ian ormondroyd

Villa have had some great players in the last twenty years; Brian Little, Paul McGrath and David Platt to name but a few. Despite this, my favourite player would probably be described as one of the worst to ever pull on a claret and blue shirt, but I don't care.

Graham Taylor swooped for 6' 4" Ian Ormondroyd in February 1989 when he paid Bradford City a then-club record Ł650,000. After a promising start Ormo's performances went to pot and most Villa fans felt that Bradford had performed a swindle of Maxwellian proportions. But not me.

Now, being over six feet tall and completely useless at football myself I knew what Ormo was going through, so when everyone else was saying he was useless I stuck up for him. Everyone thought I was barmy and everyone was probably right.

The following season saw a complete improvement in Villa's fortunes as we nearly won the league. Ormo played his part in the team's success, finding a new lease of life on the left wing and turning in some great performances. These included a memorable goal at Spurs on the night Villa went top of the league, which is one of the proudest moments in my time supporting the Villa. Even my friends had to agree that Ormo was good, and he even got man of the match in the Argus.

Unfortunately, Ormo's good form didn't continue under the reign of Josef Venglos. He did score one of the best goals I've ever seen at Villa Park, a thirty yard screamer against Q.P.R., but this was only a glimpse of the rejuvenated player we had seen the season before.

Big Ron sold Ormo to Derby in 1991 and since then he has moved on to Leicester. I always look forward to watching my hero play on TV on Sundays. He tends to be as bad as ever but I don't care. I just close my eyes and see the ball hitting the back of the net at White Hart Lane.

lan Johnson.
Taken From Issue 25