Sir DOUG RIP

[nuninho]

RIP Deadly Doug.  It will seem strange not seeing his Roller around the ground. 

Only the other day I was watching an old clip of Saint and Greavsie and as a kid I was absolutely in awe of this chap called "Deadly Doug"

I remember meeting him when little and he was nothing but fantastic to myself and parents. 

Thoughts to the family.

[PaulWinch again]

RIP Doug.

[dave shelley]

I've posted this before but it's appropriate now.  During a football trip to England myself and a mate brought our then U15/16 to Villa Park for the tour, we were all in the dressing rooms when Doug and a minion walked past.  I ran after him and asked would he oblige for a photograph with my son, all the other Irish kids were Manure/Liverpool supporters. 

Doug's response was to send the other bloke ahead and say to me 'ok but be quick I'm very busy'.  I got my photo and Doug then asked where we were from so I told him Ireland.  He then proceeded to come into the dressing room where all the others were, introduced himself and then went on to tell them of the current batch of Irish apprentices one being Gareth Farrelly.  He then told them of his offices in Dublin and kept the kids spellbound for about ten minutes. 

That was the charisma of the man, testimony to him that some of those kids who are now approaching middle age always remind me of it when I see them.  And for that, I will always be grateful to him.

Condolences to his family.  RIP Doug.

[simon ward 50]

Whether you were in his camp or not? Still a loss to his family and the club. RIP Deadly

[Toronto Villa]

Goodbye Sir Doug. Such a polarizing character but so much about him is Aston Villa. I will always appreciate the fact that as a young boy I wrote him a letter and he sent me a half season ticket. There’s lots of stuff written about him but he truly loved the club. RIP Doug. What a few hours. The highs of Dean Smith and then this. Too many very sad passings in the Villa family in the last 12 months or so.

[manic-road]

Farewell Doug, thanks for saving our club from liquidation for that I will always be thankful.

[Allan C]

God bless him. Very sad news indeed after the recent good news. I both liked him and disliked him during his time at Villa.  A sad day

[VinnieChase84]

Seeing him recently you couldnt help but sense this sad day was close. RIP  Doug. Regardless of our football politics opinions of you, no doubt you loved the club. As others have said it will be weird not seeing his Rolls around the place.
Rest easy Doug UTV

[ChicagoLion]

A Villa Man.He is part of our Foklore and there was good and bad.
R.I.P.

[johnc]

I've posted this before but it's appropriate now.  During a football trip to England myself and a mate brought our then U15/16 to Villa Park for the tour, we were all in the dressing rooms when Doug and a minion walked past.  I ran after him and asked would he oblige for a photograph with my son, all the other Irish kids were Manure/Liverpool supporters. 

Doug's response was to send the other bloke ahead and say to me 'ok but be quick I'm very busy'.  I got my photo and Doug then asked where we were from so I told him Ireland.  He then proceeded to come into the dressing room where all the others were, introduced himself and then went on to tell them of the current batch of Irish apprentices one being Gareth Farrelly.  He then told them of his offices in Dublin and kept the kids spellbound for about ten minutes. 

That was the charisma of the man, testimony to him that some of those kids who are now approaching middle age always remind me of it when I see them.  And for that, I will always be grateful to him.

Condolences to his family.  RIP Doug.

RIP Doug
I think he had a soft spot for the Auld Sod as he used to come over to Galway salmon fishing and kept in regular contact with Chick Deasy

[eamonn]

Not that they're comparable but the symmetry with a new dawn having been announced by the club last night, it reminds me of Bowie's last album coming out and then dying the next day.
I dare say Dean Smith's family have a few Doug tales of their own. I hope Doug was conscious to take in our news last night.

[Hookeysmith]

Not that they're comparable but the symmetry with a new dawn having been announced by the club last night, it reminds me of Bowie's last album coming out and then dying the next day.
I dare say Dean Smith's family have a few Doug tales of their own. I hope Doug was conscious to take in our news last night.

Great point  - Eamonn

Circle of (villa) life and all that

[Brend'Watkins]

God bless him. Very sad news indeed after the recent good news. I both liked him and disliked him during his time at Villa. 

I think that perfectly sums up his time for most supporters of a certain age.

[manic-road]

Does anybody know if it will be a minutes silence or round of applause before the Swansea game?

[UK Redsox]

Does anybody know if it will be a minutes silence or round of applause before the Swansea game?

Tends to always be applause these days

I can't remember a non-Armistice silence at VP for a while