The_Rev Posted November 14, 2014 Share Posted November 14, 2014 There is a case for putting this topic in an existing thread or even in a different forum, but I think it belongs here. Sir William Dugdale, one of the great figures in Aston Villa history, chairman of the club during it's most successful period of the modern era (1975-1982) died today. Rest in peace. http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/doug-ellis-leads-tributes-former-8113343 Doug Ellis has led tributes to former Aston Viilla Chairman Sir William Dugdale – the uncle of David Cameron – who has died, aged 92 The former Grand National jockey was in charge of the club during its most successful period in modern times, culminating in the European Cup triumph in 1982. The football figure, who lived in Atherstone, Warwickshire, had also taken the future Prime Minister to his first Villa Park game when he was 13. Sir William fought in the Second World War, gaining the rank of Captain in the Grenadier Guards and was a practising solicitor in 1949 before also enjoying success as a jockey, riding the Grand National in 1953. He was chairman of Villa from 1975 to 1982, the year the club enjoyed a 1-0 win over Bayern Munich to lift the European Cup. He was preceded and succeeded in office by his great soccer rival and friend, Sir Doug Ellis. During his long and successful business career Sir William also became chairman of General Utilities as well as head of the National Water Council. He had married Lady Belinda Pleydell-Bouverie in 1952 and the couple had four children. He later wed second wife Cecilia Mary Mount in October 1967 and two further kids followed. Sir William Dugdale and Doug Ellis in 1978 Sir Doug Ellis led the tributes to Sir William last night and said: “We had difference of opinion from time to time about Aston Villa but he was a good friend. “We were both keen at one stage on race horses. I had 15 horses and he helped me a lot, for he had raced in the Grand National. “I’m very sad to hear he has gone.” He added: “As a man Bill was a typical squire of the country, he lived in a mansion, he lived the life. Riding in the Grand National was his particular rise to fame.” 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost_of_Pongo_Waring Posted November 14, 2014 Share Posted November 14, 2014 He certainly lived a full and varied life. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1389275/Dave-Camerons-wicked-uncle-He-dreamed-PM--got-waylaid-claret-horses-flirty-petrol-pump-attendant.html Rest in Peace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fun Factory Posted November 14, 2014 Share Posted November 14, 2014 Backed Sanders over Doug so deserves some reflected glory. Every time you look at the North Stand, Dugdale was the guy who asked for the 2 levels of boxes- clubs like Spurs followed us. Well that is according to Villa Park 100 year book I have got at home. Certainly lived a full and interesting life. RIP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
briny_ear Posted November 14, 2014 Share Posted November 14, 2014 He was chairman during what I regard as the prime years of Aston Villa, a time when it was an absolute joy to support the club and there was a clear strategy and sense of direction. RIP 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted November 14, 2014 Share Posted November 14, 2014 Sir William played a key part in helping us to reach those glory years of the 70s & 80s. My thoughts are with his family - RIP. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avfc96 Posted November 14, 2014 Share Posted November 14, 2014 Rest in peace, thoughts are with his family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maqroll Posted November 14, 2014 Share Posted November 14, 2014 R.I.P. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AValon Posted November 15, 2014 Share Posted November 15, 2014 My mother-in-law was Sir Williams housekeeper for some time up at the big house. He was just another part of the clubs great history to me, a history that is constantly changing and evolving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulC Posted November 15, 2014 Share Posted November 15, 2014 RIP, so William Dugdale was chairman at the time the Bendalls were in charge? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supervillan78 Posted November 16, 2014 Share Posted November 16, 2014 Renovate the North stand, then rename it in his honour? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GENTLEMAN Posted November 16, 2014 Share Posted November 16, 2014 RIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRO Posted November 16, 2014 Share Posted November 16, 2014 (edited) Rip Sir William you made a significant contribution to the history of our club....never to be forgotten. Edited November 16, 2014 by TRO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zatman Posted November 17, 2014 Share Posted November 17, 2014 Renovate the North stand, then rename it in his honour? or just rename the Doug Ellis stand 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WallheathLions Posted November 17, 2014 Share Posted November 17, 2014 I think that would be a fitting tribute to rename The North Stand as The Sir William Dugdale Stand could be done very quickly and would show the class of our club. Maybe going forward a statue to him as our most successful chairman of the modern era. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen_Evans Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 Sorry to spoil this....Ronald Bendall was Chairman when Aston Villa won the League Championship and European Cup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villa89 Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 R.I.P. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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