John Gidman

[Oscar Arce]

Really interesting to hear Giddy on Talk Sport yesterday, talking about his time mainly with the Villa with Keys and Gray.

Great to hear he is getting on OK after his recent health scares and of course the blaze in Costa Del Sol, he reiterated he didn't want to leave Villa but Saunders wanted to give that impression, he also went into details how that wayward firework at Jimmy Cumbes' party nearly ended his career, if not for the intervention of the Doc, David Targett.

Can still see him galloping down the wing and firing crosses in, he has to be my favourite all-time Villa right back, only one England cap but great memories also of him stumbling out of several night clubs in Brum at the time.

Anyone else got any Giddy memories ?

[Ads]

Why did so few of our players get an England call up?

[villan from luton]

Was a superb right back and his one cap for England v Luxembourg (I think or was it Cyprus) was a disgrace. He was superb in that game and then never got picked again. When you think that FA Youth Cup winning side had Gidman and Brian Little in the team, what a great set up. Loved the marauding runs down the wing and was a shame to see him go.

As for Villa players around that era, it still amazes me to this day that Sir Dennis never got an England cap, Greenwood was manager around 1977 onwards and sucked up a lot to the press

[darren woolley]

I really enjoy watching John Gidman in action top player.

[nigel]

Yes, my number1 right back too. Pushed pretty close by Kenny Swain though.

[SirSteveUK]

Sir Dennis = 0 caps
Brian Little = 1 cap
John Gidman = 1 cap

f**king disgraceful

[villan from luton]

Brian Little played 15 minutes at home to Wales, changed the game and never bloody played again. Nigel, agree with you about Kenny Swain, another who never got a look in for England as they had the bloody world class (my backside) Phil Neal

[SirSteveUK]

"John Gidman lays on more balls than Fiona Richmond!" - Wembley banner

[peter w]

One of my earliest Villa idols. Great player, great 70s hair.

Interesting to hear he never wanted to leave as I was gutted when it looked like he was going to go - as it was announced he wanted out well before he did go as I seem to recall. I hoped he wouldn't but then at the end of teh season (I think) he did go and I was absolutely gutted. Hinm and Andy Gray left at the same time didn't they?

[johnc]

When I was at college in Liverpool in the mid 80s he used to walk his dog where we played our games

[villan from luton]

http://www.sabotagetimes.com/football-sport/the-crazy-life-and-times-of-aston-villa-and-manchester-uniteds-full-back-john-gidman/

A good read about Giddy

[russon]

http://www.sabotagetimes.com/football-sport/the-crazy-life-and-times-of-aston-villa-and-manchester-uniteds-full-back-john-gidman/

A good read about Giddy

cheers, really enjoyed that

[peter w]

loved the Brian Little bit. I always  thought he looked cool with his seventies flowing locks. I can just imagine him busting a few moves to 10CC and the like.

[villan from luton]

He has changed a bit looking at him commentating on the man u game when we come back from lads game today, is greyer than me. My older late brother than me was someone who loved the Brian Little grebo look lol

[Bernie]

When we went to Antwerp in 1975 and were hanging around the team's hotel like groupies Giddy made a point of joining us in the bar (he had a cup of tea, we had something else) for a chat. A good lad.