recently and only enhanced my memory
I was in front of the goal when he scored the rebound
Love to Ray and the family
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'Jesus saves, but...'
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I believe that had Ray been playing these days he would have been priceless. He had pace, could shoot, could score goals was a brilliant crosser of the ball and was a tough little bugger.
I read years ago Ray said that when he told his dad that Villa wanted to sign him, his dad said "Get in your car and get up there as quick as you can before they change their minds." Ray was a great servant to the club and as others have said was a big part of the Villa renaissance. I loved watching him play. So sorry to hear he is unwell.
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He was part of Vic Crowe's one winger system if I remember correctly?
He did without doubt become a star for us as we climbed back from the abyss.
Best wishes and thoughts to Ray and his family.
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If messages are being passed on then please pass on my best wishes to Ray and Sue. They were good friends with my Mom & Dad (Glad & Bun) from Rays playing days when they lived in Dower Road.
I think Ray was able to make the very most of his ability because of his belief in conducting himself in the right way and being disciplined. That made for a great Villa career working under Vic Crowe and Ron Saunders.
He took those principles into management which proved very successful at Walsall. Walsall players didn't get booked for dissent and were expected to behave.
Ray was as important as anybody in getting us back from Division 3 to 1, just as important he's a good person. Personally I think he should have a bloody statue at Villa Park but I'm a bit biased.
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A player absolutely synonymous with the era i fell in love with football. The 74-75 season when we were promoted and won the league cup - courtesy of his finish from Keelans penalty save - cemented my affections forever.
Good luck the Grayder and thanks for the memories.
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Very slightly before my Villa going time, but I've seen loads of videos of that period, and he was instrumental in our rise. My Uncle always loved The Grayder too. Players of his ilk were worth their weight in gold - only sad that they were never renumerated in similar fashion.
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My first Villa hero - the cross for the Andy Gray goal against Man Utd, is still one of my favourite Villa Goals.
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So many memories of Ray playing for us, he along with Little were my favourite players. In the late 80s early 90's he was even a neighbour of mine as his house backed onto mine at the end of our long gardens. I never seen him there and only have the Pool's man's word for it.
Such a shame he's another former player who has dementia. I can only wish him the very best and thank him for the hours of excitement and goals he scored for the Villa during the mid 70's. That one v Oldham in injury time when half the crowd left disgusted with our performance (in fairness, we were pretty shocking that night) is one of my all time favourite goals. It was at least 70 yards from goal when he hit it.
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Loved the Grayder
Seen some old games recently and only enhanced my memory
I was in front of the goal when he scored the rebound
Love to Ray and the family
It's funny you mention the old games, watching them you realise just how brilliant and important Ray Graydon was for us. His high crosses into the box seem unique but so often fruitful. I was a nipper standing at the fence of the Witton End for most of games I saw him play and don't really remember much. Those highlights are brilliant. I was there too at Wembley, level with the penalty spot when Ray smashed in the rebound.
I briefly met him when he answered the door at Gordon Smith's house. He was a real gent and happy to have a chat with a couple of little Villa fans. Watching and listening to Ray as a club manager was always a delight. His achievements at Walsall are second to none.
Sending love and respect to Ray and his family.
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If messages are being passed on then please pass on my best wishes to Ray and Sue. They were good friends with my Mom & Dad (Glad & Bun) from Rays playing days when they lived in Dower Road.
I think Ray was able to make the very most of his ability because of his belief in conducting himself in the right way and being disciplined. That made for a great Villa career working under Vic Crowe and Ron Saunders.
He took those principles into management which proved very successful at Walsall. Walsall players didn't get booked for dissent and were expected to behave.
Ray was as important as anybody in getting us back from Division 3 to 1, just as important he's a good person. Personally I think he should have a bloody statue at Villa Park but I'm a bit biased.
I lived in Dower Rd. I think RG lived off Heath Croft Rd from memory
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I started watching Villa in 1971 as a 6 year old. My first Villa shirt had Ray’s number 7 embroidered on the back by my Nan. Ray was my absolute hero for the next 6 years.
Make no mistake Ray was absolutely instrumental in our rise from the third division to being 4th in the first in 1977 with two promotions and 2 league cups thrown in as well. What we’d give to win one league cup now!
Ray’s stats particularly in the 74/75 season are phenomenal particularly for a winger. And of course scored the winner in the 75 LC win.
I remember knocking on his house door in Four Oaks in around 1974 and getting his autograph. I seem to recall his wife initially answering the door, calling Ray who came to the door and obliged with the autograph.
