Ex-Villan Brendan Ormsby is thankfully on the mend after suffering a stroke shortly before Christmas on December 22nd. Despite being in a serious state initially, the former Villa centre-back has gradually grown stronger since Christmas and it is reported he was discharged from hospital in the past 24 hours.
Ormsby played 117 times for Villa between 1978-86 and was lucky enough to be at Villa Park, when the Villa experienced its historic glory years of the early 1980’s, before he signed for Leeds United.
Despite being Birmingham-born and making the most appearances for the claret and blue, out of all the clubs he played for (also including Doncaster and Scarborough), Ormsby very much found his home in Yorkshire, after his playing career. While only playing 57 games for Leeds United, he captained the team and became a popular figure in the Leeds fraternity. As well as having a regular column in the Yorkshire Evening Post on Leeds United, he is the honorary president of the Scarborough branch of the Leeds United Members’ Club, and a local brewery even named a beer, Ormsby’s Bitter, after him.
We’d like to take this opportunity to wish Brendan a full and speedy recovery. Once a Villan, always a Villan! UTV
If you have any fond memories of Brendan Ormsby in a Villa shirt, please take this opportunity to include them in the comments below, as well as if you want to pass on your well wishes.
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Big Brendan was a good mate of mine growing up in Ladywood, Birmingham. When he was signed by Villa , he was living every school boys dream. Get well soon mate.
Get well soon big man. I shall never forget the headline ‘Brendan’s bazooka’ following his goal at West Ham!!
A great guy i remember bren giving us a lift back from bodymoor heath to chelmsley wood and what a header v the baggies get well soon mate
As having a stroke myself 4 months ago, I know it will be a long road to recovery but with his fitnes the road will be made easier. My memories of him playing for our great club are made when he came through the youth system, up the villa
Best memory .. Him having a fracas with John Richards of wolves and Richards struck out at ormsby. Instead of falling like a stone like players today, he just stood there and smacked Richards back, who went down like he’d been shot !!! They were both sent off, but is showed him as he was, a proper bloke …. Get well soon fella.
his goal at West Ham, jumped out of my seat – in the West Ham end!
Always remember him guesting playing for a hepworths works 11, will never forget the oppositions faces when we got onto the pitch. Get well soon
Great post. A great man, real gentle giant. Fave momwnt his winning goal against The Albion first game of the season 1983. As you said once a Villan always a Villan. UTV!!