former Aston Villa Operations Director Steve Stride shares his brilliant memories of his time at Villa Park as the right-hand man of Doug Ellis
Steve Stride saw it all during his 35 years at Villa Park – from boardroom battles to petty squabbles, from major signings to the player with a dodgy passport. Not to mention another player who secretly recorded a conversation that could have cost Steve his job!
Appointed as an administrative assistant in 1972, when the Aston Villa staff comprised just eight people, Stride graduated to the role of secretary seven years later and subsequently became the club’s operations director.
His elevation to the Board was hardly surprising. One of the most respected secretaries in the country, he was at the heart of everything that happened at Villa Park from 1979 until his retirement in 2007.
Now he has decided to share his memories with Birmingham Live readers. Delving deep into his memory bank, he has come up with a host of stories about big-name players and managers who crossed his path at Villa, plus a sprinkling from the wider football world.
Some of the tales will make you laugh, a few might even make you cry – and all of them will give an insight into the trials and tribulations of a man who did everything for Aston Villa except wear a claret-and-blue shirt in competitive action.
A few of Steve’s stories appeared in his 1997 book Stride Inside the Villa, but our weekly series will feature a host of new material, including his adventures as a UEFA delegate following his departure from Villa.
He had travelled to all corners of the globe during his time at Villa Park, but his new role took him to 29 different countries for 55 matches, including one international where he led Germany onto the pitch, and another where his name was on the same team-sheet as Lionel Messi!
Most of the stories, though, will focus on Steve’s time down Witton way and, as you might expect, several will be about former Doug Ellis, the high-profile chairman he worked alongside for many years.
Stride Stories is coming soon. It’s a series no Villa supporter will want to miss!