Jack's fine game against Belgique on Sunday evokes the history of Aston Villa's star forwards in me, and Brian Little is the first to come to mind as the most recent (probably) to have had the talent to be compared to our Jack.
What a player Brian was; even Andy Gray said he was the best he ever played with, and that includes Kenny Dalglish when Andy and he were playing in Scottish colours.
But then my mind turned to the fact that although Brian, like Jack, came out of the Villa Academy, he actually originated in the north-east, and to ensure that Brian would not be homesick, the Villa even signed Brian's brother Alan as well, and his dad as the club's kit man! What great sadness that Brian had to bow out at only the age of 27 because of injury.
Another equally great north-eastern name in Brian Little's era is Gordon Cowans.
But stemming from that comes thoughts of other great Villa forwards from the north-east. Before Brian and Gordon there was Johnny Dixon who, from 1946 to 1961, was a much-loved player and captained the last Villa side to win the FA Cup. How he failed to get an England 'cap' is a mystery, especially during the time when another north-eastener, Tommy 'Toucher' Thompson, played in the same forward line as Johnny, and in season 1951-52 it was Tommy that gained an England 'cap'. That was even though Johnny scored 26 goals for Villa that season and had a fine understanding with Tommy.
After less than 5 years at Villa, Tommy went on to Preston, who in those days were a very good side and had the famed Tom Finney leading the line. The two 'Toms' scored 200 goals between them over the next 4 years and the great Finney was full of praise for his scoring partner.
Going further back in history, the Villa had the great north-eastener Clem Stephenson in their ranks, from 1911 to 1921. He was regarded as being better than the later well-known Billy Walker, and - in his 30s - went on to play for the then-ambitious Huddersfield Town, who won the league championship three times in a row under his captaincy. Clem's brothers George and Jimmy also played well for the Villa.
Charlie Wallace was another from the north-east; a clever winger from 1907 to 1921, and an international. Going back earlier there was Bob Chatt and Albert Evans, great stalwarts of the 1890s.
But though from the north-east, nearly all these players joined the Villa when they were young and learnt how to play the Villa Way.
So, the Villa have been well-served by the north-east, but there have been more major big names in Villa's history since the start of the league that have derived from the Midlands. We can list Brummies and Midlanders of the ilk of John Devey, Howard Spencer, Charlie Athersmith, Fred Wheldon, Joe Bache, Albert Hall, Harry Hampton, Frank Moss (father and son), Dickie York, Arthur Dorrell, Tommy Smart, Billy Walker, Len Capewell, Ernie Callaghan, Harry Parkes, Peter Aldis, Nigel Sims, Gerry Hitchens, John Sleeuwenhoek, Alan Deakin, Mike Tindall, Tony Hateley, Garry Shaw, Tony Daley, Ian Taylor, Darius Vassell and Gabby - not to mention the Welsh 'Brummie' - Vic Crowe! - and the difficult Stan Collymore.
There have been many more great local servants, including Jack Grealish's great-grandfather, Billy Garraty, who was a key figure in the winning of the FA Cup in 1905.
So there has always been a strong Villa tradition in utilising local talent, and young talent in particular, and it so pleasing to see Jack being the latest successful example of that. Long may this tradition continue!
UTV!
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