Ian Ross RIP

[footyskillz]

I got to know Ian in the 80s. A very nice guy he was managing in Iceland at the time. We often reminisced about the 74/ 75 season but despite all the success of his time with us  I think he retained a lot of fondness for Liverpool.

A sad loss.

I hear black armband will be worn by Vila players v Brentford  to remembe him

I have heard of others way before my being able to follow in my life but I hadn't to Ross  but reading on here he was obviously a well respected figure and your knowing him is a nice touch

Nice story and sharing there thanks.
Sounds like a great chap on and off pitch.

May he RIP

[Larry Duff]

Me and a mate were waiting to catch the Bus in Walmley to take us to Villa Park one Saturday in the early 70s when a car pulled in and the passenger asked if we wanted a lift to the game.  The passenger was John Robson and our Captain Ian Ross was driving.
Nice touch from a couple of nice guys who made two young fans day.
RIP Ian

[adrenachrome]

Me and a mate were waiting to catch the Bus in Walmley to take us to Villa Park one Saturday in the early 70s when a car pulled in and the passenger asked if we wanted a lift to the game.  The passenger was John Robson and our Captain Ian Ross was driving.
Nice touch from a couple of nice guys who made two young fans day.
RIP Ian

Great story, Larry.

This class of thing was not uncommon back then, and explains why the fans identified with the club so closely in those far gone days.

[Pat McMahon]

Me and a mate were waiting to catch the Bus in Walmley to take us to Villa Park one Saturday in the early 70s when a car pulled in and the passenger asked if we wanted a lift to the game.  The passenger was John Robson and our Captain Ian Ross was driving.
Nice touch from a couple of nice guys who made two young fans day.
RIP Ian

That’s a brilliant story and shows the bond that existed back then between players and fans.

I was a nipper when he signed for us and as I’d seen Ian Ross play for Liverpool I was might impressed. I also remember his penalty v Sunderland in 1975 meaning every Villa outfield player had scored that season IIRC. And don’t forget his headed clearance off the line ( nearly) from Ted McDougall at Wembley in 1975. It could have been a different result.

He was a very fine and important player for us. Exactly the sort of pro you want to buy when you need experience in your team - the type of person we were sadly lacking in our last few seasons in the premier league.

[West Derby Villan]

Me and a mate were waiting to catch the Bus in Walmley to take us to Villa Park one Saturday in the early 70s when a car pulled in and the passenger asked if we wanted a lift to the game.  The passenger was John Robson and our Captain Ian Ross was driving.
Nice touch from a couple of nice guys who made two young fans day.
RIP Ian

Thanks PM I'd forgotten that header

That’s a brilliant story and shows the bond that existed back then between players and fans.

I was a nipper when he signed for us and as I’d seen Ian Ross play for Liverpool I was might impressed. I also remember his penalty v Sunderland in 1975 meaning every Villa outfield player had scored that season IIRC. And don’t forget his headed clearance off the line ( nearly) from Ted McDougall at Wembley in 1975. It could have been a different result.

He was a very fine and important player for us. Exactly the sort of pro you want to buy when you need experience in your team - the type of person we were sadly lacking in our last few seasons in the premier league.

[nigel]

Me and a mate were waiting to catch the Bus in Walmley to take us to Villa Park one Saturday in the early 70s when a car pulled in and the passenger asked if we wanted a lift to the game.  The passenger was John Robson and our Captain Ian Ross was driving.
Nice touch from a couple of nice guys who made two young fans day.
RIP Ian

That’s a brilliant story and shows the bond that existed back then between players and fans.

I was a nipper when he signed for us and as I’d seen Ian Ross play for Liverpool I was might impressed. I also remember his penalty v Sunderland in 1975 meaning every Villa outfield player had scored that season IIRC. And don’t forget his headed clearance off the line ( nearly) from Ted McDougall at Wembley in 1975. It could have been a different result.

He was a very fine and important player for us. Exactly the sort of pro you want to buy when you need experience in your team - the type of person we were sadly lacking in our last few seasons in the premier league.

Ian had already scored that season. The story goes that Jimmy Coombes was going to take the penalty meaning every player had scored. Unfortunately,  as the penalty was to make it 1-0 (iirc)  Ron decided against it.

[Scratchins]

My memory is a bit hazy but I think that Sunderland needed either a draw or win to be promoted. Jim Cumbes told me that Ron decided that if Jim didn't score then there would have been an uproar in the press etc.

[dave.woodhall]

My memory is a bit hazy but I think that Sunderland needed either a draw or win to be promoted. Jim Cumbes told me that Ron decided that if Jim didn't score then there would have been an uproar in the press etc.

They definitely needed a result, which is why at 1-0 a bit of showboating couldn't be risked. I love Juggling Jim but he was as likely to hit a penalty onto the M6 as score from one.