Paul McGrath - don't worry

[VillaSpen]

I was 9 when he signed and I remember my Grandad jumping around the living room after hearing about it. I couldn't get my head round why anyone would be so excited about signing a defender. It's not like we'd signed another Alan McInally, Tony Daley or David Platt. My Grand promised that Paul McGrath would be my favourite player by Xmas. He still is to this day (just beating Gordon Cowans to that prestigious accolade).

When I think back to the teams that he was part of I get lovely nostalgic feelings but when I watch any of those tribute videos of Paul McGrath on youtube I genuinely get choked up. One of the planet's elite footballers of the time playing for the Villa and it didn't seem strange at all back then. He just fitted the club.

[Witton Warrior]

What always strikes me about Paul's relationship with us fans is that we knew he had demons on his back and his mixture of personal vulnerability and on-field power and skill made him seem very mortal despite calling him God. He seemed a throwback to the days when players turned up on the bus for a game - flawed like one of us but with that spark of something special - I still find him inspirational.

[brian green]

Where Paul was unique was that he reached out to the fans.  Just by the way he played, the way he smiled, the way he was so unassuming while being so consummately skilled at the game.  Like a man who sits down at a pub piano, plays Chopin perfectly and can't understand why everybody can't do it.  In short, you really felt that he was playing the game just for you.

[Hookeysmith]

He had the ability to make the seemingly impossible look standard on the football pitch. Talented, fast and athletic players would be turning up to play against us at VP and we would discuss on how we could possibly stop them only for God to not give them a sniff when he had no right to be anywhere near them.
The headed clearances to the half way line, the sublime back heals the ability to pull a ball at any height or pace under control

To read years later that in some of his better games he was actually hung over most of the time and against Derby county actually was seeing 2 balls defies belief

A true legend and I am proud and privileged to say he was ours*

*although it boils my piss when he is referred to as Manchester United's  - err they said he was finished and wanted shot - lets not forget

[Billy Walker]

He had the ability to make the seemingly impossible look standard on the football pitch. Talented, fast and athletic players would be turning up to play against us at VP and we would discuss on how we could possibly stop them only for God to not give them a sniff when he had no right to be anywhere near them.
The headed clearances to the half way line, the sublime back heals the ability to pull a ball at any height or pace under control

To read years later that in some of his better games he was actually hung over most of the time and against Derby county actually was seeing 2 balls defies belief

A true legend and I am proud and privileged to say he was ours*

*although it boils my piss when he is referred to as Manchester United's  - err they said he was finished and wanted shot - lets not forget

He played more times for us, became a world class player with us, won over 50 caps for Ireland with us, was PFA Footballer of The Year with us.  If they want to retrospectively claim McGrath despite throwing him on the scrapheap (and trying to prevent him from signing for other clubs) then let Leeds claim Eric Cantona and Nottingham Forest claim Roy Keane.

[fbriai]

Where Paul was unique was that he reached out to the fans.  Just by the way he played, the way he smiled, the way he was so unassuming while being so consummately skilled at the game.  Like a man who sits down at a pub piano, plays Chopin perfectly and can't understand why everybody can't do it.  In short, you really felt that he was playing the game just for you.

Wonderful description, Brian.

[peter w]

He had the ability to make the seemingly impossible look standard on the football pitch. Talented, fast and athletic players would be turning up to play against us at VP and we would discuss on how we could possibly stop them only for God to not give them a sniff when he had no right to be anywhere near them.
The headed clearances to the half way line, the sublime back heals the ability to pull a ball at any height or pace under control

To read years later that in some of his better games he was actually hung over most of the time and against Derby county actually was seeing 2 balls defies belief

A true legend and I am proud and privileged to say he was ours*

*although it boils my piss when he is referred to as Manchester United's  - err they said he was finished and wanted shot - lets not forget

He played more times for us, became a world class player with us, won over 50 caps for Ireland with us, was PFA Footballer of The Year with us.  If they want to retrospectively claim McGrath despite throwing him on the scrapheap (and trying to prevent him from signing for other clubs) then let Leeds claim Eric Cantona and Nottingham Forest claim Roy Keane.

Plus, he describes himself as one of us so I'm content with that. Without doubt our greatest player.

[PeterWithesShin]

Saw a lot of Pongo Waring, Billy Walker, John Devey, Archie Hunter etc did you PW?

[peter w]

Don't need to.

[ADVILLAFAN]

Saw a lot of Pongo Waring, Billy Walker, John Devey, Archie Hunter etc did you PW?

I've seen them in books, does that count?

[thick_mike]

My dad rates him as the best villa player and he's been going down Villa Park since before WWII.

On a world stage he rates him above Bobby Moore, but below Franz Beckenbauer.

[ADVILLAFAN]

My dad rates him as the best villa player and he's been going down Villa Park since before WWII.

On a world stage he rates him above Bobby Moore, but below Franz Beckenbauer.

]

Yes, my dad says that Beckenbauer was the best and definitely better than Moore.

[Salsa Party Animal]

I love watching Paul McGrath and it sicken me to watch Richards and Lescott. Paul McGrath is so special. He is enjoyable to watch he is a master. If I could pick a former player to born again and play for Aston Villa from 18 years old I would pick McGrath. We are lucky we had Ehiogu, Southgate, Laursen, Mellberg, Barry after Paul McGrath era. But none in last 5 years

[class-of-82]

Paul McGrath is certainly a villa legend
But I think it's unfair to label any player villas greatest, we can all have our favourite player for me Alex Cropley.
Mcgraths contribution to the villa was immense but so was Evans and mcnaught,Nicholl and Ross, gray and little carrodus Graydon aitken gidman etc etc etc
So villa legend yes, villas Greatest would be a put down to the ones I have mentioned plus many more

[Exeter 77]

I think the reasons Paul McGrath is so loved by Villa fans is several fold.

He was the only player is living memory who had a legitimate claim to be the best in his position in the world while being at Villa.

He had well documented issues but was able to perform to such a level that they didn't impact on his performances - we possibly admired him more because of of the problems he was dealing (and continues to deal) with and not despite them. Even successive managers allowed him space to deal with issues both at Villa and international - prior to the almost legendary 6-2 win over Everton November 1989 McGrath had attempted suicide but Graham Taylor knew playing football was release from his problems. When Paul went AWOL before a 3rd round FA Cup game at Exeter in 1994 Ron Atkinson publicly joked that his fine would pay to take the squad to a Spanish (I think) training camp but still put McGrath in the team for the next game. Jack Charlton allowed him to play possibly the best game of his career against Italy in the 1994 World Cup despite a debilitating shoulder injury.

He appeared to be discarded by a failing Alex Ferguson, who tried to get him to retire as he possibly thought he was worth more in insurance payouts than transfer fees - who doesn't like of our our players to put one over on Ferguson?

Finally Paul McGrath obviously loved playing for Aston Villa and, from reading his tweets over the last few years feels the pain of the club's demise every bit as much as the rest of us.

I can't say he the best player ever to play for Villa but, with Gordon Cowans and Brian Little, he is definitely the most talented I've seen and, unlike some, demonstrated that talent over a long period while in claret and blue.