Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Villa Memories => Topic started by: Chico Hamilton III on January 08, 2014, 12:50:31 PM
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Thanks to a certain Villa author for sending this to me:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Crops-The-Alex-Cropley-Story/dp/1908373970/ref=pd_rhf_gw_s_cp_14_3HBM?ie=UTF8&refRID=16QCDC330BZG8GVK5G10
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ooh......I shall have to have a look....
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Thanks for this!!!!
Just been on line and bought it.
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I remember it fairly well when his leg snapped against the Oylbion.
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Cropley was known as 'Studs' during his time at Villa?
That's news to me.
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My favourite all time Villa player.
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Have to agree with barrysleftfoot my all time villa player who gave 100% every time he played was there the night he was put out of the game by a so called footballer from west brom who I just hope has sleepless nights for ever for that tackle. That book is on its way to me as we speak a villa legend for me even though he we only had him in a villa shirt for not that long.
He gave more in one match than some do in a whole season.
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My favourite all time Villa player.
He was before my time - why?
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I dare you. Someone ask Woodhall about the Cropley match and why that adds to his hatred of West Brom.
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Why?.......combative style, liked a tackle,as good a passer as i have seen in a Villa shirt, not far off Hoddlesque.At a time when i was 13.
Think Cowans, but for me better.
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Why?.......combative style, liked a tackle,as good a passer as i have seen in a Villa shirt, not far off Hoddlesque.At a time when i was 13.
Think Cowans, but for me better.
Liverpool 1976 - 1st half with Cropley 5-1, 2nd half after going off injured 0-0
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Come on mr woodhall let lovejoy in what a player he was and why we hate them so much even more so after that match
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Alex Cropley would have become a legend in the true sense of the word if he had been able to stay fit, he only managed to play 80 odd games for us largely due to a
Baggie tosser(ali Brown) who broke his leg for the second time in his career, as a few who have posted on here you could hear the noise of that break around the ground.
He didn't really recover from that break....a great tragedy for him, AVFC and us supporters.
Incidentally he broke his leg for the first time whilst at Arsenal....i don't know the individual responsible.....but the team SHA.
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And I will never forget those west brom twats jeering and laughing as he was stretchered off the pitch that's the reason why I hate them more than the blues if that is possible I honestly do think the championship could of been ours before 80/81 with him in the team for me a true villa legend that I could post about all night.
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Was the tackle dirty or just "one of those things"?
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Was the tackle dirty or just "one of those things"?
The worst you could imagine. They kicked us from the first minute; Ken McNaught had already gone off injured and Leon Hickman's match report said they went out with "malice as the motive."
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Absolutely horrendous. Possibly the worst I've seen anywhere and believe me, I've seen a lot of football.
Forgot to add, he was only about ten stone wringing wet.
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Loved him as a player - always gave 100%, had a real touch of magic about him and was tough in the tackle as well.
Wouldn't he do a bloody great job for us just now?
Remember the leg-break really well. Shocking conduct from a fellow professional but remember thinking what will we do without him in the team?
Just ordered the book and look forward to reading it.
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Why?.......combative style, liked a tackle,as good a passer as i have seen in a Villa shirt, not far off Hoddlesque.At a time when i was 13.
Think Cowans, but for me better.
Liverpool 1976 - 1st half with Cropley 5-1, 2nd half after going off injured 0-0
Not sure about that being down to Cropley, I seem to recall we could have had another 5 second half, loads of good chances and maybe hit the woodwork once or twice (?) but they didn't go in. Great player though, silky skills with a touch of steel, and I'm convinced Cowans used him as a role model and based his sytle on him.
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Though not around at the time, didn't the Albion player try to pull him up too from the ground.
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Though not around at the time, didn't the Albion player try to pull him up too from the ground.
That was Gary Shaw's injury.
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The Souness foul on Steve McMahon at Anfield was another shocker.
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Quite simply a footballer who played beautiful football.Can't think of anyone who looked so damn fine in claret and blue.
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Any Villa fan that hesitates buying this book should remember my day today, meeting up with my 80 year old,Evertonian uncle in Liverpool. He saw the great game of Portugal losing 3-0 to North Korea in 66 at half time at Goodison. Eusebio decided in the second half to take control of the game and scored 4. The rest is history. The point is I had many occasions to get my uncle a signed, personalised photo, seeing Eusabio every time I went to my favourite seafood restaurant here in Lisbon, a place I think he part owned.
I lazily thought they would both be around for ever. Life is not like that. Chatting to my uncle about the game today, I felt a right c**t. It would have taken me next to nothing to have sorted it out. I met, shook hands and exchanged pleasantries with the Black Panther many a time. The same goes with my homage and a pilgramage to visit Eamonn Deacy at his veg shop. Good intentions but now it's too late.
