FAREWELL, MR VILLA

Chairman quick to fire bosses and anger fans .. but he loved his club

DOUG ELLIS, chairman of Aston Villa for two spells totalling 35 years, died yesterday aged 94. Known as Deadly Doug for his hire and fire attitude, he had 14 managers and his biggest regret was that his brief break from the board coincided with Villa’s greatest moment – winning the European Cup in 1982. Here NEIL MOXLEY gives a highly personal insight into the boardroom giant.