Eamonn Deacy - RIP

[Rudy Can't Fail]

He arrived in the Midlands from his hometown club Galway Rovers and after five years he moved back.
McNaught said Deacy refused a contract extension because he wanted to return home to live his life to the full.
"He said the craic was not there anymore and he wanted to go back home. He just walked away,'' said McNaught.

You can understand it in a way. He was an English League champion, an European Cup winner, he'd represented his country and played against the likes of Brazil with Eder, Falcão, Sócrates, Serginho Chulapa, Luizinho and a chap called Zico in front of 74,000 fans.  What else was there to do?

[Witton Warrior]

Same as yesterday, close to tears reading this thread. Another day of walking round work saying "I've just got something in my eye...honest!"

I'm exactly the same, Perce.  Something about the man, his humble part in our greatest triumphs and memories of truly fantastic days at Villa Park. 

He seems to have encapsulated for many of us what we have lost in football - I can't understand why I am so affected by this to be honest but I am. Maybe it is realising our own mortality alongside some of the greatest days of our lives.

I sent a card to the family c/o the funeral directors something I would never have dreamt of doing normally.

[DeKuip]

Very sad news, he always came across as a real top bloke and was very much a cult hero for us fans of that time.

If anyone keeps old copies of "Claret & Blue" magazine I seem to remember there being a big photo feature and interview done with him over in Galway in which he really came across as so grateful to still be remembered by Villa fans some 10 years or so after he left! I'm pretty sure it was "C&B" (I can't think what else it might have appeared in) but I don't think I kept any of mine to search back through.

Hopefully Villa will honour his passing before the next home game in true style – he deserves it.

[Virgil Caine]

Sorry to sound like the big I am but many years ago I, along with a work colleague, hired a private box in the North stand for a match against Derby. Injured players including Gary Shaw, Peter Withe, Steve Foster came and spent the whole match with us and the overriding memory I have was how they all applauded everything that Eamon did on the pitch. For sure there was some light-hearted piss- taking of him, especially from PW,but it was of a sort that you hear amongst mates. There was, a genuine fondness for the guy, and for me Eamon Deacy represented everything that was good about the game then. In light of the recent events I do wonder if the heart and soul of the National game have disappeared. I am sure the Galway lad would think Suarez as a pretentious prima Donna or a fooking eegit it to be sure.

Rest in Peace Eamon, it was both a pleasure and a privilege watching you play.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Same as yesterday, close to tears reading this thread. Another day of walking round work saying "I've just got something in my eye...honest!"

I'm exactly the same, Perce.  Something about the man, his humble part in our greatest triumphs and memories of truly fantastic days at Villa Park. 

He seems to have encapsulated for many of us what we have lost in football - I can't understand why I am so affected by this to be honest but I am.

I'm glad I'm not the only one. I guess we all had our favourites with that team but when Eamonn came on as sub, the whole atmosphere in Villa Park changed with expectation and a united will to encourage the fella. It's really hard to explain unless you were there but there was something very pure and honest about him. He gave everything he had, like a boxer in a fight, he went out to do a job, completely focused and willing to put his body on the line, taking the rough with the smooth.

As somebody mentioned earlier, maybe we all saw ourselves playing for the Villa through him.

[Flamingo Lane]

According to Tony Matthews' Who's Who of Villa players, Eamonn wote 20 letters in eight months to Villa asking for a trial.  He also has eight brothers.

 

[eamonn]

He seems to have encapsulated for many of us what we have lost in football - I can't understand why I am so affected by this to be honest but I am. Maybe it is realising our own mortality alongside some of the greatest days of our lives.

I sent a card to the family c/o the funeral directors something I would never have dreamt of doing normally.

Agreed completely. Do you have the address of the funeral directors by the way? I'll try and send something too.

A sudden heart-attack at 53... Such a terrible way and time to go. It would make you as much angry as sad if you dwelt on it.

[Ger Regan]

Conneely's Funeral Home, Flood Street, Galway.

[Legion]

A humble hero: Eamonn Deacy 1958-2012

By Mat Kendrick on Feb 13, 12 11:13 PM

THIS story from Villa fan Danny Drewry is worthy of re-telling, following the sad, sad news of Eamonn Deacy's death today, as it captures the humility of a hero.

Danny, who runs Midlands Memorabila, embarked on a labour of love last summer to track down all of the club's 1982 First Division title winning favourites to sign souvenirs.

And when it came to a certain greengrocer in Galway, Danny found a modest and reluctant legend whose pride at playing for the Villa burned brighter than ever.

It was Danny who contacted me to check I had heard the news of Deacy's death this morning with a text message simply containing the word 'gutted'.

Yet his story confirms that the claret and blue family are not only mourning the loss of a fine footballer, but also a true gentleman.
"There was one former player I was desperate to meet because, every time his name came up during a signing with one or two of his ex-colleagues, there would be smiles instantly.

Often they would be followed by a story told in an Irish accent about an innocent young teetotal from Galway who, after writing to Ron Saunders for a trial, found himself in a dressing room with some streetwise characters who liked the odd practical joke and a drink or two.

We had a phone number for Eamonn in Ireland which he had recently changed, so we had no way of contacting him to let him know of our plans. One evening, I decided to turn detective with information gleaned from Tony Morley and Google.

I put a file together containing maps to his home address and details for shops where he may be working and drove to Holyhead to catch the ferry to Ireland.

Of all the days to choose, it just happened to be the one of The Queen's visit to Dublin! I eventually got through all the security around the ferry-port at 5am and hit the motorway.

By 9am, I was parked up in Galway town centre and, after a 20-minute walk, found one of the shops I was looking for.

The first person I saw was the man himself! He was shocked when I explained why I was there and was so humble that someone would travel all that way to see him just to get some shirts and prints signed.

I had to get Tony Morley to confirm my credentials over the phone, then I arranged to meet Eamonn after work, so he could take me to his house.

Once we started the signing, Eamonn was really keen to hear about how all the other lads were and told of his happiness and pride at playing for Villa at that time. He was keen to show me his son's bedroom as it was kitted out in claret and blue.

I have to mention the amazing hospitality of the Deacy family. Mary, Eamonn's wife, made me a delicious meal and, while I was tucking into that, she even prepared a packed lunch for me for the ferry journey home.

When it was time to go, Eamonn insisted on showing me to the motorway - a ten-mile drive.

When I was dozing off on the ferry later, I found it hard comprehending what had happened over the last 24 hours. Eamonn made a big impression on me and I can see exactly why he is remembered with such affection by his former team-mates."

Taken by Danny:

[Witton Warrior]

Conneely's Funeral Home, Flood Street, Galway.

When I checked today it was Galway City, Co. Galway on their website

[Ger Regan]

Conneely's Funeral Home, Flood Street, Galway.

When I checked today it was Galway City, Co. Galway on their website

That'd be fine as well. Either will get there, it's a tiny city!

[Ger Regan]

I mentioned elsewhere about another story I heard today about chick. West United (the team he last played for) were having fundraising raffles etc., and he gave away pretty much all the memorabilia he had built up over the years (opposition players' jerseys etc). He had to be stopped by his brother from giving away his league winners medal.

[Ger Regan]

Hi all,
A few of us on here have decided to pitch in and organise a wreath for the funeral. We've now exceeded the amount needed to get a nice one, but we propose to donate the extra amount to Acorns in his memory. For anyone who would like to contribute, you can either PM me, or make a donation directly to Acorns here.

Cheers,
Ger

[The Left Side]

Great Eamon story from the Mail, thanks for posting.

[Pete3206]

The '110%ers'