Alex was something special. Real special. I've thought about a taxi ride in his cab but in reality it's probably not going to happen.
If there was ever a Villa player that deserved our love and respect, it's Alex Cropley. As we sang at Wembley in 77, "Five foot 8 (he was five foot nine), not much weight, Alex Cropley's f**kig great".. and he was.
A true Villa legend. Talented, dedicated, a Ron Saunders' 110%er.. a bloody gem that should never, ever be forgotten and the most justifiable reason to put the word 'c**t' on the name of Alistair Brownc**t and never let them forget they're scum.
Alex, you'll never be forgotten. To this day, I still love you. What a player! What a Villa man! You are still one of my Chosen Few. I just wonder what our midfield would have been like with Cropley and Cowans together.
Buy!
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He was one of those players who paved the way to our ultimate triumphs. Watched him on many occasions and the 5-1 still stands tall as my all-time favourite Villa game.
He was a player of his time - rugged, uncompromising and skilled. The Brown tackle was outrageous even by the standards of the day.
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Now driving a taxi in Edinburgh.
edit - sorry, already been mentioned
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Read the bit about Ron Saunders.
http://www.theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2013/10/alex-cropley-to-wear-that-famous-green-shirt-was-absolutely-magical/
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That's certainly a fresh take from Alex on Ron Saunders managerial abilities!
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That's certainly a fresh take from Alex on Ron Saunders managerial abilities!
In that piece he quoted Hibs 5-3 Drysborough Cup Final win over Celtic at Hampden Park.......i was at that game and i'm ashamed to say i don't recollect Alex playing in that game!!!!
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Though not around at the time, didn't the Albion player try to pull him up too from the ground.
That was Gary Shaw's injury.
Ian Bowyer of Forest.
Alex Cropley also had his ankle broken while at Hibs by none other than Alex Ferguson.
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I seem to recall, in the incident when Alex broke his leg, Brown , either bottled out, or delayed his tackle, either way it was late.My memories are fading, but i don't remember the Albion fans being too disrespectful, and relatively quiet after the interview, but as i say, maybe my memory is fading.
Nice read, nice memories.
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Got my copy today.
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My memories are fading, but i don't remember the Albion fans being too disrespectful
Weren't the albion fans singing Alex Alex Cripple-y?
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Don't recall that at the actual game, certainly in seasons after, but i don't think they did at the game.
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I was on the Holte that night and I'm 100% sure they was cheering as he was stretchered off would love a ride in his taxi but I would never want to get out is the the 3rd or 4th time I have posted on this thread. I'm sure in the interview after the arse wipe who crippled him said he didn't mean to, total bullshit they kicked us from the 1st minute.
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It was a dirty game and on the MOTD commentary Barry Davies said he thought the ref should blow up early for half time to avoid over heating - and lo and behold, Andy Gray scored a header. Albion seemed to have it in for us from the off.
A neighbour of mine, a decent Albion fan, told me he had heard a few months after the event from another Albion fan that Cropley and Ally Brown had come across each other near Four Oaks / Sutton, and Brown crossed the road to deliberately avoid any contact with Cropley. His Albion mate was appalled by this.
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I've often wondered how Cropley and Cowans would fit into an all-time best Villa team, I guess the answer to which would be to put Cowans on the right.
I was at that Villa v West Brom game, and both at that game and in the aftermath the way the Albion fans reacted to Cropley's broken leg was akin to them having won the game.
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I could well be wrong about this as it was such a long time ago but, watching it on MOD, I could swear I saw Alex Cropley shout at Brown as he stood over him, "you've broke my fucking leg!". This could be my imagination but it seems so clear in my memory.
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I remember from MOTD that amid all the anger and aggression Jimmy Hill pointed out that Brian Little laid a conciliatory arm on Brown's shoulder after the tackle.
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I remember from MOTD that amid all the anger and aggression Jimmy Hill pointed out that Brian Little laid a conciliatory arm on Brown's shoulder after the tackle.
You walk on water, you Love thy Neighbour and forgive his transgressions. It goes with the job.
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Maybe the players, Brown included, were under instruction from the manager to get stuck in from the off it appeared that way on the day. Not to break legs obviously but to take players out of the game. I don't honestly think it was Brown's intention to break Cropley's leg even though his recklessness resulted in it. That's not exonerating him in any way but he's not the one entirely to blame. The manager of the time is equally as culpable. Who was the Albion manager at the time? I wonder how he felt about this incident, has he ever said?
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Maybe the players, Brown included, were under instruction from the manager to get stuck in from the off it appeared that way on the day. Not to break legs obviously but to take players out of the game. I don't honestly think it was Brown's intention to break Cropley's leg even though his recklessness resulted in it. That's not exonerating him in any way but he's not the one entirely to blame. The manager of the time is equally as culpable. Who was the Albion manager at the time? I wonder how he felt about this incident, has he ever said?
