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death at villa park?

  • Thread starter Thread starter magnum
  • Start date Start date
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magnum

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Hi newby here researching the mighty Villa.

Had read that an ex-goalkeeper ( Henry Cooch ) died on 12th May 1944 in 'the cottage' at Villa Park.

Does anyone know more about this.

Thanks.
 
The only death of a Henry Cooch in 1944 is this entry:

December Quarter 1944

COOCH Henry Age 65 Birmingham 6d 121

There is a reference in the Times Online Archives on 1 November 1944 to a death of a Henry Cooch - pay per view site

Doug
 
If Henry Cooch was 65 when he died in 1944 the chances are that he would have stopped playing around 1914. I have read quite a lot about our local teams but cannot recall the name Cooch but that is not to say that he did not play for Villa.

The cottage at Villa Park was in the main car park in Trinity Road adjacent to the players entrance. It was occupied by employees of the Villa. The last occupier that I know of was Ernie Callaghan who was the groundsman, He himself was an ex Villa player.

Old Boy
 
Found this on the web....I think that he just died of old age.....plus the item in the Times is nothing to do with this Cooch.....

Name: Cooch, Henry (Harry)



Birthdate: 1879-01-01 in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire (Died: 1944-05-12 in the "Cottage" at Villa Park, Birmingham)

Position: Goalkeeper

Playing for Villa: March 1902 - May 1908

Previous clubs: Wellingborough, Finedon, Rushden, Kettering

Signed: - From Kettering

Sold: Retired after losing a finger

League: 25 matches

Cup: 0

International:


More info:
He also played as a defender with the Reserves.
He was a member of teams which won the Birmingham & District League in five successive years 1903, 1904, 1905, 1906 and 1907.
He retired after sustaining an injury during training which so seriously dislocated and fractured the index finger of his left hand, that it had to be part amputated.
He returned to Kettering in September 1908 and was signed by Walsall in 1909 where he played 32 games for their Reserves.
He was later coach/trainer at Villa Park.

astonvillaloggo.jpg
 
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