Johnny Dixon, Vic Crowe and now Birchy. Without meaning the first two any less important, the news today that Paul Birch has died at the young age of 46 has left me very, very sad.
Paul Birch was there when I started supporting Aston Villa and I probably saw him play most of his games for the club. He had the heart of a lion and was never less than 100% committed to the cause.
He had some fantastic games, great goals, like Arsenal away in the League Cup 86, - but the over-riding one for me was popping Lothar Mattheus in his pocket for 90 minutes against Inter Milan at Villa Park. Kent Neilsen and David Platt got the plaudits for the goals, but one little man's huge effort in stopping the German captain was the main reason we won that game.
Birchy came down to Cheltenham after winning our Player Of The Year award - he was an honest, down to earth, humble, normal guy. I'm honoured to have my picture with him.
I'm happy the all the pain is over now Paul. Thankyou for being an ever present part of my Villa memories.
RIP Birchy.
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