Ronnie Allen. He knew perfectly well what he was doing.
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I had Ronnie Allen in my house once...trying to flog me some kind of insurance for referees! How the mighty had fallen.
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got this book for my birthday today
only 3 Villa players make it into his 'greatest team' he played with
John Robson
Andy Gray
Gordon Cowans
although subs included - Jimmy Rimmer and Brian Little
so who keeps Little on the bench, Liam Brady or maybe Jimmy Johnstone
its a very good side which includes Martin Buchan, Alan Ball,
subs Billy Bremner and John O'hare
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I was in the lower Trinity Road stand in line with the incident, it was a fucking awful challenge by a total wanker that effectively ruined the career of a superb footballer. Albion were filthy from the start of the game and intent on trying to bully Villa. Cropley had the best left foot I have ever seen from a Villa player, agead of Bruce Rioch. He had great vision, loved a challenge and basically just a great player. Surprising his comments re Sir Ron as I used to go to Bodymoor during this period and Sir Ron certainly was the boss in giving out orders. Cant see him allowing the players to sort out the team tactics somehow
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Cropley's 63rd birthday today
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I got the book today and, well, I'm sure the Hibs stuff is a lot better written than his time at Villa.
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The crack was heard all around Villa Park.
To say that the mood turned Ugly is a bit of an understatement.
"The Holte did not like it, they got very angry, they kicked in some Bollocks they kicked in some heads."
sorry for the plagarisim.
The Albion "crew" took a few casualties after the game. What would have ended in a bit of a half hearted local derby banter became very ugly, Villa fans streamed out the Holte and the Witton was under seige, lots of running aggro to the Station.
Albion fans trying to melt into the night, Alternative travel arrangements to the black country being hastly made, including jumping off trains and missing stops.
Jaws Cropley, if we only had his like today.
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A great goal by him here:
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"There are some things about football that are vague in my memory, but that particular day, I can remember it was 3:46, I can remember how it happened, how I was lying. I can still smell the grass. I looked at my leg and saw a big hollow where the break was. The next thing I see is Andy Gray running from centre-forward to get the boy by the neck. He had him up against the dugout wall.”
http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/spfl/interview-alex-cropley-recalls-his-football-career-1-2711974 (http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/spfl/interview-alex-cropley-recalls-his-football-career-1-2711974)
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I still remember his chip at Sunderland when we won cos of it, was brilliant. What I remember more is his whole hearted attitude to the team cause
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I was at both the Leeds & Sunderland games. Abiding memories of the Leeds game are, despite the clearly heard "...we are the Villa haters" chant at the start of the clip, not feeling in any danger, maybe as there were only a handful of us there- and the Leeds fans being impressed by the Villa performance. Also, all of the goals stay in the memory- or at least have returned after viewing the clip (!); and John Robson had one of his best performances for Villa that day.
As for Sunderland, I remember Alex's chip, we were behind that goal, were with a couple of B'ham based Sunderland fans- after the game spent the evening just outside Sunderland arriving back in Brum late Sunday morning having first left after closing time on Friday night . I stayed awake to see brief highlights , we were game no. 2 on Star Soccer, went to bed at 3 pm and didn't wake up till 7.30 Monday morning.
I prefer to forget as far as I can the infamous WBA incident.
I've just skimmed through the Scotsman report, I wonder if Hearts fans are now so cocky bearing in mind their present predicament?
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My name is Ross Cropley, and i have just picked up on this thread. I am amazed at some of the comments onj here about Dad. I was too young to ever see him play unfortunately. But i will definately show him all the positive comments that are on here. Just wanted to say thank you on behalf of the old man. UTV
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My name is Ross Cropley, and i have just picked up on this thread. I am amazed at some of the comments onj here about Dad. I was too young to ever see him play unfortunately. But i will definately show him all the positive comments that are on here. Just wanted to say thank you on behalf of the old man. UTV
Ross - 3 simple words describe the feelings of all Villa fans toward your dad - ''Loved by ALL''
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My name is Ross Cropley, and i have just picked up on this thread. I am amazed at some of the comments onj here about Dad. I was too young to ever see him play unfortunately. But i will definately show him all the positive comments that are on here. Just wanted to say thank you on behalf of the old man. UTV
Ross - 3 simple words describe the feelings of all Villa fans toward your dad - ''Loved by ALL''
Seconded
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My name is Ross Cropley, and i have just picked up on this thread. I am amazed at some of the comments onj here about Dad. I was too young to ever see him play unfortunately. But i will definately show him all the positive comments that are on here. Just wanted to say thank you on behalf of the old man. UTV
Ross - 3 simple words describe the feelings of all Villa fans toward your dad - ''Loved by ALL''
Hibs fans had three better words - 'The White Pele'.
