Big Ron is an absolute legend. We need to see more of him. As a black man, I have to say that he has done far more for integrating black players (and fans) into the English game than anyone else. He almost single handedly changed the culture in this country. There’s no question about that. He is Mr. Diversity. Thanks for the interview.

The big Ron Era was one of the best. We played with a swagger

Brilliant interview - and Thanks Big Ron for such happy memories. One of The Villa's greatest managers, who left the Villa to soon..... All the best Ron UTV

A Legend at every club he managed. Long Live Big Ron

Great to see Ron in conversation ..met him once at a book signing few years back ..was a pleasure to meet him ..top bloke ..I wish him all the very best

@oldmanc2

2 ай бұрын

Exactly. He treats you with respect. Great with my kids when we met him

Sadly there aren’t enough characters like Ron in the game today. He’s aging but he’s still got it. I’ve always said the same as him about the 92/93 season regarding Dalian getting injured and the introduction of Fergie time in that Sheff Weds game they won. One of the games charismatic managers for sure. Great to watch and listen to him like this.

Such happy days - I know it’s no longer PC but I can’t help thinking “big fat Ron’s Claret & Blue army” - massive memories and one of my favourite managers and times as a Villa fan… Be well Ron UTV 🦁💪

@geordievillan

2 ай бұрын

I don't half get some funny looks when i do occassionally sing that 'un - but ppl join in. It ain't often, ofc, but when the oldies come out, that's alwaysi n there

@theozmiester7405

2 ай бұрын

Shame about the 94/95 season where we were fucking shite

@stfitness

2 ай бұрын

Brilliant mate. I still sing it. Did all home and aways under Ron. Sheff Wed away - his first game - we sang Big Fat Ron’s Claret & Blue Army” for about 45 mins solid prior to kick off. The Wednesday fans just started cheering us in between.

@richardjohnson2470

Ай бұрын

I am a 57 year old Villa fan can just about remember the 80/81 season and 82 Saunders and Barton sides but Rons era was my favourite, we had great players during his time but he attracted them to the club, he is one of Villas best managers and he remains my favourite and he is a nice guy aswell. Thanks for the great memories Ron they were good times to be a Villa fan.

True Legend. He was my first manager as a Villa supporter. Brings back a lot of memories from the time. Great interview and nice to see him doing well.

Ron comes across as a really nice guy plus I can’t believe his memory at the age of 84

Best Sheffield Wednesday manager ever.

I'm with Big Ron - that Tranmere game was something else!! Great memories 😊

Absolutely brilliant interview. Love Big Ron. He was manager when I started my love for Aston Villa so he will always have a special place for me. Keep up the great work

As a Liverpool fan always had a gruding admiration for Big Ron (exc. Man Utd tenure), what a truly fabulous career in football as player & manager alike. He oozes charisma and respect, for a man in his mid eighties he's as sharp as a tack, incredible memory bank of recalling players, teams and endearing story after story, just in awe of the man. One of the very best interviews with a former manager hugely respected by his players, clubs and fans alike. Stay well Big Ron and to the interviewer sensational work, huge kudos and congrats 👏🏼

One of my favourite ever episodes. Loved Big Ron’s time at the Villa - brilliant memories. Thanks for doing this one lads. Amazing trip down memory lane 😊

The first Manchester United manager I properly remember. I got his autograph in 1985. Underrated manager and a top bloke.

Great to see Big Ron looking so well. Loved his time as manager, and the Sheff Wed game is still one of my best Villa days. Big Fat Ron's claret n blue army. Thanks for the memories Ron. UTV

Could've watched 10 hours of this easily, so many special memories. Really appreciate you guys doing this. 💜💙

That game at Hillsborough, Big Ron you have no idea!!! Etched into my memory, thanks for everything!!

The Paul McGrath / exercise bike story, brilliant. 😂

Love big Ron my favourite ever manager

Absolute legend of a man! Treated appallingly by the media in this country. He made ONE mistake and has been demonised for it ever since

Still sharp as a tack. Thanks for the memories big Ron 👏

I love 'Big Ron'. I was a season ticket holder back then, Villa Park was like a fortress during his reign. If the opposition lost the ball, they had a hell of a time trying to get it back. Such an exciting time back then, and it looks like those times are returning.

One of the characters of football we are thankful that we had that character for a few years. Good on ya Ron

My word, he's still in such good form! I sound like an old git (I am) but are there any characters in the game like Ron today? 💪

Thanks for making this interview happen. Big Ron was my first Villa manager that I can remember. Thanks again. Dave Cheater

Brilliant, well done Matt, only you could have gone toe to toe with big Ron with your vast knowledge and memory of them golden days. UTV

This is my era. Ron's memories is amazing. A great watch.

Legend, loved the first game at Sheffield and then in the season was a brilliant journey, seeing Dalian score in the soaking rain at palace ground they let Wimbledon use at the time, winning at Liverpool was great but going to Wembley and stuffing Utd I will be eternally grateful sir Ron 💙💜

Nobody has ever mentioned Barca and Tranmere in the same sentence … Gréât interview .. thanks

Thank you Ron, I was at 1994 final and was great to relive the memory. Take care!!

