We’re all aware of Paul McGrath’s incredible talents on a football pitch.
Now the former Villa defender is starring in a new role – as a literary hero.
The ex-Republic of Ireland international is the name of the main character in INVISIBLE, by Villa-supporting author Andrew Grant – the younger brother of Lee Child, creator of the Jack Reacher series.
Like his brother, Andrew has also used Villa-related names over the course of his first seven novels.
As well as McGrath, there are enough other claret-and-blue characters in INVISIBLE to make up a team plus three substitutes – with a choice of Atkinson or Di Matteo as manager!
We caught up with Andrew at his home in the USA…
How did you become a Villa supporter?
I can’t remember ever not supporting the Villa.
I was born in Birmingham, all my friends were Villa fans when I was a kid, and so was my brother, Lee.
He took me to my first match, and after that experience there was no turning back. Not even now that I live 5,000 miles away.
Can you recall your first visit to Villa Park?
It was against Sheffield Wednesday in 1973.
Villa were stuck in the old Second Division then, just like we are now in the Championship, but over the course of my life I’ve seen the club climb from the old Third Division to become champions of Europe, so I’m optimistic that we’ll rise again.
Is there a game that really stands out in your memory?
There’s always been something special about European nights at Villa Park, and I’ll never forget Phil King scoring the decisive penalty against Inter Milan in September 1994, at the height of the Ron Atkinson years. (Of course, Paul McGrath also played in that match…)
How long have you lived in America, and how often are you able to get back here for games?
I’ve lived in America for more than ten years now – first in Chicago (Birmingham’s sister city), and now in Wyoming.
I make sure to visit Villa Park every time I’m back in the UK and over the last few years I’ve probably averaged four or five games a season.
My daughters are both serious football players and they come with me as often as possible.
What was the first Villa name you used as a character in your books?
Lee’s been using Villa names in his books for a long time, but I think the first time I did it was with RUN, where I had a character called Weimann.
The first time I went with a full-scale Villa theme, though, was INVISIBLE.
Paul McGrath is your favourite player. How would you describe him?
Paul was on a whole different level to any other player I’ve ever seen.
In games where Villa weren’t getting forward too much, I’d just watch Paul, and I remember loads of times he’d move to a weird position on the pitch, and before I could think what on earth is he doing, the ball would magically arrive at his feet. It was like he was clairvoyant.
Seeing him play was a privilege, and I still miss watching him in a Villa shirt.
What about the other Villa-inspired characters in INVISIBLE?
As well as Paul there are lots of others, including Atkinson, Carrodus, Milner, Dixon, and Robson.
In addition, there’s a law firm called Suggett, Lyons and Darracott, based on three other footballers from my youth.
I also gave several other characters football related names, such as Kanchelskis, Carrick and Walcott.
There’s a theme behind my choices which connects the Villa and the non-Villa names.
