Eamonn Deacy - RIP

[eamonn]

Looking foward to this at the weekend. Anyone seen the squad Villa are sending?

Got to say the goalkeeper is about the last ex-player I would have guessed would be involved. Last thing we heard from him was something about opposition fans in Holland pelting him with dildos after a home-movie leaked online of him being anally probed by his female companion.

Team listed below. I'm sure there would have been more of the '81 heroes if it didn't coincide with the opening day of the season. That obviously rules Sid out, I imagine Shaw and a few others are i involved with media work. Still... Tommy Johnson?! No lil'Lee from what was reported previously. Thought Staunton would be involved too. Maybe they're on the bench...pretty sure McGrath is confirmed to be there.  Scored the winner for St Pats last time he played on the ground. In 1981 obviously. How great will it be to see God in his natural colours once again?


Aston Villa Legends

Stefan Postma.

Darren Bradley.

Colin Gibson.

Allan Evans.

Ken McNaught.

Pat Heard.

Des Bremner.

Garrett Farrelly.

Tommy Johnson.

Paul Kerr.

Tony Morley.

by Keith Kelly

Galway’s soccer family will be out in force this Saturday to honour its greatest player when the city and county’s flagship soccer venue is renamed in his memory.

The Galway FA voted unanimously to rename Terryland Park after Eamonn ‘Chick’ Deacy, who died suddenly in February, and to mark the occasion, a number of Chick’s former team-mates from the three clubs closest to his hearts will play in a testimonial game at Eamonn Deacy Park on Saturday evening (kick-off 5.30pm).

Chick was part of the Aston Villa squad that claimed the old English First Division title in the 1980/81 season, famously being one of just 14 players used by Ron Saunders in that title-winning season. Five of that squad are travelling to the city for the game – Tony Morley, Ken McNaught, Colin Gibson, Allan Evans and Des Bremner – with McNaught saying they are looking forward to paying tribute to Chick.

“He was a good friend, he was very often the centre of attention as he was just such fun to be around, and the lads all loved him, he was great company. He was very much a valued member of our squad, and the fact he played for his country says just how good he was.

“There was never any question about us coming over for his funeral back in February, and the fact that a club director, Robin Russell, travelled over as well show the huge respect we, and the club, had for Eamonn.

“We’re all looking forward to coming over and paying tribute to Eamonn, to doing his memory justice. He is the first of that title-winning squad to pass away, and that has hit us all hard. He was such a humble guy, and travelling over to be part of this celebration of his life is the least we could do,” McNaught said.

The player Chick was perhaps closest to during his time at Villa, Tony Morley, says the manner in which the city native got a trial at, and subsequently signed for, Aston Villa is deserving of Hollywood.

“He changed his age to get a trial with Villa – back then, you hadn’t a hope of getting a trial at 27, and he knew that, but it was his dream and he did what he had to in order to realise that dream. If that happened in America, they’d make a film about the bloke – if a guy from rural America changes his age to get a trial with a team and he went on to win the Super Bowl, there’d have been a book and film about him telling that story.

“We all thought ‘fair play pal’, we thought it was great, and even Villa saw the funny side of it and respected him for that, for chasing his dream. Every time the Villa lads get together, we don’t talk about Gordon Cowans or Peter White or Gary Shaw, we always talk about Eamonn – he was such a great part of that group of players. He was magical,” Morley says.

Former Irish international Paul McGrath is also part of the Villa squad, and his former Irish international team-mate, Packie Bonner, will play as a special guest of West United – West United is based in the Henry Street, Shantalla and Claddagh are of the city, and was the club Chick started and ended his career with.

The renaming ceremony takes place at 5pm on Saturday and will be presided over by Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring. The ground will be blessed by Fr Dick Lyng of the Augustinian Church and Reverend Gary Hastings of St Nicholas’ Collegiate Church.

Gates open at 4pm, and there will be pre-match entertainment provided by the St Patrick’s Brass Band, while Greg Cotter will perform at half-time. There will be limited parking available at the ground, and people are urged to use the City Council car-park at the Dyke Road, and to use public- transport where possible when travelling to the game.

[Ger Regan]

For anyone going (Eamonn, Dave S.), how about meeting up in Bierhaus on Henry Street / Dominick Street before the game? good beer selection, about 20 minute walk to the ground. Dave - that's pretty close to where you'll be staying.

[dave shelley]

See you there Ger, looking forward to meeting all.

[dave shelley]

BTW what time will you be in there?