Honestly could listen to Big Ron for hours. Only bad thing about having him as manager when i was growing up is that my own son doesn't get to too.

Wonderful interview, I could listen to hours and hours of this.....but small claim to fame - I actually saw Ron playing....AND at Villa Park! On 31/03/1970 ...Ron played for visitors Oxford in a 0-0 draw, a game we were desperate to win to avoid relegation from the old Second Division (now the Championship)..crowd - 30,000...crucially we had a shot cleared off the line. Then the infamous away game at Leicester when a shot beat Shilton in goal but bounced back out off the stanchion, we lost 1-0, good chances created, shot cleared off the line again, shot hit the post. Won the final two home games 2-0 v Boro and 1-0 v Sheff Utd but Charlton sent us down two days later when they beat Bristol City 2-1...in those days, the final games were not synchronised as they are today. Yes, it was the horror season 1969/70, the worst ever in our history, simply could not score goals to win games...and rooted at the bottom of the table from the start of the season. As a 12 year old, the shame and humiliation was beyond belief; there would have been sheer disbelief if someone had said............ ''Don't worry, you'll be league champions in 11 years time, then European Cup winners the year after!''.

Big Ron is looking really well still got the villa at heart smiling bout the mighty villa the way they are

Such great memories of the Big Ron era. Great to see him looking so well and still sharp.

Really interesting. First villa memories were with big Ron at the helm. Was flying from bhx on holiday and the whole villa team were there. Got autographs and Dean Saunders put me on his shoulders, and said “yabba dabba do mate” cos I had a flint stones tshirt on. Legends!!

Just found this gem. Great memories. My 1st game, trinity road stand right next to where Deano scored a worldy to beat Ipswich.

Thanks for arranging this show, great memories and glad to see Big Ron in good spirits 👍

"BIG FAT RON'S CLARET & BLUE ARMY! AVFC"🎶 Great interview chaps. Appreciated this, Ron made so many memories for us, a good man & a great era for Villa. I got a story about that sheffield Wednesday game from my dad (r.i.p) & brothers who went. I was too young for away games back then incase of trouble n that. ✌🏼💜💙UTV

@Researcher83

2 ай бұрын

Story time. After the game on the way back to the car some Sheffield weds fans called them "Villa w⚓️'s, f off" or something like that & my eldest brother sarcastically shouted back "3-2, Ha ha ha", they didn't like it & followed them back, as my dad,bro & a guy called cod Eye I think were walking through an alley they got jumped by these chaps, 5 vs 3, bear in mind my other brother & his friend was at the chippy around the corner, my dad grabbed one by his belt & filled him in, eldest brother went for the big guy & rammed him up the wall & punched his knackers in then my other bro who was at chippy came back, saw what was going on & ran to help, he had a big bottle of coke in his hand from the chippy & smashed it over one of their heads & coke went everywhere, the guys then ran off after being humbled. Great days lol I always remember this story as it was funny. 💜💙

Great interview great days at the Villa Thank you Big Ron 💜💙

Oh my gosh. I was on one of those flights from BHX to Tenerife. We were delayed and Big Ron was on the same flight. I managed to get my holiday book signed from him. I was only a kid at the time. Now 37 and have fond memories of Ron

Love Ron Atkinson. Main reason me a cockney chose a unusual midlands team to support.

Great interview. Big Ron was my first Villa manager. Thanks, from an Irish villain

Brilliant - Loved every minute of it .

The only time I thought we could go anywhere and win was when Ron was manager. Brilliant football. Great manager. Thanks Ron.

United fan here: I watched most of my football under Ron. What a gentleman. Had time to talk to my boys when we met him in Dubai a few years ago and we shared stories of the 80s. To me a legend and thanks for this excellent interview.

Great times.Was season ticket holder stood on the Holte in them days.Saunders never scored on his debut versus Leeds.Well i think he had one disallowed!

Loved that interview, definitely my favourite so far. I'm just about to hit 40 so he was our manager when I was a kid and started following the villa. Such great memories of that era and his memory is sharp for 85. On another note you mentioned pagliuga the inter gk, I was obsessed with goalkeeping back then and he was my second favourite keeper behind bosnich, turns out pagliuca is a villa fan. UTV

Happy days at Villa Park with Big Ron in charge, great to see his passion hasn't been lost. All the best Ron!

I was at the 1-4 Sunderland match at Roker. Fair play to BIG RON, he’s right - absolutely battered Villa and lost. Bosnich was Unbelievable! 10/10 performance.

Oh, the green paint story. I remember that and it had me crying with laughter all over again. Thanks for that Ron, they were happy days

Fantastic interview Matt - thought your interview style with Big Ron was brilliant, could have listen to you both for hours. Great to hear Rons stories - but also see your depth of knowledge of our great club. UTV.

Ron mentions that he would have liked a Director Of Football role, but forgets he did briefly have a similar position for Coventry City when Gordon Strachan took over as manager in 1996. The following season Atkinson as DOF was a key component in bringing Roland Nilsson to the club, but he didn’t continue in the role for much longer after that.

