Andy Gray - 60 Today

[Godfrey Brian]

His bravery in a Villa shirt was incredible -he'd throw himself at any ball into the area and frequently win it.Cost him a lot in injuries over the years but oh the memories.

[Hillbilly]

He had presence. Always seemed to convey that he was on that pitch to score goals or die trying. Got to have the talent but I suspect putting the doubt/fear into the mind of defenders is half the game at that level.

[asgpaul]

A true no 9 - I know he gets a lot of flack now but he'll always be up there among our greatest strikers in my book. 

[Pete]

I remember one afternoon standing in the chicken run at Upton Park when Gray scored in about the 5th minute against the Spammers, we always won at Upton Park, happy days.  Less happy days were his second coming in 86/87 away at Selhurst Park to Charlton, he'd been on the piss in The Mulberry Bush the night before and it showed.

That Charlton match was the early kick off on a bank holiday Monday? (I remember getting the train from New Street at the crack of dawn). Gray had a chance in the six yard box, a sitter, about three yards out, ball at knee height, and tried to put it in with a diving header. Missed it completely. I've never seen a better number 9 than him in his prime, though.

[castlefields_villan]

Met him in the Beeches pub in 75, before he was well known, he came over as a well grounded bloke, happy to chat with no airs and graces. Probably not changed much after all these years

Was that at a Tony Butler BRMB Football Forum ? - Andy was there around this time when I went to The Beeches - John Gidman was one of the guest panelists

[castlefields_villan]

Andy was an awesome sight on the pitch. They way he dominated  defenders either marauding through the centre or arising to head in a cross  left you  gasping with delight. Gave me the biggest hair raising thrills  ever in almost every match he played in. Broke my heart when he left us ....yes hold on for  Wolves but I think Ron had decided he didn't want him. Happy birthday  Andy and thank you.

More than 36 years on - I still can't believe he left us to go there.

[Fred]

Great player and then for a 2nd career a brilliant broadcaster. Best "Colour" commentator on tv.

[Pat McMahon]

I think he was the first Villa superstar in my time. Bruce Rioch was fantastic but he didn't play for us in the top flight. Andy Gray played in our most exciting team and scored wonderful goals and I remember him being feted in the national press. - a first for us.

His hat tricks against Ipswich and Albion were the best I have seen for us, and he killed Liverpool on That Night. Still wish he had chinned Trever Francis after that dive to con us at the Sty in 1977 though.

[darren woolley]

I wish we had Andy Gray playing for us now what a player.

[castlefields_villan]

I think he was the first Villa superstar in my time. Bruce Rioch was fantastic but he didn't play for us in the top flight. Andy Gray played in our most exciting team and scored wonderful goals and I remember him being feted in the national press. - a first for us.

His hat tricks against Ipswich and Albion were the best I have seen for us, and he killed Liverpool on That Night. Still wish he had chinned Trever Francis after that dive to con us at the Sty in 1977 though.

I remember that night (still painful) well even now - never a penalty in a million years - I was on the corner of the Tilton and their main stand.  Didn't Leighton Phillips get sent off early in that game and Andy had a man of the match performance at centre back ?

As you say Darren - what a player - what would we do to have one like him now - probably the most exciting player in my 48 (nearly 49 years) of watching us.  Him and Sid Cowans will always be my 2 favourite all time players.

[Pat McMahon]

I think he was the first Villa superstar in my time. Bruce Rioch was fantastic but he didn't play for us in the top flight. Andy Gray played in our most exciting team and scored wonderful goals and I remember him being feted in the national press. - a first for us.

His hat tricks against Ipswich and Albion were the best I have seen for us, and he killed Liverpool on That Night. Still wish he had chinned Trever Francis after that dive to con us at the Sty in 1977 though.

I remember that night (still painful) well even now - never a penalty in a million years - I was on the corner of the Tilton and their main stand.  Didn't Leighton Phillips get sent off early in that game and Andy had a man of the match performance at centre back ?

As you say Darren - what a player - what would we do to have one like him now - probably the most exciting player in my 48 (nearly 49 years) of watching us.  Him and Sid Cowans will always be my 2 favourite all time players.

I think Philips was sent off and Andy Gray went to centre half to replace him. IIRC Deehan scored for us and we conceded two late goals.

Mayhem after the game - I think there were about 43k there that night and anybody under 25 was fighting.

[class-of-82]

and after. The Glorious sight of about 5000 villa marching back into the city together

[castlefields_villan]

I think he was the first Villa superstar in my time. Bruce Rioch was fantastic but he didn't play for us in the top flight. Andy Gray played in our most exciting team and scored wonderful goals and I remember him being feted in the national press. - a first for us.

His hat tricks against Ipswich and Albion were the best I have seen for us, and he killed Liverpool on That Night. Still wish he had chinned Trever Francis after that dive to con us at the Sty in 1977 though.

I remember that night (still painful) well even now - never a penalty in a million years - I was on the corner of the Tilton and their main stand.  Didn't Leighton Phillips get sent off early in that game and Andy had a man of the match performance at centre back ?

As you say Darren - what a player - what would we do to have one like him now - probably the most exciting player in my 48 (nearly 49 years) of watching us.  Him and Sid Cowans will always be my 2 favourite all time players.

I think Philips was sent off and Andy Gray went to centre half to replace him. IIRC Deehan scored for us and we conceded two late goals.

Mayhem after the game - I think there were about 43k there that night and anybody under 25 was fighting.

Am I right in thinking Phillips was sent off for making a V sign to the referee ?  I remember Andy playing at centre half and had a tremendous game - kept Trevor Francis quiet for most of it - until that "penalty" about 5 minutes from time.

I was 19 at the time, but I wasn't there looking for trouble - although as previously said - a big crowd of 40,000 plus and a white hot atmosphere - as I remember Dixie Deehan headed us in front and we seemed in complete control under Terry Hibbit equalised about 10 mins from time - that seemed to spur them on - and of course it lead to that rather dubious penalty decision.

[West Derby Villan]

Met him in the Beeches pub in 75, before he was well known, he came over as a well grounded bloke, happy to chat with no airs and graces. Probably not changed much after all these years

Was that at a Tony Butler BRMB Football Forum ? - Andy was there around this time when I went to The Beeches - John Gidman was one of the guest panelists

No think he just came down for a pint with a mate from the area. How times have changed

[castlefields_villan]

Met him in the Beeches pub in 75, before he was well known, he came over as a well grounded bloke, happy to chat with no airs and graces. Probably not changed much after all these years

Was that at a Tony Butler BRMB Football Forum ? - Andy was there around this time when I went to The Beeches - John Gidman was one of the guest panelists

No think he just came down for a pint with a mate from the area. How times have changed

Cheers -

Actually it must've been at the start of the 1976-77 season as he was there with Gordon Smith (RIP)- so I met him there August/September 1976.