Aston Villa lost 2-1 to Manchester United at Villa Park on Sunday afternoon and for older spectator and viewers like me both clubs bring back memories of one of football’s great characters – Tommy Docherty.

Like Ron Atkinson, he managed both clubs and both were king of the one-liners when it came to quips.

Tommy was the Villa manager from 1968 to 1970 and Manchester United’s from 1972-77.

In all, he managed 14 different clubs (including Queens Park Rangers twice, Derby County and Wolves) and used to joke that he had more clubs than the golfer Jack Nicklaus!

He became Villa chairman Doug Ellis’ first manager in December 1968. He helped attract big attendances but on January 19,1970, with the team bottom of the old Second Division, he was sacked!

Days earlier. Ellis had called a press conference to deny rumours that he was about to sack the Doc, saying: “I am right behind our manager Tommy Docherty” to which the Doc quipped: “I would rather have you in front of me with all due respect, Mr Chairman, where I can see you!”

Tommy told us all about his trip to the famous Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe horse race at Longchamp in Paris while at Villa.

Ellis called Docherty........

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