Ramsay George Image 1 Aston Villa 1879

Description

Glasgow born George Ramsay joined Aston Villa in 1874 as a player. Archie Hunter, who Ramsay persuaded to join Aston Villa in 1876, later described the important role that Ramsay played in the development of Aston Villa: Mr. Ramsay was practically the founder of the Aston Villa Football Club. He had had good tuition in the game while in Scotland and as a member of the Oxford Club he had gained plenty of experience and taken part in several first-class matches. Mr. Ramsay was a capital all-round player and could take any position and give a good account of himself.”

Ramsay always wore a polo-cap and long shorts. William McGregor later recalled: “I can see now the little dapper, well-built laddie, with a black-and-red striped cap, red-and-blue hooped jersey, and the same coloured stockings, getting hold of the ball on the extreme wing, well within his own territory, and going off like streaked lightning, wiggling, waggling past opponents one after another and finally landing the ball between the sticks.”

In the 1880-81 season Aston Villa won 21 of their 25 games. They also won the Staffordshire Cup that year. George Ramsay was in outstanding form. Unfortunately, a serious injury forced Ramsay to retire from first-class football in June 1882. Two years later he was appointed as club secretary, a job he held until 1926. He oversaw the success that Aston Villa enjoyed in the late 1890’s, including winning The Double in 1897.