The Alex Cropley Story

[FrankyH]

Looks like Steve Stride ??

[dave shelley]

Is it, really?

[Flamingo Lane]

My dad first attended Villa Park in the 1930s, and these were the players he'd speak about with most affection - Peter McParland, Brian Little, Gordon Cowans and Alex Cropley.

Given the relatively small number of games that Cropley played for Villa (sadly), that just about sums up the impact he had at Villa Park.

My own abiding memory of Alex Cropley was his bravery in the tackle that belied his slender frame (which is why West Brom were only able to get him in the cowardly way they did).

[class-of-82]

Alex Cropley won't need to come on the pitch at half time I'm sure we will pick him out in the crowd like we did with super Ian Taylor against hull.
Then we can show him like only villa park can how much he was loved by us all

[Tokyo Sexwhale]

I dont think the club is very forthcoming with things like that!!? A couple of people want to try and get Dad in the Hall Of Fame, but i think the club poopoo'd it for what ever reason!! I can always try

That's a real shame if they did turn him down - wonder what the criteria is then?

Always remember the season we scored at home in every League game - we played Arsenal and just couldn't break them down and finally, late in the game, Alex pounced on a ball and rifled it into the net - it may have been 1-1 but he kept the run going that day scoring against his old club.

http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/HistoryHallOfFame/

I think we've given up on the "Hall of Fame", they had one induction (I think just after Randy bought the club) and then no-one's been added since.  I guess we haven't had anyone worth adding since; but there's quite a few more that ought to be there - (Tony Barton isn't in our Hall of Fame!)

[Crops10]

It is Steve. Who took that photo?

[Witton Warrior]

I dont think the club is very forthcoming with things like that!!? A couple of people want to try and get Dad in the Hall Of Fame, but i think the club poopoo'd it for what ever reason!! I can always try

That's a real shame if they did turn him down - wonder what the criteria is then?

Always remember the season we scored at home in every League game - we played Arsenal and just couldn't break them down and finally, late in the game, Alex pounced on a ball and rifled it into the net - it may have been 1-1 but he kept the run going that day scoring against his old club.

http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/HistoryHallOfFame/

They still have Yorkie as our highest Premiership scorer!
Gabby broke that...

[Crops10]

There is a Lions and Legends game on Sunday 24th August at Boldmere St Micheals all proceeds going to charity, unsure of the players attending yet, but definates are Ken Mcnaught, Sid and our PR guru Gary Shaw will be keeping everyone happy in the bar haha

[pauliewalnuts]

It is Steve. Who took that photo?

He tweeted it the other day.

[Crops10]

Did he? I think it was Carol his wife that took it. I am informed the Legends game is now at Castle Vale Stadium ko 2pm

[richard moore]

What a lovely photo of Steve and Alex, nice to still be able to see so clearly it is them. As I've said before, when I think back to the mid to late 70s, my favourite Villa era, I almost want to weep at the wonderful memories I have of players like Johnny Gidman, Alex and Dixie Deehan. That was such a special time

[LeeB]

I am so, so sorry but, I just don't recognise who that is with Alex. I'm so embarrassed.

I was the same, it's because he's lost the cookie duster.

[mhayman]

Been watching the Villa since 1967, and Cropley was probably the dirtiest player I saw in claret and blue. He who lives by the sword dies by the sword.

[dave shelley]

Fuck off.

[JD]

Been watching the Villa since 1967, and Cropley was probably the dirtiest player I saw in claret and blue. He who lives by the sword dies by the sword.

Nice first post. How to win friends and influence people. If this is going to be the tone of your posts I hope it is your last one as well.