Gutted when we sold him to Coventry but followed his successful management at Walsall.
Wish him well and thanks for being a Villa legend👍
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If messages are being passed on then please pass on my best wishes to Ray and Sue. They were good friends with my Mom & Dad (Glad & Bun) from Rays playing days when they lived in Dower Road.
I think Ray was able to make the very most of his ability because of his belief in conducting himself in the right way and being disciplined. That made for a great Villa career working under Vic Crowe and Ron Saunders.
He took those principles into management which proved very successful at Walsall. Walsall players didn't get booked for dissent and were expected to behave.
Ray was as important as anybody in getting us back from Division 3 to 1, just as important he's a good person. Personally I think he should have a bloody statue at Villa Park but I'm a bit biased.
I lived in Dower Rd. I think RG lived off Heath Croft Rd from memory
You're right I'm getting my road names mixed up, there's Streather Road and Essex Road off Heathcroft. Ray & Sue lived in one, Andy Gray in the other. We're only going back about 50 years.
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He was part of Vic Crowe's one winger system if I remember correctly?
He did without doubt become a star for us as we climbed back from the abyss.
Best wishes and thoughts to Ray and his family.
The one winger system pretty much continued under Saunders IMO. Graydon, Little, Gray. Morley, Withe, Shaw. Any road, Graydon was a class player. Him and Gidman on the right flank, happy days!
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If messages are being passed on then please pass on my best wishes to Ray and Sue. They were good friends with my Mom & Dad (Glad & Bun) from Rays playing days when they lived in Dower Road.
I think Ray was able to make the very most of his ability because of his belief in conducting himself in the right way and being disciplined. That made for a great Villa career working under Vic Crowe and Ron Saunders.
He took those principles into management which proved very successful at Walsall. Walsall players didn't get booked for dissent and were expected to behave.
Ray was as important as anybody in getting us back from Division 3 to 1, just as important he's a good person. Personally I think he should have a bloody statue at Villa Park but I'm a bit biased.
I lived in Dower Rd. I think RG lived off Heath Croft Rd from memory
You're right I'm getting my road names mixed up, there's Streather Road and Essex Road off Heathcroft. Ray & Sue lived in one, Andy Gray in the other. We're only going back about 50 years.
You’re forgiven 😆
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I was 5 when Ray left Villa, the first player I remember liking to leave, and it really upset me.
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My first Villa hero. What a player.
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Joined us when we were in Division 3. When he left 6 years later we were a top flight club, had our highest league finish in over 40 years, won 2 cups, with him scoring the winner in one of them, and qualified for Europe for the first two times in our history.
He joined Cov and in his one season there helped them to their only ever top 6 finish.
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That penalty, Wembley final was one of the last games I saw before emigrating and as such, lives in the memory. Glorious day.
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Scored our first ever goal in Europe.
A 4-1 defeat in Antwerp.
(https://i.ibb.co/zmrqm9g/FYMTn6-DXg-AI27-D-format-jpg-name-large.jpg) (https://ibb.co/zmrqm9g)
https://www.avfchistory.co.uk/game/3346
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Ray Graydon was absolutely pivotal in our promotions from the third and second divisions, and then stabilising in the first division. That Andy Gray was able to make such an immediate and dramatic impact at VP was due in no small measure to the assistance of Ray Graydon on the wing, feeding Gray the sort of crosses on which he thrived.
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Ray was a star when I first went to VP in '75. The next time I became aware of him was when I was working in Walsall about 1999 or so and visited the football club regularly - Ray was around and about so I was fortunate to be able to say thanks for the memories of our rise from the depths. He was always kind enough to give this star-struck man child a little of his time. True club legend.
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Wonderful player who started the decade with a third division team then rose through the leagues with them, improving his game along the way.
A remarkably successful manager at Walsall as well.
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If messages are being passed on then please pass on my best wishes to Ray and Sue. They were good friends with my Mom & Dad (Glad & Bun) from Rays playing days when they lived in Dower Road.
I think Ray was able to make the very most of his ability because of his belief in conducting himself in the right way and being disciplined. That made for a great Villa career working under Vic Crowe and Ron Saunders.
He took those principles into management which proved very successful at Walsall. Walsall players didn't get booked for dissent and were expected to behave.
Ray was as important as anybody in getting us back from Division 3 to 1, just as important he's a good person. Personally I think he should have a bloody statue at Villa Park but I'm a bit biased.
He was poorly treated at Walsall in the end if I remember rightly. Got them promoted to the Championship twice, which they've never looked like getting back to since.
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Thanks for posting.