Sir DOUG RIP

[Jon Crofts]

Been in back to back meetings all day and only just seen this, RIP Doug, sent my Dad a birthday card on his 80th birthday complete with a handwritten message rather than just Happy Birthday. I'm sure he'll be telling tall tales somewher.

[Chico Hamilton III]

I remember Blackpool awa,y a few years ago. We had just parked up and were walking past the ground to the front. Suddenly his Rolls Royce pulled up beside us and he asked where the ground was. He didn't realise we were Villa fans as we wern't wearing any Villa colours. When he found out we had driven up from Bournemouth for the match he was astonished and thanked us for our support. Fair Play to him, he was at all the matches home and away. In this regard, many other owners of football clubs could learn a lesson from him!  RIP Doug

We had a similar encounter with him after a game at Arsenal a few years back, about 2 hours after the game had finished a few of us were staggering around Finsbury Park when his Roller pulled up at the zebra crossing for us. He was sitting in the back like Monty Burns, giving us the royal wave. The only time I've seen him lost for words was after Alex Alex Cropley from here gave him both barrels at a Q and A evening with Doug at the Irish Centre about 30 years ago.

[Singapore Villa]

RIP Sir Doug.

[jembob]

We hired a function room at VP for a business meeting and had arranged to set up the evening before. It mush have been 6:30 - 7:00pm when we arrived and nobody was on reception desk. As if by magic, Sir Doug appeared and escorted us to the function room and made sure that we had everything we needed. My colleagues were saying that a man in his position should not be doing such a menial thing but it impressed me as he didn't seem to think that he was too important to do what needed to be done. 

[Virgil Caine]

Incredible to think that Sir Doug was a part of my life's jigsaw for over 50 years. Like others I have mellowed my angst against him and today's news did sadden me. He was a character and a charmer and I will remember him for that handshake with Abramovich when we defeated Chelsea.
Rest in Peace Sir HDE and, compared to what followed you, you weren't all that bad.

[Kingthing]

After beating Arsenal a few years back a few of us chased his Roller around Finsbury Park, when it finally stopped at the lights we all knelt down in front of it and bowed down, he was waving and laughing at us and you could see he lived the victory with us and that why I liked him.

 

[Chico Hamilton III]

After beating Arsenal a few years back a few of us chased his Roller around Finsbury Park, when it finally stopped at the lights we all knelt down in front of it and bowed down, he was waving and laughing at us and you could see he lived the victory with us and that why I liked him.

 

Was it you I was with?

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/oct/11/sir-doug-ellis-obituary

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Typical Doug, always trying to steal the headlines.

For me there were three Dougs; one that was heavily involved in saving the club back in the 60s and driving it forward through the 70s. The second was Egotistical Doug that held us back on his return and used us as his play thing. The third, and for only reasons known to the man himself, continued throughout his retirement to support us home and away when he could have been enjoying his millions, free time and having a lot more fun.

I can only guess he was more than happy to live up to his self titled name of 'Mr Aston Villa' it's just a shame having watched so much crap he won't be here to see us live up to our potential again. I never knew about the death of his son, Peter. Poor fella, can't imagine losing a son.

Thoughts go out to his family on this sad day. They've had to sacrifice a life time of sharing him with us, often when he was very much unloved by the majority of fans. Finally, it's also worth remembering Doug gave and worked a lot for charity. As others have said, an end of an era of local businessmen involved in big time football. I just hope he doesn't bullshit St Peter about the bicycle kick.

RIP Doug Ellis. Enjoy your rest.

[Stu]

After beating Arsenal a few years back a few of us chased his Roller around Finsbury Park, when it finally stopped at the lights we all knelt down in front of it and bowed down, he was waving and laughing at us and you could see he lived the victory with us and that why I liked him.

 

Was it you I was with?

And me.

I bet he loved it, the silly old sod.

[Ian.]

RIP Doug.

I met him once and he was a gent.

[john2710]

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.

When I heard the news this morning, this was very much a thought that came into my head. Sad news that it is, 94 is a great age. Hopefully recent events are the beginning of a new, and more prosperous era for the club.

[Pat McMahon]

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/oct/11/sir-doug-ellis-obituary

Blimey, I didn’t know Brian Glanville was still a journo.

RIP Doug. I was definitely against having a stand named after him but appreciate his efforts in the 1968 revolution. As a poster said above, you could carve his Villa life into 3 segments, 2 of which were positive.

In the very early 70s my uncle played in a local amateur final at Villa Park ( as an aside, in the 60s he had been offered a contract by Peterborough but earned more as a draftsman than he would have done as a lower league professional footballer). My cousin was distraught at his dad’s team losing and at the trophy and medals presentation, presided over by Doug, Doug consoled him and gave him a few bob. That was a kind gesture.

RIP Doug

[brian green]

His second biggest monument (after AVFC) should have been a National Stadium home of the national team.  I know personally that his completely viable 100,000 seater stadium beside the NEC was costed at £150 million.  The new Wembley is a billion and counting. The FA never took him seriously and they should have.

[Rigadon]

An odd and sad symmetry to events of etc last 24 hours.  RIP.