Mick Hoban

[Oscar Arce]

Was a former Villa player who set off for the States in the early seventies after failing to break through to the first team squad, following a long line of Villains stateside that included Charlie Aitken, Steve Hunt (who both played with Pele at New York Cosmos) to Brian Tiler.

Just found this piece on him, still working in the 'soccer' industry in Portland,Oregon.

Anyone remember him ?

I remember he came on as a sub against Santos in the generator-lit friendly.


http://www.oregonlive.com/timbers/index.ssf/2011/03/timbers_legacy_mick_hoban_refl.html

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

He was one of many connections between Villa and Atlanta Chiefs in the 1960s/1970s.

[Steve R]

....

Anyone remember him ?

I remember he came on as a sub against Santos in the generator-lit friendly.
...

I will have seen him in that game, and probably in a few reserve games, but have no specific memory of him other than (if I remember correctly) he won the lottery amongst the players for the honour of swapping shirts with Pele.

[DeKuip]

Our former manager Vic Crowe and commercial manager Eric Woodward were also involved with Atlanta Chiefs.
Both sadly now passed away, but two of the most decent and genuine football people you could ever wish to meet.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

Our former manager Vic Crowe and commercial manager Eric Woodward were also involved with Atlanta Chiefs.
Both sadly now passed away, but two of the most decent and genuine football people you could ever wish to meet.

I will second that. I've posted this picture before, Eric and Vic are both there along with McParland, Woosnam, Mwila and Kapengwe.

[curiousorange]

I could pick McParland out of that line-up without even having to take a closer look, his grin is so distinctive.

[Oscar Arce]

He was mainly a full back and used in the first team squad in the Third Division promotion year, although never actually made a full appearance.
He replaced Chico Hamilton in the friendly against Santos, some other subs that night were Barry Lynch (who also went to play in the NASL), Brian Tiler (ditto) Paul Child (ditto, actually played full internationals for the USA and became the NASL's record all time goalscorer) and a young goalkeeper (Greg)? Knowles.
Actually the list of Villa players who left to join the fledgling NASL was very long and included people like Neil Rioch, Willie Anderson, Steve Hunt and Brian Godfrey.

[pooligan]

Yeah i remember him,he was a reserve team regular .Not sure if its true,but a old friend of mine told me he ended up in the West Midlands Police and used to play for them.

[pooligan]

Hi Oscar, the young goalkeeper you mention was Gordon Knowles. Smashing lad ,used to see him on the number 11 fairly often as he was in digs somewhere in the Marsh Hill area. I think Tommy Doc was responsible for him coming down to villa from Scotland and can remember the doc saying he was a future Scotland international .Can't remember why he left villa but i do know he was home sick and missed his family.