Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Ger Regan on February 13, 2012, 12:28:44 PM
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Just been confirmed through a local newspaper that Eamon 'Chick' Deacy passed away. Very sad news, a true gent and by all accounts always gave his all when he played for us. RIP.
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RIP - more good news...
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Terrible news
had he been ill?
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Not too sure to be honest. He was delivering fruit and veg when it happened.
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Terrible news.
He always gave everything and was an important member of our squad during the golden period of 1980/1982.
RIP Eamon
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Very sad news
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I think he was a member of the 1982 European Cup squad. RIP.
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Another one so young! Condolences to family and friends
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54 years of age makes it all the more sad.
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Dear me he couldn't have been more than 50 could he, very sad.
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Very sad news. Loved him as many other Villa fans did during his short time with us.
A true 110 percenter.
RIP
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Really sad news. Eamon was a really nice bloke and very down to earth. He use to use the same snooker club in Erdington and always had time to have a chat. He loved playing for the Villa and i can honestly say he never had a bad word to say about anyone. RIP Eamon
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very sad news, RIP Eamon
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RIP Eamon - fond memories, so very young.
Just found this via Google
http://www.heroesandvillains.info/oldhandv1007/viewtopic.php?t=19604&sid=fada557a57eab8f6756932510f8cb9f5
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Dreadful news. There was more passion and commitment in one Eamon Deacy tackle than in the whole of yesterday's performance.
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Shocked and saddened.
I have great memories of him.
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Terrible news, Eamon was a 110% player whenever he had an opportunity in the first team. RIP.
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Sad news indeed. Goodbye Eamon, and Thank You.
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Very sad news.RIP.
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Very sad news. He has been mentioned a fair bit on H&V lately. The Enda Stevens thread springs to mind. Rest in Peace.
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RIP Eamon.
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Another one of the Villa Family that has gone before their time. Too much of this lately for my liking.
RIP Eamon.
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A sad day,thoughts go out to his friends and family.
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Oh no. Terrible news.
Favourite memories - a 30 yard screamer against Norwich and an uncompromising 'Welcome To Villa Park' tackle on Paolo Rossi against Juventus. He ran his bollocks off for Aston Villa.
RIP.
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Oh no. Terrible news.
He ran his bollocks off for Aston Villa.
RIP.
I'll second all of that. RIP Eammon.
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Sad news RIP Eamon
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Eamonn was one of my favourite players. He was a player that everyone would warm to owing to his commitment. He slipped back to Galway as quietly as he had arrived and will never be forgotten by those who had the privilege to see him play football.
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RIP Mr D. a very popular, hard working player who made a big contribution to a great period for the club.
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Dreadful news. There was more passion and commitment in one Eamon Deacy tackle than in the whole of yesterday's performance.
Agreed 110%.
RIP Eamon and condolences to his family.
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Very sad news.
One of the most committed players I have seen in a Villa shirt.
If the present over paid lot showed half as much committment as Eamon
we wouldn't be in the mess we are in now!!!
RIP
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Wasn't the story that Saunders offered him a new contract, and he said "No thanks, football's not for me, I'm going home to be a greengrocer" or something similar?
Crikey, compare that to footballers today.
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Very sad. One of the great fourteen .
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Wasn't the story that Saunders offered him a new contract, and he said "No thanks, football's not for me, I'm going home to be a greengrocer" or something similar?
My understanding was that we tried to send him out on loan/sell him, and he decided that he didn't want to play for anyone else outside of Ireland.
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He knew how special it was to play for Aston Villa!
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My understanding was that we tried to send him out on loan/sell him, and he decided that he didn't want to play for anyone else outside of Ireland.
According to Ellis, Deacy resigned from Villa because of a "family tragedy"
I'm still trying to remember which Everton player it was that Deacy nearly split in half with a bone-shuddering tackle in the last game of the season in the early 80s.
Steve McMahon?
As full-blooded a tackle as I think I've ever seen
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Something I found out a little while ago. During his time with us he played Gaelic Football for a club in Erdington. Even back then it's hard to imagine that actually happened but it did. It obviously wasn't enough for him to just clatter opposition players on a Saturday afternoon.
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RIP Eamon. always part of the legendary 14. Sad news.
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Wasn't the story that Saunders offered him a new contract, and he said "No thanks, football's not for me, I'm going home to be a greengrocer" or something similar?
My understanding was that we tried to send him out on loan/sell him, and he decided that he didn't want to play for anyone else outside of Ireland.
He went back home and played for Galway United, refusing to take a wage.
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Really sad news indeed. I met Eamonn at his brother Ernie's shop in Galway 5 years ago and he was a real modest gent, as was his brother. The shop is away from the centre but everybody I asked knew where Eamonn worked. I genuinely got the impression that Eamonn had loved playing for the Villa, and never took any of it for granted.
My favourite memories of Eamonn are as an utterly committed player, who only gave 110%. He was the only footballer I ever saw who was brave enought to clatter the dirtiest bastard in Europe, Claudio Gentile, the night that Juve outclassed us at Villa Park. I also saw him score an absolute corker from 25 yards in a night friendly v Rapid Vienna the year we won the league.
Condolences to his family and friends.
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Fierce tackler, good team man, R.I.P. .
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My one overriding memory of Eamonn Deacy was him "tackling" a bloke off the pitch.I think he was trying to take a quick throw, and Eamonn just took him out.
I think it is safe to say he was "uncompromising".As someone said earlier, not the most gifted footballer, but he always run his bollocks off when he pulled on that Villa shirt.He was an inspiration in respect of his heart and endevour made up for any footballing deficiences.I wish we had him now.
R I P Eamonn, apparently a really nice bloke.
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RIP Eamon, way to young.
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Very sad news.
One of the most committed players I have seen in a Villa shirt.
If the present over paid lot showed half as much committment as Eamon
we wouldn't be in the mess we are in now!!!
RIP
Agree with all this 100%.
God bless eamonn and thanks
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RIP, Eamon. Too young.
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Very sad to hear this news; the first of the Famous Fourteen to pass away, at the age of 53.
R.I.P Eamonn
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Bloody hell the man could tackle.
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Just out of interest, does anyone know whether he would then have got winners medals for the League championship and the EC. I recall he played a few games in the league, and appeared in the early rounds of the EC.
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There was a good piece on him in Claret and Blue magazine years ago, probably still got it somewhere. Came across as a really humble bloke.
Sad stuff. RIP Eamon.
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The original cult hero who left us to help run his family business in Galway (Deacey's Fruit and Veg is still up and running).
What a really sad day. He was one of Villa's hardest working players ever, and one of the nicest too. RIP Eamon!
DEACEY DEACEY AGGRO!!!
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Just out of interest, does anyone know whether he would then have got winners medals for the League championship and the EC. I recall he played a few games in the league, and appeared in the early rounds of the EC.
As noted in Dave Woodhall's book, Champions 1980/81 Revisited, Ron Saunders handed a medal to Eamonn at the civic reception, at which point he cried his eyes out.
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And then there were 13...
A cult hero from the greatest Villa-supporting days ever for those of us lucky enough to be there. Such sad news.
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It is a shame the present day players dont have 10% of the attitude that Eamonn Deacy had. Seemed to love playing for the club, always gave his all and you always knew he would get stuck in. Met him once and he was very polite and said how proud he was to be at Aston Villa. Compare that to some of the current lot.
RIP Eamonn Deacy, you will always remain in my thoughts and thank you for being part of the squad that gave me such happy memories that I will treasure for the rest of my life
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Lovely tribute from ken McNaught.
McNaught: Deacy was the kindest bloke on the planet
Ken McNaught on Eamonn Deacy.13th Feb 2012
By Paul Brown
Ken McNaught has paid tribute to departed team-mate Eamonn Deacy, insisting: "He was great company, the kindest bloke on the planet and a top professional."
Deacy died this morning at the age of 53 following a heart attack.
And McNaught was quick to offer an insight into the wonderful, honest man he shared a dressing room with for many years.
Deacy may have only played five times in that League Championship-winning side of 1980-81 but McNaught insisted his contribution was "enormous."
Ron Saunders was a big admirer of Deacy's talents because he followed the manager's instructions to the letter - as Steve Coppell found out to his cost.
But, ironically, Deacy didn't appreciate his own worth to the side.
McNaught said: "I remember walking up to get my medal for the League Championship title win at the Mayor's Reception. Eamonn was slumped, sitting in the corner.
"I went over and said 'Eamonn, get up there and collect your medal.' He told me he didn't deserve it. But he so did - he was a huge part of our success.
"He never did go up and get it. Ron Saunders went up for him and gave it to him. That typified Eamonn. He didn't want the limelight. He wanted to just do his job with minimum fuss.
"He was so proud of the team's success but he was a modest man. I can't highlight enough the massive contribution he made.
"You knew when he played he would do a job. He followed the gaffer's instructions to the letter and that's why the gaffer trusted him.
"Eamonn used to ring Ron every New Year's Eve at midnight, including this past one, to thank him for his time at Villa and the success he had brought. I've just chatted to the gaffer and he's absolutely gutted with the news, as I am.
"The manager had a high regard for Eamonn because he did a job every time he played. He was a manager's dream.
"One time Ron asked him to man-mark Steve Coppell because he was in a rich vein of form at sending over beautiful balls to the strikers.
"He followed it to the letter, to the point where he kicked the ball out of Steve's hands when he was about to take a throw in.
"Ron screamed over: "What you doing Eamonn?" He shouted back: "You told me not to let him out of my sight!"
It was Eamonn's contribution with the camaraderie in the camp that Ken will remember most, though.
He added: "Eamonn was happy go lucky. He was such great company and the kindest bloke on the planet.
"He was top drawer in the dressing room. Everyone has a story about Eamonn. He was a comedian - and didn't realise it.
"I remember we were on a break in Spain one year. Myself, Withey and Eamonn went for a walk in the afternoon and we were off in search of a bar to have a sit and chat. We found one and I asked what Eamonn wanted.
"He said he really liked the look of sangria so we ordered him a jug. The sun was blazing down and after a while Withey and I said we were off for another walk.
"Eamonn told us to leave him there because he was enjoying himself. When we walked past him two hours later he was on to his next jug and he was bright red!"
RIP Eamonn.
Keywords
football, news
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From Sir Brian of Little:
Sad Sad day for me and many other Aston Villa former players
R.I.P. Eamonn Deacy..... all of us that knew Eamonn and those fortunate to have trained with or played alongside him will echo my thoughts. He was without doubt one of the most competitive players on the field of play someone who you always wanted on your team and yet managed to be a Kind, Polite and Gentle person.
I wish I had seen more of him in recent years
God Bless. BL
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A very sad day. Eamonn was a great Villa man.
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I remember Tony Morley years ago saying just how popular Deacey was with everyone at Villa Park during his time at the club, so it's not surprising how genuinely upset the likes of Little and McNaught sound in their tributes to the man.
Really sad day for Villa and the Deacey family.
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Very sad news.
R.I.P. Eamonn.
A true Irish Lion.
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I don't mind admitting it, but reading Ken McNaught's tribute has made me shed a tear.
"Eamonn used to ring Ron every New Year's Eve at midnight, including this past one, to thank him for his time at Villa and the success he had brought."
Compare and contrast with so many, admittedly more talented players, who have sat in the Home dressing room since.
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In just a few appearances he made himself a Villa legend. I used to particularly like his diving-header-sliding tackles, truly a joy to watch. The world is a poorer place without him.
Touching and richly deserved tributes from his colleagues and fans alike, thank you all. But mostly, thank you Eamon. May your kind brave soul find everlasting peace
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A snippet from Greg Upton:
I expect Messrs Rinder, Ramsay et al will be waiting to receive, sadly, another one of the chosen.
Well said.
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Very sad news.
A fellow Irish namesake, as soon as I heard about him in my teens when reading-up on my Villa history and the part he played during our most recent golden age I was intrigued and said to myself that I'd have to meet him one day for an interview or just a chat as from reports I'd heard he was a very friendly and humble man.
I imagine mention of this will be but a footnote in even the Irish press but I think, as this thread proves, it would be hard to find a bad word said against him (apart from the victims of his tackles perhaps).
Such a terribly young age to go at too. Condolences to Ernie and all his family and friends.
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The League Championship medal was truly deserved.
Rest in Peace Eamonn.
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Many of us can reel off the names of the 14. Eamon has his place there. Rip and thank you.
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Very sad news.
A fellow Irish namesake, as soon as I heard about him in my teens when reading-up on my Villa history and the part he played during our most recent golden age I was intrigued and said to myself that I'd have to meet him one day for an interview or just a chat as from reports I'd heard he was a very friendly and humble man.
I imagine mention of this will be but a footnote in even the Irish press but I think, as this thread proves, it would be hard to find a bad word said against him (apart from the victims of his tackles perhaps).
Such a terribly young age to go at too. Condolences to Ernie and all his family and friends.
It's been mentioned on the main evening news over here (Ireland).
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He was like we all would be if any of us has had had the opportunity to pull on the claret and blue - honoured and humble. Just shows you don't necessarily have to play hundreds of games to be a Villia legend - you just show by the way you play and behave how much it means to you.
He also put a 25 yarder in at the Holte End which was a special moment.
Thanks for the memories Eamon.
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RIP Eamon. The irish link in our greatest squad.
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Some lovely tributes on here and a sad loss for the Aston Villa family
A Villa man through and through and will forever be remembered for his part in the 80/81 Championship winning squad
Rest In Peace Eamonn
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Sad news.
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Never saw him play but he sounds a lovely chap. Another sad loss.
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RIP Eamon :-(
(http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/birmmail/feb2012/2/8/eamonn-deacy-385874274.jpg)
(http://www.midlandsmemorabilia.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/aston_villa_squad_photo_terry_weir_original_press_photo.jpg)
(http://cache4.asset-cache.net/xc/98760036.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=77BFBA49EF878921A343B2C87A49D8F5EDD5FCF3FAEC4A59F06D73A80587D231370AF82BF37348B2)
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Just listented to a great tribute on Newstalk's Off the Ball program on Irish radio. Well worth checking out, particularly for Brian Little's contribution. Apparently when Eamonn Deacy played against Brazil for Ireland in 1982 reporters kept asking him after the game about Pele, but all he Eamonn wanted to talk about was Gordon Cowans! Seemed like he really loved Villa...
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Several of Eammon's performances will be forever etched in my memory. His goal in the 3-2 defeat against Norwich. Winding up West Ham after coming on as sub - to the point where Devonshire (or Brooking ?) grabbed him by the collar. The crowd loved it. After that point you just knew we would go on to win - and we did. Getting taken out of the game by Woodcock at Arsenal after smashing into the advertising hoardings (he could take the punishment as well as dish it out).
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Quality!
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RIP Eamon :-(
(http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/birmmail/feb2012/2/8/eamonn-deacy-385874274.jpg)
(http://www.midlandsmemorabilia.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/aston_villa_squad_photo_terry_weir_original_press_photo.jpg)
(http://cache4.asset-cache.net/xc/98760036.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=77BFBA49EF878921A343B2C87A49D8F5EDD5FCF3FAEC4A59F06D73A80587D231370AF82BF37348B2)
Superb pics. Great memories.
