Aston Villa is saddened to hear of the passing of our former assistant manager Roy MacLaren, who has died in Australia at the age of 92.
The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Roy’s family and friends at this difficult time.
Roy was one of the unsung heroes during the most successful period in the club’s history, acting as right-hand man to Ron Saunders when Villa were crowned First Division champions in 1981 and operating in the same role as Tony Barton led us to European Cup glory 12 months later.
Born in Auchterarder, Scotland, in 1930, MacLaren enjoyed a lengthy playing career as a goalkeeper, playing over 200 games for St Johnstone, Bury and Sheffield Wednesday between 1949 and 1965.
But Villa supporters will always remember him as the quietly-spoken No.2 to Saunders and Barton. He left Villa in 1984 following Barton’s sacking.
MacLaren’s son Bruce, also a goalkeeper, had a brief spell with Villa on loan from Oldbury United during the 1982/83 season.
Rest in Peace, Roy.
