Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Legion on May 03, 2025, 09:34:23 PM
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Has he passed away?
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See him out and about round Sutton still doing driving lessons. Last time would only have been about a month ago.
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Rushall Olympic have posted this on X
https://x.com/ROFCOfficial/status/1918765060710715810
We received some devastating news earlier today as we were informed of the sad passing of Jake Findlay. Jake was a big supporter of our club, loved many happy times at Dales Lane and enjoyed our hospitality in our Allen Suite with his lovely wife, Sandra and best friends,
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Ah sorry to hear this. He was my driving instructor and we had heaps of craic while he was being patient with my driving ability.
He’d always lean over whoever was getting a driving lesson to give the horn a toot and a wave (or a couple of fingers) as he drove past me in the years after passing.
Love to the family.
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Reported as having passed away on Wikipedia but give no details or even a specific date ...
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Terribly sad. I am sure the Club will make an announcement in due course. Monday's FA youth cup final match would be an appropriate stage to remember Jake.
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Wikipedia is just going on that Rushall Olympic Tweet, which doesn't even confirm that it's "our" Jake Findlay.
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Facebook link confirms that it's him, and there's a reply from his son so seems to be true. RIP, Jake.
https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1236923921638144&id=100059616442031
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Fond memories of Jake as our goalie in the FA youth cup campaign
Jake , Gidman, Sir Brian, Bobby Mac
Could not have been so old, very sad
Condolences to the family
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Fond memories of Jake as our goalie in the FA youth cup campaign
Jake , Gidman, Sir Brian, Bobby Mac
Could not have been so old, very sad
Condolences to the family
Yes, absolutely (Stevie Hunt was in that team as well).
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In - I guess - 1975, he was going out with sister of a lad in my class. Unless you had an older brother who was actually playing for the Villa, this was pretty high street-cred.
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Sad news. RIP Jake
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Very sad news RIP Jake
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Aston Villa is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former player Jake Findlay, who has died at the age of 70.
The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Jake’s family and friends at this difficult time.
Born John Williamson Findlay in Blairgowrie, Scotland, in July 1954, Jake joined Villa’s youth ranks in 1968 and was a member of the team which won the FA Youth Cup for the first time four years later.
He made his first-team debut at home to Sunderland in April 1974, although he was restricted to a total of just 18 senior appearances over the next three-and-a-half years as he was competing with Jimmy Cumbes, then John Burridge and then Jimmy Rimmer.
He did, however, have the distinction of playing in the first European match at Villa Park, the second leg of a UEFA Cup tie against Royal Antwerp in 1975.
Findlay also had a six-match run in place of the injured Burridge in 1976 – including our famous 5-1 home victory over defending champions Liverpool. His final game for Villa was as a late substitute for Rimmer in the club’s 2-0 UEFA Cup home win against Gornik Zabrze in October 1977.
He subsequently joined Luton Town, helping the Hatters to promotion to the top flight in 1981-82. Findlay made a total of 187 league and cup appearances for the Kenilworth Road club but suffered a fractured thumb in 1983. By the time he recovered, Luton had signed Les Sealey.
After hanging up his gloves, Findlay set up a driving school in Streetly.
Rest in Peace, Jake.
https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2025/may/04/jake-findlay--1954-2025-/
(https://i.ibb.co/LhdjR5Cm/f04f1030-280b-11f0-bdf7-e599a84cab46.jpg) (https://ibb.co/LhdjR5Cm)
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RIP Jake
God bless
I’m just thinking did Jake play in goal the night we beat Liverpool 5-1 , I was there that night I’m sure he was .
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Blimey, I too was there that night v Liverpool and have always remembered that Charlie Young played centre half. That Jake had played in goal I hadn't remembered, down through the years I'm sorry to say. RIP Jake.
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RIP Jake
God bless
I’m just thinking did Jake play in goal the night we beat Liverpool 5-1 , I was there that night I’m sure he was .
I was there and he was.
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RIP Jake
God bless
I’m just thinking did Jake play in goal the night we beat Liverpool 5-1 , I was there that night I’m sure he was .
Yes he was. We also had a youngster at centre-half I think. Charlie Young?
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Yep.
https://www.avfchistory.co.uk/game/3407
Can't find out much about him, doesn't even have a Wiki page. But seems like he just played eleven games for us before moving on to play a few games for Gillingham, eventually moving from there to non-league with a team that Percy definitely won't like very much. Born in Cyprus, no idea if he ever played for them. I always like us to collect as many different countries as possible so would be interested if anyone knows he did.
https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/charlie-young/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/647314/wettbewerb/EFD1
https://gillinghamfcscrapbook.co.uk/DisplayPlayer.php?playername=Young,Charlie
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Yep.
https://www.avfchistory.co.uk/game/3407
Can't find out much about him, doesn't even have a Wiki page. But seems like he just played eleven games for us before moving on to play a few games for Gillingham, eventually moving from there to non-league with a team that Percy definitely won't like very much. Born in Cyprus, no idea if he ever played for them. I always like us to collect as many different countries as possible so would be interested if anyone knows he did.
https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/charlie-young/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/647314/wettbewerb/EFD1
https://gillinghamfcscrapbook.co.uk/DisplayPlayer.php?playername=Young,Charlie
Oh dear.
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Yep.
https://www.avfchistory.co.uk/game/3407
Can't find out much about him, doesn't even have a Wiki page. But seems like he just played eleven games for us before moving on to play a few games for Gillingham, eventually moving from there to non-league with a team that Percy definitely won't like very much. Born in Cyprus, no idea if he ever played for them. I always like us to collect as many different countries as possible so would be interested if anyone knows he did.
https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/charlie-young/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/647314/wettbewerb/EFD1
https://gillinghamfcscrapbook.co.uk/DisplayPlayer.php?playername=Young,Charlie
I vaguely recall Charlie Young being born in Cyprus as his family were serving in the forces over there. Wouldn’t be certain on that 50 year old memory though.
Jake Findlay always looked like he’d be a good keeper to my 12-13 year old eyes and he played a part in one of our best ever performances. Rest well, mate.
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RIP Jake.
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RIP Jake. A great memory of the Liverpool 5-1.
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He was a big lad with an even bigger smile. RIP Jake.
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Very good 'keeper, big, strong and courageous.
Given his debut under Vic Crowe. Unlucky to not get a good run in the side under Saunders.
I recall a 3-0 defeat at Anfield the season after promotion. We were completely hammered and at the final whistle the Kop rose to Jake. Without him, it would have been ten.
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RIP Jake, I remembered him when I read the article, thanks.
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RIP Jake
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RIP Jake. I remember him from when I first started going to see Villa.
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Remember him from my early days going to games. A player that for some reason I associate with that oversized programme we had for a season or two. RIP Jake.
HEITS
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RIP
I remember him more of a driving instructor than a goalie, he taught a few family friends.
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Brilliant keeper. Could never understand why he was never given the nod as the main number 1 before Jimmy Rimmer
RIP Jake
HEITS
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RIP Jake, thanks for the memories in the 5-1. You never let us down and you always gave everything in a Villa shirt. #HEITS
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R.I.P.
BTW, Jake Findlay is a character in the first Lee Child novel "Killing Floor".
Also: https://www.avfchistory.co.uk/player/jake-findlay
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Sad news about Jake Findlay, I saw him play a few times, very capable keeper who went on to play many games for Luton Town
RIP
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RIP Jake. I remember him from when I first started going to see Villa.
Same. RIP Jake.
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As a former winner, I hope today's triumph will be dedicated to him.