Arise Sir Doug

[darren woolley]

Congratulations Doug I've met him a few times always been a gentleman.

[HK Villan]

i can just about live with it if Lerner doesn't invite him to fix each new letter to the stand while on top of a mobile crane at the next home game.... Thats probably going to happen i'm guessing.

"The Sir Witton Lane Stand".  Splendid.

[pooligan]

He certainly has not got it for his services to football!!!

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/aston-villa-fc/aston-villa-news/2011/12/31/former-aston-villa-chairman-doug-ellis-awarded-knighthood-in-queen-s-new-year-honours-97319-30036668/

FORMER Aston Villa chairman ‘Deadly’ Doug Ellis declared himself ‘‘over the moon’’ at being awarded a knighthood in the Queen’s New Year Honours.

Sir Doug, who is 88 on Tuesday, has been honoured for his support of hospitals, cancer charities, sports projects and children’s charities over many years. He is among scores of Midland winners whose work in their communities and for charity has been recognised.

Speaking to the Birmingham Mail from his second home in Parma, Majorca, Sir Doug said: “I am delighted beyond measure. I came from a humble background. There was no silver spoon, so to receive this honour is fantastic.

“I was born in Chester but the West Midlands is where I’ve brought up my family, where I achieved my success in business and where most of my employees during my business life have been based.

“War time service in the Far East brought home to me just how little some people have and I have always tried to give something back. It has been a privilege for me to help so many local institutions and charities to further their work and influence, particularly with an accent on youth and sport.”

Among charities he has supported are NSPCC, Childline and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. In 2004 he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and two years later sold Villa to American Randy Lerner. He was awarded the OBE for services to football in 2005 and remains Life President of Aston Villa.


Last year Bimingham City University named its Perry Barr sports centre after him and in October Aston University followed suit by dedicating its Woodcock Street centre in his honour.

Sir Doug added: “I started out offering prizes for charity raffles and became more involved. I now receive about 20 requests from charities a week, I can’t respond to all of them but try to help three or four a week.”

‘Deadly’ Doug made his fortune as a pioneer of the package tour industry in Birmingham during the late 1940s and 1950s and first became Aston Villa chairman in 1968. His nickname was a result of his reputation for sacking managers. In 2004 he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and two years later sold the club to American Randy Lerner. He was awarded the OBE for services to football in 2005 and remains Life President of Aston Villa.

Villa chief executive Paul Faulkner said: “Everyone at Villa would like to congratulate Sir Doug on his wonderful award, which is a fitting tribute to a man who has given so much to the Midlands over the years.”

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

http://bcove.me/fmmewij2

Audio interview with Sir Doug here. Terrible quality but amongst the gems to further provoke the debate.

 
"This is the biggest honour. "She is going to put the sword across my shoulders.
"I had to have broad shoulders to suffer the abuse but I still maintain I wouldn't borrow money unless I could pay for it.
"It will be good to see Her Majesty again, I made a mistake once and called her love. I gave her my book and said: 'it will send you to sleep love'."

"One bidder was the Chinaman who took Birmingham City.
"He sent Yu his right hand man. He came and spent a whole day at Villa.
"Our club shop said he was the best customer they had ever had. He bought everything to take back to Carson Yeung."

"In '68 when I took the Villa we were virtually bankrupt and couldn't afford to buy players so we bred them.
"I put more into breeding than anyone else.
"I put in £10,000 in and when we won the European Cup, seven of the academy boys were actually in the squad.
"They didn't all play but it was an absolutely vital contribution. We were famous for having homegrown players."

[richardhubbard]

Well done doug

[PaulWinch again]

Congratulations Doug.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

Ten of thousands of Villa fans braved the snow to line The Mall, as Sir Doug Ellis made his way to Buckingham Palace to collect his Knighthood from Her Majesty.

[manic-road]

Quality picture Andy Lochhead in the air.

Congrats Doug.

[charleeco7]

Well done Sir Doug. Reflects well on the club so all good.

[SashasGrandad]

if it happens, i guess we'll finally know how much it costs to buy a knighthood.

How much?

ask Lerner

I'm asking you as you seem to know how much one costs. So how much is it?

He's probably given a few quid to the Tory party in his time!

[Dave Clark Five]

i can just about live with it if Lerner doesn't invite him to fix each new letter to the stand while on top of a mobile crane at the next home game.... Thats probably going to happen i'm guessing.

"The Sir Witton Lane Stand".  Splendid.

It will be bad etiquette to order match tickets without the full title now. The 'Sir' must be included.

[villajk]

i can just about live with it if Lerner doesn't invite him to fix each new letter to the stand while on top of a mobile crane at the next home game.... Thats probably going to happen i'm guessing.

"The Sir Witton Lane Stand".  Splendid.

Hehe. Love it.

[MarkM]

So, will he be...

Sir Doug of Aston?
Sir Ellis of Witton?

Good luck to him, I have not agreed with all the things he has done over the years but I will not begrudge him this.

[Legion]

So, will he be...

Sir Doug of Aston?
Sir Ellis of Witton?

Good luck to him, I have not agreed with all the things he has done over the years but I will not begrudge him this.

Neither will I. Congratulations, Mr. (Sir) Ellis.