Eamonn Deacy - RIP

[pauliewalnuts]

Wasn't the story that Saunders offered him a new contract, and he said "No thanks, football's not for me, I'm going home to be a greengrocer" or something similar?

Crikey, compare that to footballers today.

[ez]

Very sad. One of the great fourteen .

[Dave Javu]

Wasn't the story that Saunders offered him a new contract, and he said "No thanks, football's not for me, I'm going home to be a greengrocer" or something similar?

My understanding was that we tried to send him out on loan/sell him, and he decided that he didn't want to play for anyone else outside of Ireland.

[Simon Ward]

He knew how special it was to play for Aston Villa!

[Chico Hamilton III]

My understanding was that we tried to send him out on loan/sell him, and he decided that he didn't want to play for anyone else outside of Ireland.

According to Ellis, Deacy resigned from Villa because of a "family tragedy"


I'm still trying to remember which Everton player it was that Deacy nearly split in half with a bone-shuddering tackle in the last game of the season in the early 80s.

Steve McMahon?

As full-blooded a tackle as I think I've ever seen

[Brend'Watkins]

Something I found out a little while ago.  During his time with us he played Gaelic Football for a club in Erdington.  Even back then it's hard to imagine that actually happened but it did.  It obviously wasn't enough for him to just clatter opposition players on a Saturday afternoon.

[rutski]

RIP Eamon. always part of the legendary 14. Sad news.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Wasn't the story that Saunders offered him a new contract, and he said "No thanks, football's not for me, I'm going home to be a greengrocer" or something similar?

My understanding was that we tried to send him out on loan/sell him, and he decided that he didn't want to play for anyone else outside of Ireland.

He went back home and played for Galway United, refusing to take a wage.

[Pat McMahon]

Really sad news indeed. I met Eamonn at his brother Ernie's shop in Galway 5 years ago and he was a real modest gent, as was his brother. The shop is away from the centre but everybody I asked knew where Eamonn worked. I genuinely got the impression that Eamonn had loved playing for the Villa, and never took any of it for granted.

My favourite memories of Eamonn are as an utterly committed player, who only gave 110%. He was the only footballer I ever saw who was brave enought to clatter the dirtiest bastard in Europe, Claudio Gentile, the night that Juve outclassed us at Villa Park. I also saw him score an absolute corker from 25 yards  in a night friendly v Rapid Vienna the year we won the league.

Condolences to his family and friends.

[charlie]

Fierce tackler, good team man, R.I.P. .

[barrysleftfoot]

  My one overriding memory of Eamonn Deacy was him "tackling" a bloke off the pitch.I think he was trying to take a quick throw, and Eamonn just took him out.

  I think it is safe to say he was "uncompromising".As someone said earlier, not the most gifted footballer, but he always run his bollocks off when he pulled on that Villa shirt.He was an inspiration in respect of his heart and endevour made up for any footballing deficiences.I wish we had him now.

  R I P Eamonn, apparently a really nice bloke.

[manic-road]

RIP Eamon, way to young.

[Fin Feds Dad]

Very sad news.
One of the most committed players I have seen in a Villa shirt.
If the present over paid lot showed half as much committment  as Eamon
we wouldn't be in the mess we are in now!!!

RIP

Agree with all this 100%.

God bless eamonn and thanks

[TheSandman]

RIP, Eamon. Too young.

[BC54 VFC]

Very sad to hear this news; the first of the Famous Fourteen to pass away, at the age of 53.

R.I.P Eamonn