Harry Burrows 80 today

[Scratchins]

I saw Harry play when he started in the reserves (as they were then). 2 overriding memories from the front of 'boot hill' ; he took a free kick just outside the box and you could hear the wind whistle; an opposition player charged into him, next time he had the ball Stan Lynn ran at him, jumped lifting his knees up and launched himself into his chest. He didn't do it again!

[robbo1874]

This is my first post, and I couldn’t not reply to this thread. Oh, before I go on (and when you have picked your jaw up off the floor)  I’m  obviously not the real Harry  Burrows… I’m a long-time reader but not poster of H&V who, like our Trezeguet, took the name of an early hero…
The story is this: at primary school, I was persuaded to ‘support’ Wolves by a friend, although all this meant at the time was chanting the name at playtime.  One night my Dad said that his old wartime pal was coming for a visit, and they were going to go Villa Park to see a football match: would I like to go? Well, yes…   Another of my schoolmates was a Villa fan, and I told him that if Villa won the match I would support them instead.
This was in the early 1960s, the one season in history that Leyton Orient graced the top division, and the game was against them.  My Dad and his pal, my mate and me stood in the lower part of the Trinity Stand. They left us (aged ten and eight) at the front, and went back further up to get a better view, as was the practice at the time. I don’t remember much of the game but Villa thrashed Orient 1-0, and the scorer was Harry Burrows. The rest is history…
I think the details above are correct, but if they aren’t I’m sure someone will doubtless put me right.
So, a very happy birthday to Harry, and thanks for saving me from a lifetime of supporting the Wolves…

fantastic post HB. We’ve all got our stories of how we ended up with Villa. I had a less/more (depending on how you view it!) lucky escape from supporting Utd.

[dave shelley]

This is my first post, and I couldn’t not reply to this thread. Oh, before I go on (and when you have picked your jaw up off the floor)  I’m  obviously not the real Harry  Burrows… I’m a long-time reader but not poster of H&V who, like our Trezeguet, took the name of an early hero…
The story is this: at primary school, I was persuaded to ‘support’ Wolves by a friend, although all this meant at the time was chanting the name at playtime.  One night my Dad said that his old wartime pal was coming for a visit, and they were going to go Villa Park to see a football match: would I like to go? Well, yes…   Another of my schoolmates was a Villa fan, and I told him that if Villa won the match I would support them instead.
This was in the early 1960s, the one season in history that Leyton Orient graced the top division, and the game was against them.  My Dad and his pal, my mate and me stood in the lower part of the Trinity Stand. They left us (aged ten and eight) at the front, and went back further up to get a better view, as was the practice at the time. I don’t remember much of the game but Villa thrashed Orient 1-0, and the scorer was Harry Burrows. The rest is history…
I think the details above are correct, but if they aren’t I’m sure someone will doubtless put me right.
So, a very happy birthday to Harry, and thanks for saving me from a lifetime of supporting the Wolves…

I wonder if we were near each other as I stood there that day, a place I didn't go into that often, always down the Witton end.  IIRC Harry's goal was direct from a corner, the first time I'd ever witnessed that.

Again, IIRC a couple of years ago I may have started a thread 'who was the first player you saw get sent off?' and I said that my first was Harry, who got sent off with Clive Clark for fighting during a match against the Albion, Clark was a niggly little shit.  It had to be about 1962/63 as Derek Dougan was our centre-forward.  A tough nut was Harry.

[Harry Burrows]

Thanks, Robbo. I also nearly posted when we played Orient in the League Cup a couple of years ago, then chickened out when we lost...
Dave: we didn't actually see the goal (!). I think momentarily our attention was elsewhere, and we were as low down as you can get.  If it was direct from a corner that may explain it too. I do remember the commotion after it though!
Apologies: haven't figured out quoting yet...

[nigel]

Harry Burrows on the left, next to Nigel Sims and Jimmy McEwan 4th along. This picture I believe is from 2015, Sims and McEwan have now sadly passed. May need to click to enlarge.

I’m pretty sure that photo is from Nigel Sims book launch.
The chap in the middle was the guy who did the research and put the book together. For my life I can’t remember his name. I want to say Colin.
I remember the chap in the Villa top being there, too.
I was named after Nigel, and with the surname of Simons I feel it was a perfect choice from my parents

[Clampy]

Harry Burrows on the left, next to Nigel Sims and Jimmy McEwan 4th along. This picture I believe is from 2015, Sims and McEwan have now sadly passed. May need to click to enlarge.

I’m pretty sure that photo is from Nigel Sims book launch.
The chap in the middle was the guy who did the research and put the book together. For my life I can’t remember his name. I want to say Colin.
I remember the chap in the Villa top being there, too.
I was named after Nigel, and with the surname of Simons I feel it was a perfect choice from my parents

You may mean Colin Abbot.

[nigel]

Harry Burrows on the left, next to Nigel Sims and Jimmy McEwan 4th along. This picture I believe is from 2015, Sims and McEwan have now sadly passed. May need to click to enlarge.

I’m pretty sure that photo is from Nigel Sims book launch.
The chap in the middle was the guy who did the research and put the book together. For my life I can’t remember his name. I want to say Colin.
I remember the chap in the Villa top being there, too.
I was named after Nigel, and with the surname of Simons I feel it was a perfect choice from my parents

You may mean Colin Abbot.

That’s the chap.
Nice guy, too.
Had a great chat with Nigel and Jimmy, both were so humble regarding their achievements.
I said it was a real privilege to meet them and shake their hands Jimmy seemed slightly embarrassed ‘I don’t know why, I just liked playing football’

[steamer]

Penny pinching twats left the book behind for Doug
Never a borrower or a lender be
Or a visionary with a plan