Met Big Ron at the Blues one evening when he was United's Manager during a League Cup match. We were in the sponsors box and he joined us with Lou Macari afterwards. Really impressed me. Years later I bumped into him at our golf club in Bromsgrove and more recently in the village near his home where we collected our newspapers in the morning. Always a smile, loved talking football. We are both old men now but he is a giant amongst football characters.

Happy time's under Big Ron watched some fantastic football what a great interview. UTV

Brilliant stuff, what a guy! Lets hope were watching the same type of thing with Emery in years to come.

Got to love Big Ron!

I was told a teams coach had broken down and Ron arranged a loan of his clubs team coach ,great manager we could do with him next season at Accy .

Absolutely amazing interview!! Love Big Ron and his stories UTV

A fantastic interview big ron was a proper manager so interesting to listen to his memories Gary the saddler

Great stuff! I've a lot of time for Big Ron. He could still do a managerial job today!!

Listening to this guy brings back some unbelieveable memories. What a guy! ...and what a great podcast!

Love big Ron 😂 was United’s manager for my first ever game in 85 ,uniteds all times 3rd best manager the football was electric as was Ron’s briefcase probably with two glasses 🥂 and a bottle of champagne inside 🎉

I am 54 now and living on the other side of the world but listening to these memories, I lived through all of these as a Holte Ender and they were some of the greatest memories of my life supporting my team. We were effing amazing

@andrewgardner1935

2 ай бұрын

And I was at Tranmere away…….. the significance of that Dalian goal can never be underestimated

This is gold. Thank you.

Superb, really enjoyed that!

Absolutely brilliant. Brought me back to my first memories of supporting Villa. Loved that villa team. Big fat Ron's claret and blue army

Hes looking really well, would never have thought he's 84! Great memories from that time when i was a very young Villa fan, went crazy for that winner at Sheffield Wednesday....was a great first season under big Ron after a nightmare of a season previously under Joe Venglosh...

Loved this and definitely nostalgic!

I was at an away game in 1994 at Coventry. I got to meet big Ron and what a man he is. I was 13 and in the Coventry box with a Villa top on and he said you're a brave kid wearing that up here, good on you. I remember watching Dwight Yorke warm up and he did balance the ball on his head from the half way line all the way to the goal. What a player he way. Those were some good times as a Villa fan.

Big Ron . Great man , great manager . Very charismatic too. Proper old skool . Massive respect - UTV 💜💙

great interview UP THE VILLA 🦁🦁🦁

The Cornwall Lions Club had Ron down at the back of last your for a meet and greet in Truro Top Bloke Still on the Champagne too, even sung ' My Way for us at the End

Great interview. Love big Ron

That was superb 👏🏻

Absolutely outstanding 👏👏👏👏

Brilliant interview! Big thanks from Sweden for all your work Matt

this was a great interview. brought lots of childhood villa memories back.

Man looks and sounds great for 85!

What a total pleasure. Nice one lads. Thanks. My memories of the big ron era is my favourite time as a villa fan past.

The Best Aston Villa manager ever. Even with the current statistician we have now. Apologies Unai🙏

What a fantastic podcast.Thanks for doing this I really enjoyed it and it bought back some very fond memories 💜💙

Big Ron is a legend. Glad I grew up watching 90s football.

Thanks so much for this Ron and Mat. Such an amazing trip down memory lane. The 90’s were my favourite time supporting Villa.

Thanks Matt! That was brilliant! Big Ron is my era too. They were great times. UTV!

Great interview, thoroughly enjoyed it. UTV!

Loved Big Ron. Great to hear him. Such good memorys and also some what nearly was. Legend.

Many, many thanks for this guys 👏. Big Ron and the teams he picked gave me some of my best Villa memories to date. Absolute fantastic interview but wish it was longer as could listen to Ron all day. Hopefully you’ve got a few more of these coming this year. Thanks again to everyone involved 🟣🔵

One word….Fantastic!! UTV

Enjoyed that.Thanks Ron.UTV

Watched this with a smile on my face the whole episode

Great to hear from the man! brilliant interview - UTV

That was a fantastic interview, some great great memories rekindled for me, from Tranmere to Inter Milan

I’m a Portsmouth fan, but really enjoyed this! That Villa team under Atkinson was fantastic! My late Nan was a huge Villa fan.

Brilliant interview, always grateful for the memories Ron gave us from his time at the villa.

Enjoyed this, good to see Ron looking well.

Outstanding interview Matt. Thanks so much for this. Loved Ron and his teams. So great to hear him talk about those brilliant days and see him to fit, healthy and content. Still an engaging raconteur!! 😊💜💙

I was on the Holte with mates when BFR announced Deano. We thought at the time that Ron was at loggerheads with Deadly & announced it to push deadly in a corner to get the deal done. We were wondering if Ron would have a job come Monday. The Tranmere game - the most exciting game i ever went to at VP. BFR & Karen Brady, he managed to convince her, Dailan was his son :)

Great interview

Thoroughly entertaining, love big Ron, great job Mat and Dan. UTV