Tom Watt on Talk Shite

[Hillbilly]

Andy Gray was playing when I eligible for a 10-quid kids' season ticket. My abiding memory is of him at the north end literally flying horizontal about 3 feet off the ground, from about the edge of the D, through a jungle of flailing boots, to arrive somewhere around 3 yards from goal at the same time as the ball and head it into the back of the net with enough power to billow the net. Can't remember the match and this could be an entirely false memory but that's what Andy Gray felt like to a kid standing on the Holte.

My other memory is going to the ground one morning to renew my season ticket and the bugger swang round into the carpark from Trinity Rd, nearly knocked me over and gave me a mouthful for being in the way. Pretty certain it was white Ford XR3i with a blonde in the passenger seat. All good - got to say Andy Gray nearly killed me!

[robbo1874]

I remember they picked Joe Harper for the World Cup in Argentina instead of your Dad, total joke. I used to love his arms held aloft celebrations stood in front of his adoring Holte End. UTV and Wembley here we come, is this the year FINALLY.

Andy got sent off against the czechs in 76 for fighting and was never favoured after that

The one great regret of his career, he should have been at that World Cup. I thought Willie Johnstone went instead though, then got sent home for a failed drugs test? My grandma had World Cup merchandise with him in the squad, it was so assumed he'd be on the plane

IIRC the player who many thought should not have gone to Argentina was Gordon McQueen as he was carrying an injury. Ally McLeod gambled and took him, but he didn't play at all ( I think).

I remember Jock Stein being in the studio saying that he would definitely have taken Andy Gray to Argentina - though he himself was coming back from injury. We played Leeds midweek in April and Andy Gray played part of the game and showed he was back to full strength in a great performance as we won 3-1. I can't remember if he scored though.

He scored the 2 best hat tricks I ever saw - v Ipswich and Albion in that wonderful 76-77 season, and one header in that Ipswich game was the bravest I ever saw. I reckon he was our first superstar.

Given a choice he'd rather head the ball than kick it. Bit of a lost art these days, heading, although I did enjoy Sinclair's v Stoke the other week. I said to my lad that his Grandpa would of been proud of that one

hi JG. There's no doubt a few h and v posters on here who still harbour grievances about your dad's failure to attend the opening of a certain Asda superstore. Any chance you could get an explanation for his no-show and ask him to post an apology pls? 😄

[JG]

I remember they picked Joe Harper for the World Cup in Argentina instead of your Dad, total joke. I used to love his arms held aloft celebrations stood in front of his adoring Holte End. UTV and Wembley here we come, is this the year FINALLY.

Andy got sent off against the czechs in 76 for fighting and was never favoured after that

The one great regret of his career, he should have been at that World Cup. I thought Willie Johnstone went instead though, then got sent home for a failed drugs test? My grandma had World Cup merchandise with him in the squad, it was so assumed he'd be on the plane

IIRC the player who many thought should not have gone to Argentina was Gordon McQueen as he was carrying an injury. Ally McLeod gambled and took him, but he didn't play at all ( I think).

I remember Jock Stein being in the studio saying that he would definitely have taken Andy Gray to Argentina - though he himself was coming back from injury. We played Leeds midweek in April and Andy Gray played part of the game and showed he was back to full strength in a great performance as we won 3-1. I can't remember if he scored though.

He scored the 2 best hat tricks I ever saw - v Ipswich and Albion in that wonderful 76-77 season, and one header in that Ipswich game was the bravest I ever saw. I reckon he was our first superstar.

Given a choice he'd rather head the ball than kick it. Bit of a lost art these days, heading, although I did enjoy Sinclair's v Stoke the other week. I said to my lad that his Grandpa would of been proud of that one

hi JG. There's no doubt a few h and v posters on here who still harbour grievances about your dad's failure to attend the opening of a certain Asda superstore. Any chance you could get an explanation for his no-show and ask him to post an apology pls? 😄

I don't know anything about this pal, but it's most unlike him. I'll be sure to ask him though, I'm seeing him in a few weeks

[Ron Manager]

There is one picture of Andy Gray that I saw then but have never found again. It is that game against Ipswich in 77 where Andy arrives almost
horizontal above George Burley's head to crash the ball into the net. A truly magnificent sporting picture. I have it in mind that it was in the next home programme but I couldn't find it. But I bet one of you can!

As others have said,Andy Gray was the bravest centre forward I have have ever seen in the Football League. Totally fearless. I havent seen anyone of that total commitment before or since.

[Jimbo]

My other memory is going to the ground one morning to renew my season ticket and the bugger swang round into the carpark from Trinity Rd, nearly knocked me over and gave me a mouthful for being in the way. Pretty certain it was white Ford XR3i with a blonde in the passenger seat. All good - got to say Andy Gray nearly killed me!

I believe it was a white Escort RS2000. When you consider that the likes of Gabby Agbonlahor drives around in a Lamborghini, and Andy Gray had a Ford Escort, it kind of puts into perspective how mental football has become.

