The Alex Cropley Story

[dave.woodhall]

Was the tackle dirty or just "one of those things"?

The worst you could imagine. They kicked us from the first minute; Ken McNaught had already gone off injured and Leon Hickman's match report said they went out with "malice as the motive."

[dave shelley]

Absolutely horrendous.  Possibly the worst I've seen anywhere and believe me, I've seen a lot of football.

Forgot to add, he was only about ten stone wringing wet.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Loved him as a player - always gave 100%, had a real touch of magic about him and was tough in the tackle as well.
Wouldn't he do a bloody great job for us just now?

Remember the leg-break really well. Shocking conduct from a fellow professional but remember thinking what will we do without him in the team?


Just ordered the book and look forward to reading it.

[ktvillan]

 Why?.......combative style, liked a tackle,as good a passer as i have seen in a Villa shirt, not far off Hoddlesque.At a time when i was 13.

 Think Cowans, but for me better.

Liverpool 1976 - 1st half with Cropley 5-1, 2nd half after going off injured 0-0

Not sure about that being down to Cropley,  I seem to recall we could have had another 5 second half, loads of good chances and maybe hit the woodwork once or twice (?) but they didn't go in.  Great player though, silky skills with a touch of steel, and I'm convinced Cowans used him as a role model and based his sytle on him. 

[eric woolban woolban]

Though not around at the time, didn't the Albion player try to pull him up too from the ground.

[dave.woodhall]

Though not around at the time, didn't the Albion player try to pull him up too from the ground.

That was Gary Shaw's injury.

[Dave Clark Five]

The Souness foul on Steve McMahon at Anfield was another shocker.

[AlexAlexCropley]

Quite simply a footballer who played beautiful football.Can't think of anyone who looked so damn fine in claret and blue.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Any Villa fan that hesitates buying this book should remember my day today, meeting up with my 80 year old,Evertonian uncle in Liverpool. He saw the great game of Portugal losing 3-0 to North Korea in 66 at half time at Goodison. Eusebio decided in the second half to take control of the game and scored 4. The rest is history. The point is I had many occasions to get my uncle a signed, personalised photo, seeing Eusabio every time I went to my favourite seafood restaurant here in Lisbon, a place I think he part owned.

I lazily thought they would both be around for ever. Life is not like that. Chatting to my uncle about the game today, I felt a right c**t. It would have taken me next to nothing to have sorted it out. I met, shook hands and exchanged pleasantries with the Black Panther many a time. The same goes with my homage and a pilgramage to visit Eamonn Deacy at his veg shop. Good intentions but now it's too late.

Alex was something special. Real special. I've thought about a taxi ride in his cab but in reality it's probably not going to happen.
If there was ever a Villa player that deserved our love and respect, it's Alex Cropley. As we sang at Wembley in 77, "Five foot 8 (he was five foot nine), not much weight, Alex Cropley's f**kig great".. and he was.

A true Villa legend. Talented, dedicated, a Ron Saunders' 110%er.. a bloody gem that should never, ever be forgotten and the most justifiable reason to put the word 'c**t' on the name of Alistair Brownc**t and never let them forget they're scum.

Alex, you'll never be forgotten. To this day, I still love you. What a player! What a Villa man! You are still one of my Chosen Few. I just wonder what our midfield would have been like with Cropley and Cowans together.

Buy!

[Mister E]

He was one of those players who paved the way to our ultimate triumphs. Watched him on many occasions and the 5-1 still stands tall as my all-time favourite Villa game.
He was a player of his time - rugged, uncompromising and skilled. The Brown tackle was outrageous even by the standards of the day.

[Chico Hamilton III]

Now driving a taxi in Edinburgh.

edit - sorry, already been mentioned

[dave.woodhall]

Read the bit about Ron Saunders.

http://www.theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2013/10/alex-cropley-to-wear-that-famous-green-shirt-was-absolutely-magical/

[Big Dick Edwards]

That's certainly a fresh take from Alex on Ron Saunders managerial abilities!

[PGW]

That's certainly a fresh take from Alex on Ron Saunders managerial abilities!

In that piece he quoted Hibs 5-3 Drysborough Cup Final win over Celtic at Hampden Park.......i was at that game and i'm ashamed to say i don't recollect Alex playing in that game!!!!

[Damo70]

Though not around at the time, didn't the Albion player try to pull him up too from the ground.

That was Gary Shaw's injury.

Ian Bowyer of Forest.

Alex Cropley also had his ankle broken while at Hibs by none other than Alex Ferguson.