Popular Post andrew phillips Posted August 2, 2019 Visiting Supporter Popular Post Share Posted August 2, 2019 Hi guys and any ladies, I have joined your forum in the real hope that you can just maybe, hopefully, help me. What it is, I am trying to research the career of my second cousin, on my grand-father's side, Leighton Phillips. Leighton is from Briton Ferry, the same as my dad and they were cousins From my research I can see that Leighton played for your great club and I would very, very much like any memories of him, any anecdotes, and to just maybe be able to tell me what he was like as a player? I believe he actually captained your famous club but I don't know any dates. Any info at all you can give me would be very much appreciated. Especially the time when Villa won 5-1 v Liverpool and also 2-1 at Anfield - circa late 70's, amongst other, no doubt, note - worthy games. When I was a young boy Leighton passed on a black and white photo of Villa, through my auntie Ena, but sadly, I don't know where it is now.. I love footballer and I have supported Liverpool for years but this is something which I have always wanted to do and now is as good as time as any. Anyhow, all the best, Thanks for reading, Andy Phillips 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VILLAMARV Posted August 2, 2019 Share Posted August 2, 2019 (edited) @TRO to the niche thread, can we have @TRO to the niche thread. Thank you. Other than affirming he was captain sometime in the 70's and thinking he won the League Cup with us in the Brian Little finals (3) against Everton in '77 it's a bit before my time. Tro (and plenty others I know!) will be all over the chance to talk about the days of Cropley and Gray and Little Edited August 2, 2019 by VILLAMARV 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjmooney Posted August 2, 2019 VT Supporter Share Posted August 2, 2019 I saw Leighton play many times. He was a tough-tackling midfielder. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjw63 Posted August 2, 2019 Share Posted August 2, 2019 (edited) If my memory is correct he once smashed Jimmy Greenhoff right in the mush when we played Man Yure Edited August 2, 2019 by rjw63 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrytini Posted August 2, 2019 Share Posted August 2, 2019 I was at St Andrews in about 1975 when he got sent off for giving the Ref the “ V” sign .. I remember my Dad moaning blind about him for about half a Season, then suddenly he became this wonderful sweeper style defender....he was actually a very intelligent player and, as I look back now, woukdve fitted in the modern game very well..... so many defenders were all about size whereas he had ability. Also my Dad told me that when I got his autograph I didn’t shut up about how strange he sounded !! I think the only other Welsh accent I’d heard then was a guy in Porridge. Thats all I have....and it may be wholly inaccurate as regards his playing ability, but that’s how he is in my head . 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LakotaDakota Posted August 2, 2019 Share Posted August 2, 2019 (edited) Can't help with any memories but there was an article/Q&A on the main club website a couple of years back that you may or may not have seen. There is also a pile of stuff on ebay. If you just search his name on ebay.co.uk you will see 100 or so different bits of memorabilia (stickers/cards,photos, signatures etc) https://www.avfc.co.uk/News/2015/07/04/villa-on-the-spot-leighton-phillips-qa Defender Leighton Phillips was something of an unsung Villa hero - but his uncanny reading of the game was beyond question. The Wales international was also a versatile footballer, playing in eight different positions during the course of his 18-year career. Signed from Cardiff City for £100,000 in September 1974, Phillips won promotion in his first season at Villa Park. And although he missed the 1975 League Cup run because he was cup-tied, he was a member of the triumphant 1977 team. Edited August 2, 2019 by LakotaDakota 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mazrim Posted August 2, 2019 Share Posted August 2, 2019 Before my time but through my family I have Programmes going back to the 50s. I'll have a nose through. