Ex-Villa chairman earned nickname

FORMER Aston Villa chairman Sir Doug Ellis could be buried with just one word on his headstone and everyone would know who it was.

‘Deadly’ would do the job wonderfully for the self-made tycoon who owned Villa for the best part of four decades.

Legend has it that Ellis, who made his fortune as one of the first package holiday entrepreneurs, was called ‘Deadly’ because of his reputation for firing managers.

Thirteen passed through his hands at Villa Park, although he proudly boasted that only 11 of them were actually sacked.

In fact, Ellis, who died yesterday at the age of 94, was given his nickname by old pal Jimmy Greaves when they were on a fishing trip in Scotland.

The Tottenham and England legend referred to him as ‘Deadly Doug’ – and it stuck.

Greavsie actually bestowed it upon him for his skill at administering a death blow to the salmon he caught. It’s fair to say, however, that many a manager found him just as adept at issuing a P45.

Pressure

The son of a widowed mother from a poor family in Cheshire, ‘Deadly’ quickly amassed a fortune from his travel business and his first managerial appointment was none other than Tommy Docherty, who tells a lovely story about his relationship with his chairman.

The Doc recalls that one time, when he was under particular pressure, the chairman assured him that he was right behind him. “I don’t want you behind me, chairman. I want you in front of me where I can see what you are doing,” came The Doc’s reply.

Ellis had two spells in charge at Villa Park, from 1968 to 1975 and then between 1982 and 2006, rejoining shortly after Villa’s European Cup triumph.

The club won the League Cup three times during his reign – in 1975, 1994 and 1996 – and were runners-up in the inaugural season of the Premier League in 1992-93.

Ellis, knighted for his services to charity in 2012, had to endure personal abuse that went way over the mark during large chunks of his tenure at Villa Park.

He was much maligned and much lampooned but for all his bluster, there was a man who cared for Villa at the very heart of it.

A minute’s silence will be held at Villa Park when the club face Swansea on October 20, for what will be Dean Smith’s first game as manager.

Ex-Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland defender Paul McGrath said: “Devastated. Sir Doug Ellis, absolute gentleman to me throughout my career. My thoughts and prayers are with Heidi and his family.”

And 1996 League Cup-winning boss Brian Little said: “To me you were fantastic. RIP Sir Doug. El Presidente.”