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Part 2 from around 41 minutes in (http://media.newstalk.ie/listenback/22/monday/1/popup)
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I was 4 /5 in the Championship winning season. Didn't know much about Eamonn but have heard only nice stoories over the years.
RIP.
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RIP Eamon. Such a sad loss but memories of the biting tackles & love for our club live on. Deepest condolences to all his family.
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I can only echo the wonderful sentiment of this thread.
My abiding memory of Eamon Deacy, is that even in photographs he just never seemed to have a shred of arrogance about him.
As a kid, I was just convinced that this ordinary bloke had wandered into the team photo and no one had had the guts to tell him to leave (Presumably because they'd seen him tackle). Then I saw him play and just thought he was ace, he still didn't look like he should be there but he was reliable as hell and gave everything.
There was just that feeling of, "That's what I'd be like if I ever got to wear a Villa shirt" , i.e. that you'd leave the pitch hardly able to stand up because you'd tried so hard. Obviously that was just a romantic dream for someone like me, who struggles to avoid falling over whilst walking along the street a lot of the time. But Eamon Deacy did it.
R.I.P
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I love the picture of him leaving Rossi (?) in his wake with Platini looking on. It doesn't get much better than that.
And calling Ron Saunders every New Year? It's things like that remind me why I love this club.
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A truly sad day. Fantastic to read the fitting tributes to Eamonn from Villa heroes and fans alike. Absolutely right comments from some about his total commitment to the Shirt and to the Club, and the opinions that the Club wouldn't be in such a mess if they showed just a fraction of Eamonn's commitment and, I'd add, courage. A true Villan. Sincere condolences to his family and friends.
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RIP very sad.
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Part 2 from around 41 minutes in (http://media.newstalk.ie/listenback/22/monday/1/popup)
Great tributes. Thanks for posting that Ger.
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I doubt he ever got annoyed as I do at the misspelling of our name!
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I doubt he ever got annoyed as I do at the misspelling of our name!
I *think* it is the version with one n though.
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I doubt he ever got annoyed as I do at the misspelling of our name!
I *think* it is the version with one n though.
No it's 2, as in 'Eamonn'
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Wasn't the story that Saunders offered him a new contract, and he said "No thanks, football's not for me, I'm going home to be a greengrocer" or something similar?
Crikey, compare that to footballers today.
Heskey did the same. Only he hasn't told anyone.
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Shocking age to go at. As people have said, one of the old school who played for enjoyment and glory, not money. RIP.
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It's been mentioned on the main evening news over here (Ireland).
On the Six-One news on RTE? Must have missed it. No mention on the sports bulletins on Today FM or on the Irish Times site.
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Was a bit too young to recall seeing him in his pomp, but he was friends with my uncle and I met him and the wife a few times over the years. A class act, always spoke highly of the Villa. But was very shy at any mention of his contribution.
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It's been mentioned on the main evening news over here (Ireland).
On the Six-One news on RTE? Must have missed it. No mention on the sports bulletins on Today FM or on the Irish Times site.
Yep, at the end of the Six-One.
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Nice touch.
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I remember him as being totally committed and a little unorthodox shall we say, but boy for a fairly small guy he got stuck in. Don't have to look much further to see where Ron Saunders got the inspiration for his "110% effort" maxim from. It's touching to see how he was regarded by his teammates and his own self-effacing attitude but obviously a huge affection for the club stayed with him. That story of him calling Saunders up every New Year is lovely.
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RIP.
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Almost 30 years ago, March or April 1982, my dad took me and my two sisters to the annual West Midlands Galwayman’s Dinner and Dance at the de Vere Hotel in Coventry. We were shown to our seats and being kids aged 7, 9 and 11 we of course all squabbled at the prospect of Sitting next to the strangers. The strangers turned out to be Eamon and his companion for the evening , a team mate from the reserves called Nigel Spink. Of course I insisted on sitting next to the Villa players at that point and they were both pleasant and polite throughout the evening and somewhere in the roof, there may still be the menu they both signed for me.
Just out of interest, does anyone know whether he would then have got winners medals for the League championship and the EC. I recall he played a few games in the league, and appeared in the early rounds of the EC.
As noted in Dave Woodhall's book, Champions 1980/81 Revisited, Ron Saunders handed a medal to Eamonn at the civic reception, at which point he cried his eyes out.
As I recall, I think he didn’t have one originally as he didn’t think he deserved it but the rest of the team of course insisted he get one because of course he did hence the emotional reaction.
I don’t remember the only goal that he scored for us (against Norwich?) but I do remember it featuring in a top ten goals run down that appeared in H&V some years later that told of a flowing move from one end of the pitch to the other with Deacy finishing with a 20 yard screamer, the description concluding “whatever Eamon kicked, stayed kicked.”
RIP
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RIP, I never got to see him play but he sounded a true Villa Man!
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Very sad news RIP.
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In school playground thirty-a-side football games I was always either John Gidman or Eamonn Deacy. Gidman was an obvious one, I was full-back in the school team. Deacy was always an odd one to my glory-hunting Leeds and Liverpool supporting mates, they hadn't even heard of him, but I remember a game where he came on as sub (can't remember who we were playing) and just about his first act of the game was to boot their winger up into the air, after which he seemed a lot less keen to get to the touchline! I loved the bloke. RIP Eamonn.
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"Eamonn used to ring Ron every New Year's Eve at midnight, including this past one, to thank him for his time at Villa and the success he had brought. I've just chatted to the gaffer and he's absolutely gutted with the news, as I am."
Sounds like an absolute gem of a bloke with an abiding love for the Villa. RIP.
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R.I.P. Eamon, so sad, so young. As I've posted on here before; I had the privelege of refereeing Eamon about twenty years ago here in Ireland. He was playing for Galway United (sadly now extinct as of this coming season) reserves in the Connaught Senior League. After the game I went into the dressing room and quietly thanked him for the part he played in giving me the proudest sporting moment of my life. Eamon was unassuming and modest and probably a little embarrassed but it made my day.
It's funny but with most football fans we are all divided in opinion regarding players; we either think they're great or not so great, but with Eamon I never ever spoke to a Villa fan who didn't think Eamon was worth a place in the Villa team set-up. He was unfortunate to be at Villa at a time when full back was not the problem it is today.
My take on the story of how Eamon came to be at Villa is that he wrote to all the then first division clubs asking for a trial and the only reply he got was from Villa. He even paid his own fare over. Sorry if this has already been posted but my P.C. is playing up and I can't spend the time waiting for it to load to enable me to read the rest of this thread. I have to wait until it is fixed.
Farewell Eamon, Gentleman.
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For anyone how may be interested, or knows someone who might be:
Funeral arrangements for the late Eamon Deacy : Reposing at Conneelys Funeral Home, Flood Street on Thursday evening from 4.00pm - 7.00pm. Removal afterwards to the Augustinian Church. Funeral Mass Friday morning 11.00am, burial afterwards in the New Cemetery, Bohemore.
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It's been mentioned on the main evening news over here (Ireland).
It's strange how things turn out.
Trapattoni was the Juventus manager in 1982 when Deacy was wading through the greatest club side we've seen at Villa Park.
I wonder if he remembers Deacy from that game?
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Might be my memory playing tricks on me, but once during a match I remember him jumping on the ball with both feet just as an opponent was to boot the ball upfield. The ball of course remained stationary. So did the follow-through of the other player's leg - it must have hurt.
At the time, I found this to be hilarious, but I think the player involved was injured for some time.
It would no doubt be a red card these days, but I think resulted in little more than a stern telling off from the ref. That for me typified Eamon's, erm...innovative approach to the game. All in all, he was definitely a player you wanted on your side, rather than one you wanted to play against.
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Just to agree with everyone about Eamonn, he was a totally committed player with the unnasuming attitude everyone eludes to, but more than that, he had a humilty and a sense of absolutely how lucky he was to be getting paid for something that all of us would do for nothing..playing for our beloved Villa.
He was unlucky in that he was around at that time, but always when called upon did a great and solid job, I'm sure he came on a couple of times and even filled in at centre back.
The story of his medal was that he initially refused it because he thought he didn't deserve it, that sums up the man and he puts people like Ireland and N'Zogbia to shame.
He went back to Galway to serve in his family's greengrocer's shop rather than play for anyone else when he felt he had done his best for Villa.
God bless Eamonn Deacy, a true Villa man, and rest in peace.
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Then I saw him play and just thought he was ace, he still didn't look like he should be there but he was reliable as hell and gave everything.
There was just that feeling of, "That's what I'd be like if I ever got to wear a Villa shirt" , i.e. that you'd leave the pitch hardly able to stand up because you'd tried so hard. Obviously that was just a romantic dream for someone like me, who struggles to avoid falling over whilst walking along the street a lot of the time. But Eamon Deacy did it.
So true. He was the only ex-Villa player I ever wanted to meet and at some point I wanted to make a pilgramage to his shop in Galway, thank him and buy him a pint. Sadly now that will never be possible but his contribution will stay with us forever. As I mentioned earlier, he was truely loved by the Villa Park faithfull, everybody encouraged him and he never failed to deliver.
A very special player during a very special time for our club. He will never be forgotten.
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For anyone how may be interested, or knows someone who might be:
Funeral arrangements for the late Eamon Deacy : Reposing at Conneelys Funeral Home, Flood Street on Thursday evening from 4.00pm - 7.00pm. Removal afterwards to the Augustinian Church. Funeral Mass Friday morning 11.00am, burial afterwards in the New Cemetery, Bohemore.
Cheers Ger. I have a meeting in Parkmore in the afternoon so will try and get along to the church beforehand
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For anyone how may be interested, or knows someone who might be:
Funeral arrangements for the late Eamon Deacy : Reposing at Conneelys Funeral Home, Flood Street on Thursday evening from 4.00pm - 7.00pm. Removal afterwards to the Augustinian Church. Funeral Mass Friday morning 11.00am, burial afterwards in the New Cemetery, Bohemore.
Cheers Ger. I have a meeting in Parkmore in the afternoon so will try and get along to the church beforehand
No worries. Thankfully I've been able to move some work bits around so will be able to go to it. Knowing the popularity of the man, this is going to be one of the biggest funerals the city has seen in quite some time.
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Eamonn in 2008.
Confirms what a lovely bloke he was.
RIP
http://barcelonalionsclub.blogspot.com/2008/10/eamonn-deacy.html
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Same as yesterday, close to tears reading this thread. Another day of walking round work saying "I've just got something in my eye...honest!"
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There have been mentions of Eamonn's 'unorthodox' style, which reminds me of an incident at Highbury which has always stuck in my mind (maybe because I was only a few yards away, at the front of the terrace). Kenny Sansom, who I think was at the time first-choice England full-back, was doing that annoying shielding the ball thing right by the corner flag. Eamonn was behind him and, with playing the ball not being an option, obviously decided that some sort of engagement was necessary. So he hacked Sansom's ankles. Not once, but about half a dozen times. The ball had become irrelevant, he just focussed on ankle kicking. Sansom just looked at him with an expression of half bewilderment and half annoyance.
RIP a great Villa man. Not the most skilful player, never a regular starter, but his immense pride and commitment made him a worthy member of that wonderful team.
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Does anybody know whether the club will sends a representative? It really would be aproppriate and deserved.
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I don’t remember the only goal that he scored for us (against Norwich?) but I do remember it featuring in a top ten goals run down that appeared in H&V some years later that told of a flowing move from one end of the pitch to the other with Deacy finishing with a 20 yard screamer, the description concluding “whatever Eamon kicked, stayed kicked.”
RIP
Whoever wrote that, I hope they dont mind me using it for a signature.
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Does anybody know whether the club will sends a representative? It really would be aproppriate and deserved.
I'd be very surprised if there weren't a few of his old colleagues in attendance. Will let you know if I spot any of them.
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Does anybody know whether the club will sends a representative? It really would be aproppriate and deserved.
I'd be very surprised if there were a few of his old colleagues in attendance. Will let you know if I spot any of them.
Cheers Ger.
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Obviously that should originally have said "weren't any"!
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Eamon put smile on everyone's face - McNaught Gregg vans
392 words
14 February 2012
Birmingham Mail
EVEMAI
43
English
(c) 2012 Birmingham Post & Mail Ltd
KEN McNaught today led the touching tributes to former league-winning Villa player Eamon Deacy, who died yesterday after a heart attack.
The Irishman, who holds the distinction of being one of only 14 players used by Villa throughout the League Championship season of 1980-81, passed away at the age of 53.
McNaught played with Deacy and said it was a pleasure to be in the same team as the man who 'brought a smile to everybody's face'.
"It was a severe shock when I heard the news and my thoughts are with his family," he said.
"He could not have been a nicer bloke and all the players from that team will say the same.
"He was on the bench for most of the season when we won the league but whenever he was called upon he came on and did a good job.
"He was a great character to have around the place and was so unpretentious.
"I remember when he refused to go up and collect his league winners medal because he felt he had not contributed enough.
"He obviously had, because he did a great job every time he was called upon but that was just the way Eamon was.
"Ron Saunders made him accept it, though, in the end. He was just a great lad to be around."
Villa, the club he moved to in 1979, also paid tribute.
A statement said: "Eamonn will always have a special place in the history of the club.
"He was a dedicated professional and a man admired greatly by his team-mates.
"Our thoughts remain with his family at this time."
Despite making only 39 appearances, including five starts in that triumphant season, he was an integral member of the squad.
He arrived in the Midlands from his hometown club Galway Rovers and after five years he moved back.
McNaught said Deacy refused a contract extension because he wanted to return home to live his life to the full.
"He said the craic was not there anymore and he wanted to go back home. He just walked away,'' said McNaught.
"That was the type of character he was. He always had a smile on his face."
Deacy leaves behind his wife, Mary, daughter, Dawn, and son Jake.
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I can't remember another player who was so popular whilst playing relatively few games. Everyone who came into contact with him off the pitch described him as a true gentleman, modest and grateful for his time at Villa. Possibly a few opponents who only remember him for being tackled by him wouldn't totally agree! I can't believe we've lost one of the legendary fourteen. RIP Eamon.
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Part 2 from around 41 minutes in (http://media.newstalk.ie/listenback/22/monday/1/popup)
Thanks for that, Ger. Loved the story about the company car.
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Without doubt we should have an official representative at the funeral. Everybody who has Aston Villa in their heart will certainly be there in spirit.
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A humble hero: Eamonn Deacy 1958-2012
By Mat Kendrick on Feb 13, 12 11:13 PM
THIS story from Villa fan Danny Drewry is worthy of re-telling, following the sad, sad news of Eamonn Deacy's death today, as it captures the humility of a hero.
Danny, who runs Midlands Memorabila, embarked on a labour of love last summer to track down all of the club's 1982 First Division title winning favourites to sign souvenirs.
And when it came to a certain greengrocer in Galway, Danny found a modest and reluctant legend whose pride at playing for the Villa burned brighter than ever.
It was Danny who contacted me to check I had heard the news of Deacy's death this morning with a text message simply containing the word 'gutted'.
Yet his story confirms that the claret and blue family are not only mourning the loss of a fine footballer, but also a true gentleman.
