Alex Cropley RIP

[Crown Hill]

My dad is 98 and says he’s the best midfielder he’s seen for the Villa. Creative player and dominant like Johnny Giles.

I’m too young to remember really but he did score in my second game against Arsenal.

1-0? Late goal? Think we might have heard the cheer as we left early. (I was in my mate’s dad’s car so it wasn’t my decision).

That’s right! 1977

[Steve67]

I’m told that Alex was similar to Sid? Sadly, I never saw him play but hope he’s at peace. Thanks for being a Villan Alex. RIP.

They were similar in that both were slightly built but could tackle harder than you would have expected from their physiques. Both technically wonderful footballers.

Many thanks Dick.  Must have been some player as Sid is my favourite ever player for Villa.

[Percy McCarthy]

My dad is 98 and says he’s the best midfielder he’s seen for the Villa. Creative player and dominant like Johnny Giles.

I’m too young to remember really but he did score in my second game against Arsenal.

1-0? Late goal? Think we might have heard the cheer as we left early. (I was in my mate’s dad’s car so it wasn’t my decision).

That’s right! 1977

Funny what you remember. We were parked under the bridge past the Yew Tree and heard the roar from there.

[Witton Warrior]

My dad is 98 and says he’s the best midfielder he’s seen for the Villa. Creative player and dominant like Johnny Giles.

I’m too young to remember really but he did score in my second game against Arsenal.

1-0? Late goal? Think we might have heard the cheer as we left early. (I was in my mate’s dad’s car so it wasn’t my decision).

That’s right! 1977

That season I think we had scored in every home game until this one. Looked like ending scoreless until Alex Cropley popped up with a nice goal - that is the goal of his I always remember because very late goals seemed rare at that time

[Skipper_The_Eyechild]

RIP Alex. HEITS.

[passport1]

A fabulous player. He was a joy to watch. I can still recall the sight of him being carried off after that horrendous tackle and Ron Saunders holding his hand walking alongside the stretcher. A sad day indeed. RIP Alex.

[dcdavecollett]

In a game at the Hawthorns, I once saw him carry the ball into a clutch of Albion players. The situation didn't seem too promising, but he just dribbled through them and came out on the other side.

Always remember Alex collecting the ball from the back of the net in the LC Final at Old Trafford after Everton's late equaliser, clenching his fist at his team-mates as if to say, "Well, we're just going to have to win it all over again!"

What a player!

[steamer]

What a player, Lion hearted, skilful never shirked a challenge
like many others, I remember hearing that crack.
To his family condolences , you had a husband/father who has a special part in many memories

[astonvilla82]

What a player, Lion hearted, skilful never shirked a challenge
like many others, I remember hearing that crack.
To his family condolences , you had a husband/father who has a special part in many memories

I thought I was imagining that crack myself

[walsall villain]

What a player, Lion hearted, skilful never shirked a challenge
like many others, I remember hearing that crack.
To his family condolences , you had a husband/father who has a special part in many memories

I thought I was imagining that crack myself

I recall it, horrible. He was a courageous and skilful player with a magic left foot. Yes many memories of his time with us.

[Clampy]

Before my time.but i've read and heard nothing but good things about him.

[Pat McMahon]

I’d forgotten, but he was very good very quickly with us, and I don’t remember him having to take time to settle in. I could never work out why Arsenal had let him go.

[dcdavecollett]

The tragedy of his injury was that he was absolutely on top form going into that game and must have had a great chance of making the Scotland squad for the WC.

Oddly enough. Alex had missed the away game against Athletic Bilbao in the midweek (replaced by John Gregory, as I recall) but was fit again for the Albion game.

[PaulWinch again]

Before my time as well, RIP sounded like a fine player and a great guy.