The Unsung Heroes Aston Villa xi

[dave.woodhall]

I think it’s the same geezer, I think we’ve both described him quite well but you’ve focused on the bad side of his game as he clearly got on your tits which I can understand, I focused on the positives because I just loved a bit of flair. You’ve got to say Gregory’s teams weren’t known to have massive amounts of flair!
I’m surprised at the goal stats, I thought they’d be better but he did provide I think as well. I’m not saying he was all that great but he wasn’t bad either most of the time and he got me off my seat more than most in those days.

I do like flair players, but it always strikes me that the ones we had then get a lot more praise than they deserve, while those from other eras are overlooked.

[saunders_heroes]

Garry Parker. Scored some fantastic goals for us.

[brian green]

Neil Rioch.  We got him basically for free with his brother.  Played only a little but went on to become a tireless and loyal club servant off the field.

[rougegorge]

Brad Friedel
Darren Bent (although his fee may disqualify him I guess)
Stephen Warnock (although he latterly lost his form)
Derek Mountfield

[ChicagoLion]

Kevin Gage is a great shout. Bullet of a shot.

Yes but not unsung.

[Dick Edwards]

John Gregory the player must fall into this category. We bought him for peanuts, he played in every outfield shirt and position under Ron Saunders to a very effective level and was instrumental in our mid seventies rise, then he had the cheek to ask for a pay rise and was sold for six times what we paid for him. Gregory then went on to enjoy a long and successful career and play for England.

Another guy from the mid seventies - Keith Leonard. While lacking pace he was an underrated target man who was strong and could hold the ball up and bring team mates into the game. He could also finish. Unfortunately his career ended early through injury.

Leighton Phillips - another mid to late seventies player, bought as a midfield player by Ron Saunders but ended up being a reliable central defender. Very under rated in my opinion though he could be hot headed. I remember being at the Sty when Phillips was sent off for sticking his fingers up in the face of the referee. I'm not sure but that might not have been the only occasion he was sent off for a similar offence.

We had unsung heroes even in our title and European Cup winning team. Gary Williams played left back, central defence and even in midfield for Saunders. A quiet and unspectacular performer who always performed to a high level.

John Robson - a full back who ultimately had to retire in his late 20s with multiple sclerosis. Always consistent and defensively sound.

[Damo70]

Lots of full backs for some reasons - maybe because we've been craving decent ones in recent years - Delaney, Bouma, Luke Young, Alan Wright, Earl Barrett, Chris Price, Bryan Small, Dariusz Kubicki

I always though Garry Parker was a class player

Parker wasn't much of a grafter but had some skill and had a decent eighteen months under BFR if I remember correctly. He had a good spell at Forest when they won a couple of League Cups in the late eighties. I also recall a rather poor chant of his name. "Oh Garry Garry, Garry Garry Garry Parker ker". It never quite worked.

[Damo70]

Kevin Gage is a great shout. Bullet of a shot.

Yes but not unsung.

One of SGT's first signings and right back in our promotion season. Then SGT moved him into midfield and he did well there until he got a bad knee injury at the old Den Millwall in 1989.

[luke95]

Paul Birch as captain for a start

Chris Price

[Neil Hawkes]

Still remember tiny Alan Wright out jumping Vinny Jones during our demolishing of Wimbledon, 6-1 was it?

[simboy]

John Robson - a full back who ultimately had to retire in his late 20s with multiple sclerosis. Always consistent and defensively sound.

The thing i remember about Robson was he was bought as an aspiring international right back by Crowe and when we got Gidman, Saunders had him playing left back.  I don't recall him looking out of place in either role. Played in the 1975 triumph at right back and in the three games of 1977 at left back. I think he also won the league with Derby 71/72 [?] although i may be wrong. A brilliant versatile player, who gave his best years for the Villa. Such a shame when he had to retire, diagnosed at 28 years of age with MS 

[dcdavecollett]

Robson played quite a few games in midfield for Ron, as well.

[steamer]

And a Gentleman
When he was diagnosed with MS I wrote him a letter, (no internet then) wishing him the best and thanking him for his service.
He wrote back in a very sincere and honest way
A true Lion
players aside , what about Terry Weir ?

[dave.woodhall]

And a Gentleman
When he was diagnosed with MS I wrote him a letter, (no internet then) wishing him the best and thanking him for his service.
He wrote back in a very sincere and honest way
A true Lion
players aside , what about Terry Weir ?

Terry wasn't unsung, he was as popular and well-known as most of the players.

[dave shelley]

And a Gentleman
When he was diagnosed with MS I wrote him a letter, (no internet then) wishing him the best and thanking him for his service.
He wrote back in a very sincere and honest way
A true Lion
players aside , what about Terry Weir ?

I have a friend who also suffers from MS, has had it for a good many years and is still alive thankfully.  I'm not certain about this but I think John Robson's marriage failed for what reason I don't know but they attended some form of therapy centre and my mate used to pick him up (he could still drive then).  They even went fishing together and he said he was a nice bloke.