Anyway, I know what car he had because he briefly lived down my road when I was a kid. He shared a little semi-detached in Erdington with Gordon Smith, a fellow Scot who had a passing resemblance to Gray at the time. It must have been for just a few months, but the kids down our road couldn't believe their luck, although, I do have a painful memory attached to it.

I was about five years old, it was a Sunday and Star Soccer was on telly, showing the Villa. My older brother thought it would be a good idea to send me to Andy Gray's house holding a claret and blue 'caser' football, and ask him to sign it. I duly complied, all on my own, making the arduous journey three houses up, timidly knocking the door. It opened and Andy Gray appeared, who promptly told me to "Go away." I don't think he appreciated me interrupting his Sunday dinner. I recall being fairly devastated, but he remained our hero - right up until he buggered off to Wolves.

I think Smith drove a Cortina.

[JG]

My other memory is going to the ground one morning to renew my season ticket and the bugger swang round into the carpark from Trinity Rd, nearly knocked me over and gave me a mouthful for being in the way. Pretty certain it was white Ford XR3i with a blonde in the passenger seat. All good - got to say Andy Gray nearly killed me!

I believe it was a white Escort RS2000. When you consider that the likes of Gabby Agbonlahor drives around in a Lamborghini, and Andy Gray had a Ford Escort, it kind of puts into perspective how mental football has become.

Anyway, I know what car he had because he briefly lived down my road when I was a kid. He shared a little semi-detached in Erdington with Gordon Smith, a fellow Scot who had a passing resemblance to Gray at the time. It must have been for just a few months, but the kids down our road couldn't believe their luck, although, I do have a painful memory attached to it.

I was about five years old, it was a Sunday and Star Soccer was on telly, showing the Villa. My older brother thought it would be a good idea to send me to Andy Gray's house holding a claret and blue 'caser' football, and ask him to sign it. I duly complied, all on my own, making the arduous journey three houses up, timidly knocking the door. It opened and Andy Gray appeared, who promptly told me to "Go away." I don't think he appreciated me interrupting his Sunday dinner. I recall being fairly devastated, but he remained our hero - right up until he buggered off to Wolves.

I think Smith drove a Cortina.

Oh god, I feel guilty after hearing that! Dad's always been pretty obliging, but he doesn't like being disturbed at home, which I think is fair enough. It's his personal space. Must have been crushing as a kid though!

[Archbishop Herbert Cockthrottle]

My other memory is going to the ground one morning to renew my season ticket and the bugger swang round into the carpark from Trinity Rd, nearly knocked me over and gave me a mouthful for being in the way. Pretty certain it was white Ford XR3i with a blonde in the passenger seat. All good - got to say Andy Gray nearly killed me!

I believe it was a white Escort RS2000. When you consider that the likes of Gabby Agbonlahor drives around in a Lamborghini, and Andy Gray had a Ford Escort, it kind of puts into perspective how mental football has become.

Anyway, I know what car he had because he briefly lived down my road when I was a kid. He shared a little semi-detached in Erdington with Gordon Smith, a fellow Scot who had a passing resemblance to Gray at the time. It must have been for just a few months, but the kids down our road couldn't believe their luck, although, I do have a painful memory attached to it.

I was about five years old, it was a Sunday and Star Soccer was on telly, showing the Villa. My older brother thought it would be a good idea to send me to Andy Gray's house holding a claret and blue 'caser' football, and ask him to sign it. I duly complied, all on my own, making the arduous journey three houses up, timidly knocking the door. It opened and Andy Gray appeared, who promptly told me to "Go away." I don't think he appreciated me interrupting his Sunday dinner. I recall being fairly devastated, but he remained our hero - right up until he buggered off to Wolves.

I think Smith drove a Cortina.

Oh god, I feel guilty after hearing that! Dad's always been pretty obliging, but he doesn't like being disturbed at home, which I think is fair enough. It's his personal space. Must have been crushing as a kid though!

At least there can be closure now your dad has solved the mystery of who left the huge turd on his front lawn.

[Jimbo]

Ha ha, don't worry, JG, I'll get over it one of these days. There were a lot of Villa-mad kids down our road, as you'd imagine, so I think they handed out their fair share of autographs while they were there. I definitely caught him at the wrong time. But the whole thing demonstrates just how far removed today's footballers are from ordinary fans.

Is it true your old man is from the Drumchapel estate in Glasgow?

[JG]

Ha ha, don't worry, JG, I'll get over it one of these days. There were a lot of Villa-mad kids down our road, as you'd imagine, so I think they handed out their fair share of autographs while they were there. I definitely caught him at the wrong time. But the whole thing demonstrates just how far removed today's footballers are from ordinary fans.

Is it true your old man is from the Drumchapel estate in Glasgow?

Yes, he's a Drumchapel lad. My Granny still lived there until she sadly passed away last year & my Uncle lives 5 minutes away. Wasn't the nicest of places to grow up when my Dad was a kid, that's for sure.

