Sir DOUG RIP

[Malandro]

RIP Doug.

I missed the league and European success by a few years, so my best Villa moments were with Doug as chairman.
Whatever his failings, he never missed the chance to let people know about our heritage.

[supertom]

Yes he was a constant source of frustration when he was running the club. But he loved the club, and he left us in good shape. We never quite hit where we could have, and he had a lot of missed opportunities, but we need only look at the two who followed him to see how badly things could have gone. We would chase players that could have stepped us up a level and he'd lowball. Then decide to bankroll Balaban say.
All being said, I liked Doug. His heart was in the right place, even if he was a stubborn so and so with matters of the wallet.
We had good times, more than bad under him. We won some trophies. Will always fondly remember the teams we had under Big Ron and SBL. Many a great Doug story too.
RIP Doug.

Please please please, can someone score a bicycle kick in the next game.

[algy]

RIP Doug Ellis.  Genuinely sad at his passing.

[Walmley_Villa]

RIP

[john2710]

RIP - no one can doubt his love for the Villa. History will judge him & our recent problems certainly put his time in a much better light than they would have 10 years ago.

[davidb]

Of the many memories, I smiled to myself at the vision of him stepping out to shake a clearly pissed off Abramovich,s hand

That was very funny.

Indeed, sporting a massive shit-eating grin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUgybiG0BEg Clearly loved the club, best wishes Doug

[Herman]

After the shock of hearing the sad news, I've had a few smiles thinking about some of my memories of Doug.

Queuing up for hours for away cup tickets on winter morning around '96. Along with hundreds of others, I was freezing cold and thoroughly fed up when Doug's voice came over the tannoy. 'Good morning, It's Doug Ellis' we all thought he was going to continue with, 'We'll send a tea wagon out' or 'We'll give everyone`one of last year's bobble hats'. He said 'When you are buying the ticket, don't forget to buy membership for the Holte Suite (The old Bingo Hall)....It's only a couple of pounds'. Everybody gave him a begrudging laugh. Never one to take his eye of the till!
 
RIP Doug

[Clark W Griswold]

RIP Doug

[The Moose]

RIP Sir Doug

[balloubaby]

Genuinely sorry and saddened to hear this news. Part of the fabric albeit from the sidelines these last few years...

Remember some years back I wrote to Doug on behalf of my Dad when they ran a VIP supporter scheme for older fans. It was following my mum's death and Dad, who had been a lifelong fan and the reason my sister and I became avid fans was coming up to his 80th birthday. Not only did Doug write back offering Dad a full day and a seat in the Directors enclosure, he also arranged tickets for the family to come along with him to the match. Had never met Doug before and he never knew us but recall him sending us over champagne at half-time and saying to my sister and I, 'you must all be luck mascots!' as we came back from a goal down to beat Ipswich. He really was a true supporter and loved the Villa.

Was a truly amazing day-and according to Dad one of his best ever. For that alone I thank Doug. RIP fella

[TonyD]

Proper old school chairman.  Proper gent.   Genuine fan.  RIP.

[ktvillan]

Very sad.  Like him or loathe him, he had the clubs interests at heart.  RIP.

Sad yes, but Doug always put his interests first.

No need for that.

Whilst I agree with Durham, and to say anything else would be hypocritical,  I guess this is one of those times where if you can't say anything good it's better to say nothing. Condolences to his family.

[usav]

Sad  news, part of the fabric of the club during my formative years.

[puppyfeat]

RIP Deadly. It's sad that in his twilight years, since he sold up, he's seen the club - which he clearly loved - go into such a decline. On the other hand, Villa's demise under Lerner has had the effect of making Doug's stewardship of the club seem like a golden period. Most of us won't remember it quite like that, but it can't be denied he made some decent appointments which led to us having some fine players and some entertaining teams which gave us a bit of success and some fond memories. We'd have liked the successes to have been bigger and more frequent, but on the whole he did right by the club, and the club has undoubtedly lost a huge figure in it's history.

[Scratchins]

Even at my advanced age it is hard to think of the Villa without Doug. I was at the Digbeth Hall meeting (goodness 50 years ago next month) when the ‘revolution’ took place and was inspired to buy a share for £5 (would have been 2 but used the other fiver to go to Southampton) and donate £1. We were close to going under but fans rallied around, even turning up to paint the ground and the enthusiasm returned.
I wasn’t always happy with Doug but never doubted his love for the club.
I last saw him before the Sheffield Wednesday game, he looked very frail but was still smiling and looking as though he enjoyed being there. 
I hope that the minutes silence is treated with respect.