Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine

Heroes & Villains => Villa Memories => Topic started by: Old Kodjia on December 23, 2016, 08:12:32 PM

Title: Ron Saunders
Post by: Old Kodjia on December 23, 2016, 08:12:32 PM
I really have some fond memories of him.  I was in my last year of school when he joined us and 21 when he left.

I used to love his interviews but really as a kid, I didn't understand him.  I just thought that he was a magician.  I will never forget the night at Sheffield Wednesday after we confirmed promotion back to the top division, the pitch was covered and everyone got onto their knees in mock homage as they thought that Saunders was coming out.

I now realize that he was a bit of a "B" to work for.  It's great how many of the championship winning side still look up to him though.

What did he do after football?  I doubt he'd earned enough to retire on back then.
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: eamonn on December 23, 2016, 08:27:28 PM
Don't make me think that he's died!
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: dave.woodhall on December 24, 2016, 12:30:06 AM
I really have some fond memories of him.  I was in my last year of school when he joined us and 21 when he left.

I used to love his interviews but really as a kid, I didn't understand him.  I just thought that he was a magician.  I will never forget the night at Sheffield Wednesday after we confirmed promotion back to the top division, the pitch was covered and everyone got onto their knees in mock homage as they thought that Saunders was coming out.

I now realize that he was a bit of a "B" to work for.  It's great how many of the championship winning side still look up to him though.

What did he do after football?  I doubt he'd earned enough to retire on back then.


He walked away from football after he was sacked by the Albion but he was never short of a few bob.
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: wittonwarrior on December 24, 2016, 09:54:17 AM
He was everything to me our saviour, our maker our 110%. Without him no promotion, no league cups, no title and no European cup.  Ellis then came back into the frame and ruined everything
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on December 24, 2016, 11:18:33 AM
He was everything to me our saviour, our maker our 110%. Without him no promotion, no league cups, no title and no European cup.  Ellis then came back into the frame and ruined everything

Do you think if the Bendalls had stayed on there would have been more titles ?
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: oswald funkletrumpet on December 24, 2016, 11:35:24 AM
He is the definition of a legend
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: West Derby Villan on December 24, 2016, 12:06:21 PM
In my opinion he was our greatest manager
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: wittonwarrior on December 24, 2016, 12:29:07 PM
Opinion our greatest ever manager he was the greatest. He came to the villa with a rep of playing dour football. All I can say I his density he played according to what he had available. He built in truth three teams during his time. The bendalls were more off the field scoundrels e.g. The Witton road.  Ellis did all he could to wreck Saunders era in the 80's

As for former players not particularly in love with him not many people get on with their manager at work in general
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: peter w on December 24, 2016, 07:38:53 PM
He was everything to me our saviour, our maker our 110%. Without him no promotion, no league cups, no title and no European cup.  Ellis then came back into the frame and ruined everything

Do you think if the Bendalls had stayed on there would have been more titles ?

Maybe so - given that he would have been unsackable he would either hve ended up like Fergie, or B. Clough.
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on December 24, 2016, 08:53:35 PM
He was everything to me our saviour, our maker our 110%. Without him no promotion, no league cups, no title and no European cup.  Ellis then came back into the frame and ruined everything

Do you think if the Bendalls had stayed on there would have been more titles ?

Maybe so - given that he would have been unsackable he would either hve ended up like Fergie, or B. Clough.
.

The  question was if the Bendalls had stayed, not Saunders.  Plenty you can hold Doug accountable for but Saunders left before Ellis returned.  Ellis is held responsible by many for the decline post 1982. (See Wittonwarriors comment " Ellis did all he could to wreck Saunders era in the 80's"). Perhaps if the Bendalls had stayed in control, given the state of the clubs finances, there would have been a  much greater spiral of decline ? 
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: peter w on December 24, 2016, 09:00:30 PM
He was everything to me our saviour, our maker our 110%. Without him no promotion, no league cups, no title and no European cup.  Ellis then came back into the frame and ruined everything

Do you think if the Bendalls had stayed on there would have been more titles ?

Maybe so - given that he would have been unsackable he would either hve ended up like Fergie, or B. Clough.
.

The  question was if the Bendalls had stayed, not Saunders.  Plenty you can hold Doug accountable for but Saunders left before Ellis returned.  Ellis is held responsible by many for the decline post 1982. (See Wittonwarriors comment " Ellis did all he could to wreck Saunders era in the 80's"). Perhaps if the Bendalls had stayed in control, given the state of the clubs finances, there would have been a  much greater spiral of decline ? 