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My name is Ross Cropley, and i have just picked up on this thread. I am amazed at some of the comments onj here about Dad. I was too young to ever see him play unfortunately. But i will definately show him all the positive comments that are on here. Just wanted to say thank you on behalf of the old man. UTV
Welcome to The Villa Family Ross. Your dad was one of us and we never forget our own.
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Now driving a taxi in Edinburgh.
edit - sorry, already been mentioned
I'm going to Edinburgh at the end of August for 5 days. Will have to make sure I am wearing something with Villa insignia on it whenever I get a taxi there. You never know! Not that I'd have a clue what he looks like.
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Now driving a taxi in Edinburgh.
edit - sorry, already been mentioned
I'm going to Edinburgh at the end of August for 5 days. Will have to make sure I am wearing something with Villa insignia on it whenever I get a taxi there. You never know! Not that I'd have a clue what he looks like.
Tell the driver you know Ally Brown.
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Tell the driver you are Ally Brown...
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I am not a dirty yam-yam!
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Well he normally sits at Jenners taxi rank his number on the taxi 321 in Orange, so if you see that, then he will be waiting for a fare, and im positive if you ask, he would go for a coffee and a chat. He was down in March and was completly overwhelmed by the way all Villa fans still remember him. Never seen him get emotional, till that day! If anyone on here has any vhs or dvd'd f those days, i would be very interested in seeing them.
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Go onto the Villa memories forum there are plenty of your dad.
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Well he normally sits at Jenners taxi rank his number on the taxi 321 in Orange, so if you see that, then he will be waiting for a fare, and im positive if you ask, he would go for a coffee and a chat. He was down in March and was completly overwhelmed by the way all Villa fans still remember him. Never seen him get emotional, till that day! If anyone on here has any vhs or dvd'd f those days, i would be very interested in seeing them.
Thanks very much for the info Cropley :)
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Oh and I bought his autobiography for my girlfriend's dad last month too.
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Cool thanks very much. I have the book and i got all the players from the legends to sign it, as i play with now and again, for my Dad obviously. Played in midfield with my hero Sid. And i forget who said it previously, but Sid said his inspiration and best player he played with, was Dad. Big praise!
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If you don't mind I'm now counting you as a friend so I can say I know Alex Cropley's son. Sorry, but when I get into your dad's taxi in Edinburgh I'll just say i'm Alex Cropley's mate.
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Your dad was a very special player Crops - supremely gifted footballer with a big heart and a tackle like a JCB, but always fair and honest. Wish we had him in the side now!
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Thats fine you can say your a friend. But say Ross not Alex, as he will just think your a bit weird! hahaah 8)
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Thats fine you can say your a friend. But say Ross not Alex, as he will just think your a bit weird! hahaah 8)
blimey Ross you'll have some friends now ;)
....including me of course :) give my best regards to your Dad for me UTV
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Well he loves the Villa, and loves talkng to the supporters. He said that it was alot to do with you guys that helped him through his leg break!
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One of those players that you just loved to watch and the thread has reminded me of the old chant - "Five foot eight, not much weight, Alex Cropley's f*****g great".
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Cool thanks very much. I have the book and i got all the players from the legends to sign it, as i play with now and again, for my Dad obviously. Played in midfield with my hero Sid. And i forget who said it previously, but Sid said his inspiration and best player he played with, was Dad. Big praise!
Alex Cropley and Sid. How many places higher up the league would we finish if we stuck them two in the current side? I might even have a cheeky bet on top four. In fact I might even bet that even at their age now they would improve the midfield.
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Alex Cropley's son!! Marvellous
I think your Dad would definitely qualify for that often misused phrase "cult hero". I loved the bloke.
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Alex Cropley, a fabulous, fabulous footballer and I mean footballer. A player you were always happy to pay money to see.
That's Alex Cropley's lad and a while back we had Sammy Morgan's son on here. Can anyone recall the progeny of any other former favourites posting on H&V?
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Crops, welcome to the site and thanks for sharing news of your Dad.
He was and will always be a Villa legend and one of the best players I have ever seen.
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I want to take a trip to Edinburgh just so I can have a journey in his taxi.
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I want to take a trip to Edinburgh just so I can have a journey in his taxi.
Oi! There's a queue, mate!
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Welcome to the site Crops10, my dad says your dad was fucking great (as the song goes!)
Come to think of it, any Villa fan I've ever heard mention him has said the same!
He must be having a rough time of it at the moment though with Villa and the Hibees both being useless!
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Loved Alex Cropley, perfect blend of skills and nails. I always thought Cowans took a lot from his style, as Sid never shirked a tackle either.