[Breezeblock]

Did anybody ever go to Andy's night club venture - The Holy City Zoo?
I never made it there myself.

Yes, under the arches down Livery Street. Saturday night you could frequently bump into half the team you'd just watched that afternoon.

Don't think it's been mentioned on this thread, but Andy Gray was probably the bravest centre forward I've ever seen.

My favourite memory of Andy Gray was seeing him head a goal from a low cross in the middle of a flurry of defenders boots trying to clear it. He then stood up and saluted the Holte in his usual manner with blood pissing down the side of his face.  He used to stick his head where most wouldn't stick their feet! Awesome striker and my all-time No.2 Villa player with Brian Little being No.1

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

JG. Years ago a relative of mine was involved in a serious motorbike accident when he was a youngster and was in a coma for weeks. He is a big big Villa fan like everybody in our family and your Dad was his hero. A request was made to the club and Andy had no hesitation in visiting Good Hope hospital.
No, there wasn't any big dramatic soap opera style waking up when he heard his voice but your Dad spent time there and made the effort.
Don't see a lot of him but I bump into sometimes. He did wake up later and  recovered. He is now married with a couple of kids. He still goes down the Villa and is still a big big fan.
He wouldn't have heard a single word your Dad said to him that day but I would imagine your Dad is still his hero.

[Hillbilly]

My other memory is going to the ground one morning to renew my season ticket and the bugger swang round into the carpark from Trinity Rd, nearly knocked me over and gave me a mouthful for being in the way. Pretty certain it was white Ford XR3i with a blonde in the passenger seat. All good - got to say Andy Gray nearly killed me!

I believe it was a white Escort RS2000. When you consider that the likes of Gabby Agbonlahor drives around in a Lamborghini, and Andy Gray had a Ford Escort, it kind of puts into perspective how mental football has become.

Anyway, I know what car he had because he briefly lived down my road when I was a kid. He shared a little semi-detached in Erdington with Gordon Smith, a fellow Scot who had a passing resemblance to Gray at the time. It must have been for just a few months, but the kids down our road couldn't believe their luck, although, I do have a painful memory attached to it.

I was about five years old, it was a Sunday and Star Soccer was on telly, showing the Villa. My older brother thought it would be a good idea to send me to Andy Gray's house holding a claret and blue 'caser' football, and ask him to sign it. I duly complied, all on my own, making the arduous journey three houses up, timidly knocking the door. It opened and Andy Gray appeared, who promptly told me to "Go away." I don't think he appreciated me interrupting his Sunday dinner. I recall being fairly devastated, but he remained our hero - right up until he buggered off to Wolves.

I think Smith drove a Cortina.

Nice one. An RS2000 makes more sense cos it would have been the 70s. I recall it had red go-faster stripes.

[Dave Javu]

Ha ha, don't worry, JG, I'll get over it one of these days. There were a lot of Villa-mad kids down our road, as you'd imagine, so I think they handed out their fair share of autographs while they were there. I definitely caught him at the wrong time. But the whole thing demonstrates just how far removed today's footballers are from ordinary fans.

You lived on Gleneagles Drive, then? I am a little bit older and lived round the corner, opposite Alex Cropley. Kids were constantly bugging Andy. He had an Old English Sheepdog called Ben, and the local kids (me included) used to frequently bug him by offering to take Ben for a walk. I have to say my experience was that Andy was very tolerant of the attention that he attracted. He even took me and my sister down to Bodymoor for training session one time (in the white RS2000), and donated some old boots for a school raffle after I'd bugged him yet again.

Many years later, I saw Andy at a restaurant in Birmingham and I was surprised that he actually remembered me from about 20 years earlier.

Pretty sure this is the type of car

[JG]

JG. Years ago a relative of mine was involved in a serious motorbike accident when he was a youngster and was in a coma for weeks. He is a big big Villa fan like everybody in our family and your Dad was his hero. A request was made to the club and Andy had no hesitation in visiting Good Hope hospital.
No, there wasn't any big dramatic soap opera style waking up when he heard his voice but your Dad spent time there and made the effort.
Don't see a lot of him but I bump into sometimes. He did wake up later and  recovered. He is now married with a couple of kids. He still goes down the Villa and is still a big big fan.
He wouldn't have heard a single word your Dad said to him that day but I would imagine your Dad is still his hero.

I literally don't know what to say to that. I'm just glad your relative made a full recovery & if Dad helped in any way at all then that's great.

[Dave Javu]

More name-dropping but we were on holiday in Tenerife six years ago when my wife nudged me and said jokingly "Look! It's Lofty!" Except it WAS actually "Lofty". His son and my daughter became bestest mates for the next week. He's a decent bloke, and knew quite a bit about the Villa. At that time he'd written the biggest-selling sports biography ever (he ghost-wrote the most recent at-the-time David Beckham "autobiography"). I can't remember his partner ever saying she was related to a Villa player, though.