Sorry, yes.
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: wittonwarrior on December 24, 2016, 09:41:10 PM
Saunders moments would have to include

Graydon Wembley 75

West brom , Blackpool and Sheffield wed 75

West ham boxing day 76

76-77 best football ever

Ken mcnaught and all us doubters eating our words

The gradual restructure of the 77 team

5 goals past Liverpool no mean feat

The football league championship

Setting up the team for our European cup

Carrodus, Mortimer and Rimmer, Gray  all great signings

John Robson  making him the best left back n the country

Peter withe enough said

110%
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: four fornicholl on December 24, 2016, 09:46:44 PM
Saunders moments would have to include

Graydon Wembley 75

West brom , Blackpool and Sheffield wed 75

West ham boxing day 76

76-77 best football ever

Ken mcnaught and all us doubters eating our words

The gradual restructure of the 77 team

5 goals past Liverpool no mean feat

The football league championship

Setting up the team for our European cup

Carrodus, Mortimer and Rimmer, Gray  all great signings

John Robson  making him the best left back n the country

Peter withe enough said

110%
David Geddis, dont forget David Geddis...
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: wittonwarrior on December 24, 2016, 09:50:17 PM
Well he was the bench at Rotterdam so was not as obscure  to our history as perhaps I would make out.
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: four fornicholl on December 24, 2016, 09:54:20 PM
Well he was the bench at Rotterdam so was not as obscure  to our history as perhaps I would make out.
Dont forget the brace against the Blues.
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: PeterWithesShin on December 24, 2016, 09:55:54 PM
Plus winners against Southampton and Wolves. He only scored 4 that season but all were important.
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: peter w on December 24, 2016, 10:14:16 PM
I always liked Geddis. we had one of those seasons which Leicester also enjoyed, with no injuries. When needed he was a fine foil for Withe.
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: villan from luton on December 24, 2016, 10:16:34 PM
I remember not being excited as an almost 11 year old when he was appointed, but he soon proved me wrong and the football in 74/5 was excellent.

75/76 was a struggle, but 76/77 was the best football I have ever seen from a Villa team, though we only won the League Cup. I think many of us old folk will agree regarding the football in that season.

Ellis did throw a massive spanner in the works in 78/9 and would have got rid of Sir Ron if he had won.Imagine what would have happened if he had won? No league championship and the thrill of winning the league at highbury. Amazing times and we will never have a manager to compare.

I have a cabbie mate in Edinburgh and Alex Cropley is also a cabbie there and certainly does not speak highly of Sir Ron. Such a shame as he is one of my heroes, but I remember watching training at Bodymoor many times and he was not there to be liked.
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: four fornicholl on December 24, 2016, 10:17:03 PM
An inspired signing
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: villan from luton on December 24, 2016, 10:27:19 PM
An inspired signing

Who, David Geddis?

Remember his debut with Des Bremner and Mike Pejic v Arsenal at home, him and Des were shite lol. Always remember him in the FA cup replay in 79/80 cup replay v Blackburn and he was through on goal and his bloody hamstring went lol. Did a great job in championship winning season as back up for the mighty duo up front
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: olaftab on December 24, 2016, 11:06:30 PM
Jesus... I though something bad has happened when I saw the thread title! Anyway like some others I was underwhelmed when he came to us from man city but all I can say is thank you thank you thank you Ron.
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: clash city rocker on December 25, 2016, 05:58:46 PM
A legend as far as i'm concerned...Not only honours but at times some of the most exciting football i've ever seen at villa park.
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: wittonwarrior on December 25, 2016, 07:00:36 PM
Surely the most undervalued manager by the football public of all times   leaving the villa to one side taking Norwich to he top division. Getting to the league cup final with both Norwich and man city.   The man is an icon
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: Old Kodjia on December 26, 2016, 10:59:32 AM
A legend as far as i'm concerned...Not only honours but at times some of the most exciting football i've ever seen at villa park.
Another side to him that impressed me was his genuine concerns for society outside of football.  I remember in that championship winning season, when he arranged for buses to transport fans who were out of work, to BH to meet & train with the players.  Also, when at Blues, he was fairly active in anti drug campaigns that were prominent back in the early 80's.
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: dcdavecollett on January 23, 2017, 08:01:42 PM
Ron built two sides, not three.

His first was built by the great Vic Crowe -Ron added Instant Carrodus and sometimes Phillips and after Xmas we were more or less unstoppable.
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: wittonwarrior on January 23, 2017, 08:42:16 PM
The players who  have  slaughtered  him certainly did not improve themselves post-Villa.   People nationally talk about the likes  of Shankly, Busby, Mercer (we can excuse  that one), Bertie Mee and even the likes of Wilkinson etc.  Saunders was the equal if not better than all of them. 