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Ross Cropley
Tell your dad he was my all time favourite villa player even now after all the great players we have had at the villa that my son goes on about in his time like yorke mellberg McGrath Taylor etc.
Then I say let me tell you about a slim blonde little scot we had called Alex Cropley and I go on about his goals and performances and he sits there like a little kid having his bedtime story and he's 29 now.
Biggest compliment I can pay him is that if he was never crippled by that west brom shit we would of won the league 2/3 years on the trot.
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Still my favourite all time Villa player.
He was wonderfully unassuming, a fiercesome tackler, with a lovely left foot.
He was at the start of a wonderful era to be a Villa fan, and he was one of the founding fathers of that, best wishes to your Dad, he'll never be forgotten by me.
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I haven't looked at Villa Memories for a week, so to move away from our current predicament and see the respect and emotion on this thread is just wonderful.
Like others, there wouldn't be many games Alex played that I missed, and it was some of the best times I've had and some of the best football I have seen our great club play.
Alex Cropley was a committed, creative and inspirational footballer.
Welcome Ross, stay with us and tell dad he's loved and held in the highest esteem by those who saw him play.
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I know I said it before on here, but the day after Alex's goal at roker park, I did a similar chip with my not so similar left foot and felt so great. Ross, your Dad was a brilliant footballer and will always be remembered by fans from that era. He was a hard man, but fair, and the tackle that did him was a cowards challenge. I was at Norwich when he was making comeback and scored and it was a credit to the man, he did his best but that shocking challenge ruined his career. So wrong. Gordon Cowans saying that is the biggest tribute your Dad could have
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Don't think we have player today who is fit to lace cropley ' s boots..cropley must look at the players we have today and despair at the money that they earn when they have so little talent compared with him.
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Here you are Ross, look out for the third goal. That's how good your dad was.
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Alex Cropley, a fabulous, fabulous footballer and I mean footballer. A player you were always happy to pay money to see.
That's Alex Cropley's lad and a while back we had Sammy Morgan's son on here. Can anyone recall the progeny of any other former favourites posting on H&V?
A relative of Tommy Ball's posted on here many years ago.
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Cheers to everyone who has commented on the thread. I have just printed it off and i will send it up to my Dad, he hasnt quite grasped the whole computer thing as of yet! Im sure he will enjoy reading it!
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http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/opinion/arriving-at-arsenal-from-hibs-i-felt-like-id-joined-a-team-of-lesser-ability.22958489
"They really liked me at Villa," says Cropley. "I was typically Scottish: I had skill but I knew how to tackle, I got stuck in. The Villa fans were great to me and I love having that memory. But then it all ended with my really bad leg break."
"We were playing West Brom and the guy [Ally Brown] came in late and high and went right through me. Everyone in the ground heard the crack of my leg breaking. It was a terrible incident and it finished me as a player. I was in a plaster for six months and out for more than a year. I was never the same player again. I was 26 when it happened.
(http://www.heraldscotland.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/400xY/2013/12/22960247.jpg)
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Totally right Alex, but we didn't just really like you, we loved you. It is nice though that Alex appreciated us as much as we appreciated him.
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Alex Cropley will always get in my all time top 10 Villa players. He was great to watch, always influential and drove the team. We should have had another 5 great years out of him but for that act of GBH which is what it was.
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Just a little note for you guys, Dad is coming down in October, game yet to be decided. I will post on here what game, and if anyone would like to have a beer after the game with us, you are more than welcome, let you know what watering hole we will be at too! Need a result tomorrow. UTV
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Just a little note for you guys, Dad is coming down in October, game yet to be decided. I will post on here what game, and if anyone would like to have a beer after the game with us, you are more than welcome, let you know what watering hole we will be at too! Need a result tomorrow. UTV
I don't think there's a pub in Brum that holds 40.000. ;D
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Just a little note for you guys, Dad is coming down in October, game yet to be decided. I will post on here what game, and if anyone would like to have a beer after the game with us, you are more than welcome, let you know what watering hole we will be at too! Need a result tomorrow. UTV
I don't think there's a pub in Brum that holds 40.000. ;D
I was thinking the same thing. I doubt if your dad will have to pay for many drinks Crops. I would turn up firstly to meet him and secondly to drink all the spare drinks that he can't manage.
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There would be a lot of drinks going, he doesnt drink that much!
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Crops, Get the club to invite him down and get him on the pitch at half time......Then you will see the love!!!
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I dont think the club is very forthcoming with things like that!!? A couple of people want to try and get Dad in the Hall Of Fame, but i think the club poopoo'd it for what ever reason!! I can always try
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I would say the Ruskin Hall Crops the Younger but I guess the Bartons Arms is where its at for the H&V glitterati.
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I would say the Ruskin Hall Crops the Younger but I guess the Bartons Arms is where its at for the H&V glitterati.
