Prepared PR 🦁

To say it's upsetting to find out Gordon Cowans, our "Sid" at Villa, is now in a nursing home as his dementia takes hold, is an understatement and I'm sure upsetting to everyone in the Villa family. As a footballer, he was one of my true heroes, a majestic ball playing midfielder who was criminally underused for England but who drove us to become Champions of England and Europe. Quiet, no fuss, just oozing class and composure always. As a coach at Villa, he was the only one on the coaching staff who didn't judge my mental health issues at a time when others, who should have known better, did. A quiet word here, a chat there, a "well done big man" when I was at my loneliest and weakest showed me the man he is. I saw Sid a few weeks ago at Villa Park, and although it was obvious dementia was taking an ever increasing hold, he still chatted, still instinctively knew his role amongst supporters as an icon, signing autographs and having photos, a lesson to every pro footballer today. If he can, you can. Sid, you're my hero, yesterday, today, tomorrow and for as long as I have breath in my body. You are the very best of the sport we love, the club you represented and still represent with so much grace, and the family and friends who will be by your side. From me and mine, thank you for everything you gave a wide eyed 11 year old, thank you for the words as I lived a nightmare wrapped in a dream come true, and how you epitomise why Aston Villa Football Club is the special place that it is. To Sid's family, sending you much love and wish you the greatest strength at this difficult time. We're Aston Villa, a glorious name, a magnificent history and a bright future ahead. All made possible by men like Gordon Sidney Cowans. "All of my heroes are Villans". Keep fighting, Sid. #UTV 💜💙