I feel so  strongly over this great man.
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: class-of-82 on January 24, 2017, 10:41:39 AM
in a perfect world he would of never left us and we would of gone on to win another 4-5 league titles and 2-3 European cups, ten years later he finally hands the reigns over to sir graham and we carry on ruling the footballing world.
ah well we can dream cant we
the best manager who built the most exciting villa team I have ever seen in my lifetime
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: ez on January 26, 2017, 06:53:44 PM
It saddens me that he walked away from the game so long ago and has had very little to say about it since.
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: wittonwarrior on January 26, 2017, 09:04:49 PM
Well the game and the Villa  have certainly not been as good  as from the moment he  left the Villa. 
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: Rudy65 on January 28, 2017, 09:59:54 PM
Ron built two sides, not three.

His first was built by the great Vic Crowe -Ron added Instant Carrodus and sometimes Phillips and after Xmas we were more or less unstoppable.

Not sure about that. In Crowe's last season we were pretty mediocre
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: villan from luton on February 04, 2017, 12:51:50 AM
Ron built two sides, not three.

His first was built by the great Vic Crowe -Ron added Instant Carrodus and sometimes Phillips and after Xmas we were more or less unstoppable.

Not sure about that. In Crowe's last season we were pretty mediocre

We were not pretty, just mediocre. Loved Vic Crowe but things had to change and Sir Ron did that. I didn't want him at first but he was brilliant and I consider myself so fortunate to see such great football from my beloved club.
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: dcdavecollett on March 24, 2017, 06:43:19 PM
Mediocre because the board -incredibly-cut off funding with promotion within reach.

The sale of Rioch would have given him money to spend; on his track record, I think he would have spent it wisely.
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on March 15, 2021, 01:26:51 PM
Another great discovery from Villaboy:

Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: West Derby Villan on March 15, 2021, 01:45:15 PM
Another great discovery from Villaboy:



Wow, don’t remember that. Brilliant interview. He certainly came good on his prophecy
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on March 15, 2021, 04:31:55 PM
Did you clock that little smile at the end? Love him!
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: West Derby Villan on March 15, 2021, 05:27:02 PM
Did you clock that little smile at the end? Love him!

Wind !
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: Damo70 on March 15, 2021, 05:43:39 PM
Did you clock that little smile at the end? Love him!

Even when he was in a fairly good mood he had a quiet menace about him.
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: dcdavecollett on March 16, 2021, 12:20:28 AM
Good work, VillaBoy!
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: TopDeck113 on March 16, 2021, 07:06:53 AM
What a great interview!

Right man, right place, right time. 
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: JD on March 16, 2021, 07:55:56 AM
Another great discovery from Villaboy:



That's fabulous.
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: wittonwarrior on March 20, 2021, 05:28:36 PM
Imagine the likes of Social media when we lost to the likes of Blues, West ham in the cup, Luton and  Cambridge in the League cup.  Not everyone was pleased all the time with Ron Saunders if my memory is not playing tricks.
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: Sexual Ealing on March 20, 2021, 05:40:54 PM
Another great discovery from Villaboy:



That's fabulous.

That is fantastic. The don't-fuck-with-me shone through from day one!
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: passport1 on March 20, 2021, 06:01:09 PM
Imagine the likes of Social media when we lost to the likes of Blues, West ham in the cup, Luton and  Cambridge in the League cup.  Not everyone was pleased all the time with Ron Saunders if my memory is not playing tricks.

Ron would have dealt with it pretty much as he did journalists  back in the day ,by treating them with the contempt they deserved.
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: Godfrey Brian on March 28, 2021, 09:39:25 AM
What a great no nonsense interview. As an aside I think Trevor East was the reporter. He was an essential part of match days for me only because I'd watch Tiswas before I went- he played a slightly dim role.In reality he went on to be a successful TV executive. Derby fan.
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: Flamingo Lane on March 28, 2021, 10:01:37 PM
What a great no nonsense interview. As an aside I think Trevor East was the reporter. He was an essential part of match days for me only because I'd watch Tiswas before I went- he played a slightly dim role.In reality he went on to be a successful TV executive. Derby fan.

And, unless I'm mistaken, the man responsible for there being no footage of Villa 5 Liverpool 1 in 1976-77, and instead what we got was footage of Derek Hales making his debut for Derby.
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: dave shelley on March 28, 2021, 10:35:56 PM
What a great no nonsense interview. As an aside I think Trevor East was the reporter. He was an essential part of match days for me only because I'd watch Tiswas before I went- he played a slightly dim role.In reality he went on to be a successful TV executive. Derby fan.

And, unless I'm mistaken, the man responsible for there being no footage of Villa 5 Liverpool 1 in 1976-77, and instead what we got was footage of Derek Hales making his debut for Derby.

