George Ramsay
Encyclopedia
George Burrell Ramsay was secretary/manager of Aston Villa Football Club
in the most successful period of their history.
George Ramsay is a colossal figure in the history of Aston Villa Football Club. Had the rough Scotsman
not come across a practice football match (in 1876) between a bunch of ill-organised, inexperienced cricket
ers, it is unlikely that the name Aston Villa would be a household name today. In fact, the infant club would probably have spluttered out of existence within the year. Such was the impact George Ramsay had on the club's early years.
Ramsay later described their approach to the game as 'a dash at the man and a big kick at the ball'. Ramsay was a gifted footballer, and amazed the players with his dribbling and control that day, so much so that he was persuaded to join them and was quickly made captain of the team. Soon people were coming to Villa matches just see him. He also took charge of training which saw dramatic improvement that showed in the results, introducing what was known as the "passing game". This had become the main style of play in Scotland
whereas in England
most teams relied on what was known as the "dribbling game".
In addition to the introduction of a radical change in playing style, Ramsay, along with John Linsay discovered the Wellington Road ground at Perry Barr
in 1876, which meant the club was able to charge admission for the first time. He was also responsible for the recruitment of Villa legend Archie Hunter
. Hunter later recounted the story in his 1890 memoir Triumphs of the Football Field.
Villa played at Perry Barr until 1897 when the club moved to the Aston Lower Grounds, next to Aston Hall
, which later became known as Villa Park. Club folklore has it that Ramsay was the first man to kick a ball at Villa Park.
Villa gradually improved under his guidance which culminated in Villa winning their first trophy, The Birmingham Senior Cup
, in 1880, with Ramsay as captain. Ramsay retired from playing in June 1882, but remained at the club as Secretary from 1884–1926. This position pre-dates the modern role of a football manager, which meant that Ramsay was responsible for the team. His duties not only involved looking after the players but also included controlling recruitment and transfers, supported by a specialist trainer. Although the team was selected by the Committee each week, which consisted of such figures as William McGregor and Fred Rinder
. He held this position for a remarkable 42 years, in which time Villa won the Football League and FA Cup
6 times each, establishing themselves as the premier football club in England
.
In 1926, at the age of 71, Ramsay retired as Secretary and became honorary advisor and a vice-president of the Club. His replacement W. J. Smith
was unable to continue Ramsay's success, although the club did finish runners-up in the league twice under his guidance. In 1934 Smith stood down and the club decided to appoint its first manager, Jimmy McMullan
. The following year Ramsay died at the age of 80. Within a year of his death the Midlands giants were relegated, an unthinkable notion in the Ramsay era.
In all Ramsay's association with the football club lasted 59 years, a time which will always be known as Aston Villa's 'Golden Age'. Ramsay was laid to rest at St. Mary's Church, Handsworth
, his gravestone reads "Founder of Aston Villa".
arrived in Birmingham
around 1871 to work as a clerk in a brass foundry, a position he held until he was appointed Villa's Secretary in 1884. He married Fannie, a native of Aston
, in 1894. They had two sons and one daughter.
FA Cup
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
in the most successful period of their history.
George Ramsay is a colossal figure in the history of Aston Villa Football Club. Had the rough Scotsman
Scotsman
Scotsman may mean:* a man from Scotland, in common parlance - see also Scottish people.* No true Scotsman, a common logical fallacy.*The Scotsman, a national newspaper based in Edinburgh, Scotland....
not come across a practice football match (in 1876) between a bunch of ill-organised, inexperienced cricket
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
ers, it is unlikely that the name Aston Villa would be a household name today. In fact, the infant club would probably have spluttered out of existence within the year. Such was the impact George Ramsay had on the club's early years.
Ramsay later described their approach to the game as 'a dash at the man and a big kick at the ball'. Ramsay was a gifted footballer, and amazed the players with his dribbling and control that day, so much so that he was persuaded to join them and was quickly made captain of the team. Soon people were coming to Villa matches just see him. He also took charge of training which saw dramatic improvement that showed in the results, introducing what was known as the "passing game". This had become the main style of play in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
whereas in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
most teams relied on what was known as the "dribbling game".
In addition to the introduction of a radical change in playing style, Ramsay, along with John Linsay discovered the Wellington Road ground at Perry Barr
Perry Barr
Perry Barr is an inner-city area in north Birmingham, England. It is also a council constituency, managed by its own district committee. The constituency includes the smaller Perry Barr ward and the wards of Handsworth Wood, Lozells and East Handsworth, and Oscott, which elect three councillors to...
in 1876, which meant the club was able to charge admission for the first time. He was also responsible for the recruitment of Villa legend Archie Hunter
Archie Hunter
Archibald "Archie" Hunter , was the first captain of Aston Villa to lift the FA Cup, in 1887. He was one of Victorian football's first household names....
. Hunter later recounted the story in his 1890 memoir Triumphs of the Football Field.
Villa played at Perry Barr until 1897 when the club moved to the Aston Lower Grounds, next to Aston Hall
Aston Hall
Aston Hall is a municipally owned Jacobean-style mansion in Aston, Birmingham, England. Washington Irving used it as the model for Bracebridge Hall in his stories in The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon.-History:...
, which later became known as Villa Park. Club folklore has it that Ramsay was the first man to kick a ball at Villa Park.
