What makes a Villa Legend?

[DeKuip]

It appears to me that the only players remembered fondly years after they've left us are those who don't move on to better teams and better money. Villa fans, more than most I feel, turn instantly against players who have the nerve to try and better themselves.
So to ever be talked about as a legend Gabby will have to have a few more good years with us then either take a move abroad or a move down the English ladder.
When I look back at players like Andy Gray, Platty, Yorke and Barry they were all special players when they were with us - yet their reputations went downhill with most of our fans because they took upward moves (in Gray's case only financially upwards).
Alan McInally and Sid moved abroad rather than to a rival, so remained popular afterwards.

[Big Dick Edwards]

It appears to me that the only players remembered fondly years after they've left us are those who don't move on to better teams and better money. Villa fans, more than most I feel, turn instantly against players who have the nerve to try and better themselves.
So to ever be talked about as a legend Gabby will have to have a few more good years with us then either take a move abroad or a move down the English ladder.
When I look back at players like Andy Gray, Platty, Yorke and Barry they were all special players when they were with us - yet their reputations went downhill with most of our fans because they took upward moves (in Gray's case only financially upwards).
Alan McInally and Sid moved abroad rather than to a rival, so remained popular afterwards.

I hated Andy Gray with a passion at the time he left Villa but I'd still rate him a Villa legend.

[The Laughing Policeman]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Tony Hateley. 68 goals in 126 matches.
In 65/66 we were 5-1 down to Spurs and he scored 4 second half goals to bring it back to 5-5.

[dave.woodhall]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Tony Hateley. 68 goals in 126 matches.
In 65/66 we were 5-1 down to Spurs and he scored 4 second half goals to bring it back to 5-5.

It's generally reckoned that for some reason he was never very popular.

[Louzie0]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Tony Hateley. 68 goals in 126 matches.
In 65/66 we were 5-1 down to Spurs and he scored 4 second half goals to bring it back to 5-5.

It's generally reckoned that for some reason he was never very popular.

Playing for Coventry and Blues.  That'll do it.  And ducking out before Villa got relegated in 67.  My dad and grandad were incandescent about him at the time.

Imagine the Villa having a bad start to the season and a major player moving away to Chelsea in January.  (that's the nearest in present day terms - only it was October, even earlier in the season!)  That's why he's not popular with me. Oooh, it's like it was yesterday.   Not that I'm bitter.  Actually I was ...well, little.

[The Laughing Policeman]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Tony Hateley. 68 goals in 126 matches.
In 65/66 we were 5-1 down to Spurs and he scored 4 second half goals to bring it back to 5-5.

It's generally reckoned that for some reason he was never very popular.

Playing for Coventry and Blues.  That'll do it.  And ducking out before Villa got relegated in 67.  My dad and grandad were incandescent about him at the time.

Imagine the Villa having a bad start to the season and a major player moving away to Chelsea in January.  (that's the nearest in present day terms - only it was October, even earlier in the season!)  That's why he's not popular with me. Oooh, it's like it was yesterday.   Not that I'm bitter.  Actually I was ...well, little.

So the fact that the incompetents running the club at the time were in deep financial doo doo and the only way to stave off financial ruin was to sell the clubs only real asset on the playing side had nothing to do with him being sold to Chelsea for £100,000.

[badluckeric(gates)]

In reality there are probably only a handfull of true legends. Having been around long enough to witness the league/euro triumphs and God I feel reasonably qualified to comment.
But I believe there are legends in all the era's if you look. For me JPA will always be a legend because he ensured that my son will be Villa forever after the league cup display/goal v Chelsea. He still follows Villa and always talks fondly of us. May not be enough to be a legend in most peoples eyes but for me it is.
And, don't shoot me but for me so is Merse. At a time when we werent exactly pulling up trees he was just so exciting to watch, you never knew what he was going to do with the ball.
Guess i'm easily pleased, but these are the type of players who can cement a young person into the faith, doesn't that alone deserve them to be legends?

[The Laughing Policeman]

How about some non playing people who gave sterling service to the club? Can they be counted as legends?
William McGregor.
George Ramsay Secretary/Manager 6 FA Cups  6 League Championships.
Ron Saunders/Tony Barton.
Steve Stride. An excellent club secretary. One black mark, he was on the three man FA panel that sanctioned Wimbledon's move to MK.
We may not sing songs about them (apart from Ron) but they all played their part in helping to make the club what it is.

[Simon Ward]

EuroCup heroes Cowans, Morley, Bremner, McNaught & Gibson playing for Old Stars Sunday @ Rushall Olympic FC - WS4 1LJ - KO 2pm - RT!!

Win something like those guys?

[Louzie0]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Tony Hateley. 68 goals in 126 matches.
In 65/66 we were 5-1 down to Spurs and he scored 4 second half goals to bring it back to 5-5.

It's generally reckoned that for some reason he was never very popular.

Playing for Coventry and Blues.  That'll do it.  And ducking out before Villa got relegated in 67.  My dad and grandad were incandescent about him at the time.

Imagine the Villa having a bad start to the season and a major player moving away to Chelsea in January.  (that's the nearest in present day terms - only it was October, even earlier in the season!)  That's why he's not popular with me. Oooh, it's like it was yesterday.   Not that I'm bitter.  Actually I was ...well, little.

So the fact that the incompetents running the club at the time were in deep financial doo doo and the only way to stave off financial ruin was to sell the clubs only real asset on the playing side had nothing to do with him being sold to Chelsea for £100,000.

I don't remember challenging the family authorities on all things Villa at the time, no! 

[UsualSuspect]

Petrov and Friedel?

Fuck me

[Meanwood Villa]

How about some non playing people who gave sterling service to the club? Can they be counted as legends?
William McGregor.
George Ramsay Secretary/Manager 6 FA Cups  6 League Championships.
Ron Saunders/Tony Barton.
Steve Stride. An excellent club secretary. One black mark, he was on the three man FA panel that sanctioned Wimbledon's move to MK.
We may not sing songs about them (apart from Ron) but they all played their part in helping to make the club what it is.

For me Ramsay is THE legend of the Villa. Obviously wasn't around at the time but from what I can tell he was the main reason we didn't go the way of the numerous other Brum teams of pre-league football and made us the pre-eminent force we were during his (very long) stint as secretary. Wonder what he'd make of things now.

[Dave Cooper please]

Petrov and Friedel?

Fuck me

You're not their type.

[not3bad]

Nigel Spink will always be a legend to me for that extraordinary performance on 26th May 1982, even if he'd never played another game for Villa.

Great shout.  Sometimes 1 match can make you a legend.  This was real Roy of the Rovers stuff.  Or should I say Safest Hands in Soccer!

[Mister E]

What makes a Villa Legend?  - Is the answer plastercine?