"There was one former player I was desperate to meet because, every time his name came up during a signing with one or two of his ex-colleagues, there would be smiles instantly.
Often they would be followed by a story told in an Irish accent about an innocent young teetotal from Galway who, after writing to Ron Saunders for a trial, found himself in a dressing room with some streetwise characters who liked the odd practical joke and a drink or two.
We had a phone number for Eamonn in Ireland which he had recently changed, so we had no way of contacting him to let him know of our plans. One evening, I decided to turn detective with information gleaned from Tony Morley and Google.
I put a file together containing maps to his home address and details for shops where he may be working and drove to Holyhead to catch the ferry to Ireland.
Of all the days to choose, it just happened to be the one of The Queen's visit to Dublin! I eventually got through all the security around the ferry-port at 5am and hit the motorway.
By 9am, I was parked up in Galway town centre and, after a 20-minute walk, found one of the shops I was looking for.
The first person I saw was the man himself! He was shocked when I explained why I was there and was so humble that someone would travel all that way to see him just to get some shirts and prints signed.
I had to get Tony Morley to confirm my credentials over the phone, then I arranged to meet Eamonn after work, so he could take me to his house.
Once we started the signing, Eamonn was really keen to hear about how all the other lads were and told of his happiness and pride at playing for Villa at that time. He was keen to show me his son's bedroom as it was kitted out in claret and blue.
I have to mention the amazing hospitality of the Deacy family. Mary, Eamonn's wife, made me a delicious meal and, while I was tucking into that, she even prepared a packed lunch for me for the ferry journey home.
When it was time to go, Eamonn insisted on showing me to the motorway - a ten-mile drive.
When I was dozing off on the ferry later, I found it hard comprehending what had happened over the last 24 hours. Eamonn made a big impression on me and I can see exactly why he is remembered with such affection by his former team-mates."
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Same as yesterday, close to tears reading this thread. Another day of walking round work saying "I've just got something in my eye...honest!"
I'm exactly the same, Perce. Something about the man, his humble part in our greatest triumphs and memories of truly fantastic days at Villa Park.
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He arrived in the Midlands from his hometown club Galway Rovers and after five years he moved back.
McNaught said Deacy refused a contract extension because he wanted to return home to live his life to the full.
"He said the craic was not there anymore and he wanted to go back home. He just walked away,'' said McNaught.
You can understand it in a way. He was an English League champion, an European Cup winner, he'd represented his country and played against the likes of Brazil with Eder, Falcão, Sócrates, Serginho Chulapa, Luizinho and a chap called Zico in front of 74,000 fans. What else was there to do?
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Same as yesterday, close to tears reading this thread. Another day of walking round work saying "I've just got something in my eye...honest!"
I'm exactly the same, Perce. Something about the man, his humble part in our greatest triumphs and memories of truly fantastic days at Villa Park.
He seems to have encapsulated for many of us what we have lost in football - I can't understand why I am so affected by this to be honest but I am. Maybe it is realising our own mortality alongside some of the greatest days of our lives.
I sent a card to the family c/o the funeral directors something I would never have dreamt of doing normally.
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Very sad news, he always came across as a real top bloke and was very much a cult hero for us fans of that time.
If anyone keeps old copies of "Claret & Blue" magazine I seem to remember there being a big photo feature and interview done with him over in Galway in which he really came across as so grateful to still be remembered by Villa fans some 10 years or so after he left! I'm pretty sure it was "C&B" (I can't think what else it might have appeared in) but I don't think I kept any of mine to search back through.
Hopefully Villa will honour his passing before the next home game in true style – he deserves it.
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Sorry to sound like the big I am but many years ago I, along with a work colleague, hired a private box in the North stand for a match against Derby. Injured players including Gary Shaw, Peter Withe, Steve Foster came and spent the whole match with us and the overriding memory I have was how they all applauded everything that Eamon did on the pitch. For sure there was some light-hearted piss- taking of him, especially from PW,but it was of a sort that you hear amongst mates. There was, a genuine fondness for the guy, and for me Eamon Deacy represented everything that was good about the game then. In light of the recent events I do wonder if the heart and soul of the National game have disappeared. I am sure the Galway lad would think Suarez as a pretentious prima Donna or a fooking eegit it to be sure.
Rest in Peace Eamon, it was both a pleasure and a privilege watching you play.
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Same as yesterday, close to tears reading this thread. Another day of walking round work saying "I've just got something in my eye...honest!"
I'm exactly the same, Perce. Something about the man, his humble part in our greatest triumphs and memories of truly fantastic days at Villa Park.
He seems to have encapsulated for many of us what we have lost in football - I can't understand why I am so affected by this to be honest but I am.
I'm glad I'm not the only one. I guess we all had our favourites with that team but when Eamonn came on as sub, the whole atmosphere in Villa Park changed with expectation and a united will to encourage the fella. It's really hard to explain unless you were there but there was something very pure and honest about him. He gave everything he had, like a boxer in a fight, he went out to do a job, completely focused and willing to put his body on the line, taking the rough with the smooth.
As somebody mentioned earlier, maybe we all saw ourselves playing for the Villa through him.
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According to Tony Matthews' Who's Who of Villa players, Eamonn wote 20 letters in eight months to Villa asking for a trial. He also has eight brothers.
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He seems to have encapsulated for many of us what we have lost in football - I can't understand why I am so affected by this to be honest but I am. Maybe it is realising our own mortality alongside some of the greatest days of our lives.
I sent a card to the family c/o the funeral directors something I would never have dreamt of doing normally.
Agreed completely. Do you have the address of the funeral directors by the way? I'll try and send something too.
A sudden heart-attack at 53... Such a terrible way and time to go. It would make you as much angry as sad if you dwelt on it.
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Conneely's Funeral Home, Flood Street, Galway.
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A humble hero: Eamonn Deacy 1958-2012
By Mat Kendrick on Feb 13, 12 11:13 PM
THIS story from Villa fan Danny Drewry is worthy of re-telling, following the sad, sad news of Eamonn Deacy's death today, as it captures the humility of a hero.
Danny, who runs Midlands Memorabila, embarked on a labour of love last summer to track down all of the club's 1982 First Division title winning favourites to sign souvenirs.
And when it came to a certain greengrocer in Galway, Danny found a modest and reluctant legend whose pride at playing for the Villa burned brighter than ever.
It was Danny who contacted me to check I had heard the news of Deacy's death this morning with a text message simply containing the word 'gutted'.
Yet his story confirms that the claret and blue family are not only mourning the loss of a fine footballer, but also a true gentleman.
"There was one former player I was desperate to meet because, every time his name came up during a signing with one or two of his ex-colleagues, there would be smiles instantly.
Often they would be followed by a story told in an Irish accent about an innocent young teetotal from Galway who, after writing to Ron Saunders for a trial, found himself in a dressing room with some streetwise characters who liked the odd practical joke and a drink or two.
We had a phone number for Eamonn in Ireland which he had recently changed, so we had no way of contacting him to let him know of our plans. One evening, I decided to turn detective with information gleaned from Tony Morley and Google.
I put a file together containing maps to his home address and details for shops where he may be working and drove to Holyhead to catch the ferry to Ireland.
Of all the days to choose, it just happened to be the one of The Queen's visit to Dublin! I eventually got through all the security around the ferry-port at 5am and hit the motorway.
By 9am, I was parked up in Galway town centre and, after a 20-minute walk, found one of the shops I was looking for.
The first person I saw was the man himself! He was shocked when I explained why I was there and was so humble that someone would travel all that way to see him just to get some shirts and prints signed.
I had to get Tony Morley to confirm my credentials over the phone, then I arranged to meet Eamonn after work, so he could take me to his house.
Once we started the signing, Eamonn was really keen to hear about how all the other lads were and told of his happiness and pride at playing for Villa at that time. He was keen to show me his son's bedroom as it was kitted out in claret and blue.
I have to mention the amazing hospitality of the Deacy family. Mary, Eamonn's wife, made me a delicious meal and, while I was tucking into that, she even prepared a packed lunch for me for the ferry journey home.
When it was time to go, Eamonn insisted on showing me to the motorway - a ten-mile drive.
When I was dozing off on the ferry later, I found it hard comprehending what had happened over the last 24 hours. Eamonn made a big impression on me and I can see exactly why he is remembered with such affection by his former team-mates."
Taken by Danny:
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/419052_3356329349966_1320939568_3375990_2033348499_n.jpg)
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Conneely's Funeral Home, Flood Street, Galway.
When I checked today it was Galway City, Co. Galway on their website
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Conneely's Funeral Home, Flood Street, Galway.
When I checked today it was Galway City, Co. Galway on their website
That'd be fine as well. Either will get there, it's a tiny city!
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I mentioned elsewhere about another story I heard today about chick. West United (the team he last played for) were having fundraising raffles etc., and he gave away pretty much all the memorabilia he had built up over the years (opposition players' jerseys etc). He had to be stopped by his brother from giving away his league winners medal.
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Hi all,
A few of us on here have decided to pitch in and organise a wreath for the funeral. We've now exceeded the amount needed to get a nice one, but we propose to donate the extra amount to Acorns in his memory. For anyone who would like to contribute, you can either PM me, or make a donation directly to Acorns here (http://www.acorns.org.uk/worldpay-donation).
Cheers,
Ger
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Great Eamon story from the Mail, thanks for posting.
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The '110%ers'
(http://www.talksport.co.uk/sites/default/files/imagecache/ts_magazine_big_picture/Aston%20Villa%20League%20Champions%201981_0.jpg)
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I missed the collection Ger, I have dropped a donation via Text detailed on the Acorns Site in his memory:
VILLA APPEAL Text AVFC12 to 70070 followed by your chosen donation amount (eg. AVFC12 £10). Don't forget the Gift Aid.
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Fair play Lee. And fair play to all who have donated, incredibly generous that will definitely be appreciated by both the family and acorns.
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Just heard the news, terrible news and condolences to all family and friends.
Just the other day I was listening to Tony Morley, Des Bremner and Pat Heard saying what a top bloke he was...
Rest In Peace one of the 14
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Fair play Lee. And fair play to all who have donated, incredibly generous that will definitely be appreciated by both the family and acorns.
My pleasure mate
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FYI, Colin Gibson, Tony Morley, Sid and Ken McNaught are travelling over for the funeral. Great to see such a strong villa connection going.
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Gutted at finding out this sad news.
The likes of Eamonn don't pass this way often, God Bless & RIP.
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I've just remembered this (extraordinarily poor quality) photo I took of a bookie's window in Galway 18 months ago.
(http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/7972/photo0711p.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/4/photo0711p.jpg/)
Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)
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That looks like forster street, I work just around the corner from there.
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That looks like forster street, I work just around the corner from there.
I think you're right. Googled Galway bookmakers and found this http://www.johnmulholland.com/ and the same photo appears in the banner and there is a branch on Forster Street which having scuttled down via Street View looks to be the one
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?rlz=1C1DVCI_enGB415GB465&q=18%20forster%20street%20galway&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&sa=N&tab=wl
I could probably be putting my mad research skillz to better use...
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I was just reading a piece in the Galway Advertiser which refers to Eamon's annual New Year's Eve call to Ron Saunders. It also mentions that when he heard of his former landlady's death ( today's players would not grasp this concept) he drove to Birmingham for her funeral. What a wonderful person.
I am more touched by Eamon's passing than by anything that has happened on the pitch this season.
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I missed the collection Ger, I have dropped a donation via Text detailed on the Acorns Site in his memory:
VILLA APPEAL Text AVFC12 to 70070 followed by your chosen donation amount (eg. AVFC12 £10). Don't forget the Gift Aid.
Should you get a confirmation text back when you do this?
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I missed the collection Ger, I have dropped a donation via Text detailed on the Acorns Site in his memory:
VILLA APPEAL Text AVFC12 to 70070 followed by your chosen donation amount (eg. AVFC12 £10). Don't forget the Gift Aid.
Should you get a confirmation text back when you do this?
Yes mate I did .. and link to sort out Gift Aid
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For those of you who may be interested here (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/4/swreath.jpg/) is a photo of the almost completed wreath. Tried to get as close to the villa colours as possible, but obviously restricted to the colours of the available flowers. she's to put a V on the ribbon as well.
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Well done Ger - looks great.
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Nice one Ger, Eamon would probably be embarrassed at all the fuss being made.
UTV
The Doc
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No worries at all, happy to facilitate this.
Has anyone else had problems donating to Acorns? I've tried to use my credit and debit cards to make the donation, but have been declined both times.....
FYI, we raised 100 euro over the cost of the wreath. Fair play to all.
g
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I missed the collection Ger, I have dropped a donation via Text detailed on the Acorns Site in his memory:
VILLA APPEAL Text AVFC12 to 70070 followed by your chosen donation amount (eg. AVFC12 £10). Don't forget the Gift Aid.
Should you get a confirmation text back when you do this?
Yes mate I did .. and link to sort out Gift Aid
Ah, spotted what I did wrong, sorted now!
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Same as yesterday, close to tears reading this thread. Another day of walking round work saying "I've just got something in my eye...honest!"
I'm exactly the same, Perce. Something about the man, his humble part in our greatest triumphs and memories of truly fantastic days at Villa Park.
He seems to have encapsulated for many of us what we have lost in football - I can't understand why I am so affected by this to be honest but I am.
I'm glad I'm not the only one. I guess we all had our favourites with that team but when Eamonn came on as sub, the whole atmosphere in Villa Park changed with expectation and a united will to encourage the fella. It's really hard to explain unless you were there but there was something very pure and honest about him. He gave everything he had, like a boxer in a fight, he went out to do a job, completely focused and willing to put his body on the line, taking the rough with the smooth.
As somebody mentioned earlier, maybe we all saw ourselves playing for the Villa through him.
I went abroad on the day that the sad news broke, and for some reason haven't been able to put Eamons' passing out of my mind along with the lump in my throat. Got back today and read the thread and am now typing this whilst fighting back the tears. Other people more eloquent than me have expressed what Eamon meant to us, and perhaps more importantly, what Villa meant to Eamon.
R. I. P. Chick.
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(http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg4/scaled.php?server=4&filename=swreath.jpg&res=medium)
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Well, if there was any doubt about the popularity of the man, then there surely isn't any more. I've never been to a bigger funeral, on average the queue for giving condolences to the family was around 2 hours, there was still a queue around an hour long by 8. The removal to the church was meant to happen at 7. Literally thousands of people came out in the rain to offer their sympathies, including the president of Ireland.
Was good to see two large villa flags flying outside the funeral home, and lots of great pictures inside from various stages of his playing career.
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I like many other supporters remember him with great fondness, there's a list of players who may have played a few more games than Eamon for Villa , but if you mentioned any number of them to me I might struggle to remember the player or even the game , not Eamon. If you saw him tackle it was engrained in your memory for rest of the week.Him and Sid must have been 8 stone soaking wet, yet both would launch into tackles against blokes twice their weight, but you would wince in fear for the other guy.
If anyone has got the book "When Footbal was Football Aston Villa" look at pages 142-143 a montage of the day we won the league at Arsenal.There's a picture of Pele on the pitch at half time (don't remember that and I was there!) and the opposite page a picture of Eamon behind Ron Saunders.Pele might of got on the pitch but Eamon won a medal that day as an Aston Villa player.