Particularly if you like real ales and Thai food :-)
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I dont think the club is very forthcoming with things like that!!? A couple of people want to try and get Dad in the Hall Of Fame, but i think the club poopoo'd it for what ever reason!! I can always try
That's a real shame if they did turn him down - wonder what the criteria is then?
Always remember the season we scored at home in every League game - we played Arsenal and just couldn't break them down and finally, late in the game, Alex pounced on a ball and rifled it into the net - it may have been 1-1 but he kept the run going that day scoring against his old club.
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Im not sure what the criteria is, or what you have to do to be honest. The other year a chap called Brian Sigston did an article in the Mail on Dad, he approached the club too.
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/former-aston-villa-legend-alex-189119
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I dont think the club is very forthcoming with things like that!!? A couple of people want to try and get Dad in the Hall Of Fame, but i think the club poopoo'd it for what ever reason!! I can always try
That's a real shame if they did turn him down - wonder what the criteria is then?
Always remember the season we scored at home in every League game - we played Arsenal and just couldn't break them down and finally, late in the game, Alex pounced on a ball and rifled it into the net - it may have been 1-1 but he kept the run going that day scoring against his old club.
http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/HistoryHallOfFame/
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Two Villa old faces in Edinburgh today
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BvGAhmoIMAAzddj.jpg:large)
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I don't know which one we miss most.
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I am so, so sorry but, I just don't recognise who that is with Alex. I'm so embarrassed.
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Looks like Steve Stride ??
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Is it, really?
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My dad first attended Villa Park in the 1930s, and these were the players he'd speak about with most affection - Peter McParland, Brian Little, Gordon Cowans and Alex Cropley.
Given the relatively small number of games that Cropley played for Villa (sadly), that just about sums up the impact he had at Villa Park.
My own abiding memory of Alex Cropley was his bravery in the tackle that belied his slender frame (which is why West Brom were only able to get him in the cowardly way they did).
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Alex Cropley won't need to come on the pitch at half time I'm sure we will pick him out in the crowd like we did with super Ian Taylor against hull.
Then we can show him like only villa park can how much he was loved by us all
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I dont think the club is very forthcoming with things like that!!? A couple of people want to try and get Dad in the Hall Of Fame, but i think the club poopoo'd it for what ever reason!! I can always try
That's a real shame if they did turn him down - wonder what the criteria is then?
Always remember the season we scored at home in every League game - we played Arsenal and just couldn't break them down and finally, late in the game, Alex pounced on a ball and rifled it into the net - it may have been 1-1 but he kept the run going that day scoring against his old club.
http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/HistoryHallOfFame/
I think we've given up on the "Hall of Fame", they had one induction (I think just after Randy bought the club) and then no-one's been added since. I guess we haven't had anyone worth adding since; but there's quite a few more that ought to be there - (Tony Barton isn't in our Hall of Fame!)
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It is Steve. Who took that photo?
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I dont think the club is very forthcoming with things like that!!? A couple of people want to try and get Dad in the Hall Of Fame, but i think the club poopoo'd it for what ever reason!! I can always try
That's a real shame if they did turn him down - wonder what the criteria is then?
Always remember the season we scored at home in every League game - we played Arsenal and just couldn't break them down and finally, late in the game, Alex pounced on a ball and rifled it into the net - it may have been 1-1 but he kept the run going that day scoring against his old club.
http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/HistoryHallOfFame/
They still have Yorkie as our highest Premiership scorer!
Gabby broke that...
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There is a Lions and Legends game on Sunday 24th August at Boldmere St Micheals all proceeds going to charity, unsure of the players attending yet, but definates are Ken Mcnaught, Sid and our PR guru Gary Shaw will be keeping everyone happy in the bar haha
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It is Steve. Who took that photo?
He tweeted it the other day.
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Did he? I think it was Carol his wife that took it. I am informed the Legends game is now at Castle Vale Stadium ko 2pm
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What a lovely photo of Steve and Alex, nice to still be able to see so clearly it is them. As I've said before, when I think back to the mid to late 70s, my favourite Villa era, I almost want to weep at the wonderful memories I have of players like Johnny Gidman, Alex and Dixie Deehan. That was such a special time
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I am so, so sorry but, I just don't recognise who that is with Alex. I'm so embarrassed.
I was the same, it's because he's lost the cookie duster.
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Been watching the Villa since 1967, and Cropley was probably the dirtiest player I saw in claret and blue. He who lives by the sword dies by the sword.
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Fuck off.
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Been watching the Villa since 1967, and Cropley was probably the dirtiest player I saw in claret and blue. He who lives by the sword dies by the sword.
Nice first post. How to win friends and influence people. If this is going to be the tone of your posts I hope it is your last one as well.
