Ray Graydon talks...

[The Left Side]

Juan Pablo Angel missed two penalties at Fulham in 2005, we pissed all over them and finally got a goal until the 90th minute when Lee Clark equalised. It was also the Djemba twins debut.

[Rudy65]

I'd never heard of him when he joined us - didn't we exchange him for Brian Godfrey (with perhaps a bit of cash going to Bristol Rovers as well) ?   I was always an admirer of Godfrey and if anything was a tad disappointed when we first let him go.

Ray Graydon was a player who progressed with the club through the good times of the early to mid 1970s and played well for us in all 3 divisions.  A good hard working professional who I believe had earlier become a qualified electrician.

(However I'm struggling to think of another player who missed 2 penalties within about 15 minutes or so of each other - RG v Leeds - Centenary Celebration Match - 1974).  I'll give 2 points for anyone who can tell me

A) The opposition and the score
B) The opposing Manager

(No google allowed !)

Yes, I was there. Both pens at the Witton End. I was in the Holte. Only Villa no competitive game ive been to before or since. I was 9 years old but recall Leeds were two up and the ref played extra minutes at the end to allow us to score. Cant recall who scored

[Flamingo Lane]

For his goals and "assists" in our promotions from the old 3rd and 2nd divisions, and helping stabilise us in our first season back in the 1st, Ray Graydon remains a hugely important player in our history.  82 goals in 226 appearances (+ 5 as sub) - hugely impressive for a winger.

[Whiney MacWhineface]

We all have a bunch of iconic Villa memories, and for myself few better than those memories of Graydon and Gidman being blown down the right wing by the Holte.

[Oscar Arce]

The Grader.
A great player for us, remember well his crosses for Keith Leonard and Chico Hamilton to power in headers into the roof of the Holte End net to beat the Stripeyfilth 3-1 in our promotion season. Won us the League Cup, storming runs and crosses, always a scorer of vital goals.
Graydon got 27 goals in that season, 74-75, the best season I remember supporting Villa, we were unstoppable.
Happy, happy days.

[villan from luton]

He was a great right winger for us at that time, got him from Bristol Rovers if my old recollection is correct and was brilliant for us. Always remember being behind the goal at Wembley for the penalty v Kevin Keelan, who had been brilliant. When he knocked the rebound in it was an amazing feeling for a 13 year old on his first visit to Wembley.

[Witton Warrior]

He was a great right winger for us at that time, got him from Bristol Rovers if my old recollection is correct and was brilliant for us. Always remember being behind the goal at Wembley for the penalty v Kevin Keelan, who had been brilliant. When he knocked the rebound in it was an amazing feeling for a 13 year old on his first visit to Wembley.

"Jesus Saves but Graydon knocks in rebounds"

[pauliewalnuts]

He was a great right winger for us at that time, got him from Bristol Rovers if my old recollection is correct and was brilliant for us. Always remember being behind the goal at Wembley for the penalty v Kevin Keelan, who had been brilliant.

That's one of the very first things I can remember watching on television.

[villan from luton]

He was a great right winger for us at that time, got him from Bristol Rovers if my old recollection is correct and was brilliant for us. Always remember being behind the goal at Wembley for the penalty v Kevin Keelan, who had been brilliant.

That's one of the very first things I can remember watching on television.

It was a brilliant day, first time I ever went to London nd to be fair it was a crap game but who cares lol

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

One of the few who was a regular first teamer for us through from the 3rd to the 1st.

[steamer]

one of my Heroes, I was also behind the goal when be caught the rebound at Knee height, let it drop and whacked it in.
I could be totally wrong on that but it is my minds eye memory.
What does Bernie say ?

[Bernie]

one of my Heroes, I was also behind the goal when be caught the rebound at Knee height, let it drop and whacked it in.
I could be totally wrong on that but it is my minds eye memory.
What does Bernie say ?

That's about how I remember it- I can still live that split second as Keelan saved it thinking we'd missed our chance. A great Villa man, Ray.

[dave shelley]

Does anyone remember what a great header it was from Chris Nicholl that lead to the handball for the penalty?  I have to say, it was a great save from Mel Machin? for the penalty, a save most goalkeepers would have been proud of.  I felt sorry for Nicholl after the game as that header deserved a goal and he'd been great.

[castlefields_villan]

Does anyone remember what a great header it was from Chris Nicholl that lead to the handball for the penalty?  I have to say, it was a great save from Mel Machin? for the penalty, a save most goalkeepers would have been proud of.  I felt sorry for Nicholl after the game as that header deserved a goal and he'd been great.

one of my Heroes, I was also behind the goal when be caught the rebound at Knee height, let it drop and whacked it in.
I could be totally wrong on that but it is my minds eye memory.
What does Bernie say ?

That's about how I remember it- I can still live that split second as Keelan saved it thinking we'd missed our chance. A great Villa man, Ray.

I was behind the goal as well, to the right corner as the old stadium went round (block C if I remember correctly.

I thought Nicholl's header was in as well - obviously Mel Machin would get more than just a booking for his "save" these days - although I remember a similar tremendous goal line save from Fred Turnbull in a game against Notts County in the 3rd Division winning season.

I, actually couldn't watch the penalty and I was looking down at the ground when I heard about 25,000 people around me gasping a huge intake of breath, obviously then that made me look up and my recollection was seeing Ray Graydon whacking the ball in at the second attempt - my friend with me then had to tell me what had actually happened.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Funny what time does innit?
Clearly remember the penalty, the save, the rebound being whacked in (we were quite low down to the right of the goal)...emotions all over the shop in about 2 seconds!
But completely forgot how we got the penalty in the first place until ds mentioned it - the Chris Nicholl header and the Machin save....again emotions going mad!

Met Chris Nicholl at an awards do a year later with my mate who was at Wembley with me on the day. He was a massive hero for us, as was Ray Graydon.