RIP Eamon
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Found this on WSC:
I interviewed him in Galway in 1999, one of my earliest assignments as a journo. The hook was that Man Utd had just made the Champions League final, Denis Irwin was going to play, and my editor wanted to do something about Irish players of the past who had featured at the business end of the European Cup.
He suggested getting hold of Eamon Deacy, on the grounds that he had a chance to get a European Cup medal with Villa in 1982 but turned it down to instead go off on Ireland's ill-fated tour of South America and the Caribbean (0-7 v Brazil, 0-1 v Trinidad & Tobago, and another game against Chile which I can't remember the result of). [GER - Is this true?]
Eamon initially didn't want to do the interview at all, out of sheer shyness. I talked him round, and presently got the train down to Galway, where we had a great chat in the Roches Stores restaurant on Eyre Street. Because it was so long ago, I can't remember too much of the resultant piece, but two things do stick out: that Eoin Hand berated him at half-time of the Trinidad game (one of the most embarrassing results in Ireland's history: T&T were an amateur outfit at the time and, in Eamon's words, were just "a team full of rasta men") for having put his shorts on the wrong way round ("That's how fucking organised you are, Deacy!"); and that he said he had realised his entire life's ambition the day he made his debut for Aston Villa. He said that he was not one of life's more ambitious people, and that as soon as he had played just one game in the top flight in England, he felt incredible and knew he had achieved inner peace. Just one game. That was all he ever wanted to do. In short, he had the kind of personality you hardly ever find in athletes of any kind now.
The piece appeared on a Sunday. That afternoon, my phone rang. It was Eamon. I braced myself for some kind of abuse or attack, fearing that I had got some detail wrong or misrepresented him in some way. Instead, he thanked me for the piece and said he hoped I was well. If you're a hack, especially a young one, something like that gives you a real shot in the arm and leaves you feeling good for the rest of the day.
His family had been in the fruit and veg business in Galway for years, and that's what he went back to when his football career finished. He seemed incredibly modest and laid-back that day in 1999. I hope the next 12 or 13 years were as good to him. I only spent two hours in his company, but he was one of the nicest and most decent people I've ever encountered. RIP.
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From the Evening Herald in Dublin the other day:
Deacy defied conventions
By Aidan Fitzmaurice
Tuesday February 14 2012
STRANGE, that a career which yielded two of the biggest prizes available to a footballer from this part of the world -- a league medal from England's top flight and a European Cup winner's medal, brought little else in terms of reward.
But there was nothing usual about the career of former Ireland, Aston Villa and Galway United player Eamon 'Chick' Deacy, who sadly passed away suddenly in his native Galway yesterday aged 52.
This was a soft-spoken man from the west of Ireland who had a career with one of the biggest clubs in England but willingly gave it all up to come home to Ireland and run a fruit and veg shop in Galway at the age of 26.
In an era of Tevez-style sulks and rows over handshakes, such an approach seems positively Victorian.
"There was a wholesomeness, an honesty and a naivety about Eamon which was very refreshing at the time and is now very rare in the modern game," is the recollection of Eoin Hand, manager of Ireland for Deacy's four-game spell as an international in 1982.
Despite being a league winner with Aston Villa in 1981 (five appearances in that title-winning season) and also a squad member when that side went on to win the European Cup in Rotterdam a year later, Deacy was a relative unknown and was only capped four times, all of them in friendlies.
The impression of Deacy is that, instead of being upset at 'only' getting four caps, he was thrilled to have played even once for his country. Greg Cunningham, the Manchester City player currently on loan to Nottingham Forest, previously told the story of how, days after he made his senior Ireland debut against Algeria in 2010, he got a card in the post from 'Chick' Deacy, saying he was glad that Cunningham had taken over his title as the last Galway lad to play for Ireland at senior level. "Eamon was very naive but such a lovely lad, a diamond as a person," Hand told the Herald after hearing of Deacy's passing.
"He played for me when we lost 2-1 to Trinidad and Tobago in '82. He was having a nightmare in the first half but so was everyone in the team. We'd had terrible travel problems and no sleep before the game. I still remember that Eamon had his shorts on back to front.
Incredible
"When I told him at half time I was taking him off, he didn't have a row with me. He just said, 'Thanks Eoin'. He knew he was having a bad game but he didn't sulk or moan when I took him off."
Incredible to think in this age of squad rotation, but things were done on a smaller scale back then, Villa famously using only 14 players on their way to winning the league title in 1980/81, and Deacy was one of them.
A team-mate recalled that Deacy initially declined when asked to go up and receive his medal, claiming that he hadn't done as much as the regular first-teamers, and manager Ron Saunders had to pick up his medal.
Deacy played little in England after that -- just four appearances in the 1982/83 season, 13 games for Villa in 1983/84 as well as a spell on loan to Derby County, and soon after the defender made the decision to come home to Ireland, playing part-time for Galway United (he was an FAI Cup runner-up in 1985) and setting up his own business, even though he had an offer of a contract from Derby.
-- Eamon 'Chick' Deacy, RIP
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...and the Galway City Tribune:
Galway loses sporting icon
February 17, 2012 - 7:00am
Tributes pour in from near and far after the untimely passing of soccer legend Eamon Chick Deacy
Keith Kelly
PEOPLE say you should never meet your heroes, as you’ll invariably be disappointed. That is not always the case.
Eamon ‘Chick’ Deacy, who died on Monday morning from a suspected heart attack, was a hard tackling man from back the West, the finest footballer this city and county has ever produced. He was my hero, and a hero to countless other people.
Chick was very much a hero to his family. The youngest of 10 children born to Christine and Miko Deacy of High Street in Galway City, where Deacy’s Fish Shop stands today. The family soon moved to St John’s Terrace, off Henry Street.
It was Miko who was unintentionally responsible for the nickname ‘Chick’, as his brother Don recalled this week.
“There was 10 of us in the family – Michael, George, Mary, Neil, Ernie, Tommy, Dixie (RIP), myself, Dessie (RIP) and Eamon. We hadn’t a lot of money, so it was Eamon who was brought everywhere by Dad, and we were fine with that, that was just the way it was.
“He’d sleep in the bed with Mam and Dad when he was a baby and Mam would be terrified that Eamon would be crushed – he was such a slight, skinny little thing, and my father was a big man. Dad used to call Eamon his ‘little chicken’, he’d go looking for him as ask ‘did ye see chicken?’, and we took up on that, shortened it to ‘Chick’, and the name stuck,” Don said.
There are both tears and laughter as Don recalls some anecdotes involving Chick, such as the time he told his younger brother to buy a Lotto ticket as the jackpot was around €8 million.
“He said to me ‘what would I want with €8m’, and I said ‘you could always give it to me’ and he had a good laugh at that.
“We played together for West United, and I remember after one game as we were going to the pub, he gave me a tenner and warned me not to go buying drinks for the pub, but to use it for myself. Then when we went in, he bought a round for everyone – that was the kind of person he was, he was always giving,” he said.
Some of Don’s best memories revolve around the West United side that won the Connacht Senior Cup in 1975, which featured three of the Deacy brothers – Des, Don and Chick.
“Des was outside right, I was right full, and Eamon was right half. We were playing a game in Castlebar, and this fella Chick was marking was crucifying him, he was giving him an awful time. Myself and Des said to him ‘leave him to us, we’ll sort him out’ but Chick said no, he’d look after himself.
“A couple of minutes later he floored yer man with a tackle, and he had to be stretchered off, but typical of Eamon, as we were celebrating on the bus on the way home, all that was worrying him was if yer man was okay – that was Eamon, whatever happened on the pitch, stayed on the pitch,” Don says.
* * * * * *
He was a hero to the people of the West, and to West United, the club with which he started, and ended, his career. Club chairman Patsy O’Connor recalled this week how Chick captained the side that won the first-ever U-11 trophy in Galway, and even then, those back the West knew they were watching a special player.
“He stood out, even at that early stage. That team had some great players, but Chick was that extra bit special. When he returned to the club in 1992, he really inspired the young lads in the area, he really lifted the club, and there was a great buzz around the West
“He was a great role model for young people, he used to train every day, and he set a great example,” O’Connor said.
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One more, (sorry, but they're all interesting reading where you learn something ever more prouder about the man):
Football icon to be mourned by thousands
GALWAY ADVERTISER, FEBRUARY 16, 2012.
By Linley Mackenzie
Sporting personalities from Ireland and England will gather in Galway today to bid farewell to one of the city’s best loved legends, Eamon Deacy.
Eamon Deacy, known as “Chick”, died suddenly on Monday morning en route to work at the family’s greengrocers in Sea Road.
The Irish soccer community will be led by FAI chief executive John Delaney, while several clubmates from Aston Villa’s 1980/81 League and European winning team, will attend, including Gordon Cowans, Ken McNaught and Aston Villa director Robin Russell.
They will farewell a sporting icon, who despite playing on some of the most illustrious football stages in the world, shunned the lime-light and wanted no reward but to play the game of football he loved so much.
Eamon Deacy was a Galway man through and through. Growing up as the youngest in a family of 10 in Henry Street, Eamon attended St Joseph’s College, The Bish, as his father Michael, his uncles and his eight brothers had. It was from his father he became known as “Chick”.
“Dad always used to call him his little chicken,” recalls Eamon’s brother Michael. “He’d say to him, ‘come on my little chick, we are off to football.’”
It seemed he was destined for the game. His mother Christina Molloy hailed from Terryland, and it was his grandfather who sold the land to the Galway FA that was to become Eamon’s “home” pitch for most of his life.
A natural sportsman, Eamon was a fine athlete, played rugby with the Bish and also with Galwegians, while he also played Gaelic football with St Michael’s. But from an early age, it was football to which he was most attracted.
“From the time he could walk, he was out the back yard with a football,” says Michael. “By age 13 he was always down at the Swamp, frequently by himself, kicking a football around. I suppose it was the game that gave him the most satisfaction.”
As a youngster he joined West United and, as is typical of a man who never forgot his roots, he finished out his playing days with his childhood team, playing in the over 50s.
Yearning to test his ability further afield, he worked hard to get to the top, playing with Clyde for a time in Scotland along with stints at Sligo Rovers, and Limerick. Of course it was with Galway United, formerly Galway Rovers, that Eamon provided the Galway sporting community with so many days of enjoyment. A fierce tackler, who gave 100 per cent on the pitch, he was known as the “ midfield dynamo” who scored Rovers’ first goal in the League of Ireland against Thurles Town in 1977. It was fitting that some 15 years later and in the twilight of his career, he was a member of the Galway United side that claimed the FAI Cup with a 1 - 0 victory over Shamrock Rovers.
However it was across the water where Eamon Deacy deserved to play, and he received his opportunity when Ron Saunders of Aston Villa signed him. He was to play at Villa Park for five seasons, during which time he established himself as a key member of a squad that won the first division title in 1980/81 and went on to win the European Cup. Although he did not play in the European final - opting to play for Ireland for whom he was capped four times - he reluctantly accepted his cup winner’s medal.
It was the life of which he dreamed, yet it never changed the man. He is often aptly described as demon on the pitch, but a gentleman off it.
“I remember he had never had a red card and wanted one,” says Michael. “One day he creased a guy and was duly sent off, but he ended up crying with guilt, asking himself why did he do it.”
He met his wife Mary when she, as a young journalist working for the Galway Advertiser, went to interview the soccer star. He returned to Galway to be with his family, turned down an offer to play with Derby, married, and continued to delight the crowds wherever he played.
“He was at the top of his game when he came home, but he never forgot the people he knew in Birmingham. Not only did he always call Ron Saunders every New Year’s Eve, but he never forgot his landlady. A couple of years ago he got in his car and drove to Birmingham so he could attend her funeral.”
Eamon Deacy was a relucant hero. He hated the idea of receiving accolades which he richly deserved - most recently a Hall of Fame award at the Galway Sports Stars and an Honorary Doctorate from NUIG in 2009.
“Eamon always saw the good in people and he was forever 20 years of age. He was a modest, kind, and genuinely devout person who lived for his family. As the youngest in the family he was extremely close to his parents - it really was a relationship to behold, ” says Michael.
Decency, modesty, and integrity are just some of the words friends and family have used to describe the popular 57-years-old. He may have made his name as a brilliant footballer, but it was Eamon, the person, the father, the husband, the friend, and the mentor who will missed.
Eamon is survived by his wife Mary O’Connor, daughter Dawn, and son Jake, and his brothers and sister Michael, George, Mary, Neil, Ernest, Tommy and Don. He was predeceased by brothers Nicholas (Dixie) and Desmond.
Eamon Deacy is reposing at Conneely’s Funeral home this evening (4pm to 7pm) with removal to The Augustinian Church where his funeral Mass will take place tomorrow at 11am.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis
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Fantastic find Eamonn, great to finally find out where his nickname came from. There were a few theories doing the rounds.
Incidentally, as I was doing the rounds of the family, more than one of the family members thanked me for wearing the villa scarf. They're truly an amazing family.
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Fantastic find Eamonn, great to finally find out where his nickname came from. There were a few theories doing the rounds.
Incidentally, as I was doing the rounds of the family, more than one of the family members thanked me for wearing the villa scarf. They're truly an amazing family.
Ger as far as you could tell through the crowds, did the club send a representative?
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Excellent reading eamonn and well done for organising the wreath Ger - I will donate to ACORNS accordingly.
No, it's just a bit of dust in my eye....cough, cough.
Eamon Deacy RIP
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Yeah they did. Robin Russell and the four ex-players mentioned before were in attendance. I hear that a lot of the villa memorabilia around the funeral home was sent over by the club. Whatever else people may think, I'm happy to see us acting with such class in these type of circumstances
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with all these great posts and even though I only saw him play and never actually met him, it feels like I was there in Galway myself....
cheers everyone
UTV Eamon
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Fantastic find Eamonn, great to finally find out where his nickname came from. There were a few theories doing the rounds.
Incidentally, as I was doing the rounds of the family, more than one of the family members thanked me for wearing the villa scarf. They're truly an amazing family.
Ger as far as you could tell through the crowds, did the club send a representative?
It sounds like Ger did us proud (but I know what you meant and I'm glad they did).
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Fantastic find Eamonn, great to finally find out where his nickname came from. There were a few theories doing the rounds.
Incidentally, as I was doing the rounds of the family, more than one of the family members thanked me for wearing the villa scarf. They're truly an amazing family.
Ger as far as you could tell through the crowds, did the club send a representative?
It sounds like Ger did us proud (but I know what you meant and I'm glad they did).
One thing that's been consistent over the years is the club's ability to instinctively do the right thing.
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Cheers Ger & Eamonn for the info.
Another good read here (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2006/mar/05/features.sport7)
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There was a tv camera at the funeral today, so there'll likely be a bit on irish news later. (rte.ie for those outside of Ireland who might be interested).
Plenty of c&b in attendance, which was nice to see, including johnc from this parish, who I met briefly. A really great send off for the man, plenty of laughs as well as tears. The MOTD theme tune was played as his coffin was being brought out of the church, to applause from everyone in attendance.