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Been watching the Villa since 1967, and Cropley was probably the dirtiest player I saw in claret and blue. He who lives by the sword dies by the sword.
Well i've been watching Aston Villa since 1957. We havent had a 'dirty player' and if we had it would certainly not be Alex Cropley!!
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Been watching the Villa since 1967, and Cropley was probably the dirtiest player I saw in claret and blue. He who lives by the sword dies by the sword.
Do you, by any chance, know what yo am?
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Been watching the Villa since 1967, and Cropley was probably the dirtiest player I saw in claret and blue. He who lives by the sword dies by the sword.
Do you, by any chance, know what yo am?
Just bar him !! Must be a baggie in disguise.
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As I said, I have been a Villa supporter all my life. Cropley was the only player I ever saw playing for us who consistently tackled in that way; not mistimed or clumsy, but violent and cynical. I did not like what he did to opposing players and I did not like what was done to him.
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I reiterate, fuck off.
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I would say the Ruskin Hall Crops the Younger but I guess the Bartons Arms is where its at for the H&V glitterati.
Particularly if you like real ales and Thai food :-)
No and no, then.
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Joined here four years ago, never posted until today and then to castigate one of our most popular-ever players. Draw your own conclusions.
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Oh and as for that Albion wanker when Crops the Elder and Younger pop into the Bartons, or any other place when he attends a game, why not pop in and mention that to him?
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As I said, I have been a Villa supporter all my life. Cropley was the only player I ever saw playing for us who consistently tackled in that way; not mistimed or clumsy, but violent and cynical. I did not like what he did to opposing players and I did not like what was done to him.
what a knob
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As I said, I have been a Villa supporter all my life. Cropley was the only player I ever saw playing for us who consistently tackled in that way; not mistimed or clumsy, but violent and cynical. I did not like what he did to opposing players and I did not like what was done to him.
You are entitled to your own opinion whether you support Aston Villa, WBA,or Small Heath. Someone like Kevin Muscat was 'dirty' To suggest Alex Cropley was of the same ilk is patently ridiculous.
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As I said, I have been a Villa supporter all my life. Cropley was the only player I ever saw playing for us who consistently tackled in that way; not mistimed or clumsy, but violent and cynical. I did not like what he did to opposing players and I did not like what was done to him.
What complete and utter bollocks. You obviously never saw him play.
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Kevin Muscat wasn't dirty, he was a psychopath.
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As I said, I have been a Villa supporter all my life. Cropley was the only player I ever saw playing for us who consistently tackled in that way; not mistimed or clumsy, but violent and cynical. I did not like what he did to opposing players and I did not like what was done to him.
There's a word for someone like you but I'm not sure I'm allowed to use it on here. In fact, there are several words
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Strong tackler without doubt......dirty?.You need to be a coward to be dirty, Alex Cropley was no coward
Strange post mhyman.
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Andy Lockhead Ron M?
Certainly got his retaliation in first.Ron Harris said he was the hardest player he ever played against.
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Strong tackler without doubt......dirty?.You need to be a coward to be dirty, Alex Cropley was no coward
Strange post mhyman.
Alex Cropley punched above his weight when it came to tackling. The same as Sid. It drives me up the wall when people moan that Glenn Hoddle only got fifty odd England caps when Sid only got ten. Although Sid does have medals that say he was a champion of England and of Europe so maybe life is actually fair after all.
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Been watching the Villa since 1967, and Cropley was probably the dirtiest player I saw in claret and blue. He who lives by the sword dies by the sword.
Well i've been watching Aston Villa since 1957. We havent had a 'dirty player' and if we had it would certainly not be Alex Cropley!!
I think your point of view about us never having a dirty player may be a lot easier to argue against if Neale Cooper had been able to play more games!
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Andy Lockhead Ron M?
Certainly got his retaliation in first.Ron Harris said he was the hardest player he ever played against.
If you mean Andy Lochhead. Harris (who was dirty) was right. Lochhead was hard as nails but never ever dirty.
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Never ever heard anyone call Dad dirty! When he is down i will let you all know where we will be and we can have a beverage or 3!
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Never ever heard anyone call Dad dirty! When he is down i will let you all know where we will be and we can have a beverage or 3!
Ignore him, he knows as much about football as I do about nuclear fission.
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Crops he should do a tour of the drinking establishments around the ground. I doubt his hand will reach his pocket at any stage (yes, i know he's Scottish...)
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Never ever heard anyone call Dad dirty!
And he never was. Hard? Oh yes, but dirty? No way.
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Never ever heard anyone call Dad dirty!
And he never was. Hard? Oh yes, but dirty? No way.
He epitomised that wonderful term "wiry strength" - must have been a bit like tackling barbed wire
Where's nobby the nob gone after his twattish comments? Down the Brummie Road tonight no doubt.
