Gabby

[Alinushavfc]

He's nowhere near God or Sir Brian, but he's a legend with a massive catchment who followed Villa home and away during those prominent MON years.
Certain age groups will only really ever remember him for this.

[Nelly]

Yeah, I'd go with that. Any time we've played any of them recently there has always been some discussion about whether or not to play Gabby, and that's down to his exploits and successes against them; the hope that our derby-killer could do it again.

Little in particular is something else. He joined when he was a kid, swept the old Holte steps, sold raffle tickets, worked in the shop, played for us, scored for us, won cups with us, managed us, won a cup with us, took us to Europe. And I've probably missed a chunk off there. In my opinion he's legitimately Mr Aston Villa and, this may sound far-fetched, perhaps doesn't get the credit he deserves.

[TopDeck113]

If he only ever scored goals against our local rivals but put a shift in for the rest of the time, I could understand why he would be held in high esteem. The fact that he's gone the best part of half of his professional career taking the piss makes any sort of hero worship incredulous.

After this season I suspect the next Gabby thread will be when he winds up bankrupt within the next decade.  I hope by then everyone associated with the club will have had the scales fall from their eyes and not suggest some form of testimonial to help him out.

[Alinushavfc]

Thanks for the memories Gabby, some great days following the Villa away.

[luke95]

I think given his tenure at the club, the goals he has scored  in derbies bit more significantly the goals he scored during those years under MON make him a legend whether you like it or not.

Take away his goals against blues & a more fitting word would be rubbish .
Rubbish but he once had the ability to run fast.

Only the likes of Paul Birch, Sid Cowans , Ian Taylor  are worthy of legend status & there isn't a single player worthy of that in the last ten yrs 

[eddiemunster]

I think given his tenure at the club, the goals he has scored  in derbies bit more significantly the goals he scored during those years under MON make him a legend whether you like it or not.

Take away his goals against blues & a more fitting word would be rubbish .
Rubbish but he once had the ability to run fast.

By all accounts, when the scouts saw him and his brother, they all agreed that his brother was the more skilful, intelligent footballer but cos he was faster they went for him. Oh for a time machine eh?

[Chris Jameson]

What is a “massive catchment”? Is that his waistline? He’s no ‘legend’.

[luke95]

I think given his tenure at the club, the goals he has scored  in derbies bit more significantly the goals he scored during those years under MON make him a legend whether you like it or not.

Take away his goals against blues & a more fitting word would be rubbish .
Rubbish but he once had the ability to run fast.

By all accounts, when the scouts saw him and his brother, they all agreed that his brother was the more skilful, intelligent footballer but cos he was faster they went for him. Oh for a time machine eh?

It would certainly be intresting to see the reaction on here if we were looking to sign a similar player of Gabbys ability,goals record & attitude in his time here .

[Alinushavfc]

Man City home the perfect hat-trick, great times.

[luke95]

Man City home the perfect hat-trick, great times.

2008 ? That was his first hat trick if I remember correctly?
When was his next ?

[Alinushavfc]

Some great memories down the years and one of our top Premier league scorers.

[saunders_heroes]

I think given his tenure at the club, the goals he has scored  in derbies bit more significantly the goals he scored during those years under MON make him a legend whether you like it or not.

Take away his goals against blues & a more fitting word would be rubbish .
Rubbish but he once had the ability to run fast.

Only the likes of Paul Birch, Sid Cowans , Ian Taylor  are worthy of legend status & there isn't a single player worthy of that in the last ten yrs 

Oh what bollocks. Love him or loath him you can’t take away his goals in local derbys or even the winners at Old Trafford and Arsenal etc.

[Tayls_7]

I think given his tenure at the club, the goals he has scored  in derbies bit more significantly the goals he scored during those years under MON make him a legend whether you like it or not.

Take away his goals against blues & a more fitting word would be rubbish .
Rubbish but he once had the ability to run fast.

Only the likes of Paul Birch, Sid Cowans , Ian Taylor  are worthy of legend status & there isn't a single player worthy of that in the last ten yrs 

Oh what bollocks. Love him or loath him you can’t take away his goals in local derbys or even the winners at Old Trafford and Arsenal etc.

Legend my arsehole.  A legend to the downtrodden and easily pleased only.

[Alinushavfc]

That said his legendary goals under MON years away at Man Ure and Arse, Blose etc will always be in the memories of the away fans that travelled during that era.

[PeterWithesShin]

Some of his goals are legendary, he however, isn't a Villa legend imo.