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Massive turn out. I believe the floral tribute Ger arranged was the first one carried out of the church ahead of the coffin. Obviously family was of massive importance to him and his brothers spoke very movingly about him and some of the stories provoked gales of laughter with an obvious sad undercurrent.
His times at Villa received many mentions. How the whole of Galway would pray for Colin Gibson to get injured, apart from Eamons Mum who wanted him stay off the pitch out of danger
Club was represented by Robin Russell. Apparently soil from two pitches he played on were to go into the grave. Gordon Cowans said he was not allowed to bring over soil from VP. One of chicks brothers said he would get soil from VP by hook or by crook sooner or later. I dont doubt that it will happen.
A good Galway man, a good Villa man, a good man.
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From a Villa perspective, I think Ernie (Chick's brother) said it all when at the end he thanked the club for giving Eamon his chance. I think that perfectly sums up what Villa meant to him, he was truly grateful for the opportunity to play for the club.
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This thread has moved me to tears reading it in full today and reminded me for the first time in a long, long, time just how proud I am to be a Villa fan.
What a lovely person and wonderful family, I think everyone has truly summed up Eamon Deacy's impact on us all by the comment that he just seemed like one of us playing for the Villa.
Thank you everybody.
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This is from todays Irish Times , to see the Newspaper page & Photo,s go to
http://irishtimes.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/viewer.aspx . Rest in Peace , Eamon .
Former Aston Villa defender Eamon Deacy laid to rest THE THEME music for BBC television’s Match of the Day and a soccer guard of honour were among tributes to former Aston Villa and Galway United defender Eamon “Chick” Deacy, who was buried yesterday in Galway.
Aston Villa director Robin Russell and four of Deacy’s colleagues from the club’s English league championship and European Cup winning team of the early 1980s were among several thousand people who attended the funeral in the Augustinian Church.
The congregation spilled out on to Middle Street and beyond.
Chief celebrant Fr Dick Lyng said that in 30 years of funerals, having buried prelates and politicians and many sporting heroes, he had never seen anything quite like the volume of people who came to the removal and funeral Mass.
President Michael D Higgins had travelled to the removal on Thursday evening, when people queued for up to six hours to pay their respects.
The unassuming former soccer star, who was in his late 50s, died suddenly last Monday.
Deacy, the youngest of 10 siblings from Galway’s Henry Street, recently received a Galway Sports Stars Hall of Fame award for his achievements, which included capturing the English league title with Aston Villa in 1980/1 and the European Cup the following season.
He picked up four caps for the Republic of Ireland and also played for Derby County before returning home to play with Galway United, Sligo Rovers and Limerick. NUI Galway awarded him an honorary Master of Arts degree several years ago.
Many supporters of Galway United and his former club West United were at the large funeral, which was also attended by the President’s aide-de-camp Cmdt Michael Walsh and Football Association of Ireland chief executive John Delaney.
Former Aston Villa teammates who attended were Gordon Cowans, Tony Morley, Ken Mcnaught and Colin Gibson.
Fr Lyng recalled a conversation this week with Connacht Tribune photographer Joe O’shaughnessy in relation to Deacy’s popularity.
“It was his decency and his downright humility. He was a decent guy and that’s why they are here,” O’shaughnessy had explained, and Fr Lyng noted that such virtues were “not exactly in abundance” today.
Quoting Galway journalist Declan Varley, Fr Lyng said Deacy’s feet were “placed firmly on the ground”.
Don and Ernie Deacy drew laughter by recounting stories of their youngest brother. Ernie, who worked closely with him in the family’s fruit and vegetable shop on Sea Road, said there were only two things that would draw his brother “out of his box”.
These were the number of priests present, as Eamon’s faith was paramount, and the guard of honour planned by West United. Eamon would want to know “what they were all doing there”, he said, to applause.
Offertory gifts presented by his nieces and nephews included a jersey to represent his time at Aston Villa, a football which he and his son Jake had played with, a basket of fruit to symbolise his life outside sport, a Child of Prague statue which he had given his daughter Dawn, and photos of where he had played as a child and where he played soccer at South Park or The Swamp.
Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven was played at the Mass opening, a piece of music favoured by Eamon and his wife Mary. Chief mourners were Eamon’s wife Mary O’connor, daughter Dawn and son Jake and his siblings Michael, George, Mary, Neil, Ernest, Tommy and Don. He was predeceased by brothers Nicholas (Dixie) and Desmond
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FC Heaven has made one hell of a signing
GALWAY ADVERTISER, FEBRUARY 16, 2012.
God never had any respect for the football transfer window. He feels it limits his options and you know how God is when it comes to having his will imposed on us mere mortals. But in assembling a football squad worthy of representing Heaven, he made one hell of a signing this week when he selected one of Galway’s most loved and most talented sportsmen. And like any football signing, his loss has left his family, friends, and supporters bereft.
A lot of fine footballers have been taken from us over the years, even here in Galway, but the sense of shock this week when the news filtered through of the death of Eamon Deacy has left a lot of us reeling. On two fronts, because Eamon was the devoted husband of our colleague Mary O’Connor, and also because he was a true gentleman, and a gentle man for whom nobody had a bad word.
There is something poetic though about the thought of Chick Deacy once again labouring alongside Miko Nolan in the Heaven midfield, doing the hard work to allow the likes of the recently-departed Socrates to get all the glory. In May 1982, when Chick played for the Republic of Ireland against Brazil in the Maracana, I am sure neither Socrates nor himself, both young men in their prime, facing each other across a celebrated pitch, could ever have realised they would depart this life within months of each other, and in both cases, shockingly too early.
Eamon Deacy was an icon in Galway football circles. His was the ultimate ‘local boy done good.’ He pestered English clubs for a chance to show his ability and he came home some time later, one of the few Irishmen (outside Liverpool or United or Arsenal ) to have in his possession a Division One League Championship medal.
He was the complete antithesis of the modern day professional footballer. A million miles removed from the likes of Ashley Cole who admitted he nearly crashed his car when his club only offered him €80,000 a week. Nothing made Eamon happier than the thought of playing a committed game of football and then working hard in the family business to do his best to support his beloved family.
I last met Chick about a month or so ago, near the children’s section in Easons when, in a discussion about life which was inspired by his meeting my three-year-old daughter, he spoke of the contentment he enjoyed and the great love he had for his family, his wife Mary, his daughter Dawn and his son Jake. He was a man who had found contentment, not in the material matters that occupy all modern day footballers, but in the realisation that life is about being a decent human being. And that he certainly was...
It has been a rough year for Galway. We have lost a lot of things, airports, football clubs, jobs, good men and women, and now the city has lost a hero.
We will all feel the pain of his absence, but none more acutely than his family, Mary and his daughter and son, Dawn and Jake. Thank you for sharing him with us, remember what a great man he was, and picture in your mind’s eye, himself and Miko above the clouds, laying into Bestie for not tracking back. Farewell, Chick and thanks for the memories.
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Re article in Irish Times- West Ham United?
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Re article in Irish Times- West Ham United?
West United are the Irish team he started and ended with.
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No, it's a local Galway club, West United, where he started and finished his playing days. Here (https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/424667_10150594350258119_684348118_8687420_363168378_n.jpg) is a photo of chick and the rest of the team celebrating a win in 03 / 04.
Edit: Beat me to the punch Somniloquism!
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But you gave more info.
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Thanks Guys- worryingly I saw the word Ham where it did not exist.
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Just read the whole thread and yet again the Villa family unite in grief.
Thank you to all.
UTV.
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One of the best threads I've ever read on H&V. Thanks to all and thank-you Eamonn.
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Indeed. Restores faith in people and our own club.
Maybe renaming it to reflect his passing might be an idea as a couple of Irish football fans said they would like to read it when I mentioned it to them yesterday.
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Great, great stories and memories here of a man who always gave everything for the Villa.
Those of us of a certain age will always remember the skinny Irish lad who used to come on and shake up the opposition from his first touch. Always remember wondering how he never broke his 'sparrow' legs in some of his challenges. He always looked so frail but that man was a ferocious tackler - hard but always fair. Our pampered stars of today would spend plenty of time on the floor and our pathetic excuses for referees would be brandishing red cards conned by their writhings.
In his time, there was only one sub per team, the manager never had 7 players to choose from so it's a true testament to Eamonn that he was so often the one chosen.
A true unsung hero but worthy of every bit of praise from this site and plenty of others as well as the Irish media.
I would like to say that his attitude is still familiar in football but, sadly, I think those days are gone.
RIP Eamonn, a Villa man through and through.
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One of the best threads I've ever read on H&V. Thanks to all and thank-you Eamonn.
Seconded. Should be stickied forever.
When we all start falling out and name-calling maybe the miscreants could be directed to this thread by the mods.
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This thread has moved me to tears reading it in full today and reminded me for the first time in a long, long, time just how proud I am to be a Villa fan.
What a lovely person and wonderful family, I think everyone has truly summed up Eamon Deacy's impact on us all by the comment that he just seemed like one of us playing for the Villa.
Thank you everybody.
My sentiments and reaction as well Oscar.
This thread makes me feel extremely proud and priviledged to be a fan of Aston Villa.
RIP Eamon.
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Indeed! This thread and the one titled "Proud to be a Villa fan" are great reads.
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Very moving thread and gives no doubt of the wonderful football club we have the honour of following.
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Is there any way that this thread could be put into a printed form and sent to Eamons family on behalf of all Villa fans?
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i to have found this thread very good. i remember seeing him play but did not know half the things about him untill i read them on this thread. what a great bloke he was and i feel his loss as if he where a family friend if thats not to stupid a word. r.i.p buddy
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Let's hope a minutes silence will be given at Villa Park as recognition to Eamon
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Is there any way that this thread could be put into a printed form and sent to Eamons family on behalf of all Villa fans?
I think that is a fantastic idea if it is at all possible to do it.
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I might merge the posts together and send them on to Dawn in the next few weeks. Not sure if they've had a minute's peace yet, so don't want to be bothering them just yet with it.
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His neice responded on the AVFC official thread to thank fans for their messages and I messaged her to direct her here. I have also emailed the club to request that we pay our respects at the next game and the response indicated that they might just include him in the end of season tribute. I wonder if more fans could contact the club because i do think he deserves his own time. I also think this is one for the minutes applause rather than silence but either would do. It just needs to be about Eammon.
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His neice responded on the AVFC official thread to thank fans for their messages and I messaged her to direct her here. I have also emailed the club to request that we pay our respects at the next game and the response indicated that they might just include him in the end of season tribute. I wonder if more fans could contact the club because i do think he deserves his own time. I also think this is one for the minutes applause rather than silence but either would do. It just needs to be about Eammon.
Behind you all the way with this.
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Let's bloody do it Saturday for some applause as a start. Wigan will accommodate us.
Then banners for the next home game. Like "One of the 14, Never Forgotten".
That sort of thing. Too much false sentiment in modern football but, just for a change, this would be appropriate to show the family just what we think.
RIP Chick, you would likely wonder what the fuss was about but this about us showing your family that your delight at being a Villa man means you will always be a greatly missed part of his extended Villa family.
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Every other match seems to have player wearing black armbands and a minute's applause/silence. This fella is as deserving as any.
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Chatting to my neighbour who was, by chance, back home in Galway for the funeral and she said the town had never known anything like it. And her brother and many of his friends are Villa fans as a result of the Deacy connection.
As others have said on here, they were a lovely family. All so very sad.
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There was a nice tribute to Eamon before the Republic of Ireland game last night at The Aviva Stadium ( as it's now called).
His picture up on the big screen and a minutes round of applause.
Respect.
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That's nice.
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Very.
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Was looking to see if there was anything of yesterday's tribute on the net and found this instead.
http://youtu.be/qBtr2FTym48
The You tube clip is shamelessly sentimental but it is the first thing I have seen really that leaves us something of him. The words that go with it continue the theme of what we already know......
"To state Galway soccer is in an utter state of shock with the sudden passing of Eamon 'Chick' Deacy may appear an over exaggeration to some, but for many the unexpected nature of the news has utterly shaken us. He passed away before beginning his usual route delivering fruit and vegetables around the city this morning after a suspected heart attack, an event that leaves countless reeling, much like being on the receiving end of one of the crunching tackles he was renowned for. The passing of someone much loved and admired is always a shock, but the disbelief that it's 'Chick' is palpable. The man was the epitome of a sportsman having never smoked, rarely if ever drank alcohol, never been over-weight, and had continued to jog and play football when called upon up to this faithful day. But he was more than just a sportsman; he was a gentleman and an unquestionable decent human being.
The term 'legend' is widely (over)used and often simply lacing a pair of boots for a number of years is enough to earn the label. Therefore, it's not fitting to merely call 'Chick' a legend because for innumerable people he was more than just a regular player. Having been part of the famous fourteen at Aston Villa for the League winning 80/81 season and one of the foremost trailblazers from Galway to play football in the UK the pride that we felt in 'Chick' was/is immeasurable. He was our representative at the top table of football, our ambassador, and he never let us down. Many who travelled on the West United trip to the game against Southampton that season spoke of "busting with pride" and recall the respect his teammates had for 'Chick', a respect that was transmitted to his friends and neighbours from Galway. It was not enough for the players that day to simply meet and greet 'Chick's' Galway people they pushed the boat out transporting them to many pubs and clubs across Birmingham that night, in their own personal cars. Somehow, in an age of multi-millionaire footballers I don't think that same level of respect for teammates, and by extension friends and neighbours, exists today.
So we mourn the passing of a true Galway sporting icon and hero today and his impact on our lives will be enduring. 'Chick' had all the manly attributes that we should aspire to for our own self-realisation. He was quietly persistent, tough as nails on the pitch and humble off the field of play, with a kind self-effacing approach to life and to the people he met. He was undeniably called to the dugout far too early because, as usual, he was playing the game of life like the true pro he will always be!
R.I.P Chick"
I always remembered him with a smile, but I think it's only now that I really feel this proud that he was ours.
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I never saw him play, it was a few years before my time, but it was a lovely applause yesterday and the announcer saying that only 14 players won the league which will never happen again made it a very proud moment.
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I thought it was a great tribute yesterday, whether intentional or not it had an air of understatement about it that seems very fitting for the man in question. I imagined him shaking his head and saying "Oh, stop making a fuss!".
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This is a nice touch don't you think:
THE GALWAY FA has decided to rename Terryland Park in honour of Eamon “Chick” Deacy, the former Aston Villa and Galway United player who died suddenly in February.
Deacy Park will be the new name for the home of soccer in Galway – ironically, the land for the ground had been purchased from his family back in the 1930s to develop Terryland Park.
Plans are being made for an exhibition match later in the year between the Aston Villa side which Deacy helped win the English league championship in 1981 and a selection made up of players from his time with his local club West United and Galway United.
The 53-year old was also capped four times by the Republic of Ireland.
His brother Don said that renaming Terryland Park was a huge honour for his family and they were looking forward to the official renaming of the ground later in the year.
“Hopefully, most of his former mates with Aston Villa will be able to come over for what should be a great day,” he said.
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That is a great way to remember the man. And some welcome good news to lighten the doom and gloom that currently abounds on here.
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Looking forward to that, should be a good day.
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An H&V meet-up would seem apt given the love for the man shown on this thread.