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Never ever heard anyone call Dad dirty! When he is down i will let you all know where we will be and we can have a beverage or 3!
Ignore him, he knows as much about football as I do about nuclear fission.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/280x200q90/742/RKQhhr.jpg)
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Is that the Taj Mahal in the background ?
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Never ever heard anyone call Dad dirty! When he is down i will let you all know where we will be and we can have a beverage or 3!
If we are playing word association then hard or dirty don't come into it. Alex Cropley .....Class.
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Is that the Taj Mahal in the background ?
I think its the Star of Bengal.
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Is that the Taj Mahal in the background ?
I think its the Star of Bengal.
Where's the neon light?
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Never ever heard anyone call Dad dirty! When he is down i will let you all know where we will be and we can have a beverage or 3!
Ignore him, he knows as much about football as I do about nuclear fission.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/280x200q90/742/RKQhhr.jpg)
That's Edgbaston Reservoir with the Tower Ballroom in the background.
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Never ever heard anyone call Dad dirty! When he is down i will let you all know where we will be and we can have a beverage or 3!
Ignore him, he knows as much about football as I do about nuclear fission.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/280x200q90/742/RKQhhr.jpg)
That's Edgbaston Reservoir with the Tower Ballroom in the background.
Whats Jason Lee doing next to that fisherman? Looks like he's drowning!
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I've told you lot, it's the Taj Mahal! Phillistines!
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The Taj Mahal is in Palestine?
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Of course it is. Everyone knows that.
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The only photo I've ever had taken with a footballer was with Alex Cropley, it was whilst he was on crutches following THAT tackle and it was outside Villa Park after a match.
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I have a photo of Dad when he had his crutches, and he was opening all the cards he had received from fans and players, i have a lot of them at my Nan's old house, i will search a few out and put them up on here!
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That would be great. Thank you.
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Just stumbled across this thread and it brought back a lot of memories. I was in the Trinity Rd upper for that game and whenever the topic of horror tackles comes up it is always that one that comes to mind.
I recall Ron Saunders walking off with the stretcher and thinking it must be bad.
I loved watching Alex play . He seemed to win tackles he had no right to win and he always lifted the crowd with his never say die attitude.
I always thought but for that tackle he would have been an integral part of the championship winning team.
In my opinion he was one of the Villa greats whether the club formally acknowledge it or not.
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Thread resurrection alert.
One of my absolute favourite players along with Keith Leonard. Somehow I stumbled into this article today from 2008, I checked this thread and a few others and couldn’t see it shared anywhere. I was in the Trinity Road that day with my Dad, you’ll never forget that sound.
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/jan/06/features.sport20
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Thread resurrection alert.
One of my absolute favourite players along with Keith Leonard. Somehow I stumbled into this article today from 2008, I checked this thread and a few others and couldn’t see it shared anywhere. I was in the Trinity Road that day with my Dad, you’ll never forget that sound.
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/jan/06/features.sport20
A really good read, thanks, and not just re Alex Cropley.
I think Barry Davies was commenting on MOTD that day and he said shortly before half time that the game was so toxic that the ref should blow early for half time.
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Sad to hear today Alex has been diagnosed with dementia. Stay strong, fella.
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Sad to hear today Alex has been diagnosed with dementia. Stay strong, fella.
Very, very sad - oddly enough, before I even read about this morning, I was only thinking "Is it really 43 years ago today since that game ?"
Us longterm supporters, that were there that day, won't ever forget you Alex - our thoughts are with you.
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Sad to hear today Alex has been diagnosed with dementia. Stay strong, fella.
Sad to hear that Mark.
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Skill matched by fearless bite. A great Villa player who, in my mind, blazed the trail for Cowans.
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Skill matched by fearless bite. A great Villa player who, in my mind, blazed the trail for Cowans.
That's how I see it as well.
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It's sad to say this but Alex's shocking injury helped give Sid a run of games that otherwise he might not have had.
Just imagine taking off a superb, creative player who tackled about three times his weight and replacing him with another one!!
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Terrible news about Alex. A fantastic player who gave his all for the Villa and would have contributed massively if it wasn't for that tackle.
Could hear the crack on the Holte End and it still makes me shiver to this day. Thoughts are with him and his family.
Alex you may have issues with your memory, but we will always Remember Alex Cropley!
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One of my all time Villa favourites, a brilliant all round midfield player with a wand of a left foot that could bite as well. I remember a goal he scored, away at Sunderland I think where he jinked his way to the edge of their box and coolly lobbed the keeper. Fans of my age will never forget the great Alex Cropley.
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I think that was his first Villa goal, Dick.
He didn't score that many, but they were usually worth seeing.
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It's a pity the first thing that comes to mind about Alex is so unpleasant.