Popular Post tonyh29 Posted March 27, 2017 Popular Post Share Posted March 27, 2017 didn't see this posted already ? but the Mail had a nice article about Ron Saunders in it over the weekend Of the 36 Englishmen who have won the league title as managers only two are still alive. Howard Wilkinson won it with Leeds 25 years ago in the final campaign before the Premier League began. The other is Ron Saunders, who outwitted Bobby Robson, Brian Clough and Bob Paisley in 1981 to lead Aston Villa to their only title in the last 107 years Saunders is 84 and is living with dementia. Memories are elusive and hard to grasp and a proper conversation is not possible with someone who has always had a pin-sharp mind. Yet in an exchange about the time he met Muhammad Ali, before Birmingham played Liverpool in 1984, he could recall precise elements of the occasion. Saunders always thought he might have been a boxer had he not played football. Blessed with a strong physique, he played rugby to a good level and adored physical competition. 'All natural,' says his eldest son, Ronnie. 'He's never been in a gym in his life but he worked hard and pushed his body, sometimes too much. 'He loved running in the sand dunes when he played for Portsmouth and bunny-hopping up the enormous terraces at The Valley when he signed for Charlton.' Saunders, born in Birkenhead and the son of a docker, was a combative centre forward, who started at Everton and spent six years with Pompey from 1958 to 1964. From a pile of well-thumbed programmes and grainy photos, Ronnie pulls out action shots of his father battling in the air with an elbow cocked ready for contact. full article on link 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRO Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 (edited) 1 hour ago, tonyh29 said: didn't see this posted already ? but the Mail had a nice article about Ron Saunders in it over the weekend I read it......it was very good. you can clearly see how the persona of the man resonated through the team. Ron, for me was our Shankly.....similar characters IMV. I remember a story about a Surveyor/ architect who was working on the ground.In passing, Ron heard him chattering and rubbishing the team......Ron had him removed from the ground. No messing with Mr S ps a story well worth reading and you can see why we was successful. Edited March 27, 2017 by TRO 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post BOF Posted March 27, 2017 Moderator Popular Post Share Posted March 27, 2017 Quote To this day there is still nothing at the club to honour his achievements during his time there An absolute disgrace. We all know why it's the case. Because Ellis wasn't part of the success. But why we, and everyone associated with the club, still allow it to be the case to this day is beyond me. 26 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRO Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 (edited) 8 hours ago, BOF said: An absolute disgrace. We all know why it's the case. Because Ellis wasn't part of the success. But why we, and everyone associated with the club, still allow it to be the case to this day is beyond me. .....and I think someone with better IT skills than me, ought to write to Dr Tone and explain our disappointment and ask if the club can remedy it. It is a major mystery how a man and his cohorts had such a major impact on our history and the records of his achievements are paltry.Its all so very, very disappointing. Its something I think should be remedied ASAP. To hell with the past 2 owners and their reluctance to honour him......let's just put the record straight. We owe him that much. Edited March 27, 2017 by TRO 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dont_do_it_doug. Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 4 hours ago, BOF said: An absolute disgrace. We all know why it's the case. Because Ellis wasn't part of the success. But why we, and everyone associated with the club, still allow it to be the case to this day is beyond me. I heard a rumour once, way way back, that he wanted nothing to do with the club after he left, in any way shape or form. He is a very stubborn man, once he takes a dislike to you that's that. However he then did return in 2007 for the 25 year European Cup anniversary, so I'm not sure what is and isn't the truth. Unfortunate as it is, I imagine there will only finally be some tribute to him when he's gone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fun Factory Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 I get the impression once he left football he did not much to do with it anymore, which you have to respect. What you also have to respect is his achievements at Villa, in which look even more impressive by each year. Promotion, 2 league cups, the title after a 70 year wait and effectively his side winning the European Cup and Super Cup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post TrentVilla Posted March 27, 2017 Moderator Popular Post Share Posted March 27, 2017 5 hours ago, BOF said: An absolute disgrace. We all know why it's the case. Because Ellis wasn't part of the success. But why we, and everyone associated with the club, still allow it to be the case to this day is beyond me. And yet we have that man's name on the Witton Lane Stand. I take great issue with anyone old enough to know better calling it anything else. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulC Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 (edited) He had no time for Doug I think not the club or the fans. Nothing against Doug but its a disgrace that he has a stand named after him and not Ron. Edited March 27, 2017 by PaulC 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post sheepyvillian Posted March 27, 2017 Popular Post Share Posted March 27, 2017 Built two ,yes two , of the greatest Villa sides to ever grace the game . Deehan ,Little and Gray . Just the mention of that forward line gives me goose bumps .Ask anyone who remembers about the night they put the mighty Liverpool to the sword . A truly great side ,And even with the loss of the great characters from that side ,along came an even better one ,and the rear, as they say ,. For me , Ron Saunders is an absolute legend . Long Live The King . 