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I heard last night that at the funeral the priest or his brother gave his age as 58. Every where it's listed as 53. I don't know if it was a mistake by either but I hope it's true.
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There was a bit of confusion about his age at the time of the funeral and one explantion I heard was that he knocked a few years off his age when he went over to the Villa as he reckoned Ron Saunders wouldn't have been keen on someone in their mid To late 20s so he put himself a few years younger. He would have played back in the days before a passport was needed to board a plane between UK and Ireland so maybe he just pitched up and told them he was a nipper of 20 years and they took him at his word. Who knows
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An H&V meet-up would seem apt given the love for the man shown on this thread.
I'd love that.
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I'd certainly be up for that as well. Being the local I'd be able to recommend decent boozers et. Once a date we'll take it from there I suppose.
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I'd be keen too, please keep me updated. Thanks.
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I will come over for that
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For anyone interested, just get in touch and I can look into accommodation for you. Have a couple of contacts that can often get me good deals on hotels.
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So I was speaking with my neighbour, who is organising the Villa legends v Galway select game, and it's pencilled in for the 18th of August. As I said, anyone who is interested in coming over, get in touch and I'll give you some tips for accommodation etc.
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So I was speaking with my neighbour, who is organising the Villa legends v Galway select game, and it's pencilled in for the 18th of August. As I said, anyone who is interested in coming over, get in touch and I'll give you some tips for accommodation etc.
Looking forward to it.
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Need to look at fixtures for next season before I confirm owt.
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That will be likely the first day of next season, right? Or the second weekend of next season should things go Pete Tong over the next few weeks. Either way, should be able to make it.
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Just found out some more info on this. Definitely on the 18th, with kick off at 6pm. Ron Saunders will be in attendance.
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Just said I'd let you all know that Chick's family placed a notice in a couple of the local papers thanking everyone for their support. They thanked H&V for the floral tribute and donation to Acorns.
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I am chuffed this game is going ahead. It is a great way to remember Eamon and will hopefully generate a few decent memories for the Galway team and raise Villa's profile in the west of Ireland.
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Good news that it coincides with an away game, hopefully a few will make it over for it.
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I'd just like to add that last week/weekend I was in Szczecin, Poland for a wedding between an Irishman from Galway and his Polish fiance. When the inevitable talk got round to football, the family that were over from those parts all spoke of Mr Deacy in glowing terms, especially his humility and contributions to local charities etc.
I had the alcoholic fears and sweats at the airport on Sunday, thanks to them.
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Hmmmmm.
We got a hotel voucher as a wedding present and the good lady wife fancys a weekend in Galway...in August.
Is it defiantly still on ?
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just found this
http://www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/51972/celebration-for-chick-to-be-launched-on-monday
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Just said I'd let you all know that Chick's family placed a notice in a couple of the local papers thanking everyone for their support. They thanked H&V for the floral tribute and donation to Acorns.
Family notices from the Connacht Tribune (http://announce.galwaynews.ie/17727898)
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We are grateful too to Aston Villa Supporters Club - "Heroes and Villians" - who sent a wreath in the shape of a football jersey bearing Villa's signature claret and blue colours as well as making a donation to charity in Eamonn's name.
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I just love that photo of Eamonn wearing the 'Champions of Europe' shirt.
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(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/561213_471662406194998_1976519228_n.jpg)
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Class :)
Right, who´s going then?
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I'm seriously considering it.
I must casually drop the suggestion into a conversation with Mrs Gervilla during the week.
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I'm definitely going and could be bringing a mate too. Ger, I'll be in touch in a day or so.
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Sadly can't, but I will be there in spirit.
UTV
the Doc
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I'm definitely going and could be bringing a mate too. Ger, I'll be in touch in a day or so.
No bother dave, as I said, I might be able to get a good deal on the raddison which is right in the centre of town for anyone interested (depending on availability obviously). Either that or I'll be able to get a list of decent B&Bs for anyone interested in coming over. Just send me a PM.
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I have somehow ended up in contact with his neice , Nicola Deacy, on facebook. They run a B&B and would welcome any Villa fans coming over.
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It looks like God will be playing in this game too. Marvellous.
Former Republic of Ireland legend Paul McGrath has confirmed he will travel to Galway City on Saturday August 18 to take part in the Eamonn ‘Chick’ Deacy testimonial game, which will see the ground on the Dyke Road officially renamed as Eamonn Deacy Park. McGrath, who won 83 caps for the Republic of Ireland, played with Aston Villa from 1989 to 1996, has contacted the organisers of the game with a view to being involved, and he has said he will tog out and take some part in the action on the pitch on the day. McGrath is just one of a number of illustrious names who will be representing Aston Villa in the game – other players the club have confirmed will be travelling for the game include Alan Evans, Ken McNaught, Des Bremner, Colin Gibson and Tony Morley, who all won an the English league title with Chick in 1980/81, as well as Ray Walker, David Norton, Martin Carruthers, Lee Hendrie, Pat Heard and Neil Rioch, as well as another former Irish international, Gareth Farrelly. Ron Saunders, the man who led the Villa team to that league title, is also travelling over for the game with his wife, daughter, and grandchildren. Tickets for the game, which kicks-off at 5.30pm on Saturday August 18, cost €10 for adults and €5 for students, while admission for children under the age of 12 will be free once they are accompanied by an adult. Tickets for the game go on sale this week and are available at a number of outlets, including Londis in Newcastle, Zhivago on Shop Street and Ernie’s on Sea Road, all in the city, as well as the Square Inn in Athenry, O’Brien’s Hardware in Loughrea, the Brogue Inn in Tuam, Kerrigan’s Londis in Kilcolgan, Joe Francis’s in An Spideal, and a number of other outlets – check the Celebration for Chick page on Facebook for more details, or call Keith on 087 2870821. The ground will be officially renamed and blessed before the 5.30pm kick-off, so people are urged to get to the ground early – further details will be announced in the coming weeks.
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Eamonn, I can't seem to reply to your pm. Will sort the ticket for you and you can give me the money on the day.
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Thanks Ger, much appreciated.
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Oi Dave, that's mine!
Thanks Ger, much appreciated.
I'm heading to Westport on the Sunday for a couple of days so it should be a good weekend in the west.
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Sorry Eamon, I'll make it up to you on the 18th.
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Looking foward to this at the weekend. Anyone seen the squad Villa are sending?
Got to say the goalkeeper is about the last ex-player I would have guessed would be involved. Last thing we heard from him was something about opposition fans in Holland pelting him with dildos after a home-movie leaked online of him being anally probed by his female companion.
Team listed below. I'm sure there would have been more of the '81 heroes if it didn't coincide with the opening day of the season. That obviously rules Sid out, I imagine Shaw and a few others are i involved with media work. Still... Tommy Johnson?! No lil'Lee from what was reported previously. Thought Staunton would be involved too. Maybe they're on the bench...pretty sure McGrath is confirmed to be there. Scored the winner for St Pats last time he played on the ground. In 1981 obviously. How great will it be to see God in his natural colours once again?
Aston Villa Legends
Stefan Postma.
Darren Bradley.
Colin Gibson.
Allan Evans.
Ken McNaught.
Pat Heard.
Des Bremner.
Garrett Farrelly.
Tommy Johnson.
Paul Kerr.
Tony Morley.
by Keith Kelly
Galway’s soccer family will be out in force this Saturday to honour its greatest player when the city and county’s flagship soccer venue is renamed in his memory.
The Galway FA voted unanimously to rename Terryland Park after Eamonn ‘Chick’ Deacy, who died suddenly in February, and to mark the occasion, a number of Chick’s former team-mates from the three clubs closest to his hearts will play in a testimonial game at Eamonn Deacy Park on Saturday evening (kick-off 5.30pm).
Chick was part of the Aston Villa squad that claimed the old English First Division title in the 1980/81 season, famously being one of just 14 players used by Ron Saunders in that title-winning season. Five of that squad are travelling to the city for the game – Tony Morley, Ken McNaught, Colin Gibson, Allan Evans and Des Bremner – with McNaught saying they are looking forward to paying tribute to Chick.
“He was a good friend, he was very often the centre of attention as he was just such fun to be around, and the lads all loved him, he was great company. He was very much a valued member of our squad, and the fact he played for his country says just how good he was.
“There was never any question about us coming over for his funeral back in February, and the fact that a club director, Robin Russell, travelled over as well show the huge respect we, and the club, had for Eamonn.
“We’re all looking forward to coming over and paying tribute to Eamonn, to doing his memory justice. He is the first of that title-winning squad to pass away, and that has hit us all hard. He was such a humble guy, and travelling over to be part of this celebration of his life is the least we could do,” McNaught said.
The player Chick was perhaps closest to during his time at Villa, Tony Morley, says the manner in which the city native got a trial at, and subsequently signed for, Aston Villa is deserving of Hollywood.
“He changed his age to get a trial with Villa – back then, you hadn’t a hope of getting a trial at 27, and he knew that, but it was his dream and he did what he had to in order to realise that dream. If that happened in America, they’d make a film about the bloke – if a guy from rural America changes his age to get a trial with a team and he went on to win the Super Bowl, there’d have been a book and film about him telling that story.
“We all thought ‘fair play pal’, we thought it was great, and even Villa saw the funny side of it and respected him for that, for chasing his dream. Every time the Villa lads get together, we don’t talk about Gordon Cowans or Peter White or Gary Shaw, we always talk about Eamonn – he was such a great part of that group of players. He was magical,” Morley says.
Former Irish international Paul McGrath is also part of the Villa squad, and his former Irish international team-mate, Packie Bonner, will play as a special guest of West United – West United is based in the Henry Street, Shantalla and Claddagh are of the city, and was the club Chick started and ended his career with.
The renaming ceremony takes place at 5pm on Saturday and will be presided over by Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring. The ground will be blessed by Fr Dick Lyng of the Augustinian Church and Reverend Gary Hastings of St Nicholas’ Collegiate Church.
Gates open at 4pm, and there will be pre-match entertainment provided by the St Patrick’s Brass Band, while Greg Cotter will perform at half-time. There will be limited parking available at the ground, and people are urged to use the City Council car-park at the Dyke Road, and to use public- transport where possible when travelling to the game.
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For anyone going (Eamonn, Dave S.), how about meeting up in Bierhaus on Henry Street / Dominick Street before the game? good beer selection, about 20 minute walk to the ground. Dave - that's pretty close to where you'll be staying.
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See you there Ger, looking forward to meeting all.
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BTW what time will you be in there?
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3? Will try and get the game put on the laptop in the pub so we get the best of both worlds!
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Sounds good. My train gets in just after two so will try and meet you there for at least the second half and then on towards Terryland/Deacy Park.
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I spent yesterday afternoon, evening and night in the company of H & V posters Ger Regan and Eamonn at the Eamon Deacy memorial testimonial and what a wonderful few hours they were. Both lads were friendly and good company. I first met Ger at the appointed pub and as he promised we watched the West Ham match which turned out to be the biggest disappointment of the day. After the final whistle by which time we'd been joined by Eamonn, we made our way to the newly named Eamon Deacy Park for the match against the "Villa Legends" which included members of the '81 championship winning team, Evans, Morley, McNaught amongst them. A good entertaining couple of hours. The great Ron Saunders was in attendance as was Paul McGrath, and as an added bonus former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Packie Bonner made a cameo appearance late in the second half.
After the game we went to town for something to eat and then on for a few pints. Ger, who knows Eamon's daughter personally told us that there was a reception planned in the hotel where the players were staying and that there was an open invitation for anyone who so wished to attend. We arrived at about 11:10 pm to hear the speeches. The good people of Galway were so appreciative of Aston Villa for agreeing to take part in this testimonial to one of their favourite sons and were particularly voiciferous in the platitudes. In response to a presentation made by Eamon's wife Mary to him Colin Gibson gave his speech which he did with genuine fondness and esteem of Eamon. It struck me that Gibbo and Eamon were the best of friends and there is a genuine sense of loss.
For myself I am not and never have been the type of person who would be starstruck by anyone but last night I was like a kid in a candy shop. I got the chance to speak to these players who have given me the the highlight of all the years of following Villa and to thank them for it. In 1978 I got the autograph of Alan Evans on my season ticket which I still have. I told him this yesterday and reminded him that the gave it to me in Good Hope Hospital when his wife and my wife were in the same ward where his wife had their daughter and my wife had our son he then updated his autograph for me dedicating it this time to my grandchildren. Everyone of those players were gentlemanly, accommodating and so willing to talk to me I couldn't believe it. Special thanks to Des Bremner for making sure I got all the photo's I wanted. He actully bollocked me for thinking I was intruding on their privacy. Tony Morley wanted to see the photo to make sure it turned out. Top, top men all of them but the highlight of the evening for me was to get to shake hands and say thank you to Ron Saunders.
I finally got to bed about 2:45 am a very very happy old man. I can't promise but I'll try and post some photo's if I can work out how to do it.
Thanks Ger, thanks Eamonn I really enjoyed your company.
Sorry for the long post.
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I'm really sorry I couldn't make it along guys. Maybe those of us in Ireland should try to arrange a meet up again soon?
Dave Shelley and Fergal are the only H&Vers I have ever met, and both excellent company!
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Dave Shelley, that is a cracking post, and definitely not too long. Sounds like you had more fun than we did at Upton Park.
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Dave Shelley, that is a cracking post, and definitely not too long. Sounds like you had more fun than we did at Upton Park.
I have to say that I am very jealous. What a great experience it must have been.
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Great meeting the two of ye yesterday, it really was a great day. Dave has filled ye all in more comprehensively than I could ever hope to.
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Great meeting the two of ye yesterday, it really was a great day. Dave has filled ye all in more comprehensively than I could ever hope to.
Definitely...if there was a *like* button for posts....
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Lovely read, thanks Dave. Glad you all enjoyed it.
How was God?
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Unfortunately Perce we didn't get to see him but we know he was there as Dawn, Eamons daughter told us there were a lot of happy autograph hunters. He was also advertised all over town as appearing so fair play to him for making it. With all the falling down water that was flowing last night it wouldn't have been fair to expect him to attend the evenings function. For that my heart goes out to him.
Something I omitted to mention in my original post was after the teams came out for the second half there was a delay whilst presentations were being made and a band playing too! While this was going on the sight of Alan Evans playing in goal while a load of little kids were having an impromptu match in the penalty area and him diving all over the place as the shots rained in will live long in the memory too. Terriffic ambassadors for Aston Villa.
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Marvellous post Dave,what a fantastic experience.
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Forgot to mention, Saunders decided to manage the lads during the game, apparently resulting in panic from some of the former players!
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Forgot to mention, Saunders decided to manage the lads during the game, apparently resulting in panic from some of the former players!
I'm guessing 110% might have been a struggle.
I'm another that enjoyed the report dave shelley. I'm glad you shared it
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I haven't noticed above - whatwas the score?
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Great Stuff Dave, thanks for sharing that with us. UTV
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3-2 to the villa old stars overall. They played against a Galway United select in the first half and it was 2-1, played West United in the second and that finished 1-1.
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3-2 to the villa old stars overall. They played against a Galway United select in the first half and it was 2-1, played West United in the second and that finished 1-1.