[Ger Regan]

3? Will try and get the game put on the laptop in the pub so we get the best of both worlds!

[eamonn]

Sounds good. My train gets in just after two so will try and meet you there for at least the second half and then on towards Terryland/Deacy Park.

[dave shelley]

I spent yesterday afternoon, evening and night in the company of H & V posters Ger Regan and Eamonn at the Eamon Deacy memorial testimonial and what a wonderful few hours they were.  Both lads were friendly and good company.  I first met Ger at the appointed pub and as he promised we watched the West Ham match which turned out to be the biggest disappointment of the day.  After the final whistle by which time we'd been joined by Eamonn, we made our way to the newly named Eamon Deacy Park for the match against the "Villa Legends" which included members of the '81 championship winning team, Evans, Morley, McNaught amongst them.  A good entertaining couple of hours.  The great Ron Saunders was in attendance as was Paul McGrath, and as an added bonus former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Packie Bonner made a cameo appearance late in the second half.

After the game we went to town for something to eat and then on for a few pints.  Ger, who knows Eamon's daughter personally told us that there was a reception planned in the hotel where the players were staying and that there was an open invitation for anyone who so wished to attend.  We arrived at about 11:10 pm to hear the speeches.  The good people of Galway were so appreciative of Aston Villa for agreeing to take part in this testimonial to one of their favourite sons and were particularly voiciferous in the platitudes.  In response to a presentation made by Eamon's wife Mary to him Colin Gibson gave his speech which he did with genuine fondness and esteem of Eamon.  It struck me that Gibbo and Eamon were the best of friends and there is a genuine sense of loss.

For myself I am not and never have been the type of person who would be starstruck by anyone but last night I was like a kid in a candy shop.  I got the chance to speak to these players who have given me the the highlight of all the years of following Villa and to thank them for it.  In 1978 I got the autograph of Alan Evans on my season ticket which I still have.  I told him this yesterday and reminded him that the gave it to me in Good Hope Hospital when his wife and my wife were in the same ward where his wife had their daughter and my wife had our son he then updated his autograph for me dedicating it this time to my grandchildren.  Everyone of those players were gentlemanly, accommodating and so willing to talk to me I couldn't believe it.  Special thanks to Des Bremner for making sure I got all the photo's I wanted.  He actully bollocked me for thinking I was intruding on their privacy.  Tony Morley wanted to see the photo to make sure it turned out.  Top, top men all of them but the highlight of the evening for me was to get to shake hands and say thank you to Ron Saunders. 

I finally got to bed about 2:45 am a very very happy old man.  I can't promise but I'll try and post some photo's if I can work out how to do it.

Thanks Ger, thanks Eamonn I really enjoyed your company.

Sorry for the long post.

[Irish villain]

I'm really sorry I couldn't make it along guys. Maybe those of us in Ireland should try to arrange a meet up again soon?

Dave Shelley and Fergal are the only H&Vers I have ever met, and both excellent company!

[Pat McMahon]

Dave Shelley, that is a cracking post, and definitely not too long. Sounds like you had more fun than we did at Upton Park.

[Dave Clark Five]

Dave Shelley, that is a cracking post, and definitely not too long. Sounds like you had more fun than we did at Upton Park.

I have to say that I am very jealous. What a great experience it must have been.

[Ger Regan]

Great meeting the two of ye yesterday, it really was a great day. Dave has filled ye all in more comprehensively than I could ever hope to.

[Irish villain]

Great meeting the two of ye yesterday, it really was a great day. Dave has filled ye all in more comprehensively than I could ever hope to.

Definitely...if there was a *like* button for posts....

[Percy McCarthy]

Lovely read, thanks Dave. Glad you all enjoyed it.

How was God?

[dave shelley]

Unfortunately Perce we didn't get to see him but we know he was there as Dawn, Eamons daughter told us there were a lot of happy autograph hunters.  He was also advertised all over town as appearing so fair play to him for making it.  With all the falling down water that was flowing last night it wouldn't have been fair to expect  him to attend the evenings function.  For that my heart goes out to him.

Something I omitted to mention in my original post was after the teams came out for the second half there was a delay whilst presentations were being made and a band playing too!  While this was going on the sight of Alan Evans playing in goal while a load of little kids were having an impromptu match in the penalty area and him diving all over the place as the shots rained in will live long in the memory too.  Terriffic ambassadors for Aston Villa.

[Nigel Macdougall]

Marvellous post Dave,what a fantastic experience.