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveAV1 Posted August 2, 2019 Share Posted August 2, 2019 (edited) I was quite relieved when I read your post as I thought, oh dear has he passed away. Hopefully he’s still alive and enjoying a long retirement. He was known as Blod amongst the players, I assume shortened from Blodwyn since he was Welsh. I mainly remember him being a sweeper, and being part of s great defence with Alun Evans. I was at the 75 and 77 League Cup Finals and of course that wonderful night when we demolished Liverpool in 45 minutes. I still don’t think I’ve seen a better half of football. Good luck with your research. I’m sure those Villa fans even older than me will have plenty of stories for you. Edited August 3, 2019 by DaveAV1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matteyp Posted August 2, 2019 Share Posted August 2, 2019 Weirdly one of the first Villa players' name I remember along with Ray Graydon. I was young so don't remember much beyond that. I'll ask my mate Ken. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unused Sub Posted August 2, 2019 Share Posted August 2, 2019 Afternoon Andy Leighton's career can me found on the below link: Aston Villa Player Database Quote Birthdate: 1949-09-25 in Briton Ferry (near Swansea), Wales Position: Defender/Utility Playing for Villa: 18 September 1974 - 8 November 1978 Previous clubs: Bryn Hyfred Junior & Cort Sart Secondary Schools (Briton Ferry), Neath Area Schools, Neath Under-12s, Cardiff City Signed: £100.000 - From Cardiff City Sold: £70.000 - To Swansea City League: 134 (6) matches - 4 goals FA Cup: 7 matches - 0 goals League Cup: 17 (1) matches - 0 goals European Cups: 10 matches - 0 goals International: Wales A (1971-82, 58 - 0 goals), U23 (1971-75, 5 caps), U21 (1979-83, 2 caps), Schoolboys From time to time I pop in the archives at Birmingham Library. I can probably get newspaper reports for the matches he played in. They won't be of the highest quality, but will be readable. If you're interested just shout and I'll see what I can do. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROTTERDAM1982 Posted August 2, 2019 Share Posted August 2, 2019 Played alongside Chris Nicholl. Nicholl was the Jack Charlton, and Leighton the Bobby Moore kind of player, if you like. One of my favourite players in my formative years, tend to remember he had a bit of a nasty side to him, seemed to remember him having a confrontation with Burns in the one Derby 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dont_do_it_doug. Posted August 2, 2019 Share Posted August 2, 2019 I came in here ready to say his name's Kalvin you dope and he already has a speculation thread! I wish you all the best in your search Andy. You've come to the right place 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRO Posted August 2, 2019 Share Posted August 2, 2019 (edited) 9 hours ago, VILLAMARV said: @TRO to the niche thread, can we have @TRO to the niche thread. Thank you. Other than affirming he was captain sometime in the 70's and thinking he won the League Cup with us in the Brian Little finals (3) against Everton in '77 it's a bit before my time. Tro (and plenty others I know!) will be all over the chance to talk about the days of Cropley and Gray and Little Well, Andy was my friend, we used to meet up at least once a week for years.....Subsequently I met Alex and Brian many,many times. we had a social group called the " Box of Toys".....Andy would remember them with fond memories. I could write a book. back on topic.....Leighton Was a Centre Back, a bit on the light side for me, I like units......but he was a good steady player.I remember the 5-1 against Liverpool, it was a hammering against arguably the best team in Europe, I Remember Emlyn Hughes throwing his arms up to Kevin Keegan after we scored the fifth....We was Awesome.....My Mrs won a portable TV on the raffle at the Aston Social that night, some night for me. I would remember Leighton Phillips fondly, good all round player that was steadfast in his tackling and would never be intimidated......you should be proud of him. Ps The 1977 team was possibly the best Villa team I ever saw for swashbuckling football ....a young team ( oh are we embarking on something now) who had no fear and put teams to the sword with ease, he was a member of a great team. Edited August 2, 2019 by TRO 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave J Posted August 3, 2019 Share Posted August 3, 2019 14 hours ago, TRO said: Well, Andy was my friend, we used to meet up at least once a week for years.....Subsequently I met Alex and Brian many,many times. we had a social group called the " Box of Toys".....Andy would remember them with fond memories. I could write a book. back on topic.....Leighton Was a Centre Back, a bit on the light side for me, I like units......but he was a good steady player.I remember the 5-1 against Liverpool, it was a hammering against arguably the best team in Europe, I Remember Emlyn Hughes throwing his arms up to Kevin Keegan after we scored the fifth....We was Awesome.....My Mrs won a portable TV on the raffle at the Aston Social that night, some night for me. I would remember Leighton Phillips fondly, good all round player that was steadfast