In a scoreless draw.
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: Des Little on March 28, 2021, 11:46:57 PM
I was always under the impression that the honour of that faux pas went to Gary Newbon?
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: Flamingo Lane on March 29, 2021, 09:57:25 AM
I think East had the main role of decision making at ATV Sport in those days, Newbon was more a presenter, plus East was/is a huge Derby fan.
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: Damo70 on March 30, 2021, 08:29:12 PM
I think East had the main role of decision making at ATV Sport in those days, Newbon was more a presenter, plus East was/is a huge Derby fan.

Isn't Newbon a Derby fan too? Or possibly Leicester. I also think Newbon held his hand up to being the one who chose to cover Derek Hales debut instead of the Villa v Liverpool game.
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: Flamingo Lane on March 30, 2021, 08:57:50 PM
Newbon is a Leicester fan.
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: dave.woodhall on March 30, 2021, 10:19:06 PM
Newbon did say that he was perhaps the only non-Liverpool supporter at Villa Park that night watching in horror as the goals went in.
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on March 30, 2021, 10:25:37 PM
What a great no nonsense interview. As an aside I think Trevor East was the reporter. He was an essential part of match days for me only because I'd watch Tiswas before I went- he played a slightly dim role.In reality he went on to be a successful TV executive. Derby fan.

And, unless I'm mistaken, the man responsible for there being no footage of Villa 5 Liverpool 1 in 1976-77, and instead what we got was footage of Derek Hales making his debut for Derby.

In a scoreless draw.

That's Derek `look at my player profile I'm a miserable bastard` Hales.


(https://i.ibb.co/vYjyQLV/we-have-found-the-worlds-most-miserable-football-player-profile-1556649945-AVMe-column-width-inline.jpg) (https://ibb.co/vYjyQLV)

(https://i.ibb.co/cvb28DX/Dbk-Bv-y-X4-AAQg-W1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/cvb28DX)

(https://i.ibb.co/kXxSKsX/we-have-found-the-worlds-most-miserable-football-player-profile-3-1556649945-ds5g-column-width-inlin.jpg) (https://ibb.co/kXxSKsX)

Hales has a surprisingly brief Wiki page.
For further information google ' Derek Hales Mike Flanagan ' to find out about the one bollocked bastard.
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: Sexual Ealing on April 02, 2021, 04:54:01 AM
Hahaha. Derek Hales is why clubs now have comms teams.
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: JD on April 02, 2021, 08:25:40 AM
What a miserable twat. That bio is crap, the meat pie eating, tom and jerry watching wan&*r.
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: West Derby Villan on April 02, 2021, 11:38:55 AM
Nickname = Mr Interesting
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: geolex on April 02, 2021, 12:09:39 PM
What a great no nonsense interview. As an aside I think Trevor East was the reporter. He was an essential part of match days for me only because I'd watch Tiswas before I went- he played a slightly dim role.In reality he went on to be a successful TV executive. Derby fan.

And, unless I'm mistaken, the man responsible for there being no footage of Villa 5 Liverpool 1 in 1976-77, and instead what we got was footage of Derek Hales making his debut for Derby.

In a scoreless draw.


villa 5-1 liverpool December 17, 1976
Derek hales Derby League Debut Monday, 3rd October 1977

Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: Flamingo Lane on April 02, 2021, 12:56:25 PM
What a great no nonsense interview. As an aside I think Trevor East was the reporter. He was an essential part of match days for me only because I'd watch Tiswas before I went- he played a slightly dim role.In reality he went on to be a successful TV executive. Derby fan.

And, unless I'm mistaken, the man responsible for there being no footage of Villa 5 Liverpool 1 in 1976-77, and instead what we got was footage of Derek Hales making his debut for Derby.

In a scoreless draw.


villa 5-1 liverpool December 17, 1976
Derek hales Derby League Debut Monday, 3rd October 1977



You're wrong (twice).  Villa v Liverpool was played on 15 December 1976, the same night that Hales made his debut for Derby, against Arsenal.
Title: Re: Ron Saunders
Post by: dave shelley on April 02, 2021, 01:06:21 PM
What a great no nonsense interview. As an aside I think Trevor East was the reporter. He was an essential part of match days for me only because I'd watch Tiswas before I went- he played a slightly dim role.In reality he went on to be a successful TV executive. Derby fan.

And, unless I'm mistaken, the man responsible for there being no footage of Villa 5 Liverpool 1 in 1976-77, and instead what we got was footage of Derek Hales making his debut for Derby.

In a scoreless draw.


villa 5-1 liverpool December 17, 1976
Derek hales Derby League Debut Monday, 3rd October 1977



You're wrong (twice).  Villa v Liverpool was played on 15 December 1976, the same night that Hales made his debut for Derby, against Arsenal.

Saved me the bother, ta.
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