Cheers Ger. other than the class of 81 who else played for Villa? Did you take your boots along and get to play alongside a few of the legends too?!
Hopefully there will be some coverage to look forward to in the Galway press as well.
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I'm not surprised by a word of Dave's story. You'll never meet anyone as unassuming nor as modest as the members of that Villa team.
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Cheers Ger. other than the class of 81 who else played for Villa? Did you take your boots along and get to play alongside a few of the legends too?!
Hopefully there will be some coverage to look forward to in the Galway press as well.
Didn't take my boots, although another really nice touch was that Eamonn's young fella, Jake, got to play for around 10 - 15 minutes at the end with the villa old stars.
Other players included Stefan Postma, Darragh Sheridan (former villa trainee and Galway United player), Ryan Amoo, Gareth Farrelly amongst others who I can't think of right now!
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Was there too with my son, we both had a fantastic afternon. My son was wearing MY European Cup winners shirt that I wore in 1982 when I was 11!!, Gibbo, Allan Evans both commented on it, as they must have realised it was so old and worn out. Just after half time we had our photo with and shook Ron Saunders hand! He must be getting on now. On thing - I never realised Des Bremner being as tall!!
They were all true gentlemen without a doubt. Some people say you should never meet your heroes but Saturday was so special. Special to those who knew the company of the greats we were in. It was amazing to see there will to win still there - no way were they going to lose. Tony Morley and Des still shouting abuse at the lads for giving away possession in the last minute! - oh and Stefan Postma's certainly been on the pies!
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Sounds like a great day that would have done Eamon proud.
The modern player could take a leaf out of the book of these 'old' professionals.
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Don't forget David Norton Ger, and the cracking third goal he scored. It took us a while to work out who he was due to the fact that he has definitely been on the pies!
Incidentally for anyone interested, the PA announcer gave the crowd as in excess of 2.5k which was a great turnout. The weather was kind to us too which, given the summer we've had was also remarkable. I'm still buzzing and imagine I will be for a long time to come; even Mrs S seems delighted that this has made me so happy.
Walmley, you are right, professional sums these boys up in the true sense of the word a real credit to themselves and the club.
Thank you all for the kind remarks on my post, I really appreciate them.
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It sounds like it was a great day and a good turn out too. I met Morley a few weeks ago and we discussed the event. He was struggling with a bad back then, did he manage 90 mins?
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Bren'd, I know there was a switch about five minutes from the end and I have a feeling it could have been Tony Morley coming off, if it wasn't he was on for the full ninety. The first time he set off on a run it brought back so many memories, that distinctive hunched style of running, marvellous.
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It sounds like it was a great day and a good turn out too. I met Morley a few weeks ago and we discussed the event. He was struggling with a bad back then, did he manage 90 mins?
He was coaching my two lads at Bishop Walsh Summer Soccer School last week and obviously left Friday lunchtime to head to Ireland. He's recommending my eldest lad (15) to the Walsall Academy scout. Not sure if I'm happy or not!
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http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2012/0820/breaking14.html
A good read which again highlights the fact that Chick was one of a kind
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Thought some of you might be interested in reading a speech Eamonn gave in January of this year after being inducted into the Hall of Fame at the Galway Sports Stars Awards, which was printed in the match programme on saturday.
Mayor, County Manager, special guests and ladies and gentlemen.
I can't believe I'm here tonight. When I first got the rumour of this award, and if I was a betting man, I'd have given odds of 1000/1 I wouldn't have been here tonight, and I would have been very sure of collecting that bet.
The reason being, I believe sports people get their pound of flesh on the field of play. All my life I've managed to dodge these awards, and I must say I've done a very good job of it - anyone out there who wants to write the book, I've all the information at home and it will be a best seller, and I'm proof of that.
When I threw all this at John McIntyre, and you can see John McIntyre is a big man, but I tell you by the time I was finished with him, he had to go on a week's holiday. I'm sure he was saying at the time I'm glad this fella hasn't a hurl in his hand. But to be fair to John he stood his ground and he said that although I had a point, this wasn't the time to prove it. He felt the people who being honoured here tonight were high achievers and were very deserving of their awards, and I didn't doubt that for one moment.
He also felt that the people who pick these awards are very passionate and had put a lot of time into it, and there aren't many journalist awards and they are occasions to say thanks to those sports people.
He also said that, and everyone knows the plight Galway United are in at the moment, and he felt they always wanted to honour soccer and he felt there was no better year than this to do it, and he felt that I was the one to receive that award.
When I thought about it, and I thought of all the fellas who played soccer in Galway, all the great players who have passed on, all the great players passing through now - and we have one here tonight in Stephen O'Donnell - and all the ones going to come through in the future, I was very chuffed and honoured to be mentioned in the same breath as them.
But when I think of these awards, I think of all the people who put the nets up and down around the country, line the pitches, turn on the showers, bring out the bottles of water, these are the guys I think of when these awards are being given out, these are the people who do not want to be recognised, they just want to do their jobs, but without them, sport wouldn't be worth playing.
Also, when I see highly professional players all around the world, being paid huge amounts of money, and showing disrespect to their teammates, to the press, not wanting to play for their country, not wanting to sign autographs for young kids, for me they have no place in the game.
When you compare them to all the subs who make all the panels all around the country, and I know enough about subs 'cause I sent enough time on the bench in Villa Park, I spent so much time there they were going to put a plaque up to me.
The excuse these give is that they are under pressure, well I'll tell you, the people who are under pressure are the people who sit on thse benches all over the country, the subs who make up all these teams - they're a manager and a coache's dream, 'cause I know, I was one of them.
They never miss a training session, they turn up for every single game, they never complain why they are not in the team, the only time they get on is when somebody is injured or somebody plays bad, and if the team loses, they are usually blamed for it, and when the medals are given out, they are usually the last to receive one, but they are the fellas who the pressure is really on.
I know from being abroad, every week, no matter how hard you train, you want to see your name on that team sheet, and when it's not you go down the corridor and knock on the manager's door and go in to see him and ask him why you're not on the team, 'cause if you don't, he'll think you're not interested.
The first thing he used to say to me was, 'well, you're always number one on my team sheet', and I felt like saying, 'don't put me on the team sheet, put me on the field of play', but if you said that you'd be out the door. These are my heroes, so when awards are being given, I think of these people.
We made great progress in sport in the last number of years but I feel we may have lost our way a bit in that we only want the best. Now there is nothing wrong with that, but I think it was the American coach Vince Lombardi, who 50 years ago quipped 'winning isn't the only thing, it's everything'.
Well, I've never adhered to that, I don't believe in that for one second. Socrates - a famous Brazilian footballer who also qualified as a doctor - died recently in his mid 50's. Socrates played the game his way, he knew you had to have the will to win, but also knew you need to entertain.
When he died recently, all these people who believe you have to win everything felt that they had the last laugh and said he was a loser because he won nothing. How wrong they were, because he was respected, loved and adored all around the world, and the greatest accolade that can be bestowed on any sportsman was that he was unique.
I'm delighted to say we in Connacht here can relate to Socrates, because as far as everybody else is concerned we have been battered and bruised but we keep coming back all the time, we play sports in the right manner, always have a smile on our face and we produce the goods.
If there was a gold medal to be given out to any province in the world, it should be given to Connacht. Although we might not get the trophy at the end of the year, if you just look around here tonight, and you see the talent we keep producing year in year out, we have the formula and long may it continue.
Also can I say when these awards are presented, the person who receives it is usually able to tell you how much they value the award. I know tonight everyone in the room is very honoured and proud to have in our presence John Treacy, a world champion and an Olympic champion, and a champion who has done it in the right and honest way.
I know sport has been tainted a bit in the last number of years, but as long as we have John Treacy looking after these games, the good will always outweigh the bad.
While I'm on the sport of athletics, we have our own Gary Thornton here competing for the marathon, and he is short a few minutes at the moment, and when the final run comes, if he is short a few seconds and John wants to bend the rules a small bit......... I can assure you, this is no slight on John or anybody, but if he does bend the rules it will go into the Guinness book of records, because it will be the first time anyone has bent the rules for anyone here in Connacht, but we wouldn't have it any other way.
Also, the way sport is gone now, it has gone so expensive, I know the panel here and all the people involved are very delighted to have Pad McDonagh's Supermac's on board. I have great respect for Pat McDonagh, not because he sponsors these awards, which get all the publicity, but he sponsors many other awards, and he also does lots of other charity things, which never get a mention.
To sum up Pat McDonagh, everyone knows the plight Galway United is in, and he is willing to put his good name, and his good money, behind them, and that says a lot about him. He is one of our own, and long may he continue in business, and we're very proud to have him in Galway.
Another reason I was delighted to receive this award, and I say this with my hand on my heart, is that it is the first one I have received from a panel of journalists. The panel of journalists who picked this award, and those who didn't, all of them here tonight from all the different papers, and all the journalists in Connacht, I have the height of respect for them, I really have, from the first ball I ever kicked they gave me nothing but good, they have been complete behind my career, in Galway, everywhere. I've played badly, I've had injuries, I've been sent off, they've never said one bad thing.
I have the utmost respect for them, I really have, and not alone are they good journalists, they are good family men and I regard them as my true friends, and I say that from the bottom of my heart, and I am very honoured to receive an award selected by them.
When I look back now, I don't think of all the medals I won or lost - and I lost two good ones, missing out on the cup final with Galway United and a European Cup medal with Villa - I don't think of those things at all, I think of all the friends I made, and I hope I made a few enemies as well because if I didn't, I didn't do my job right, and to be honest if I was to go back, I'd make a lot more enemies.
The amount of goodwill I have received since I was nominated for this award has been overwhelming, both in Ireland and across the water - my head is so big now I couldn't get into the Ardilaun tonight, and I am very grateful for that. I'd also like to thank all my frineds, and also my family, my wife Mary, my children, my sister Mary, my brothers, my nieces, my cousins, my nephews, for the wonderful support they have given me, on the field of play, without them I wouldn't be the person I am today, and I wouldn't be the person I am today, and I wouldn't be here receiving this award tonight.
On behalf of all the sports stars here tonight I'd like to thank all their parents, all their friends, their coaches and their managers for the wonderful support and encouragement they have given.
Finally, this will probably be the last award I receive, and I'm going out on a good one, and although the night is young I'm already looking forward to next year's awards, as I know I won't be getting anything!
Thank you very much.
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He got one thing wrong in that speech.
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Reading that speech makes me incredibly proud to think he played for Aston Villa. A great man.
Thanks to those who have taken the time to write about the weekend.
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Newspaper article (http://tinyurl.com/cbmrl48)
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Contrary to what his wiki page says, he was 57, not 53. He lied about his age when looking for a trial with the villa. A number of players remarked on it at the weekend, as they never knew at the time.
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It's been great following this thread. Many thanks to all the posters.
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Thanks for the post Ger. A really lovely and humble speech by Eamon.
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(http://DSC01017)
Folks; can you let me know if you can see this image? As you may guess I'm experimenting as I don't know how to upload these images. If not someone may be kind enough to guide me.
Thanks
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Not yet Dave, sadly I am not a computer geek... mods to the shopfloor!
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(http://DSC01017)
Folks; can you let me know if you can see this image? As you may guess I'm experimenting as I don't know how to upload these images. If not someone may be kind enough to guide me.
Thanks
Nope. Upload image to photobucket or similar then copy and paste the IMG code here.
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(http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s392/astonian5/9737d648.jpg)
Please check this one and let me know please.
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It's worked.
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(http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s392/astonian5/1ebf9902.jpg) l to r Ger, Eamonn
(http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s392/astonian5/e2ebf302.jpg)
(http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s392/astonian5/331c9d80.jpg)
(http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s392/astonian5/07c24f92.jpg)
The Cheshire cat in the photo's is me!
Thanks for the help Leege.
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Great pics Dave
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From social media:
PRESS RELEASE
Eamonn “Chick” Deacy to this day remains one of the finest footballers Galway has ever produced. Having played in the League of Ireland with Sligo Rovers, Limerick and Galway Rovers before becoming a firm fans favourite at Aston Villa where he played from 1978 – 1984, Chick was very successful with the English Division 1, European Cup and European Super Cup amongst his accolades during his time cross channel.
Having never lost sight of his hometown, Chick returned home in 1984 to continue his career with his beloved Galway United. On completion of his league of Ireland career he then returned to his local roots and played junior football with West United.
Many a Sunday morning Chick would line out against local opposition, always on hand to offer advice to young and enthusiastic footballers, he was both loved and feared in the local league as his talents on the pitch knew no boundaries. West United continue to play at South Park with their new juvenile academy going from strength to strength.
As we emerge from COVID-19 and look to rebuild our local economy, I am proposing a life size statue of Chick Deacy be erected at South Park. I believe it will work two-fold, firstly it would act as a landmark site for visitors to pay their respects to Chick Deacy. The football community at home and abroad including many a generation of Aston Villa supporter in Birmingham would have a place to remember their hero. With that, it would generate footfall to the West End of the city and support the local economy there as well as creating a starting point for visitors to walk our beautiful coastline to Salthill.
Secondly, for a club building an academy it would act as a constant reminder to a new generation of footballer anything is achievable. Chick’s career is inspirational and must be celebrated. In my view his statue overseeing the West United academy would act as that very inspiration young players need.
Having spoken to the Deacy family first, I have now engaged in conversation with the Galway City Council tourism officer to seek funding for this project which I believe would be welcomed by the footballing community in Galway and beyond. Dublin City Council correctly erected a statue of their beloved Luke Kelly, now is the turn of Galway City Council with a memorial to the late Eamonn ‘Chick’ Deacy, a man who won the highest honours possible cross channel playing the beautiful game.
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Lovely speech, what a gracious and humble man.
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Lovely gesture, but I hope they spell his name correctly on any plaque...
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Is it Eamon or Eamonn?
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Eamonn.
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The whole of the last page brought a tear to this jaded eye.
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Eamonn.
Two Ns are better than one.
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I remember Deacy's only(?) goal for Villa against Norwich in the 82/83 season, a cracker of a goal cutting in from the right, taking a couple of players on and whacking it in the top corner. There is also a nice tribute on Youtube, with Jimmy Hill raving about his tackling against Juventus in the 1st leg, including one tackle that set up the move for Sid's goal. One thing I can't remember is why he didn't appear at all in the European Cup winning run. Why did Ivor Linton come on for Williams for example against Dynamo Berlin and not Deacy (was he on the bench?). As I remember he didn't even travel to Rotterdam prefering to go on a tour in South America with Ireland.
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There was a bookies near/next to Deacys Fismongers in Galway and they had a large picture of the man who worked in the fish shop tussling for possession of the ball with Platini and Boniek. Not a bad memory to have had
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For me, one of the finest H&V Moments was when a few of us clubbed together to pay for a wreath for Eamonn’s funeral. IIRC Ger attended the funeral and delivered the tribute on our behalf.
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I vaguely remember him playing for villa when I was a kid, but my older sister went to school and was friends with Brendan Ormsby and is still I think in Touch with him and his wife. He said what a lovely fella Eamonn Deacy was. Really lovely speech he gave their. I love that area of the west of Ireland, I hope they get that statue of him up, I’d love to pay that a visit.
