William McGregor - Announcement

Press release:

FOUNDER OF THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE REMEMBERED

Tuesday 20 December marks the centenary of the death of William McGregor, founder of The Football League and chairman of Aston Villa during a most important period of the club's history.

In celebration of the centenary, Aston Villa FC is commissioning the restoration of McGregor's grave in the picturesque churchyard of St Mary's, Handsworth, in Birmingham and planning a special centenary event with high profile guests from the world of football and beyond.

Spearheading the project is Peter Lupson, author of 'Thank God for Football!' which charts the emergence of English Premiership clubs from churches, Aston Villa included. Lupson has already undertaken similar projects with Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, Everton, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur in rescuing the graves of their founders from dereliction and decay.

McGregor's centenary will be celebrated on 20 December at St Mary's Church in a service of commemoration attended by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham and the chairmen or chief executives of the 12 founding clubs of The Football League. It will be jointly conducted by Rev Dr Kirsty Thorpe, leader of the United Reformed Church in the UK (McGregor was a devout member of the Congregational Church, now part of the URC), Rev Leo Osborn, leader of the Methodist Church in the UK (in recognition of Aston Villa's Methodist origin) and the Rt Revd Andrew Watson, Bishop of Aston. Also taking part will be the Rev Professor Stuart Picken, minister of Ardoch Parish Church in Braco, Perthshire, where McGregor was baptised.

Lord Brian Mawhinney, president of The Football League, will pay tribute to his organisation's founder and the principal address will be given by Peter Lupson, co-author (with John Lerwill) of the recently published biography 'The Inspirational William McGregor'.

The service will conclude with a procession into the churchyard led by the Bishop of Aston, who will rededicate McGregor's grave. Following the ceremony, Aston Villa will host a VIP reception at Villa Park.
 
[End of Press Release]
 
Note that even the vicar of Mac's birthplace (Braco, Perthshire) has enthusiastically decided he wants to be present. He was a footballer himself - in Japan!!

Just how great was Mac?
Read "The Inspirational William McGregor" to make a better judgment!
Link to the McGregor page.

The Inspirational William McGregor book is part of a larger project to commemorate the centenary of the death of 'Mac' in December.
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A Bright Future For Whom?

From what I saw of yesterday's match, the score could easily have been 5-1 or worse - and City did not seem to me to be firing on all cylinders.

No surprises on the result, then - to me at least. But does this result make Villa a team destined for doom, which was my fear at the start of the season? I think not. But neither does the current set up instill hope in me.

City have already laid waste to several teams this season, so Villa was just another scalp of another team that don't have a chance for major honours. Villa are just another also-ran team; without any substantial quality in midfield and without cash to do anything about it, I can only see Villa remaining at this level for the next few years at best. There seems to be little chance of a decent return where money has been spent on experienced and supposedly talented players in that area - Ireland and Nzogbia. And Bent's goals have - not surprisingly - virtually dried up. Villa might get 15 million for him I suppose when he decides to leave next year.

Not so long back the owner said that the future is bright, but it is not - it is humdrum. We seem to again be left to reflect on former glories and celebrate the achievements of the great William McGregor (this December) while the top management at Villa Park seem to be adrift from the heart of the club. And I am unable to see when Villa will again show real aspirations to rise, as a phoenix, to compete with the pretenders.

Where art though, my Aston Villa?

Just how great was Mac?
Read "The Inspirational William McGregor" to make a better judgment!
Link to the McGregor page.
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Eck's End of Trial Period

OK - unbeaten after 7 league games and a GD of four. With Gabby putting up impressive shows (and I thought he'd lost his knack) with the ever useful Bent at hand, things are not looking quite so bad as I thought they might be.

However, against the opposition we've had, I would be greedy and have expected at least another 2 points on the board. There are, however, still question marks with the midfield and Jenas is yet to make his mark. Is his injury worse than we thought, I wonder, or is he to be used as a secret weapon for the next match at Man City?!

This upcoming match will be a real tester, no doubt, and one occasion that if a draw were obtained I would not be one of those saying "what, another draw?!"

This upcoming match could also be a turning point. A good result (defeat or no defeat) might just encourage the numbers to return to Villa Park in the following match. Even though they're undefeated, the quality of the play has not inspired the faithful too much and it must be worrying to the owner to see the gates falling.

It remains to see how our lot get through to the New Year.

Just how great was Mac?
Read "The Inspirational William McGregor" to make a better judgment!
Link to the McGregor page.
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