Legend Ron’s success will live on for ever
ASTON Villa head coach Dean Smith led the tributes to “incredible“former manager Ron Saunders.
Saunders, who delivered a promotion, two League Cups, one First Division title and built the Villa team that won the 1982 European Cup, passed away on Saturday afternoon after a long period of illness. He was aged 87.
The club paid tribute to Saunders’ incredible achievements at Sunday’s Premier League game against Leicester City at Villa Park where flags flew at half-mast as a show of respect.
Villa players wore black armbands while a stirring minute’s applause was observed before the game – and again in the 81st minute to mark the club’s title win during his eight-year reign.
A banner was displayed pitchside before kick-off captioned by the famous Saunders quote ‘I just consider myself lucky that I happen to be the manager of their club, I regard myself as one of them.’
And after the match, Smith, from
Great Barr, paid tribute to a man who inspired his own career in football management.
“I grew up being a Villa fan in the 70s when Ron Saunders was in charge,” said Smith.
“He built an unbelievable team. He won the League Cup twice and built an incredible team that I was fortunate to come and watch here.
“To win the League in 1981 with only 14 players – six or seven made 42 appearances and played every minute of every game – was incredible.
“That team went on to win the European Cup and I’m very thankful I was a supporter during that historical period in this great club’s history. My heart goes out to his family.”
Smith continued: “I’m sure he has inspired me in some way because he was the first manager when I came to watch Aston Villa play.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to know some of the players he managed. Chris Nicholl was my first assistant manager at Walsall.
“I know Pat Heard very well, Gordon Cowans, Ken McNaught. Ken phoned me on Saturday to give me the sad news he had passed away.”
Saunders joined Villa in 1974 and won promotion to the old First Division and the League Cup in his first season.
He won a second League Cup in 1977, the league championship in 1981 and built the team that went on to lift the European Cup in 1982, in what was the club’s most memorable triumph, just four months after he walked out over a bitter disagreement with the board.
Club captain Jack Grealish and former player Ian Taylor both described him as a “legend” as heartfelt tributes from across the world of football flooded in.
Born in Cheshire, Saunders started his playing career with Everton and scored 207 goals in 392 games with clubs including Portsmouth and Charlton before moving into management with Yeovil Town in 1967.
He remains the only manager to have taken charge of Villa, Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion, where he held his last post in football before retiring in 1987.
Blues were relegated in his first year at St Andrew’s, but he got them back up at the first attempt before joining the Baggies in January 1986.
A Birmingham City spokesman said: “All at Birmingham City offer our condolences to the family and friends of Ron Saunders. Ron managed Blues during a difficult period in our history and led the team to promotion to the First Division in 1984/85. RIP, Ron.”
A West Brom spokesman said: “We extend our condolences to the family and friends of former Albion boss Ron Saunders. Rest in peace, Ron.”
League Managers’ Association chairman Howard Wilkinson said: “I have always held Ron in very high regard and I have the utmost respect for his achievements throughout his career and, in particular, his committed service to the three midlands rivals.
“His record of reaching the League Cup final three consecutive times with three different clubs is testament to his determination and dedication to his profession.
“The thoughts of everyone at the LMA are with Ron’s family and friends at this sad and difficult time.”
Details for his funeral are yet to be confirmed, but it is thought the service will be invitation-only for family and friends.