Charlie Aitken RIP

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

Mr Aston Villa.
RIP

[TopDeck113]

Sad news.  HEITS

[Flamingo Lane]

A club great, a true stalwart during bad and good times for the club, and times of revolution. I remember him on dank, foggy days at Villa Park in front of crowds of 12,000, and in front of 100,000 in two League Cup finals at Wembley. I went to his testimonial match in I think 1970, Coventry City were chosen as glamorous opponents who might help bring in a good crowd, Coventry then being a division above us.

[tomd2103]

His playing days were before my time, but he had legendary status at the club and always got a good welcome when he came on the pitch at games. 

[FrankyH]

My first game was in the 70's and Charlie was playing .  I was probably  4 or 5 on the old Witton terrace ,I spent the majority of the game kicking
a paer cup round the terrace, stopping momentarily to ask my dad where Charlie Aitken was . He picked me up pointed him out then  put me down to carry on kicking the paper cup around . I met him a few times and was struck by how humble and what a gentleman he was .

[Coop]

Somehow deemed unworthy of mention on MOTD or even Midlands Today. Bad form, BBC.

[ROBBO]

I was there for his first game for Villa and his last, A clubman in the true sense. Hope the club do something for the next home game.

[Virgil Caine]

https://youtu.be/tumIt6mPuHs?si=Zcs14mqLkT5tlQD2

This is how I will remember Charlie, seeing him use his pace on the above clip at 2 mins 45 sec. A professional footballer who deserved that title, never dirty in the tackle, never moaned or  difficult to manage, saw playing for Villa as a privilege and a honour. A true club legend. RIP.

[Perthvillan]

Very sad news.
Charlie was a part of the first Villa team I saw in 1968.
We were in sad decline back then of course and but he was a part of our recovery as well as when we finally returned to the First Division in 1975.
A great club man.
Ron Saunders wanted him out as he was beginning to build for our Championship and European Cup winning teams but that's the brutal side of football.
He was very quick and very fit.
Legend is a word much used these days but for Villa he certainly was.
I hope that the club honour him in the correct manner.
RIP Charlie.

[steamer]

I was at school in Washwood Heath, He used to play tennis at the courts behind the Beaufort picture house.
Always had a smile and word for us.
A Villa Legend.
I went to the Coventry Testimonial, am I right in thinking he had two testimonials ?
RIP Charlie

[simboy]

Very sad to read this.

When I started going in the early 70's Charlie was a permanent fixture. An appearance record that is unlikely to be beaten and when I spoke to him on match days in later years he appeared to be a real gentleman.

RIP

 

[JD]

A true Villa legend. I was lucky enough to see the tail end of his career at Villa. A very good player and a true Villa man through and through. RIP Charlie.

[dave.woodhall]

I was at school in Washwood Heath, He used to play tennis at the courts behind the Beaufort picture house.
Always had a smile and word for us.
A Villa Legend.
I went to the Coventry Testimonial, am I right in thinking he had two testimonials ?
RIP Charlie

He did. One in 1970 and one in 1977 (I think).

[Allan C]

https://youtu.be/tumIt6mPuHs?si=Zcs14mqLkT5tlQD2

This is how I will remember Charlie, seeing him use his pace on the above clip at 2 mins 45 sec. A professional footballer who deserved that title, never dirty in the tackle, never moaned or  difficult to manage, saw playing for Villa as a privilege and a honour. A true club legend. RIP.

What a fabulous clip. My favourite away kit, Alun Evans, a Charlie Aitken goal, the list goes on. God how I loved those days

[Bernie]

I was at school in Washwood Heath, He used to play tennis at the courts behind the Beaufort picture house.
Always had a smile and word for us.
A Villa Legend.
I went to the Coventry Testimonial, am I right in thinking he had two testimonials ?
RIP Charlie

I'd forgotten about his testimonial(s).
Wasn't the Coventry one the Friday night before the FA Cup Final  in front of a disappointing attendance,  5,000 or so?