RIP Chico Hamilton

[sid1964]

Such sad news - RIP Chico.

[dorsetvillian]

My first Villa hero. RIP Chico...

[TopDeck113]

Walked past his house many a time on my way to or from school.  Well it wasn't on my way to or from, but went out of my way so I could gawp at it with my mates.  Amazingly, he never seemed to be out the front when all us kids were there...

HEITS

[steamer]

Chico, Chico

[Dick Edwards]

Chico was with us at our lowest point and was integral to our rise from the third division. Any of you there will remember his game against West Ham at Villa Park on Boxing Day in 1975 as one of the best individuals performances from any Villa player ever. RIP Chico

[Abbeyfealeavfc]

RIP Chico. One of my early Villa heroes. Condolences to family and friends. Heits! 

[Scratchins]

Sad news. i was lucky enough to be at a few private events when he was there. A lovely man who never pushed himself into the limelight - and a terrific footballer as well.

[dave shelley]

Was anyone at Wrexham in the third division days when Chico took a penalty and his run-up
 Was almost from the half-way line*. We won either 4-3 or 3-2, the former I think.

RIP Chico, you were an entertainer.

* I exaggerate obv. It was bloody long though.

[nigel]

Sad news, indeed 😞
Another of my early heroes departs.
RIP Chico

[JD]

Oh crap, one of my original Villa heroes.

RIP Chico, a wonderful player in one of my favourite Villa eras. 

[Baldy]

Rest in Peace Chico.

Many thanks for the memories.

[Mister E]

I remember how he could have given us the lead in the 1971 League Final, before Martin Chivers scored a brace to end 3rd-division Villa's dreams. As a 12 yr-old at the time, I'd already been to the amazing semi-final 2nd leg at VP where we'd dispatched the mighty Reds from Manc (and they were just coming off their high point of champions League winners).
Chico was a big part of the memories of my most formative years and won't be forgotten.

[Virgil Caine]

Very sad news- a very important part of the Villa revival and for those of us of a certain age a proper Boys Own hero we could identify with and mimic in the playgrounds of our youth. As my friend Mister E says he played so well in the League Cup Final that Martin Chivers who I met at his hotel in Brookman’s Park many years later remembered and said that Chico was Man of the Match that day. I remember Chico completely bamboozling the great George Best in the Old Trafford semi final and it’s worth looking it up on YouTube. RIP Chico and thank you for so many great memories.

[tony scott]

Sad news always remember Chico with his blonde hair flying chasing around scoring and putting in crosses, used to see him up the Belfry on a Saturday night pretty popular when playing for us RIP

[Rotterdam]

One of my dads favourite players.
I met him at a former Villa players do and told him the above. He asked if I had a mobile and phoned my dad to say 'hello'. My dad was over the moon.
RIP Chico.