Birmingham Senior Cup
The Birmingham Senior Cup is a football competition for Birmingham County FA club teams, organized by the Birmingham County Football Association...
, in 1880, with Ramsay as captain. Ramsay retired from playing in June 1882, but remained at the club as Secretary from 1884–1926. This position pre-dates the modern role of a football manager, which meant that Ramsay was responsible for the team. His duties not only involved looking after the players but also included controlling recruitment and transfers, supported by a specialist trainer. Although the team was selected by the Committee each week, which consisted of such figures as William McGregor and Fred Rinder
Frederick Rinder
Frederick William Rinder was a committee member and later chairman of Aston Villa during the club's 'Golden Age'. Known as the 'Grand Old Man of Aston Villa'; he is widely regarded as one of the greatest association football administrators...
. He held this position for a remarkable 42 years, in which time Villa won the Football League and FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
6 times each, establishing themselves as the premier football club in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
In 1926, at the age of 71, Ramsay retired as Secretary and became honorary advisor and a vice-president of the Club. His replacement W. J. Smith
W. J. Smith
W. J. Smith was a secretary/committee member of Aston Villa F.C. from August 1926 to May 1934. During this time, this was the equivalent of the modern day managers position. Before 1934 the team was selected by a committee. Smith was the last person to be a Secretary, Jimmy McMullan was appointed...
was unable to continue Ramsay's success, although the club did finish runners-up in the league twice under his guidance. In 1934 Smith stood down and the club decided to appoint its first manager, Jimmy McMullan
Jimmy McMullan
Jimmy McMullan was a Scottish football player and manager. McMullan won 16 Scotland caps as a player at half-back and was part of the famous "Wembley Wizards" side of 1928.-Early life:...
. The following year Ramsay died at the age of 80. Within a year of his death the Midlands giants were relegated, an unthinkable notion in the Ramsay era.
In all Ramsay's association with the football club lasted 59 years, a time which will always be known as Aston Villa's 'Golden Age'. Ramsay was laid to rest at St. Mary's Church, Handsworth
St. Mary's Church, Handsworth
St. Mary's Church, Handsworth, also known as Handsworth Old Church, is an Anglican church in Handsworth, Birmingham, England. Its ten-acre grounds are contiguous with Handsworth Park and it is just off the Birmingham Outer Circle and south of a cutting housing the site of the former Handsworth...
, his gravestone reads "Founder of Aston Villa".
Personal life
The GlaswegianGlasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
arrived in Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
around 1871 to work as a clerk in a brass foundry, a position he held until he was appointed Villa's Secretary in 1884. He married Fannie, a native of Aston
Aston
Aston is an area of the City of Birmingham, in the West Midlands of England. Lying to the north-east of the Birmingham city centre, Aston constitutes an electoral ward within the council constituency of Ladywood.-History:...
, in 1894. They had two sons and one daughter.
Aston Villa Honours
Football League First DivisionFootball League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
- Champions: 1893–94, 1895–96, 1896–97, 1898–99, 1899–1900, 1909–10
- Runners-up: 1888–89, 1902–03, 1907–08, 1910–11, 1912–13, 1913–14
FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
- Winners: 18871887 FA Cup FinalThe 1887 FA Cup Final was contested by Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion at the Kennington Oval. Aston Villa won 2–0, with goals by Archie Hunter and Dennis Hodgetts.-Teams:*Played 2 April 1887*Attendance: 15,500*Referee: Major Francis Marindin...
, 18951895 FA Cup FinalThe 1895 FA Cup Final was contested by Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion at Crystal Palace. Aston Villa won 1–0, with Bob Chatt being credited with scoring the fastest goal in FA Cup Final history, scored after just 30 seconds...
, 18971897 FA Cup FinalThe 1897 FA Cup Final was contested by Aston Villa and Everton at Crystal Palace. Aston Villa won 3–2, with goals by John Campbell, Fred Wheldon and Jimmy Crabtree. Everton's goals came from Jack Bell and Dickie Boyle....
, 19051905 FA Cup FinalThe 1905 FA Cup Final was contested by Aston Villa and Newcastle United at Crystal Palace. Aston Villa were victorious, winning 2–0, with Harry Hampton scoring both goals....
, 19131913 FA Cup FinalThe 1913 FA Cup Final was contested by Aston Villa and Sunderland on 19 April 1913 at London's Crystal Palace. Playing as the home side, Aston Villa won 1–0 on a goal by Tommy Barber on a crossed ball from Charlie Wallace...
, 19201920 FA Cup FinalThe 1920 FA Cup Final, the first since the end of the First World War, was contested by Aston Villa and Huddersfield at Stamford Bridge. Aston Villa won 1–0, with the goal coming in extra time from Billy Kirton, to clinch the trophy for a record sixth time.... - Runners-up: 18921892 FA Cup FinalThe 1892 FA Cup Final was contested by West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa at the Kennington Oval. West Bromwich Albion won 3–0, with goals by Jasper Geddes, Sammy Nicholls and Jack Reynolds...
, 19241924 FA Cup FinalThe 1924 FA Cup Final was contested by Newcastle United and Aston Villa at Wembley. Newcastle won 2–0, the goals scored by Neil Harris and Stan Seymour.The match has become commonly known as the "Rainy Day " final due to the weather that day,a consequence of which has led to there being very... - Semi-finalists: 1901, 1903, 1914