in his tackling and would never be intimidated......you should be proud of him. Ps The 1977 team was possibly the best Villa team I ever saw for swashbuckling football ....a young team ( oh are we embarking on something now) who had no fear and put teams to the sword with ease, he was a member of a great team. Totally agree - I would also add that he appeared to be a very modest and underrated footballer - very calm and went about his job in the most efficient manner. i remember whenever I was picked to play in the school back four - I used to imagine I was Leighton 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meregreen Posted August 3, 2019 Share Posted August 3, 2019 Signed by Saunders to get us back up to the top tier. Did a very good job for us. Was a good footballer, not just a clogger. Like others I have great memories of that team of the seventies. probably the most entertaining team I ever watched at VP. Saunders then moved on to build another great team, the rest is history. Your Uncles place in the dramatic rise of Aston Villa is there for all time. You should be proud of him. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted August 3, 2019 Share Posted August 3, 2019 I had a lot of time for him. Leighton was a reliable defender with a touch of class about him. If Ron Saunders signed you for Villa back then, it said something about you as a footballer. I will always remember a particularly witty banner at the 1977 League Cup Final that read "Leighton Phillips simply years ahead" which was based on an advertising slogan for the electrical company back then. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave J Posted August 3, 2019 Share Posted August 3, 2019 1 hour ago, meregreen said: Signed by Saunders to get us back up to the top tier. Did a very good job for us. Was a good footballer, not just a clogger. Like others I have great memories of that team of the seventies. probably the most entertaining team I ever watched at VP. Saunders then moved on to build another great team, the rest is history. Your Uncles place in the dramatic rise of Aston Villa is there for all time. You should be proud of him. Top post - meregreen, thanks for this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveAV1 Posted August 3, 2019 Share Posted August 3, 2019 21 hours ago, DaveAV1 said: I was quite relieved when I read your post as I thought, oh dear has he passed away. Hopefully he’s still alive and enjoying a long retirement. He was known as Blod amongst the players, I assume shortened from Blodwyn since he was Welsh. I mainly remember him being a sweeper, and being part of s great defence with Alun Evans. I was at the 75 and 77 League Cup Finals and of course that wonderful night when we demolished Liverpool in 45 minutes. I still don’t think I’ve seen a better half of football. Good luck with your research. I’m sure those Villa fans even older than me will have plenty of stories for you. Actually it was Chris Nichol he played with at the back. I must be getting old!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave J Posted August 3, 2019 Share Posted August 3, 2019 18 hours ago, TRO said: Well, Andy was my friend, we used to meet up at least once a week for years.....Subsequently I met Alex and Brian many,many times. we had a social group called the " Box of Toys".....Andy would remember them with fond memories. I could write a book. back on topic.....Leighton Was a Centre Back, a bit on the light side for me, I like units......but he was a good steady player.I remember the 5-1 against Liverpool, it was a hammering against arguably the best team in Europe, I Remember Emlyn Hughes throwing his arms up to Kevin Keegan after we scored the fifth....We was Awesome.....My Mrs won a portable TV on the raffle at the Aston Social that night, some night for me. I would remember Leighton Phillips fondly, good all round player that was steadfast in his tackling and would never be intimidated......you should be proud of him. Ps The 1977 team was possibly the best Villa team I ever saw for swashbuckling football ....a young team ( oh are we embarking on something now) who had no fear and put teams to the sword with ease, he was a member of a great team. Write the book - do it- I'd buy it for sure - complimentary signing though TRO - just saying Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew phillips Posted August 3, 2019 Author Visiting Supporter Share Posted August 3, 2019 Thank you all, very, very much. It is just fab to hear all the little stories and anecdotes. It really does mean a lot to me. Please keep them coming if possible. Many, many thanks Andy Phillips 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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