DOB: 11/05/54
Birthplace: Scunthorpe
Clubs (As player): Northampton Town, Aston Villa, Brighton, QPR, Derby, Portsmouth, Plymouth, Bolton and England (6 caps)
Clubs (As manager): Wycombe Wanderers, Portsmouth, Aston Villa
John Gregory first joined Villa as a player in 1977 from Northampton Town for �40,000, he stayed at the Villa for 2 years making a total of 65 appearances, he then left to join Brighton for a fee of �250,000 (big bucks then). In 1994 John came back to Villa as Brian Little's Coach, he then left in 1996 for the vacant managers job at Wycombe Wanderers. In February 1998 Brian Little resigned as Aston Villa Manager, the question on everyones lips was "Who is going to fill his boots". Doug Ellis swiflty answered these questions in appointing John Gregory, many of Villa's younger fans were left thinking "John who?" while many of the older supporters thought "John Gregory, why? Didn't he manage a second division basement club?" I myself was left bewildered by Deadly Doug's apointment, but soon found reasoning behind Deadly's appointment. In John's first game against Liverpool (which i am proud to say i attended). Villa came back from a Michael Owen Penalty Kick to win 2-1 thanks to Stan Collymore's double strike, a dream start for J.G. Villa rose from a dreary bottom half of the table position to a brilliant 7th position and a qualification for Europe. Showing qualities needed but not expected.
John has now been at Villa for 3and a half years(ish) taking the rough with the smooth. In his first full season Villa were the premierships high-flyers until Christmas, going on a 12 game unbeaten run. They ended up finishing 6th that season with disapointing form after their run. Last season Villa had more of an average season, but they managed to finish 6th once more and also got through to the last F.A. Cup Final at Wembly Stadium, sadly, Villa lost 1-0 but there was a great atmosphere between Villa and Chelsea fans. This season has started well and all Villa fans are hoping that we can acctualy win something this season.
Greg's is renowned for being very outspoken, he says what he thinks and usually this costs him quite a lot of money with the F.A. if you want to read some of John's famous quotes click here