A Scotsman arrived in Birmingham around 1871 to work as a clerk in a brass foundry. He was 21 years old when he came across a Villa practise match in the spring of 1876. He asked to play a game after noticing that one side was a man short. Despite his small build he dazzled the other players with his dribbling skills and ball control. He was invited to join the team, was elected captain, and soon became a favourite with the club's growing band of supporters.
This was the immeadiate impact that the diminutive George Ramsay had on Aston Villa. He led them to their first trophy win, the Birmingham Senior Cup in 1880, and saw the club win six FA and six League championships as Secretary between 1884 and 1926.
Ramsay died in October 1935 after 59 years at the club which he helped grow from playing on the sloping pastures of Aston Park to being one of the best known and most successful in the world. His very modest grave in St Mary's, Handsworth, which is unfortunately unkempt, speaks volumes about the unassuming Ramsey.
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