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRO Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 (edited) 3 hours ago, dont_do_it_doug. said: I heard a rumour once, way way back, that he wanted nothing to do with the club after he left, in any way shape or form. He is a very stubborn man, once he takes a dislike to you that's that. However he then did return in 2007 for the 25 year European Cup anniversary, so I'm not sure what is and isn't the truth. Unfortunate as it is, I imagine there will only finally be some tribute to him when he's gone. He never had an issue with the club, just one man. He was never a man for fuss or praise.....Ron never wanted praise, just respect. there is a difference. I would imagine Ron wouldn't give a toss now as he duffers from dementia.....its about us and what's right. We need to feel we have respected him for the remarkable achievements. Edited March 27, 2017 by TRO 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post DaveAV1 Posted March 27, 2017 Popular Post Share Posted March 27, 2017 For the last 30 years of my Dad's working life he taught at a special school. I can't recall how the invitation came about but the school was asked if they'd like to take a group of kids to BMH, to which the answer was obviously YES! Nobody was going to get that gig other than Dad and so off he went with about 20 kids. There was no real security then and so my Dad just walked into the old training ground building and the first person he met was Brian Little. He said Sir Brian was an absolute gentleman and knew exactly who he was and why they were all there. He said he'd just go and get the gaffer and set off to Ron's office. Obviously Dad knew of Saunders's reputation and didn't expect anything other than a quick hello, if anything at all. How wrong he was! Ron was absolutely wonderful, he made a big fuss of all the kids then took everyone out to the first team training pitch, where he halted training and set up a match for them all. He made them all feel very special. The players were all equally great and the kids all had a fantastic time. I'll always have that as a Ron Saunders memory, as much as all the wonderful things he did for the club. It's things like that, which makes me so proud to be a Villa fan and to know that whatever happens on the pitch and whoever comes and goes, Aston Villa will always be a truely great football club. 18 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveAV1 Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 2 hours ago, sheepyvillian said: Built two ,yes two , of the greatest Villa sides to ever grace the game . Deehan ,Little and Gray . Just the mention of that forward line gives me goose bumps .Ask anyone who remembers about the night they put the mighty Liverpool to the sword . A truly great side ,And even with the loss of the great characters from that side ,along came an even better one ,and the rear, as they say ,. For me , Ron Saunders is an absolute legend . Long Live The King . I was at that Liverpool game. What a night!! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nazvfc Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 (edited) 2 minutes ago, DaveAV1 said: I was at that Liverpool game. What a night!! Me too and itv (central tv) took cameras to derby county and so there is no footage of that game as far as I know! Those were great times for us old farts!! Edited March 27, 2017 by nazvfc 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 7 minutes ago, nazvfc said: Me too and itv (central tv) took cameras to derby county and so there is no footage of that game as far as I know! Those were great times for us old farts!! The goals from the game were shown the following evening on TV. What happened to the footage I do not know I think we all thought that it was recorded over by a Liverpool fan but I think John Lerwill might have mentioned once that all hope is not yet lost that it might turn up again one day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 4 hours ago, dont_do_it_doug. said: I heard a rumour once, way way back, that he wanted nothing to do with the club after he left, in any way shape or form. He is a very stubborn man, once he takes a dislike to you that's that. However he then did return in 2007 for the 25 year European Cup anniversary, so I'm not sure what is and isn't the truth. Unfortunate as it is, I imagine there will only finally be some tribute to him when he's gone. I think that was the only time he was invited back! I really hope we do not wait to give him a fitting tribute until he has joined the HEITS. Both Ron and Peter McParland sadly will not be around forever and I hope both will get a belated yet fitting tribute very, very soon. 1 hour ago, TRO said: He never had an issue with the club, just one man. He was never a man for fuss or praise.....Ron never wanted praise, just respect. there is a difference. I would imagine Ron wouldn't give a toss now as he duffers from dementia.....its about us and what's right. We need to feel we have respected him for the remarkable achievements. He might not depending on how far the dementia has gone but his family would and I'm sure they would do what they could to let him know. In any case he deserves what he has done for the club marked in a fitting way I'm sure he has always known how much we all think of him his reaction at Villa Park to the fans in 2007 showed that for me. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dont_do_it_doug. Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 1 hour ago, TRO said: He never had an issue with the club, just one man. He was never a man for fuss or praise.....Ron never wanted praise, just respect. there is a difference. I would imagine Ron wouldn't give a toss now as he duffers from dementia.....its about us and what's right. We need to feel we have respected him for the remarkable achievements. I'm not sure if you've thought that sentence through TRO. We should respect the man's wishes no matter what they are within reason, no matter what mental state he's in. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raver50032 Posted March 28, 2017 Share Posted March 28, 2017 Great article reminding me of fond times of early childhood, learning about the 'great Aston Villa' from my older brother in the late 70s. My brother took a great amount of time telling me who all the players were on the team poster, and who the manager was. I didn't always get the players' names right, but I always knew who Ron Saunders was. I kind of got the impression that you would have been in for a 'spanking' from him if you were naughty... Sir Ron of Saunders... really should have a stand named after him. Maybe a revitalised North Stand. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulC Posted March 28, 2017 Share Posted March 28, 2017 Yes best days to be a Villa fan were under Ron Saunders. He built 3 really good sides! He rarely made a mistake in the transfer market. Tommy Craig was the only one I think! Great days! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRO Posted March 28, 2017 Share Posted March 28, 2017 13 hours ago, DaveAV1 said: I was at that Liverpool game. What a night!! Me too.....and that was no ordinary Liverpool team, it was one of Europes best. the missus won a portable tv in the raffle in the Aston social that night.....some night for me. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRO Posted March 28, 2017 Share Posted March 28, 2017 24 minutes ago, PaulC said: Yes best days to be a Villa fan were under Ron Saunders. He built 3 really good sides! He rarely made a mistake in the transfer market. Tommy Craig was the only one I think! Great days! That '77 side was so exciting too.......Rimmer in lieu of budgie and we would have won the league. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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