We're not fickle..

[WarszaVillan]

Doug's finest piece of business was refusing to give Ken Mcnaught a new contract and flogging him to Albion. Then spending twice as much to buy Steve Foster. Then selling him at a loss to Luton. Then spending twice as much again on the player he was keeping out of the Luton team, Paul Elliott.

And selling Kenny Swain to be replaced by Mark Jones (under Barton I think).

[Steve kirk]

Taking a look at the new manager thread again just as McLeish was being appointed was quite disturbing, it still made me feel a bit sick and nervous, what a terrible time that was.

[villa `cross the mersey]

"Steve MacMahon was not yet ready to replace Dennis Mortimer (but he turned into a great player)"

I was speaking to McMahon a few months ago when I saw him locally - I asked him about his time at Villa and his replies  gave me the opinion that he just didn`t want to be at the club - I also asked him if he had any fond memories and he replied he didn`t. I questioned  if it had been "a marriage of convenienece" as players rarely crossed Stanley Park  - he just grinned and I left it at that.

[eastie]

"Steve MacMahon was not yet ready to replace Dennis Mortimer (but he turned into a great player)"

I was speaking to McMahon a few months ago when I saw him locally - I asked him about his time at Villa and his replies  gave me the opinion that he just didn`t want to be at the club - I also asked him if he had any fond memories and he replied he didn`t. I questioned  if it had been "a marriage of convenienece" as players rarely crossed Stanley Park  - he just grinned and I left it at that.

I thoght McMahon was a cracking player during his short spell here - was sorry to see him go.

[Damo70]

McMahon was excellent for us on the pitch but bottled moving to Liverpool instead of us and regretted it until the time he put that right. It probably didn't help that Everton suddenly became great during his time with us. I spoke to him at a Swindon Town awards night in 1996 when my fiance at the time had a brother playing for their youth team. I didn't detect a hint of fondness for Villa.

[oldham_villa]

Great insight, cheers lads.

How bizarre, we were the super cup holders and only knocked out of the previous European Cup by a fantastic Juventus team. You'd have thought the Villa of 1983 would be a dream for most players.

Our home form at this time was stunning. If only we would have resolved our poor away form we would have been challenging big time.

Re Steve Foster, it's interesting that he was excellent for Luton. He looked bloody awful for us. Perhaps he was a small fish in a big pond?!?!

I never took to Paul Elliott; a shocking player. Curtis Davies reminded me a lot of PE

[dave.woodhall]

McMahon was excellent for us on the pitch but bottled moving to Liverpool instead of us and regretted it until the time he put that right. It probably didn't help that Everton suddenly became great during his time with us. I spoke to him at a Swindon Town awards night in 1996 when my fiance at the time had a brother playing for their youth team. I didn't detect a hint of fondness for Villa.

It's more likely that Everton wouldn't sell him to Liverpool.

[Mister E]

For me, McMahon and Cowans together in midfield was a dream combination; except that it became very obvious that the former really didn't want to be in B6.

[peter w]

Thing with McMahon is he always speaks well of us when doing the studio punditry on star sports, or something. He may have not enjoyed his time with us but he doesn't speak anything but positive towards us.

[Pat McMahon]

For me, McMahon and Cowans together in midfield was a dream combination; except that it became very obvious that the former really didn't want to be in B6.

I think McMahon said at the time that Playing alongside Cowans was a major reason for joining us. Sadly that wasn't to happen in 83-84.

[Damo70]

McMahon was excellent for us on the pitch but bottled moving to Liverpool instead of us and regretted it until the time he put that right. It probably didn't help that Everton suddenly became great during his time with us. I spoke to him at a Swindon Town awards night in 1996 when my fiance at the time had a brother playing for their youth team. I didn't detect a hint of fondness for Villa.

It's more likely that Everton wouldn't sell him to Liverpool.

I seem to remember that around the time his contract was up at Everton in '83 he fell out with them because they gave his brother a free transfer. We took his brother on (not sure whether it was a short contract or a trial) when he joined us. Obviously as a bit of a sweetener.

[pauliewalnuts]

Seemed appropriate to post here, a link from the bbc on one of our ex managers with a bit discussing us, as he was before my time (born june 87) what were fans general opinion of him? http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24945469

This bit made me laugh. The old "walk around the garden" routine.

"I got a call from the chairman on the Sunday morning saying we're having a board meeting at my house. It does not take a genius to work out what's going to happen next. I changed into my suit, the kids said 'Where are you off to Dad?' I said 'I think I'm going to get the sack'. And I went off for my walk round the garden with the chairman. But, within three weeks, I'd been approached by Wolves, so there wasn't too long to dwell on it."

[Damo70]

Am I right in thinking that despite the myth of Doug's walk of death around his garden it was only Turner who actually took that walk?

[not3bad]

Didn't Big Ron get the walk?

[Damo70]

I thought he got a call in his car to go to Villa Park and it was all over within the hour. Followed by his quote about going from considering buying Collymore to considering buying cauliflower.