RIP
I think he holds the unfortunate record of having managed two sides in the same season that both got relegated. He left Man City to come to us and both went down.
to be fair he took over a crook of shit to put it mildly.
My earliest memory of watching any football on the television was watching Glasgow Celtic beat Inter Milan to win the European Cup in 1967, which huge courage and flair. The achievements of that team with McNeil as captain should never be underestimated.
RIP
I think he holds the unfortunate record of having managed two sides in the same season that both got relegated. He left Man City to come to us and both went down.
I think he was the second manager to relegate two sides in the same season. Manchester City and Villa in 1987. Ron Saunders beat him to that achievement by twelve months when he managed Small Heath and Albion who both went down in 1986. I think it happened three years on the bounce because in 1988 Dave Bassett managed Watford, who were relegated from the first division and Sheffield United who were relegated from the second division.
His playing achievements mark him as an all-time great and should be rightly lauded.
The most charitable thing I can say about his time managing in England is that being employed by both Peter Swales and then Doug Ellis would not have been the easiest of gigs.
His playing achievements mark him as an all-time great and should be rightly lauded.
The most charitable thing I can say about his time managing in England is that being employed by both Peter Swales and then Doug Ellis would not have been the easiest of gigs.
Yes, he drew 2 very short straws there. Bozos both.
This may not be the thread for it but I'm too young (I love writing that) to remember his time with us and I've never understood the 'Bingo' thing. If it's not too disrespectful, I'd appreciate an outline. If it is too disrespectful then I'm happy to never know!
It is only recently he had any competition as the worst Villa manager of all time, and I still think he wins it.
Good player in his day.
It is only recently he had any competition as the worst Villa manager of all time, and I still think he wins it.
Good player in his day.
I always thought Graham Turner was more to blame than McNeill. He was dreadful.
It is only recently he had any competition as the worst Villa manager of all time, and I still think he wins it.
Good player in his day.
His qualities and achievements as a player and a captain made him rather more than a 'good player in his day.'
This may not be the thread for it but I'm too young (I love writing that) to remember his time with us and I've never understood the 'Bingo' thing. If it's not too disrespectful, I'd appreciate an outline. If it is too disrespectful then I'm happy to never know!
The word from the Villa players who played under him was that he used to be rather basic in his tactical talks. Rumour has it that his ream talks consisted of "Do this then do that and then 'Bingo'"! Hence i think some of the first teamers called him 'Billy Bingo'.
Just another bloke who's died.