Chris Nicholl RIP

[baddowvillans]

So sad to hear this news.  Halifax Town were my home town club and as a centre half (as it was then) so naturally was my hero and then again when I moved to Birmingham with Villa.  A great play and an all round nice guy.

[astonvilla82]

Must be a fantastic feeling going home to tell dad I am playing for the Villa

[dcdavecollett]

Cracking player for us.

An archetypal Crowe/Wylie signing: good enough for where the team were in 1972 and more than good enough to play in one of the best Villa sides of recent decades five years later.

I'm proud to say I met him at a book-signing.

Thanks for the memories, Chris.

[Percy McCarthy]

Great player, loved him. I was one of many who was surprised at the signing of Ken McNaught, and it took a while before I ranked him as highly as Chris.

RIP big man.

[passport1]

Sad news. I will forever remember the four goals at Leicester and the thunderbolt in the league cup final second replay in 1977. Joyous times.

[Dick Edwards]

He was instrumental in our rise from Division Three to establishing ourselves in the top division. A marvellously dependable old school centre half who defended as though his life depended on it. I was at Old Trafford when he scored that goal in the LCF second replay. It was so unexpected, I don't think I'd ever seen Chris take a shot from distance ever before. I was amongst the Villa fans in the side stand and as he strode forward I remember thinking, possibly shouting, for God's sake don't shoot from there! Thankfully he had more confidence in his own shooting ability than I did. RIP Big Man. A Villa legend in my eyes.

[Legion]

Lovely tribute to him at the last Walsall match.

[Footy-Vill]

I was disappointed to hear a few people, most likely from Luton, make sounds and not pay their respects during yesterday's minutes of silence.
Can't folks just show respect for a minute in honour?
On television, a few voices were heard shouting. The commentator also mentioned it as it was noticeable.
Now I'm not sure why these people aren't instantly thrown out of the ground.

[Richard E]

To be fair I think there was some confusion or lack of clarity over whether it was going to be a minute’s silence or a minute’s applause.

[Footy-Vill]

Oh it didn't come across like that.
It interrupted my prayer and I wasn't even at the game.

[LeeB]

The idiot Ed Arons of the Guardian in his initial match report said that Luton fans were annoyed at the disrespect shown from the away end during the minutes silence for their former player.

It was removed about half an hour later, but it betrayed a significant level of ignorance.

[Meanwood Villa]

From the TV you could hear a few noises, which then gets booed and makes the whole thing sound worse. Don't know if the noise was from late arrivals not knowing what was going on. Can't imagine anyone would intentionally show disrespect.

[Footy-Vill]

I believe that all football teams should make it very apparent in advance not just on screen and announcement and in programme  but by including it on the printed or digital ticket.
It's a time for honouring and expressing gratitude. Be it outlining what needs to be done, with applause or quiet. 

It should be mentioned that following the period anyone found to be disrespectful will be removed from the area.

I believe it's terrible behaviour and that the players' families especially and supporters who are especially fond of a player have to go through hearing foolish people disrespect or lack of information or interest for some spoiling that at a time when the stadium should be the calmest, most reflective, and a time for being it prayer and /or reflection of memories.

[Scratchins]

There was no screen and you couldn't hear the tannoy announcement, I assume that there was one. Those of us who knew about Chris's death guessed what was happening. The booing was from the Villa fans towards the few at the back making a noise. 

[Legion]

Perhaps they were in the concourse and unaware of proceedings? I've seen/heard that happen at VP on occasion.