John Gidman

[Big Dick Edwards]

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.

The then England manager Don Revie rated Gidman's as the best England debut since Duncan Edwards then never picked him again!

[villan from luton]

I remember that now big Dick Edwards. He was absolutely superb. I think I was blaming Phil Neal earlier in thread, but think that is with Kenny Swain, think Dave Clement of QPR was preferred to Giddy

[preston28]

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 ?

Yes.  He was the first autograph I got (& still have) in 1974 when I attended my first game. Met him the club afterwards that used to be outside the Trinity Road Stand! Gutted when he left the Villa!

[Ian Seddon]

John Gidman is attending NEC Sports memorabilia for the first time on the 24.11.12. He will be at NEC between 10am and 1.15pm and then off to villa park. He fly's in from spain. We have obtained copyright on a game played for villa on the 17.4.1976. It will be a 16x12 print. Great gift for christmas! See http://www.memorabilia.co.uk/birmingham/guests/sportsmemorabilia/.

[Legion]

Yes he is. As your initial post was removed do you think you could ask permission from the site owners before advertising? Thanks.

[Broughty-Villian]

As a kid, i saw him do one of the longest sliding tackles I have ever seen, took ball then man, and splayed a pass straight to a claret shirt. Met the man a few times since, seems to love the villa and thinks if he's stayed he'd have won the league with Villa.

[Ian Seddon]

i had not noticed it was removed. neither me, brian or giddy meant to offend you. i will let the guys know and will refrain from posting on that subject.

[Legion]

i had not noticed it was removed. neither me, brian or giddy meant to offend you. i will let the guys know and will refrain from posting on that subject.

No offence taken at all. Please just ask permission from Mac, Martin or Dave first. If you get no response try any Mod. Cheers and UTV!

[wittonwarrior]

A tremendous full back, if I remember rightly he was quite a modern era one wanting to move forward with the ball.  Another for us old uns the goal at VP against ManUre

[montague]

Now on twitter  @giddy1212

[Flamingo Lane]

I remember a moment at West Brom, circa 1976.  A few moments to kick off, Villa were kicking in/warming up at the Smethwick End and a ball goes into the Rainbow Stand full of West Brom.  One of the w*****s hurls the ball at Gidman who is stood by the touchline.  So Gidman puts the ball down, walks back 10 yards, runs full speed at the ball facing the w***** in the stand and aims to fire the ball into the lot of them at full force. Giddie pulls out of the shot at the last second, but the w*****s in the stand have already flung themselves to the floor (to avoid the ball that didn't move). 

[martin o`who??]

Simply tremendous player, his crossing, full pelt, was an art form in itself, and one of the principal reasons for Andy Grays rise to success at Villa, he`d be worth some SERIOUS money in todays market.

[class_of_82]

to date the best right back we have ever had. to anyone who never seen him play think of kyle walker in full flow but with an end product with giddy at right back we didnt need a right winger. still have him in my head laying on some of the goals that night we played liverpool off the park <5-1> for deehan, gray and little. him being sold still upsets me as much as when andy gray went. yorkie to man utd and alex cropley being butchered by wba that virtually ended his career.

[LeeB]

I remember a moment at West Brom, circa 1976.  A few moments to kick off, Villa were kicking in/warming up at the Smethwick End and a ball goes into the Rainbow Stand full of West Brom.  One of the w*****s hurls the ball at Gidman who is stood by the touchline.  So Gidman puts the ball down, walks back 10 yards, runs full speed at the ball facing the w***** in the stand and aims to fire the ball into the lot of them at full force. Giddie pulls out of the shot at the last second, but the w*****s in the stand have already flung themselves to the floor (to avoid the ball that didn't move). 

That's ace.

[Whiney MacWhineface]

The wife and I went to see us play Stoke (I think) sometime in 76 (maybe) and we had front row seats in the Witton Lane stand (definitely, as it was one of the only games where I persuaded her not to go in with the away supporters - "more fun"). Mrs Reducer fell immediately in love with him and tried to run onto the pitch to grab him as he flew past us during the game.

There was an unseemly scuffle as I succeeded in restraining the elemental force that was (and still is) Mrs. R.