KentVillan Posted December 8, 2019 Share Posted December 8, 2019 Before my time, but the stuff I've heard and watched over the years has made me feel a connection with him. Especially the fact he managed players like Brian Little, Andy Gray and Nigel Spink, who were such a big part of my childhood as a Villa fan. It's funny how those little threads run through the different eras. RIP. A life well lived. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post briny_ear Posted December 8, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted December 8, 2019 Multiple layers of sadness this evening. At his passing. Remembering how he made a team far better than any of us had a right to expect. Remembering how badly he was handled by the board leading to his totally unnecessary departure. At his illness in later life. The word “legend” is bandied about a lot on this site but Ron was the only one who really earned the title. A truly great man and manager. RIP Ron ”Do you want to bet against us?” 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post MikeMcKenna Posted December 8, 2019 VT Supporter Popular Post Share Posted December 8, 2019 I am totally devastated. I shed a few more than a tears when I heard this. We knew it was coming but it is still so hard to take. After the misery of the 60s, Ron lifted us up and made us a great club again. He, above any player renewed Villa as a force and was my all time hero. I had the great fortune of spending some time with him about 5/6 years ago. When I asked him what made the difference when he joined the club in the 70s, he simply said “the fans”.. I pressed him, saying surely it was the players he brought in or the work ethic he instilled etc etc . But he insisted saying “No, at the the time finding those who wanted to play was easy, but the fans were something else.” We talked later about the 2nd replay of the league cup final at Old Trafford v Everton with him saying something along lines of how important the fans were that night. You had to be there but he was right, we literally drove the players forward. So sad RIP Ron. 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8pints Posted December 8, 2019 Share Posted December 8, 2019 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenjiOgiwara Posted December 8, 2019 Share Posted December 8, 2019 7 hours ago, blandy said: It was a really lovely moment when he was invited back, when Randy was here. All hail Saunders, all hail Aston Villa Is there film footage of this? Can't remember it at all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post AVTuco Posted December 8, 2019 VT Supporter Popular Post Share Posted December 8, 2019 As you grow older, you notice that some things become "your" things. And they are often from the same era. Like, for me, the '82 Spain WC is the one and only WC. In the same way, for me, Ron Saunders is the one and only Manager of Aston Villa. As a foreigner living far away from Villa Park, I firmly believe that without Ron and his achievements I would not be a Villa fan today. For that, my forever thanks and respect to Ron. May You Rest in Peace, My Manager. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mykeyb Posted December 8, 2019 Share Posted December 8, 2019 Awful news, gave us fans a club to be proud of and will be held in the highest regard by us all. Many thanks Ron you are truly a Villa Legend. RIP 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tegis Posted December 8, 2019 VT Supporter Share Posted December 8, 2019 33 minutes ago, KenjiOgiwara said: Is there film footage of this? Can't remember it at all It was during the lap of honor I think, no TV for that. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robtaylor200 Posted December 8, 2019 Share Posted December 8, 2019 He went the way of my dad. A horrible disease. I feel like I have lost something special to me. There are many fans left that remember this great man and what he did for Aston Villa. So sad so sad. He brought Happy times and happy memories. I still have his autograph. A true Villa legend I was at the away match at Arsenal when we lost but won the league at the same time, because Mborough had beaten Ipswich. Such a sad passing. My heart goes out to your family. Because your family is our family 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blandy Posted December 8, 2019 Moderator Share Posted December 8, 2019 18 minutes ago, Tegis said: It was during the lap of honor I think, no TV for that. You might be right, but my memory says it was a midweek game, not that Sheffield United weekend one, Tegis. I have it in mind it was maybe the next season, about October time. But I might be completely wrong. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tegis Posted December 8, 2019 VT Supporter Share Posted December 8, 2019 6 minutes ago, blandy said: You might be right, but my memory says it was a midweek game, not that Sheffield United weekend one, Tegis. I have it in mind it was maybe the next season, about October time. But I might be completely wrong. Looks like United in the background. We havent had the 82 boys together at other times right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blandy Posted December 8, 2019 Moderator Share Posted December 8, 2019 3 minutes ago, Tegis said: Looks like United in the background. We havent had the 82 boys together at other times right? Oh the team one in your vid and pic is definitely Sheff Utd at the end of the season. But I think Ron Saunders trip back to VP was maybe 5 or 6 months later, for a midweek game. I don't think the old players were on the pitch for Ron's return. I'm sure someone will remember more clearly than me the timing of it all. But it's less the date than the feeling and the nostalgia and Saunders being back after many years and the acclaim he got. It was lovely. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zatman Posted December 8, 2019 Share Posted December 8, 2019 12 minutes ago, blandy said: You might be right, but my memory says it was a midweek game, not that Sheffield United weekend one, Tegis. I have it in mind it was maybe the next season, about October time. But I might be completely wrong. I think he was there during a winter game probably vs United think it was the Scholes wondergoal game. Was around Christmas Sheffield United game was when the 82 team was celebrated. We also got the Proud History Bright Future scarves 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tegis Posted December 8, 2019 VT Supporter Share Posted December 8, 2019 (edited) 1 minute ago, blandy said: Oh the team one in your vid and pic is definitely Sheff Utd at the end of the season. But I think Ron Saunders trip back to VP was maybe 5 or 6 months later, for a midweek game. I don't think the old players were on the pitch for Ron's return. I'm sure someone will remember more clearly than me the timing of it all. But it's less the date than the feeling and the nostalgia and Saunders being back after many years and the acclaim he got. It was lovely. Ah, all research in vain . And I keep blanking out that Saunders was "not part" of 82 Edited December 8, 2019 by Tegis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robtaylor200 Posted December 8, 2019 Share Posted December 8, 2019 2 minutes ago, Zatman said: I think he was there during a winter game probably vs United think it was the Scholes wondergoal game. Was around Christmas Sheffield United game was when the 82 team was celebrated. We also got the Proud History Bright Future scarves Definitely UTD, this may have been one of the last games I took the old chap to see Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newhavenhibby Posted December 8, 2019 Visiting Supporter Share Posted December 8, 2019 (edited) So sad to hear. So many memories of following Villa home and away during the seventies......thanks for these Ron Thoughts with family and friends RIP Ron Edited December 8, 2019 by newhavenhibby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjmooney Posted December 8, 2019 VT Supporter Share Posted December 8, 2019 I think it's only just hit me. I'm in tears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meregreen Posted December 8, 2019 Share Posted December 8, 2019 8 minutes ago, Tegis said: Ah, all research in vain . And I keep blanking out that Saunders was "not part" of 82 He most certainly was a part of 82. It was his team playing his way that made us Champions of Europe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tegis Posted December 8, 2019 VT Supporter Share Posted December 8, 2019 5 minutes ago, meregreen said: He most certainly was a part of 82. It was his team playing his way that made us Champions of Europe. Thats why I put it in "" 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onmeedson Posted December 8, 2019 Share Posted December 8, 2019 Best times of my villa life were under this legend of a man, we all believed in a team that gave everything they had for this guy who was a major taskmaster and disciplinarian. We will never see the like again so a very big Thank You Sir Ron , rest with the stars and always be admired by villa fans. RIP Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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