Charlie Aitken RIP

[Exeter 77]

I think I read yesterday that of Charlie's 660 appearances only 3 were as substitute, if true it  says all you need to know about the man.

No such thing as a substitute for most of his career I would have thought?

Substitutes were introduced in England at the start of the 1965/66 season.

[GordonCowansisthegreatest]

I think I read yesterday that of Charlie's 660 appearances only 3 were as substitute, if true it  says all you need to know about the man.

No such thing as a substitute for most of his career I would have thought?

Substitutes were introduced in England at the start of the 1965/66 season.

One sub but only for an injury!

[RalphVilla]

Very sad to have just seen this news. Started watching Villa aged 7 in 1970 so have many happy memories of seeing Charlie play. He also came to our School Sports Day when I was about 11. I was so excited to see him and eventually plucked up the courage to ask for an autograph, which he happily obliged. He was subsequently inundated with requests which made me feel a bit guilty but as far as I could tell he remained approachable and affable with everyone. RIP

[PeterWithesShin]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67264523

[dave shelley]

I think I read yesterday that of Charlie's 660 appearances only 3 were as substitute, if true it  says all you need to know about the man.

No such thing as a substitute for most of his career I would have thought?

Substitutes were introduced in England at the start of the 1965/66 season.

One sub but only for an injury!

And of course that was strictly adhered to.  I remember Chelsea stuffing us 6-2 at Villa Park with Bobby Tambling scoring most of their six.  He was being subbed towards the end of the game and was heading towards the touchline when the ball came to him and from a position where you'd have thought his foot was broken he set off like a bullet from a gun and scored their sixth!  That rule was redundant five minutes after it was introduced.




 

[Mister E]

He was a permanent fixture in the team when I was first taken to Villa. Sad to learn if his passing.

Likewise. First saw him in 1967 when we got beaten by Everton 4-2 and were effectively relegated to the 2nd tier.

[GordonCowansisthegreatest]

I think I read yesterday that of Charlie's 660 appearances only 3 were as substitute, if true it  says all you need to know about the man.

No such thing as a substitute for most of his career I would have thought?

Substitutes were introduced in England at the start of the 1965/66 season.

One sub but only for an injury!

And of course that was strictly adhered to.  I remember Chelsea stuffing us 6-2 at Villa Park with Bobby Tambling scoring most of their six.  He was being subbed towards the end of the game and was heading towards the touchline when the ball came to him and from a position where you'd have thought his foot was broken he set off like a bullet from a gun and scored their sixth!  That rule was redundant five minutes after it was introduced.




 

If only my memory worked as well as yours :-)

[dave shelley]

I think I read yesterday that of Charlie's 660 appearances only 3 were as substitute, if true it  says all you need to know about the man.

No such thing as a substitute for most of his career I would have thought?

Substitutes were introduced in England at the start of the 1965/66 season.

One sub but only for an injury!

And of course that was strictly adhered to.  I remember Chelsea stuffing us 6-2 at Villa Park with Bobby Tambling scoring most of their six.  He was being subbed towards the end of the game and was heading towards the touchline when the ball came to him and from a position where you'd have thought his foot was broken he set off like a bullet from a gun and scored their sixth!  That rule was redundant five minutes after it was introduced.




 

If only my memory worked as well as yours :-)

Ha!  I can't remember what colour socks I put on this morning without looking, which is a bit odd as all my socks are black!   

[PaulWinch again]

Before my time, but great reading on this thread. RIP.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Does anybody know if the Charlie Aitken book was released in the summer as planned?
Uncatchable: Aston Villa's Charlie Aitken

[Virgil Caine]

Does anybody know if the Charlie Aitken book was released in the summer as planned?
Uncatchable: Aston Villa's Charlie Aitken

Yes it was and is available on Amazon

[tony scott]

From my early days on the Witton end always in the team made few mistakes I thought he’d be capped by Scotland nearest he came was with the under 23s with cammie Fraser (I wonder what happened to him?) playing in the other fullback position.  Thanks Charlie  Villa through and Through, RIP

[nigel]

Does anybody know if the Charlie Aitken book was released in the summer as planned?
Uncatchable: Aston Villa's Charlie Aitken

Yes, I bought mine a while ago

[Allan C]

From my early days on the Witton end always in the team made few mistakes I thought he’d be capped by Scotland nearest he came was with the under 23s with cammie Fraser (I wonder what happened to him?) playing in the other fullback position.  Thanks Charlie  Villa through and Through, RIP

I started my Villa days down the Witton End, my dad used to sit me on the back row terracing and get me a bovril. Been thinking a lot about those days since Charlie’s passing

[ChicagoLion]

A very good Obituary in the Telegraph.