Ron Saunders RIP

[dcdavecollett]

Farewell, Ron.

He, in fact, built two tremendous teams that we shall never forget, not three.

The first side he managed here was made up of the fine players that Vic Crowe had left behind, plus Frank Carrodus and Leighton Phillips, bought with the money that came from Crowe selling Bruce Rioch to Derby.

No-one will ever forget the football his team played in 76/77 and no-one will ever forget the achievements of the last, less spectacular side, he created at the start of the eighties.

If they have video machines upstairs, he'll have plenty of fun catching up.

[West Derby Villan]

Farewell, Ron.

He, in fact, built two tremendous teams that we shall never forget, not three.

The first side he managed here was made up of the fine players that Vic Crowe had left behind, plus Frank Carrodus and Leighton Phillips, bought with the money that came from Crowe selling Bruce Rioch to Derby.

No-one will ever forget the football his team played in 76/77 and no-one will ever forget the achievements of the last, less spectacular side, he created at the start of the eighties.

If they have video machines upstairs, he'll have plenty of fun catching up.

Great post - agree with all of it. RIP Ron

[dave.woodhall]

And it didn't start raining until the service was over. He had a word.

[ChicagoLion]

And it didn't start raining until the service was over. He had a word.

Good to hear and good you paid your respects.
I guess there were a few ex Villa players in attendance.

[Damo70]

And it didn't start raining until the service was over. He had a word.

Just as I expected. You wouldn't have wanted to bet against him today would you?

[ez]

I believe that up to his passing, Ron was one of only two Englishmen still living to have managed a club to the top flight title. Just Howard Wilkinson left now.

[Rico]

Am currently two thirds of the way through "The odd man out."  A fascinating read. One thing that really springs to mind is that as a club we sure as he'll know how to fuck things up. Surely there can't be too many other major football clubs who have contrived to cock things up on such a regular basis. I've always believed that Villa could and should be one of the giants of the game, but we appear to have spent the best part of fifty odd years shooting ourselves in the foot just as we appear to be on the brink of greatness. Hopefully with the new owners on board, there will be a chance of establishing ourselves back amongst the elte.

[Toronto Villa]

One year ago today, we lost a giant of the club.

Nice tribute video here

https://twitter.com/avfcofficial/status/1335875935149694976?s=21

[olaftab]

Thanks for posting TV. Loved his retort to Tony's problem

[Percy McCarthy]

Sometimes a player or manager can be an absolute perfect for a particular club. Ron Saunders was that for us. RIP Great man.

[Allan C]

Without doubt my favourite Villa manager. A true Villa great

[Des Little]

Fantastic manager, certainly the best in my lifetime by some distance.

[robbo1874]

Back in those days I thought it was normal for Villa to win every week. Little did I know...

[robbo1874]

There was one week I think we lost 2-1 to Palace and I was a distraught 7 y.o. World fell in!!

[Drummond]

Back in those days I thought it was normal for Villa to win every week. Little did I know...

I thought that in September and some of October....