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I was in Galway in 2007 so popped into Ernie’s and had a chat with Eamonn. Very unassuming but you could see a real toughness in him- he had never shirked a tackle, as a few of that Juventus team could vouch.
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Just saw that the postcode/eircode for Eamonn Deacy Park in Galway is H91 AV81. A nice touch.
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Brilliant touch 👍
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Superb
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Just saw that the postcode/eircode for Eamonn Deacy Park in Galway is H91 AV81. A nice touch.
That's brilliant, a lovely touch!
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I was in Galway in 2007 so popped into Ernie’s and had a chat with Eamonn. Very unassuming but you could see a real toughness in him- he had never shirked a tackle, as a few of that Juventus team could vouch.
I walked past his family’s shop in Galway last month. Closed down, sadly. End of an era.
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Apologies if this has been posted elsewhere but I've never seen it:
&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR1_hNQW1IgKkowKfxPvwq3kAuGwR93I7PfHhFR1hL6wpQYD1-pABB4aUcU
Sorry about the long link but for some reason I don't seem to be able to post youtube clips anymore even though I believe I'm doing it right.
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I'm absolutely fucked if I know how that worked.
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That's great Dave.
A wonderful tribute.
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In The 80's I lived in Erdington and knew a Galway lad who regularly played squash with Eamonn at the Villa Leisure Centre. He always spoke very well of him .
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/I was in Galway in 2007 so popped into Ernie’s and had a chat with Eamonn. Very unassuming but you could see a real toughness in him- he had never shirked a tackle, as a few of that Juventus team could vouch.
I walked past his family’s shop in Galway last month. Closed down, sadly. End of an era.
His brother's is still going strong.
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Wonderful post, Dave. Thanks a lot.
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Apologies if this has been posted elsewhere but I've never seen it:
&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR1_hNQW1IgKkowKfxPvwq3kAuGwR93I7PfHhFR1hL6wpQYD1-pABB4aUcU
Sorry about the long link but for some reason I don't seem to be able to post youtube clips anymore even though I believe I'm doing it right.
Thanks for posting Dave. That's a pretty emotional watch, to say the least!
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Thanks for posting Dave,i had never seen it before .Everything people say about him is true .I was lucky enough to get to know him fairly well as we were members of the snooker club in Erdington and played each other .It always surprised me that you never heard him ever moan about Ron Saunders even though he knew no matter how well he played he would soon be back on the subs bench
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Thanks for posting that, Dave. Two things that really surprised me; the Jimmy Hill comment, I was at the game and probably saw the highlights that night but didn't remember Hill's tribute to Sid's goal. The other was Ron Saunders, considering he never spoke to the media for decades, it goes to show how highly he thought of Eamonn both as a player and a man.
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Thanks for posting Dave!
Bloody loved watching that, the focus on an unsung hero and lovely bloke, and to see Sir Ron once again.
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Bit of a tearjerker alright...Guess with a name like his from a town not too far away, I was bound to be a Villan after the man Deacy had paved the way. Certainly was how I felt when I first heard of him in my mid-teens, reading of how he had lived the dream I was still having. A dream many of us have had and held. A mere example but there must be a part of Risso and Drummond in their weekly 5-a-sides, wearing Villa shirts and feeling they are playing the part of their true self - one which leads Villa to another title; which just happens to be in a universe a little parallel to this...
And great to see the main man, Mr Saunders give the stamp of approval to the subject. Wonder when that was recorded as Ron looks good and his shrewd self in the video.
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/I was in Galway in 2007 so popped into Ernie’s and had a chat with Eamonn. Very unassuming but you could see a real toughness in him- he had never shirked a tackle, as a few of that Juventus team could vouch.
I walked past his family’s shop in Galway last month. Closed down, sadly. End of an era.
His brother's is still going strong.
Is that the one bang in the centre or the one slightly out of town ( the latter being where I met him and was then known as Earnie’s IIRC).
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Bit of a tearjerker alright...Guess with a name like his from a town not too far away, I was bound to be a Villan after the man Deacy had paved the way. Certainly was how I felt when I first heard of him in my mid-teens, reading of how he had lived the dream I was still having. A dream many of us have had and held. A mere example but there must be a part of Risso and Drummond in their weekly 5-a-sides, wearing Villa shirts and feeling they are playing the part of their true self - one which leads Villa to another title; which just happens to be in a universe a little parallel to this...
And great to see the main man, Mr Saunders give the stamp of approval to the subject. Wonder when that was recorded as Ron looks good and his shrewd self in the video.
Similar-ish story with me. Joe Hanley (in that video) is next door neighbour of my folks, and when i was getting into football and taking an interest in villa, joe mentioned it to chick, who ended up giving me the lend of a load of claret and blue magazines to read, which cemented the deal for me.
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/I was in Galway in 2007 so popped into Ernie’s and had a chat with Eamonn. Very unassuming but you could see a real toughness in him- he had never shirked a tackle, as a few of that Juventus team could vouch.
I walked past his family’s shop in Galway last month. Closed down, sadly. End of an era.
His brother's is still going strong.
Is that the one bang in the centre or the one slightly out of town ( the latter being where I met him and was then known as Earnie’s IIRC).
Yes, Ernie's down the west (as we call it). It's located just around the corner from their original family home.
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Galway United's new jersey has a nice villa-related link to it here (https://twitter.com/GalwayGambler/status/1364614758230548484). As mentioned previously on here, it's the postcode for the ground.
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Good looking top!
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Nice looking top.
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That’s a fantastic tribute, hats off to Galway FC
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Comer Group sponsors.
Weren't the owners of that company loosely linked with a takeover of Villa years and years ago?
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Comer Group sponsors.
Weren't the owners of that company loosely linked with a takeover of Villa years and years ago?
Was it the bloke who lived in the semi in Dorridge?
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Comer Group sponsors.
Weren't the owners of that company loosely linked with a takeover of Villa years and years ago?
Was it the bloke who lived in the semi in Dorridge?
No, well before him.
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https://www.irishtimes.com/business/comer-brothers-still-in-talks-to-buy-aston-villa-1.1288838
Thought so.
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Bit of a tearjerker alright...Guess with a name like his from a town not too far away, I was bound to be a Villan after the man Deacy had paved the way. Certainly was how I felt when I first heard of him in my mid-teens, reading of how he had lived the dream I was still having. A dream many of us have had and held. A mere example but there must be a part of Risso and Drummond in their weekly 5-a-sides, wearing Villa shirts and feeling they are playing the part of their true self - one which leads Villa to another title; which just happens to be in a universe a little parallel to this...
And great to see the main man, Mr Saunders give the stamp of approval to the subject. Wonder when that was recorded as Ron looks good and his shrewd self in the video.
I've won the Cup once or twice....
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If it looked a little like the FA Cup from a squint at a certain angle, well then you have won at life Sir Drummond.
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I'm definitely more Lescott and Richards era Villa. Foot like a 50p piece.
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https://www.irishtimes.com/business/comer-brothers-still-in-talks-to-buy-aston-villa-1.1288838
Thought so.
Wasn't his name Neville?
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Comer Group sponsors.
Weren't the owners of that company loosely linked with a takeover of Villa years and years ago?
Was it the bloke who lived in the semi in Dorridge?
When the Kumar brothers were in control of Small Heath one of them insured his car where I worked and he lived in a three bed semi in Henley Crescent just off the Lode Lane, Solihull. I can't remember what car he drove though.
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I'm definitely more Lescott and Richards era Villa. Foot like a 50p piece.
Damn Decimalisation. A lad from Stoke once said I had a head like a thruppenny bit after missing an open goal when the ball pinged off my head into a low earth orbit
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(https://i.ibb.co/V2rZwmV/PXL-20210225-112400455-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/V2rZwmV)
If it looked a little like the FA Cup from a squint at a certain angle, well then you have won at life Sir Drummond.
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Well it's got the ears!
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https://www.irishtimes.com/business/comer-brothers-still-in-talks-to-buy-aston-villa-1.1288838
Thought so.
Wasn't his name Neville?
Michael Neville.
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https://www.irishtimes.com/business/comer-brothers-still-in-talks-to-buy-aston-villa-1.1288838
Thought so.
Wasn't his name Neville?
Michael Neville.
Michael Maisonette Neville to give him his full name.
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Loved him as a player.
I started watching the Villa regularly in '79 aged 13 or 14 when my parents let me go with mates or my (twin) sister. So I got to see him play and loved his attitude.
I love that Galway United top as well. I have a birthday in 2 weeks, so that is going to be top of the wish list. I think a trip to Eamonn Deacy Park is also on the cards once we can start to get out and about. UTV.
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Loved him as a player.
I started watching the Villa regularly in '79 aged 13 or 14 when my parents let me go with mates or my (twin) sister. So I got to see him play and loved his attitude.
I love that Galway United top as well. I have a birthday in 2 weeks, so that is going to be top of the wish list. I think a trip to Eamonn Deacy Park is also on the cards once we can start to get out and about. UTV.
Excellent 👍
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A think you'll enjoy this...I know I did...
https://twitter.com/offtheball/status/1670862997701693440?t=6VR5q_3VdYo5UehzSeZ9jA&s=19
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Hahaha, classic! Did not see that plot-twist coming! God bless 'im (I mean, he's wrong but...)
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Hahaha, classic! Did not see that plot-twist coming! God bless 'im (I mean, he's wrong but...)
What an amadán, spouting absolute bollox! I cannot stand Kenny, I've never actively disliked any Villa or Irish manager but he makes me want to punch him through the TV screen whenever he's being interviewed.
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I know but as he's the brother of an ex-pro, who was famously (within Villa/Galway circles) a loyal, incredibly decent chap...I can see why that attitude would rub off on his nearest and dearest.
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I don't watch Ireland play so I don't know just how much he isn't getting from the players but you don't really have the players though, do you? Looking at the last match, on paper it doesn't look up to much. Is it just his style?
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I nearly stopped watching after a minute or so when I saw the half and half scarves in the background! Glad I carried on watching though.
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A think you'll enjoy this...I know I did...
https://twitter.com/offtheball/status/1670862997701693440?t=6VR5q_3VdYo5UehzSeZ9jA&s=19
That's wonderful :)
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I don't watch Ireland play so I don't know just how much he isn't getting from the players but you don't really have the players though, do you? Looking at the last match, on paper it doesn't look up to much. Is it just his style?
The lads on The Villa Podcast seem to like him. They’re just happy that the players are passing to each other, which kind of fits what Eamonn’s brother is saying.
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A think you'll enjoy this...I know I did...
https://twitter.com/offtheball/status/1670862997701693440?t=6VR5q_3VdYo5UehzSeZ9jA&s=19
That's hillarious! I agree with him to an extent. I don't think Kenny is an international manager. But no manager could make this group of Irish players into world beaters. Liam Brady was right, this is the worst Irish team in living memory.
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That's great. I'd guess he was gifted Eamonn's share of the family gab.
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I remember a game at Villa Park when Eamonn was playing. Can’t remember who we played but Middlesbrough comes to mind. Their left winger/midfielder was trying to make him look silly and you could see Eamonn getting a bit annoyed. You could hear the crack of the shin pad as Eamonn finally flipped. The look he gave him as he stood up said it all and funnily enough he passed it every time he got the ball from then on. Not a very interesting story I know but it’s the last one I have of Eamonn and every time a player is called a hard man I think of Eamonn and smile.
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At the reception after the memorial match including the re-naming of Galway United's ground from Terryland Park to Eamonn Deacy Park, Colin Gibson assumed the role of MC and whilst talking about what Eamonn was like, one of the things he said was: 'When Eamonn kicked you, you knew you'd been kicked'. I think Get Regan and Eamonn of this parish will attest to that.
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I don't watch Ireland play so I don't know just how much he isn't getting from the players but you don't really have the players though, do you? Looking at the last match, on paper it doesn't look up to much. Is it just his style?
It's not the results or the style of play as I realise it's not a great crop of players (losing Grealish and Rice didn't help). It's Kenny's smug, Cheshire cat grin that says "youse are all bollixes" when we've just beaten some international no-marks 1-0, and when we lose it's the constant refusal to look the interviewer in the eye and half smirk that says "youse are still all bollixes". A prick of the highest order and quite frankly, I'd much rather have DOL in charge if need be.
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I don't watch Ireland play so I don't know just how much he isn't getting from the players but you don't really have the players though, do you? Looking at the last match, on paper it doesn't look up to much. Is it just his style?
It's not the results or the style of play as I realise it's not a great crop of players (losing Grealish and Rice didn't help). It's Kenny's smug, Cheshire cat grin that says "youse are all bollixes" when we've just beaten some international no-marks 1-0, and when we lose it's the constant refusal to look the interviewer in the eye and half smirk that says "youse are still all bollixes". A prick of the highest order and quite frankly, I'd much rather have DOL in charge if need be.
He is incredibly unpopular with all the ex pros and a few ex managers. Damien Delaney for example slates him at every opportunity. Delaney played for Ireland under Trappatoni. The Trap era probably did more damage to the Irish team than anything that happened under Staunton. During the era of tiki-taka football Traps Irish teams were lumping long balls up to Kevin Doyle non stop. It was horrendous. And Trap had an embarrassment of riches player-wise compared to Kenny. He'll be gone after the end of this campaign either way. Then it will be Lee Carsley's green army!
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Carsley, huh? He is doing well with England U21s, and probably the only guy we could afford once Kenny is binned. Isn't he secretly Villa, too?
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Will ya shtop! We'll shoot for Lee Carsley because that's what the people want. But, he's got potential and he won't want us fucking that up on him! We'll get Neil Lennon, and that's fine.
What we should be focusing on is building our own league and developing the players ourselves so we can stop prostituting ourselves out to the likes of Tom Cannon, Declan Rice, Michael Keane and Jack Grealish. A bit of fucking dignity wouldn't go astray!
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Will ya shtop! We'll shoot for Lee Carsley because that's what the people want. But, he's got potential and he won't want us fucking that up on him! We'll get Neil Lennon, and that's fine.
What we should be focusing on is building our own league and developing the players ourselves so we can stop prostituting ourselves out to the likes of Tom Cannon, Declan Rice, Michael Keane and Jack Grealish. A bit of fucking dignity wouldn't go astray!
Can't see it happening Mossie. Anybody with potential will end up across the water. League of Ireland can't compete.
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Will ya shtop! We'll shoot for Lee Carsley because that's what the people want. But, he's got potential and he won't want us fucking that up on him! We'll get Neil Lennon, and that's fine.
What we should be focusing on is building our own league and developing the players ourselves so we can stop prostituting ourselves out to the likes of Tom Cannon, Declan Rice, Michael Keane and Jack Grealish. A bit of fucking dignity wouldn't go astray!
Can't see it happening Mossie. Anybody with potential will end up across the water. League of Ireland can't compete.
That's not really my point, but I didn't word it well. We have effectively become a second nursery for the English FA, where if an English-born player is playing underage football for Ireland and shows promise, he is tapped up for the England U21s. This hinders the development of players that don't have an identity crises.
Incidentally, as to your point, since the UK left the EU, Irish players can't join UK clubs until they are 18. This has already made the league better.