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Author Topic: The Alex Cropley Story  (Read 41716 times)

Offline barrysleftfoot

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Re: The Alex Cropley Story
« Reply #30 on: January 09, 2014, 04:46:53 PM »

 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.

Offline darren woolley

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Re: The Alex Cropley Story
« Reply #31 on: January 09, 2014, 04:52:30 PM »
Got my copy today.

Online Chico Hamilton III

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Re: The Alex Cropley Story
« Reply #32 on: January 09, 2014, 05:06:17 PM »
Quote
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?

Offline barrysleftfoot

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Re: The Alex Cropley Story
« Reply #33 on: January 09, 2014, 05:46:04 PM »

 Don't recall that at the actual game, certainly in seasons after, but i don't think they did at the game.

Offline class_of_82

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Re: The Alex Cropley Story
« Reply #34 on: January 09, 2014, 06:28:23 PM »
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.

Offline Pat McMahon

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Re: The Alex Cropley Story
« Reply #35 on: January 09, 2014, 11:39:15 PM »
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.

Online Flamingo Lane

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Re: The Alex Cropley Story
« Reply #36 on: January 10, 2014, 07:48:29 AM »
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.

Online dave shelley

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Re: The Alex Cropley Story
« Reply #37 on: January 10, 2014, 11:56:11 AM »
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.

Offline Pat McMahon

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Re: The Alex Cropley Story
« Reply #38 on: January 10, 2014, 02:09:56 PM »
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.

Online dave.woodhall

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Re: The Alex Cropley Story
« Reply #39 on: January 10, 2014, 02:15:23 PM »
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.

Offline Brend'Watkins

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Re: The Alex Cropley Story
« Reply #40 on: January 10, 2014, 04:16:34 PM »
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? 

Online dave.woodhall

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Re: The Alex Cropley Story
« Reply #41 on: January 10, 2014, 04:18:13 PM »
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.

Online dave shelley

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Re: The Alex Cropley Story
« Reply #42 on: January 10, 2014, 05:00:28 PM »
I had Ronnie Allen in my house once...trying to flog me some kind of insurance for referees!  How the mighty had fallen.


Online john e

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Re: The Alex Cropley Story
« Reply #43 on: January 11, 2014, 05:16:11 PM »
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

« Last Edit: January 11, 2014, 05:18:25 PM by john e »

Offline villan from luton

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Re: The Alex Cropley Story
« Reply #44 on: January 11, 2014, 06:08:38 PM »
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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