Our Charlies Birthday

[Holte L2]

Happy Birthday Mr Aitken

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Happy birthday, Charlie. A true Villan and a gent.

[exigo]

I saw his debut against Sheffield Wednesday.  Johnny Dixon's last game before retirement.  Happy Birthday Charlie you never got the international recognition you deserved.

Makes me wonder what's the fewest number of players you'd need, to have overlapped appearances, to go back to our first ever game? If I had more time on my hands etc etc.

[PeterWithesShin]

Gabby/Barry/Yorke would take you to 1990.

[PeterWithesShin]

And assuming Sid counts with his spells away that takes you to early 1976 with 4 players. If i've worked it out right.

[PeterWithesShin]

And looking it up, Sid missed playing with Aitken by 1 game! He made his first appearance as sub the game after Aitken's last.

[silhillvilla]

Happy Birthday Charlie
Legend

[martin o`who??]

Happy birthday legend, thanks for the memories.

[ADVILLAFAN]

Gabby/Barry/Yorke would take you to 1990.

How long was Allan Evans at Villa?

[papa lazarou]

Happy Birthday Charlie. I went to a Lions Cub Q&A back in the day in a working mens club in Brownhills. Charlie was a guest along with Jimmy Cumbes. Someone bought Charlie a pint of mild and he reluctantly accepted, saying that a half would have been more than adequate. A tremendous professional and servant to the club. Who will be the next one?

[olaftab]

He is still here every match. Happy Birthday Mr Atkin.

[dave shelley]

I remember refereeing a Villa Old Stars match once when Charlie played, he was a good while retired at that stage, circa late eighties.  Someone, I can't remember who, played a ball for Charlie to run on to and, the pace he still had then.  He didn't quite make it and, as he run back to his position he passed me and with a typical wry smile said "Christ! I wasn't that quick in my prime".  He was still faster than anyone else on the pitch and that included the youngsters he was playing against.

Another thing I remember about Charlie was during the warm-up prior to kick-off in a pre-sea on friendly agains Walsall, he smacked the ball directly into the knackers of, I don't remember who, who fell directly to the ground groaning.  Again, with that wry smile Charlie just walked past him without a word or a glance and retrieved the ball.

I could go on.  Aston Villa are very fortunate in that Charlie Aitken was another in a long line of players to represent the club who could genuinely be described as, gentleman.

[dave.woodhall]

Gabby/Barry/Yorke would take you to 1990.

How long was Allan Evans at Villa?

1977- 89.

[nigel]

I'm sure Villa were his only professional club?
I don't remember him playing elsewhere after he left/retired.

As has been said, A true Legend

[dave.woodhall]

I'm sure Villa were his only professional club?
I don't remember him playing elsewhere after he left/retired.

As has been said, A true Legend

New York Cosmos. He deserved that one.