• Welcome to this forum . We are a worldwide group with a common interest in Birmingham and its history. While here, please follow a few simple rules. We ask that you respect other members, thank those who have helped you and please keep your contributions on-topic with the thread.

    We do hope you enjoy your visit. BHF Admin Team

William McGregor-President-Aston Villa- 125th Anniversary of Football League start

That's great Jennyann. A lovely statue of McGregor and what foresight. A clever touch that he has the letter in his hand, as everyone who passes it for the first time doubtless asks themselves why is he holding a piece of paper? Wonder if any players turned up at the coffee shop to discuss the evils of drink! And if they did, whether they went on to attend successive meetings. Viv.
 
Re: William McGregor-President-Aston Villa- 125th Anniversary of Football League star

Thank you for the link Jennyann. As you may know a subject close to my heart as my great grandfather Thomas Smith attended this meeting on behalf of West Bromwich Albion as he was club secretery at the time. This was an unpaid job, he only got travelling expenses. Here is an extract from the club minutes at the time.


On 16[SUP]th[/SUP] March 1888, At a Committee meeting it was resolved that Thomas would attend a conference held in the Andertons Hotel in London, with William McGregor and others, to discuss the formation of the Football league. Once again he proved to be an integral and important figure in the negotiations.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Re: William McGregor-President-Aston Villa- 125th Anniversary of Football League star

That's a fascinating piece of football history Wendy that your Grandfather attended this meeting and it's great to see the anniversary
remembered in the Birmingham Mail.
 
Re: William McGregor-President-Aston Villa- 125th Anniversary of Football League star

I took a couple of photos of the statue a few months after it was unveiled. Snow from January 2010.







 
Re: William McGregor-President-Aston Villa- 125th Anniversary of Football League star

I will try and look the photo out that I have of Owen my son, when he was chosen to dress up as William McGregor at school. He went to the William McGregor Primary school, established by the man himself, as he did a lot of parish work in Tamworth and was benefactor for a lot of places here. The school were lucky enough to have the FA cup on show in school and Owen was shown "presenting" it to one of the Tamworth players, acted as a history session for the school too, as they researched what he had done and was famous for.
Sue
 
Re: William McGregor-President-Aston Villa- 125th Anniversary of Football League star

Thanks Ell........ great photos. I will have to see this when next I visit. It wasn't there when I last visited.
 
Re: William McGregor-President-Aston Villa- 125th Anniversary of Football League star

It was there from late 2009. You can see it through the fence on Trinity Road (as I recall). Best not to go on a match day.
 
Re: William McGregor-President-Aston Villa- 125th Anniversary of Football League star

I'd assumed he was the same as the school headmistress linked him with the school and the football - just goes to show teachers get it wrong lol! There will be a few 13/14 year olds from school that thinks its the same person too.
Thanks Wendy
Sue
 
Re: William McGregor-President-Aston Villa- 125th Anniversary of Football League star

Sue I only found out because I was researching my gt grandfathers connection. I got confused living in Tamworth with the two men with the same name.

I do think now my great grandfather was an unsung hero he had a full time job at Salters Springs and a family. Here is another excerpt from the club minuets.

At the AGM in 1887 (1.7.87) he expressed the desire to resign, because of pressure of work. He was of course unpaid, and in his letter told the committee that he had in the last year, travelled 4,000 miles on club business, attended 52 committee meetings, and sent 1,818 Letters postcards and telegrams during the course of the season. He was however persuaded to stay on.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top